Characterization of a clay used in the terracotta sector in the locality of Dongou

The overall objective of this study is to characterize the clay soil used in the terracotta sector in the locality of Dongou. The soil texture of Dongou was determined by its particle size distribution (wet sieving). The Dongou clay was characterized by its plasticity (Atterberg limits), chemical composition (XRF), and mineralogical composition (XRF). Shrinkage before and after firing was measured. Water absorption rates and three-point bending strength were determined. Potential uses were studied. A varied grain size (Clay: 62%, Silt: 36% and Sand: 2%) giving the soil of Dongou a silty-clay texture, a mineralogy composed of Kaolinite as the predominant mineral species, quartz and other associated minerals, a chemical composition predominantly of: SiO 2 (49.92%), Al 2 O 3 (28.27%), Fe 2 O 3 (2.93%), CaO (0.13%), MgO (1.04%) with 11.1 as total loss on ignition, a plasticity index of 40% giving the clay of Dongou a very plastic nature with optimal molding, a linear shrinkage between 2 and 5%, an absorption rate between 19 and 5% beyond 1050°C, very diverse mineral transformations during firing. The clay soil of Dongou is to be used in the manufacture of lightweight block tiles.