Caracterización de arcillas rojas para el uso de fabricación de ladrillos, dentro del sector Timbiana, Morona Santiago.

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the physical characteristics of the red clay located in Timbiana area of Río Blanco rural parish in Morona canton, province of Morona Santiago, for the production of handmade bricks. The field research was carried out in a 3189.50 square meter field, establishing eight sampling points and three kilogram samples were taken. Experimental research was applied both in the physical analysis of the properties of the clays carried out in the Soil Laboratory of the GAD of Morona Santiago and in the dosage of raw materials for the manufacture of handmade bricks. The analyses of granulometry, moisture percentage, plastic limit and liquid limit with the best results correspond to the clays of points PM1, PM2 and PM3 with plasticity indexes of 13.59, 16.22 and 24.84 respectively. These clays were mixed in different doses with additives, such as sawdust and silica. The type bricks formed by the samples taken, were manufactured in the artisan company FALCO in the city of Cuenca and were subsequently subjected to analysis of length variation, compressive strength and moisture absorption capacity. It was determined that the bricks that meet the requirements of the NTE INEN 297 standard are R02M23 and R05M23; the first with a content of 80% PM2 clay, 15% silica and 5% sawdust; and the second with a content of 25% of each PM1, PM2 and PM3 clay, 20% silica and 5% sawdust. It is concluded that the PM1, PM2 and PM3 clays are suitable for use in the manufacture of bricks. It is recommended to collect samples on days with homogeneous meteorological characteristics, so as not to alter the properties of the clays.