Tehnički Vjesnik (Jan 2018)
Effect of Compaction during Casting on Anisotropic Compressive Strength of Baked Clay
Abstract
Due to high cost of aggregates and cement in plains of Pakistan, there is an overwhelming need to investigate structural properties of Reinforced Baked Clay (RBC) as a possible substitute of Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) for construction of low cost houses. In this paper, direction dependent cube crushing strength of baked clay is investigated. For this purpose, baked clay beams were cast by applying compactive pressure of intensity from 0 to 7 MPa. The clay beams were fired at a temperature of 1000 °C. Cubes were cut from these baked clay beams. The cubes were tested for compressive strength in directions, i.e., parallel and perpendicular to casting layers. Anisotropy was observed in compressive strength of baked clay cubes. The baked clay showed anisotropic behaviour in compressive strength in general. However, the anisotropy in compressive strength was decreased by increasing compactive pressure at the time of casting of clay beams. Average crushing strength of baked clay cubes tested in a direction parallel to casting layers was found to be 35 MPa, and that of perpendicular to casting layers was 30 MPa. The magnitude of compressive strength of baked clay is 1.5 times higher than that of normal concrete.
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