PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MIXED TWIN CLAY DEPOSITS IN AWGBU USED FOR POTTERY AND POSSIBLE STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS

The practice of mixing Asha clay and Ajagworo clay deposit at Ngene-Agu site in the ratio of 3:1 by Awgbu women for pottery business is investigated. Physical (Atterberg limits) properties, elemental content, compressive strength, water absorption and characterization for individual and mixed clays were carried out. The result obtained shows that between 700 C and 1100 C, the compressive strength of Asha clay and Ajagworo clay derived burnt bricks did not individually meet the Nigeria specifications for structural development, while that of the mixed clay derived burnt bricks satisfied the minimum strength requirement of 2 ∙ 50 N/mm at 1000 C and above. The result also showed that the mixed clay derived burnt bricks has the least values for porosity of 0 ∙ 568 and water absorption at varying temperatures. This has proved that the practice by Awgbu women of mixing Asha and Ajagworo in the ratio of 3:1 raised the compressive strength to 3 ∙ 81 N/mm and lowered the water absorption to a minimum value of 12 ∙ 2 %. This work has shown that the Awgbu mixed clay can be used for structural development in Anambara State and Nigeria.

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