Clay bricks are made with clay that might sound easy, but the process of transforming it into hard and solid blocks is accompanied with meticulous steps. All the levels determine their strength, colour, and durability. Clay bricks should be prepared with accuracy whether they are to be used as homes, pathways or even as walls. The following is a direct and simple explanation of the process of the formation of these common building materials.
Clay Extraction
It is prepared through gathering of natural clay on the ground. Workers sieving the clay and clear away the stones or roots or undesired matters. This is aimed at achieving clean smooth clay that creates a solid base of strong bricks.
Clay Preparation and Mixing
The clay is then broken and blended with the water to make it soft and workable, in other cases, sand or other natural materials are applied to enhance texture. This is a mix that should be homogeneous with no lumps in it to prevent cracking of bricks in future.
Molding the Bricks
Molds are then used to shape the soft clay. Such molds may be pressed by hand or rolled. The bricks are made to be of the required size such that they perfectly fit in the construction process. The bricks are then dried for several hours
Drying Stage
The shaped bricks are dried thoroughly and either outdoors or in drying dungeons. This operation takes out the majority of the moisture. It is necessary to dry slowly, because when bricks dry too fast, they may crack.
Firing in Kilns
Lastly, the dried bricks are loaded into a kiln and heated at 100° C temperatures that are very high. The strength and colour of the bricks are provided by this process of firing that makes the clay hard.
Conclusion
All the steps are essential in making robust and durable bricks from beginning with clay to kiln. This knowledge will make you realise that there was a work of an art in every wall constructed using clay bricks.