Evaluation of the suitability of the Injana Formation clays to produce yellow and red bricks, North of Zurbatiyah, Wasit Governorate

This study was conducted based on the initial exploratory modeling method to determine the suitability of clays for the manufacture of yellow and red clay bricks in the Zurbatiyah sub-district of Badra district, Wasit Governorate. laboratory brick samples produced from the local deposits. The clays in this area belong to the Injana Formation deposits (Upper Miocene), which are a sandy and silty clay deposit. After bringing the raw materials from the field were dried, crushed, and ground to the required size, and 8–10% of distilled water was added during the sample-forming process by the semi-dry pressing method. The laboratory samples produced were fired according to two firing programs at 850 and 950°C. During the firing, cracks appeared in the initial samples due to their low silica content. Therefore, they were treated by adding 10% salt-free sand. After laboratory tests, the treated samples proved suitable for the manufacture of red bricks when fired at 850°C and suitable for the manufacture of yellow bricks when fired at 950°C. After completing the manufacturing process, A series of mechanical and physical tests were performed on the laboratory-produced brick samples, and the obtained results were subsequently evaluated in accordance with the requirements of Iraqi Standard Specification No. 25 (1993).of the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control for the manufacture of bricks It was found to be within the required specifications.