Author(s)

Aubin Nzeugang Nzeukou, Véronique Kabeyene Kamgang, Robert Eko Medjo, Uphie Chinje Melo, André Njoya, Patrick Ninla Lemougna, Nathalie Fagel

Laboratory of Alterology and Engineering Geology, Yaounde, Cameroun.
Laboratory of Clays, Geochemistry and Sedimentary Environments (AGEs), Boulevard du Rectorat, 17 (Bat. B18) Sart Tilman, University of Liege, Liège, Belgium.
Local Materials Promotion Authority (Mipromalo), Yaounde, Cameroun.

The cartography and characterization of an alluvial clay deposit from Ebebda (Central region of Cameroon) were carried out in order to assess its suitability for the production of fired clay bricks. The clayey area investigated is ~ 50,000 m2 with an average thickness of the exploitable layer of 2.2 m, suggesting a deposit of about ~2.2 × 105 tonnes of clay. Mineralogy, physico-chemical and thermal analyses as well as firing properties were performed on representative clay samples. Kaolinite and quartz are the major minerals associated to illite. Upon heating to 900℃ - 1200℃, the linear shrinkage varies from 1.5% to 15%, the water absorption from 1.5% to 24% and the bending strength from 2 to 12 MPa. The admixture of lateritic clays (widely available) at 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% allow to decrease the shrinkage and bending strength, and to increase the water absorption. Overall, properties were satisfying the requirement for fired brick with 70% of laterite in the mixture.

Alluvial Clay Deposit; Characterization; Lateritic Clay Admixture; Brick; Cameroon

Nzeukou, A. , Kamgang, V. , Medjo, R. , Melo, U. , Njoya, A. , Lemougna, P. and Fagel, N. (2013) Industrial Potentiality of Alluvial Clays Deposits from Cameroon: Influence of Lateritic Clayey Admixture for Fired Bricks Production. Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, 1, 236-244. doi: 10.4236/jmmce.2013.15037.