UTILIZATION OF LIMESTONE DUST IN BRICK MAKING

A.Mageed, A.; AbdelHaffez, Gamal .S.

doi:10.21608/jesaun.2012.114423

UTILIZATION OF LIMESTONE DUST IN BRICK MAKING

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

A. A.Mageed ¹
Gamal .S. AbdelHaffez ²

¹ Assiut Univ., Faculty of Eng. Dept. of Mining & Metall., Assiut, Egypt

² Assiut Univ., Faculty of Eng. Dept. of Mining & Metall., Assiut, Egypt On Secondment to king AbdulAziz Univ., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

10.21608/jesaun.2012.114423

Abstract

In Egypt, Large amounts of limestone dust are accumulated annually during running limestone quarries. Disposal of these wastes is a rapidly growing problem, and causes certain serious environmental problems and heath hazards. Therefore, research for utilizing these disposals is urgently needed. The main aim of this study is to investigate both physical and mechanical properties of brick specimens containing combinations of limestone dust and small amount of Portland cement as a binder for producing building brick material. Limestone dust and cement were mixed, humidified and molded by two methods, hand-making method and mechanical molding method applying small compaction action. After demoulding, the produced specimens were left to dry in air at room temperature for 28 days. The obtained values of water absorption, bulk density, slake durability index, and compressive strength satisfy the Egyptian standard of fired clay building units for non-load bearing walls. The test results indicate that brick specimens contain 13% cement satisfy the requirements of building of non-load bearing walls in Egypt. The process undertaken can easily be applied in the working Egyptian brick plants using semi mechanization system. The positive use of these wastes converts them into useful products that can alleviate the disposal and environmental problems.

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