The strength of green sand-lime bricks

The strength of green sand-lime bricks is affected by the method of manufacture and by various material factors. Some relationships were investigated in order to achieve a high strength. The material strength is provided principally by the hydrated lime. It emerged that a brick is stronger the more homogeneous the distribution of the hydrated lime on the surface of the grains of sand. The distribution of the hydrated lime is dependent on the mixing time and mixing intensity of the raw materials, the water content of the mortal; and the temperature. Increasing the lime content above a certain level has no great effect on the material strength. The material, strength is considerably affected by the bulk density of the green sand-lime brick and by the swelling which occurs if the reaction of the unslaked lime with water is not fully complete.