Study of the mixing ratios of interlocking bricks from cow manure and Dan Kwian soil using compressive strength testing method

Abstract

This article investigates the optimal mixing ratios for interlocking bricks made from cow manure and Dan Kwian soil. The primary objective is to evaluate the compressive strength of bricks produced with various mixture proportions. This research plays a significant role in promoting the utilization of agricultural waste to reduce production costs and community waste. In this study, researchers tested the compressive strength of interlocking bricks composed of Dan Kwian soil, cow manure, and cement. Dan Kwian soil, a high-quality clay from Nakhon Ratchasima province, was chosen as the main component due to its excellent properties in enhancing strength and aiding in heat dissipation in construction materials. The tests were conducted on various mixing ratios, with a focus on comparing the results to control bricks made from standard mixtures.

          From the compressive strength tests, it was found that Mixing Ratio 1 (Dan Kwian soil 70%, cow manure 10%, cement 20%) yielded high compressive strength values that were close to those of the control bricks. This result indicates that using cow manure as a waste material in appropriate proportions can replace some resources in brick production without significantly compromising the material's strength. Additionally, the properties of Dan Kwian soil further contribute to the strength and heat dissipation efficiency of the interlocking bricks. However, when the proportion of cow manure increased, such as in Mixing Ratio 3 (cow manure 30%) and Mixing Ratio 4 (cow manure 40%), the compressive strength of the bricks clearly decreased from 5.4 MPa to 4.6 MPa and 4.1 MPa, respectively. This demonstrates an inverse relationship between increasing cow manure content and decreasing compressive strength, which may be due to the excessively high organic content in the cow manure, leading to a more porous brick structure and reduced load-bearing capacity. This research project demonstrates the potential of using cow manure, an agricultural waste product, as an effective component in the production of interlocking bricks. Applying such waste materials not only helps reduce production costs in the construction industry but also contributes to waste management and minimizes environmental impacts in communities. Nevertheless, for more complete development, future studies should further investigate the effects of organic matter content in cow manure on the physical properties and bonding mechanisms of the bricks. This should also include testing the durability against weathering and other environmental factors to ensure that these cow manure interlocking bricks can be used sustainably and effectively in real-world applications in the long term.