Effect of sand and by-pass element dust as non-plastic materials in clay bricks

The effect of substitution of clay by sand as well as by-pass cement dust on the physico-mechanical properties of clay bricks has been studies. Briquettes were made, and fired for 2 hours at 800 degrees C, then the ceramic properties were studied.-l-he result show that the substitution of 20\% clay by sand improve the crushing strength, bulk density and apparent porosity as well as the prevention of bloating of the fired clay bricks. A sand addition over 20\% decreases the physico-mechanical properties. The addition of 5\% by-pass cement dust to the above mix (80\% clay and 20\% sand) improves the ceramic properties of the fired samples.