Treatment of Clay with Oil Palm Fibre Ash and Rice Husk Ash Mixture for Burnt Clay Bricks Production

Abstract

The current study examines the use of oil palm fibre ash (OPFA) and rice husk ash (RHA) mixture in the treatment of A-6 Makurdi clay for burnt brick production. The results show that the compressive strength of 9.4 MN/m2 for burnt untreated brick increased to 10.86 MN/m2 for burnt 2%OPFA+2%RHA treated brick. The corresponding water absorption of 14.9% for the burnt untreated brick increased to 16.2% for burnt 2%OPFA+2%RHA treated brick. The strength value of 10.86 MN/m2 is greater than 10.3 MN/m^2 which is the minimum strength value for negligible weather (NW) conditions. The water absorption of 16.2% is less than 17%, 22% and ‘no limit’ which are the maximum values for severe weather (SW), moderate weather (MW) and NW respectively. Based on combined strength and water absorption criteria, burnt bricks production with 2%OPFA+2%RHA treated A-6 Makurdi clay is adequate for use as a load-bearing brick in wall areas of NW condition.