Open AccessReduction of Cracking and Shrinkage in Compressed Clay Beams during Drying
Author(s) -
Nawab Ali Lakho,
Muhammad Auchar Zardari,
Nasrullah Memon
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
mehran university research journal of engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2413-7219
pISSN - 0254-7821
DOI - 10.22581/muet1982.1603.09
Subject(s) - shrinkage , compaction , materials science , cracking , composite material , compressive strength , casting , beam (structure) , water content , moisture , geotechnical engineering , structural engineering , geology , engineering
Uncontrolled evaporation of moisture from compressed clay beams can cause surface cracks, resulting in reduction of strength. This paper presents various treatments applied to clay beams during the process of casting, compacting and drying in order to curtail the possibility of cracking and to decrease percentage of drying shrinkage. Following treatments were applied to the beams during casting and drying: (i) a steel plate and double layer of plastic sheet was provided between the beam and the plank, (ii) the beam was enveloped with a propylene fabric sheet during casting and (iii) beams were covered with plastic sheet during drying. Using these treatments, the clay beams were cast and compacted at various intensities of compaction. The results show that the drying shrinkage was reduced to minimum and the cracks were curtailed. The rate of drying shrinkage was decreased depending upon the level of compaction. Thus at the higher degree of compaction, more density of clay beams was achieved, which resulted in higher degree of compressive strength in baked and unbaked state.