Clay block: production technology, advantages and disadvantages

Adobe construction is one of the oldest methods of building buildings. Clay is a plastic material, and when dried, it is quite strong. Saman was not forgotten even with the development of technology - in the south, houses are still being built from it. Consider the production methods of the adobe block.

Advantages and disadvantages of adobe

The main advantages of adobe are as follows: it is cheap, warm and environmentally friendly. There is a lot of clay in our country - you can dig it up or buy it for a penny. Adobe houses are usually warm and maintain a good microclimate. In the hot south, in adobe houses in the summer, you can safely do without an air conditioner. Clay material is clean - does not emit harmful substances. And it also regulates the humidity in the room: when it is damp, it takes moisture from the air; and in dry air, on the contrary, moisturizes it.

This material also has drawbacks, but it's worth making a reservation right away - they are fixable: over many centuries, people have figured out how to deal with them.

Saman is afraid of water and this is the main drawback. Adobe buildings must be hidden from moisture. Previously, for these purposes, clay plaster was used, which was whitewashed with quicklime on top. Now this can be done with modern plasters or ventilated facades. It is recommended to place the adobe block on a high plinth to keep it dry as much as possible.

Hanging weights is considered a clear disadvantage of the clay block: the adobe walls are loose and it is problematic to hang furniture on them. Modern technologies are not very helpful here - a chemical anchor or anchoring action does not help - a wooden frame needs to be built to hang heavy objects.

What is needed for the production of an adobe block

The adobe block production technology is simple, affordable and does not require large investments.

To make an adobe block you need:

• kneading area;
• forms;
• tool;
• drying area.

The kneading platform is a wooden box with sides and thick cellophane at the bottom. The optimal size is 2 * 2 meters with a side height of 0.5 m. You can do without a box - just dig out a hole of the same size and cover the bottom and walls with foil.

Molds are made from boards or metal. The form is an ordinary box with handles without a bottom and a lid. The size of the form does not have strict restrictions: it is usually performed as a standard expanded clay block 19 * 19 * 39 cm, but it is better to reduce the height - the optimal size will be 20 * 15 * 40 cm. The number of cells in the form can be made from one to four. The main thing is to observe the geometry so that the blocks come out easily.

The conditions for drying are as follows: the adobe should lie on a dry, flat surface. When drying, you should avoid rain or the scorching sun: for this it is better to build a canopy. The floor must be leveled so as not to disturb the geometry of the block. After setting, the blocks are stacked in stacks until completely dry.

Adobe block production technology

Recipe 1

Clay and manure are mixed in proportions of 1: 1. All this is poured with water and stirred until a homogeneous mass of thick sour cream consistency. Next, the mixture is placed in a mold and compacted. A regular beater is suitable for ramming. After the block has been compacted and formed, the top is leveled and the shape is removed.

Recipe 2

The batch is clay 70%, crushed straw or reeds 20%, sand 10%. The proportion is observed in terms of volume! All this is also moistened, kneaded until smooth, placed in a mold and rammed. You can add fine expanded clay or expanded clay crumbs instead of sand, and replace reeds or straw with rice husks. The husk has an adhesive property.

Recipe 3

Clay 70%, crushed straw, reeds or rice husks 15%, sand 10%, cement 5% are mixed. Here everything is still done according to the usual technology: kneading; molding; ramming. This method is relatively modern, and is used in enterprises producing clay blocks.

The block is dried depending on the weather: 7-12 days.

How do you feel about adobe construction? Write in the comments!

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