STUDY ON ENHANCEMENT OF THAMARACHAL CLAY AND ITS UTILIZATION IN BRICK MAKING

Abstract

Thamarachal lake located at Puliyoor, Chengannur, Kerala is a waterbody of high strategic importance in the Chengannur municipality. As part of rejuvenation of the lake, an estimated quantity of 43200 m3 of silt is proposed to be dredged in order to enhance the water storage capacity of the lake. This study focuses on utilizing the dredged material to be used as a potential construction material instead of merely storing in waste dumps. The geotechnical properties of the Thamarachal clay were tested and compared with clay from a factory which is generally used in brick making. It was found that the basic properties were comparable with the clay used in brick factory. Further, different sets of bricks were cast in moulds and subjected to unfired and fired conditions of drying. Unfired Thamarachal clay bricks were of less strength than standard unfired factory bricks but since it is in the range of 1.74 N/mm2 and 6.24 N/mm2 it is considerably okay. Fired Thamarachal clay bricks showed less strength and were broken. Thus, inclusion of other available substitutes for further enhancement of these bricks made of Thamarachal clay were considered. By mixing 60% of Thamarachal clay with 40% of an admixture clay, it was observed that there is improvement in properties in terms of compressive strength and water absorption. From the results obtained by conducting various tests on 2 sets of 15 bricks made of Thamarachal clay and mixed clay (Thamarachal and admixture clay) respectively, the strength is observed to be higher for the latter set of bricks which can thus be manufactured for commercial purposes.