TITLE:
Ceramic Properties of Three Specimens of Alluvial Clays Used in Local Constructions from Mbouda Clay Deposit, West Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Philémon Zo’o Zame, Sylvain Kouayep Lawou, Philippe Samba Assomo, Audrey Erman Moutsou, Yannick Lontchi Dzoti, Véronique Kamgang Kabeyene Beyala
KEYWORDS:
Sand, Bricks, Clays, Mechanical Properties, Local Constructions
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.12 No.5,
September
3,
2024
ABSTRACT: The Mbouda alluvial deposit is located at the foot of the Bamboutos mountains (West Cameroon) where three types of clayey materials are widespread. The populations collect these clays in their natural state in view of constructions using fired bricks or compressed blocks. Unfortunately, these buildings are not strong. This study investigates the causes of the strengthlessness of buildings and suggests solutions to overcome the difficulty. The research content includes field and laboratory studies. The methodology consists of sampling black (AN), white (AB) and red (AR) clays specimens identified in the study area and analysing them simultaneously at MIPROMALO (Cameroon) and at ACME LAB in Vancouver (Canada). The results obtained show a high sand content in the samples AN (64%), AB (55.2%), AR (30.9%). The compressive strength of the built specimens is low at 900˚C considered as the traditional firing temperature AN (0.94 MPa), AB (5.25 MPa), AR (2.18 MPa). The mineralogical series are identically made by kaolinite, chlorite, gibbsite, quartz, muscovite, biotite, goethite, magnetite and hematite. Silica (SiO2) presents higher contents AN (52.87%), AB (48.02%), AR (47.68%) followed by alumina (Al2O3) AN (29.96%), AB (28.13%), AR (24.72%). The other elements are poorly represented.