Assessment of waste clays in the Qusseir region of east central Egypt for production of lightweight bricks

• DOI: 10.1186/s42269-018-0009-2
• Publication Date: 2018-10-03T06:40:49Z
• Authors: Esmat Abu El-Anwar; Hamed Mekky; Wael Abdelwahab; Mohamed Elmaghraby
• Keywords: Anhydrite; Fluorapatite

Egyptian Upper Cretaceous waste clay samples from Yunis Mines, Qusseir vicinity, Eastern Desert, were investigated for their chemical and mineralogical compositions as well firing. These investigations carried out to assess the suitability use clays production of lightweight bricks. X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques applied characterizing mineral raw clays. On other side, densification parameters fired up 1100 °C examined by using Archimedes water-saturation methods determining density crushing strength bodies. Two types concrete prepared different grain sizes: coarse a mix fine aggregates. Concrete batches prepared, mechanical bulk determined. Mineralogically, consist montmorillonite predominant mineral, with quartz, calcite, fluorapatite, anhydrite, pyrite impurities. Bulk apparent porosity sample at 0.89 g/cm3 67.19%, respectively, while two range 0.76 in type no fines 0.90 20% fraction. The both is 25 kg/cm2 45 types, respectively. results showed that data provides useful application ramps ancient mining tunnels Qussier area an additional mean brick concretes reduce relatively good modern buildings non-loading building units enhance thermal insulation buildings.