Which Size Sand Particle Used To Make Bricks Makes The Most Durable Brick?
&
Which Brick Is The Most Durable Clay, Cement,
Or Cement Paver?
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Carmel L.
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PURPOSE
HYPOTHESIS EXPERIMENT DESIGN MATERIALS PROCEDURES RESULTS CONCLUSION RESEARCH REPORT BIBLIOGRAPHY (optional) APPENDIX (optional) PROJECT LOG |
Purpose
Section 1
The purpose of this experiment was to determine which size of the sand particles used to make bricks would be the strongest. I became interested in this idea when I wanted to learn more about engineering and architecture. I also thought this project would be a great experience. The information gained from this experiment can help architects and engineer or local people learn and use the information, and to judge what type of brick to use.
Section 2
The purpose of this experiment was to see which type of
brick is the strongest. I became interested in this idea when I wanted
to test commercial bricks for a different project and compare the results
with my other experiment as a similar experiment. Also I wanted to
see if the commercial bricks would be stronger. The information gathered
from this experiment can be helpful for people who have or will use bricks
for decorative or for building a structure.
Hypothesis
Section 1
My hypothesis is that the larger size of silica (#8) will
be stronger than the smaller size (#30) for making the bricks. I
base my hypothesis on the research I have done and also a quote from Greg
Wilson, a mason, saying, The larger particles of sand will make the strongest
brick. Also, the larger sand particles will hold together better
than the small size because it takes up more room to hold together for
making the bricks.
Section 2
My hypothesis is that the concrete paver will be the strongest
because it has the highest amount of cement in it. Second strongest
will be the clay brick and then the weakest brick will be the concrete
brick. I base my hypothesis from an exact quote saying the same thing
in my hypothesis given by Jeff Hayes, a local who sells and knows about
bricks.
Experiment Design
Section 1
The constants in this study were:
The same amount of sand added to both types of bricks
The portland cement used was the same, and the amount
used was similar for both bricks.
Both bricks were stored in the garage
When the bricks were made, the same wheelbarrow was used
One shovel was used for both the bricks made
The scale used was used for both bricks
One meter tape was used
The bucket was used for both the bricks
Weights were used for both brick experiments
The manipulated variable was the different sand particle size added into my bricks. Their were two experiment groups, one had #30 silica sand added and the other had a #8 silica sand. The control group was the cement brick used for the Section 2 experiment.
The responding variable was the strength of the bricks and how it compared to the other bricks. To measure the responding variable I used a meter tape, scale, weights, a compression test, and a ladder to measure the durability of the bricks.
Section 2
The constants in this study were:-the same size of each brick
-the same place bought
-the same temperature stored in
-the same place the bricks were bought
-the same ladder used for one experiment
-the same place the compression test was done
The manipulated variable was which type of bricks would be the strongest the cement, cement paver or the clay brick.
The responding variable was the strength of the bricks
and how it compared to the other bricks. To measure the responding
variable I used a meter tape, weights, scale, a compression test, and a
ladder to measure the durability of the bricks.
Materials
| Quantity | Item Description |
| 4,536 kg | #8 Silica |
| 4,536 kg | #30 Silica |
| 4,536 kg | Portland Cement |
| 9,072 cc | Water |
| 1 | Wheelbarrow |
| 1 | Shovel |
| 1 | Mold |
| 1 small can | Oil |
| 4,536 kg | Weights |
| 30 | Clay Bricks |
| 30 | Cement Bricks |
| 30 | Cement Paver |
| 1 | Bucket |
| 1 | Compressive Strength Tester |
|
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Procedures
Section 1
1. Gather or buy all materials needed for the experiment.
2. Make the bricks (see appendix on the procedures for
making the bricks.)
3. With the bricks made start on the 3 different experiment.
Making the bricks
1. Gather all materials needed like the sand, portland
cement, and water.
2. Measure the amount of sand to add into the mixture.
3. Next, measure the amount of portland cement needed
in the mixture.
4. Combined the mixture together in a wheelbarrow and
mix well.
5. Then add the water needed until it becomes a watery
substance (not too watery or the cement wont hold together.)
6. Mix together with the sand and cement.
7. Then coat the molds with oil so the cement mixture
wont stick on it and will come out easily.
8. Put the mixture into the molds and make sure it is
filled up and smoothed down.
9. The next day, take out the bricks from the molds or
if brick has not hardened yet, wait until the day after.
10. Then, wait at least 3 days until testing the project.
Have the bricks cured.
Curing
1. After the bricks are taken out of the molds, store
it where it will not be disturbed.
2. Sprinkle with water and then wait 3 days until testing.
You may also soak the brick in water and then take it
out but it will take longer to dry.
The curing process makes the bricks stronger.
(Test 1) Durability Test
1. First, set up a ladder to stand on.
2. From 8 feet drop the bricks down.
3. Check how many pieces it broke down to. *
4. Test 5 of each of the 2 experimental bricks.
5. Then record the results.
(Test 2) Weight Test
1. Find a plank or make a plank to support the brick on
top and so weights can be hanged from the bottom.
2. Put the brick on top of the plank and tie a rope down
the middle.
3. Then, hang a bucket tied to the rope.
4. Then add weights into the bucket (I added rocks for
weights)
5. Test 5 of each of the 2 experimental bricks.
6. After, record the results of the experiments.
(Test 3) Compression Test
1. Gather 5 of each of the 2 experimental bricks.
2. Then test the bricks at a soil lab with a compressor.
3. Put the brick into the compressor and add flour to
the top and the bottom to make the surface smooth.
5
4. Then test the brick with the compressor.
5. Then after the brick starts cracking stop the compressor
and read the meter on how much pressure was put on the brick.
6. Then write the results for later use.
* The broken pieces counted were only the ones at, at
least 1-inch pieces.
Section 2
1. Buy the materials needed like the bricks (cement, cement
paver, and the clay bricks.)
2. Next, find the length, width, and height of each project.
3. After, that then start with the three experiments
that was done to the home made bricks
4. Follow each step of the tests (Durability, Weight,
and Compressive) in Section 1.
Section 1
The original purpose of this experiment was to determine which size of the sand particles used to make bricks would be the strongest. The results of my experiment was that the average strength of the #8 silica was stronger than the #30 silica. The #8 silica in all the tests except for one was stronger. In the Compression Test the average on the # 8 silica was 6,610 kilograms. But the #30 silica was only 4,280.6 kilograms, for its average. On the Durability Test #8s average of times dropped before breaking was 1.4 and the #30 silica was only 1.2. For the Weight Hang Test, none of the bricks broke, at the highest weight, which was
Section 2
The original purpose of this experiment was to see which type of brick is the strongest. The results of the experiment were that the average strength of the cement paver was stronger, and the clay brick came next and lastly was the cement. The cement paver in all of the tests except for one, was the strongest of the three. In the Compression Test the average on the cement paver was 18,432.792 kg. But the cements average was only 11,315.808 kg, and the clay was 12,061.224 kg. On the Durability Test the cement pavers average was of times dropped before breaking was 6.2 and the cement was 1.6, and the clay was 1.8. For the Weight Hang Test, none of the bricks broke just like the Section 1 even though those were home made. I also noticed that on the Durability Test, when the results I did were done, the average number of pieces broken from the #30 brick was higher. I concluded that the stronger the brick was the less pieces broke off. Also, the weaker the brick is the more pieces broke off.
Conclusion
Section 1
My hypothesis is that the larger size of silica (#8) will
be stronger than the smaller size (#30) for making the bricks. I
base my hypothesis on the research I have done and also a quote from Greg
Wilson, a mason, saying, The larger particles of sand will make the strongest
brick. Also, the larger sand particles will hold together better
than the small size because it takes up more room to hold together for
making the bricks.
The results indicated that this hypothesis should be
accepted, because the cement paver was the strongest and the clay brick
next, and the cement last. If I were to conduct this project again I would
test three different types of the same kind of brick and find out which
is the strongest between them. Also, I would test the bricks and
see which one would hold the most water or moisture.
Section 2
My hypothesis was that the cement paver would be the strongest, and then the clay, lastly the cement brick. The results indicated that this hypothesis should be accepted, because the cement paver was the strongest and the clay brick next, and the cement last.
Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if
more cement added does effect the strength and amount of time cured would
have another effect too. If I were to conduct this project again
I would test three different types of the same kind of brick and find out
which is the strongest between them. Also, I would test the bricks
and see which one would hold the most water or moisture.
Research Report
Brick
Bricks are used in construction or for decorative purposes.
Some bricks are soaked in water and then dried by sun, but most are dried
in kilns. They are stronger than stone and cost very little, some
bricks can be made from glass. They resist dampness and heat.
In ancient Mesopotamia and Palestine, bricks were
the chief building material because they had little wood or stone.
About 9,000 years ago Jericho inhabitants in Palestine were building bricks.
Many other ancient people used bricks like the Babylonians and the Sumerian.
Then later the Persians and the Chinese started using bricks for structural
uses. For example the Great Wall of China is made of bricks.
Romans also used them to make large structures such as baths, amphitheaters,
and aqueducts, which they covered with marble facing.
During the Middle ages, in the Byzantine Empire
and in Northern Italy, in the Low Countries, and in Germany they prized
bricks because stone was scarce. The tradition continued through
the Renaissance and in English Georgian architecture, colonists brought
bricks to North America. Native Americans had already known about
bricks and have used them. Maya and Olmec made their pyramids out of bricks
and faced them with stone. Still, today bricks are used in different,
and a variety of ways.
Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary rock is one of the 3 major kinds of
rocks on earth. It is 70% to 75% of the total area of the earth.
Its made form loose sedimentary that becomes more and more. It can
also be made from chemicals that precipitate out of water. This kind
of rock can provide information of past environments. Most sedimentary
rocks are characterized by parallel or discordant bedding that reflects
variations in either the rate of deposition of the material or the nature
of the matter that is deposited.
Classic Rocks
Classic sedimentary rocks are also known as terrigenous
rocks because of the particles that make up this kind of rocks, comes off
the land and the particles that come off are the classic rocks. These
kinds of rock range in size form very small to as large as boulders, meters
long. They get carried off by wind to far areas, boulder sized rocks
arent carried off as far. These particles may go through many types
of erosions before it undergoes lithification.
There are four main kinds of classic rocks, shale,
sandstone, conglomerates, and sedimentary breccias. These different
kinds of classic rock are distinguished by their size and are also common
sedimentary rocks of mechanical origin.
Other Rocks
Mechanical rocks, or fragment rocks, are composed mineral
particles produced by the mechanical disintegration of other rocks and
transported without chemical deterioration, by flowing water. They
are carried into larger bodies of water, where they are deposited into
layers.
Materials making up chemical sedimentary rocks
may consist of the remains of microscopic marine organism precipitated
on the ocean floor, as in the case of limestone.
Sand
Sand is loose and small in size (like micro size).
It consists of silica, with some mica, feldspar, magnetite and other resistant
minerals. Chemicals and mechanical ways are ways that sand is formed.
Which happens during erosions. When they are firstly formed the sand
is sharp and angular. While they go through more erosion by way of
wind or water the sand becomes rounded and smaller.
Sand is and important materials for most soils
is found a lot on riverbanks, on shores of lakes ant the sea, and arid
regions. Different types of sands are used in casting molds and in
ceramics, plasters, and cements.
Masonry
Masonry is the art of using stone, practiced since
ancient time. Ancient Egyptians, stonework was generally squared
and fitted, no adhesive or mortar was used to join the stones together.
Ancient examples of this masonry made up of huge and different sizes of
rocks and stone laid together without mortar have been found in Europe,
in China, Peru, Greece, and Romans developed masonry techniques that have
continued in practice with few changes to the present day.
Rubble and ashlar are the two broad categories
in masonry. Rubble is composed of irregular and coarsely jointed
quarried or fieldstone. Ashlar is made up of carefully worked stones
set with fine close joints. Either of the two can be laid in mortar.
When it is laid without mortar it is called dry masonry.
Cement
Cement is any material that hardens and becomes
strongly adhesive after applied in plastic form. The term cement
is often used as a similar meaning to glue and adhesive. In engineering
and building construction cement usually refers to very fine powdered,
manufactured substance consisting of gypsum plaster or portland cement
that hardens and adheres after being mixed with water.
Cement is used for different reasons one is, to hold
sand and gravel
together with portland cement and that forms concrete.
It is also used to put different surfaces together made of various materials.
Another use can be for coating surfaces to protect them from being damaged
by some outside force of nature or by chemical reasons. Cement can
be made in different ways and for different uses. The cement used
in construction is sometimes named for their commonly reported place of
origin such as the Roman cement, or it can be named after some time of
material that resembles that cement for example, the portland cement which
produces a concrete resembling the Portland stone used for building in
England. Cement that resists high temperatures are called refractory
cements.
When cement hardens because it is reacting to the
oxygen or carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or the water, alcohol, or oil
that makes it evaporate.
Portland Cement
Typical portland cements are mixtures of tricalcium
silicate, tricalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate, and dicalcium silicate
in varying proportions, together with small amounts of magnesium and iron
compounds. Gypsum is often added to slow the hardening process.
These active compounds in cement are unstable,
and when water is added they rearrange their structure. The hardening
of the cement is mostly caused by the hydration of tricalcium silicate,
which from the watery substance becomes hardened. These substances
bind together the particles of sand or stone, which are always included
in a mortar or concrete mixture into a hard mass.
Silica and Quartz
Quartz is composed of silicon, or silica.
It is also the most common of all materials. It is distributed around
the world as a constituent of rocks and in form of pure deposits.
It is an essential constituent of igneous rocks such as granite, rhyolite,
and pegmatite, which all contain an excess of silica. Quartz forms
veins and nodules in sedimentary rock, principally limestone. Sandstone,
a sedimentary rock, is composed mainly of quartz. Precious metals,
such as gold, are found in sufficient quantity in quartz veins to warrant
the mining of quartz to recover the precious mineral. Quartz is also
the primary constituent of sand.
Properties
The size of the crystals varies form specimens
weighing a metric ton to minute particles that sparkle in rock surfaces.
Quartz is also common in big sizes, which contain particles ranging in
size from coarse grained to micro size that cannot be seen by the naked
eye.
Varieties
The coarsely crystalline varieties of quartz are, in
general, transparent, and lustrous. Rock crystal, a colorless form
of quartz, usually occurs in distinct crystals.
Concrete
Concrete is an artificial engineering material
made from a mixture of portland cement, water, fine and coarse aggregates
and a small amount of air. It is the most widely used construction
material in the world.
Concrete is the only major building material that
can be delivered to the job site in a plastic state. This unique
quality makes concrete desirable as a building material because it can
be molded to any form or shape. Concrete can be used for many different
jobs and comes in many surface textures and colors.
Other qualities of concrete is that its strength,
economy and durability. Depending on the mixture of materials used,
concrete will support, in compression, 703,070 or more g/sq. cm.
The tensile strength of concrete is much lower, but by using properly designed
steel reinforcing, structural members can be made that are as strong in
tension as they are in compression. The durability of concrete is
evidenced by the fact that concrete columns built by the Egyptians more
than 3,600 years ago are still standing.
Mixing Concrete
Before concrete is mixed, workers measure the proper
amount of the materials. The strength and durability of concrete
highly depends on how much water is added to the concrete. If too
much water is added the paste will be weak and wont hold together.
If water added is reasonable the concrete will hold together better.
So the less water added the stronger the cement will be.
Concrete can be mixed by hand or by machine.
Using a machine is better in a way that it coats all aggregates and fills
all the spaces between the aggregates with cement paste. And also
a machine makes more uniform batches of cement.
Placement
While the concrete is still wet the cement is place
in molds, made of wood, plywood, or steel. The mold holds the concrete
until it will harden. Concrete must be pressed down and made into
the corners to prevent open spaces.
Curing
Curing makes the concrete harden properly.
After the concrete is firm enough to resist marring it should be sprinkled
with water, then covered with wet canvas, wet burlap, or wet sand.
The cover keeps the concrete form drying too quickly. A chemical
reaction between portland cement and water makes the concrete harden.
For this reason, the longer concrete remains moist, the stronger it becomes.
Concrete shrinks when it hardens. This happens
because it loses moisture as it dries. The chemical reaction between
portland cement and the water produces heat. When large amount of
concrete are used the heat must slow down, making dams, cold water running
in pipes in the cement makes the heat slow down. But cement companies
have made a different kind of portland cement which produces less heat.
How Cement is made
Portland cement contains about 60% lime, 25% silica,
and 5% alumina iron oxide and gypsum making up the rest of the materials.
These can be also found in sand, just different proportions. The
gypsum regulates the hardening time of the cement.
Erosion
From the earths surface white rocks and soil are
broken loose naturally. Erosion Makes changes to land areas, making
mountains were down, filling in valleys, and making rivers appear or disappear.
It takes thousands and even millions of years for erosion to do those kinds
of thing. Farming and mining are examples of how erosion can be made
faster.
Weathering is the first process of erosion.
This process breaks rocks and other materials into smaller pieces.
One example of weathering is when water freezes. When water freezes
it expands and the rocks can break because of this. Other causes
can be wind, water, chemicals, living organisms, and heat from the sun.
After this weathering process the particles are
moved. Like by wind, wind moves objects through great distances.
Water currents can also move objects from a riverbed into the sea.
Erosion can be harmful or helpful. Benefiting
people, the formation of soil through breaking up of rock. Into mouths
of rivers and on valley floors rich soil is deposited. Erosions have
made great geological formations. For example the Grand Canyon was
made through millions of years by erosions.
A harmful effect of erosion is that it takes way
farmland of productive topsoil. Because of this it is one of the
leading threats to food supply. Fertilizer might also be carried
into rivers and into lakes making it harmful. Eroded soil can also
block irrigation ditches.
People can influence the occurrence of erosion.
By making chemicals that are not harmful to the environment.
Bibliography
Brick, Encarta, 97
Cement, Encarta 97
Concrete, Encarta 97
Crawford, Maria Luisa, Sedimentary Rock, The World Book Encyclopedia, 1988.
Dott, Robert H. Jr., Sedimentary Rock, Academic American Encyclopedia, 1995.
Hayes, Jeff, local brick seller, Western Materials, Dec. 28,1998.
Laften, John M., Erosion, World Book Encyclopedia, 1999.
Masonry, Encarta, 97
Neal, John A., Cement, World Book Encyclopedia, 1991.
Quartz, Encarta, 97
Sand, Encarta, 97
Siebel, Don, Engineer, Soils Lab, Jan. 28,1999.
Wilson, Greg, mason, Masonry, Dec. 16,1998.
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