A Lightweight Fast Drying Adobe Brick
Abstract
Adobe is the world's oldest and most commonly used building material. This is no coincidence. Adobe is universally available, inexpensive, durable and aesthetically pleasing. Modern material science should not overlook this vernacular material, but should use engineering techniques to improve and document it.
Adobe is often thought or as being suited only to desert environments. This need not be the case. Adobe bricks that are stabilized with asphalt emulsion or portland cement will weather well even in a tropical climate.
Here is presented a method by which high quality adobe bricks can be economically produced on a small scale and in a limited amount or space. The bricks are molded in a modified Cinva Ram at a relatively low moisture content and with voids placed so that the drainage path is minimized and the surface area is maximized. While conventional adobes cannot be handled for several days to several weeks after molding, these bricks can be handled carefully as soon as they come out or the mold and can be stacked after 48 hours in a simple solar drier.
Description
Program year: 1984/1985Digitized from print original stored in HDR
Citation
McManus, William W. (1985). A Lightweight Fast Drying Adobe Brick. University Undergraduate Fellow. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /CAPSTONE -WardA _1976.