Recultivated lands are a reserve for livestock feed

The purpose is to establish the possibility of using mined brick clay pits for grazing livestock and preparing animal feed. The paper deals with the investigation of the above ground phytomass field layer (Fh) being formed dusing the natural growth of mined brick clay pits. Methodology. Species composition of the projective cover and aboveground phytomass were established on the counting areas of 0.5 × 0.5 sizes evenly spaced on the bottom and slopes of pit. At each of the quarry elements at least 30 registration sites were laid. In addition a similar number of registration sites were laid next to the quarry where clay was not mined. Researches were carried out in the district of pine-birch pre-forest steppe forests of the Trans Urals plain province, the west Siberian plain forest region. Results. It was found that the soil of mined out pits does not contain heavy metal and other chemical elements hazardous to animals. The total aboveground phetomass of Fh at the bottom and slopes of the quarry is 1101.1 and 812.6 kg/ha in absolutely dry, state, respectively. The total projective cover at the bottom of the quarry 3 years after the technical stage of reclamation is 64.7 % and on the slopes 42.5 %. The presence of meadow species in the composition, in particular of legumes family (Vicia cracca L.; V. hybridum L.; V. sativa L.; V. vernus L.; V. sylvatica L.; Trifolium pretense L.; T. lupinaster L.; T. repens L.; T. hybridum L.; T. medium L.; Lathyrus pratensis L.; Melilotu salbus Medikus; M. officinalis L. Pall.; Medicago lupulina L.) indicates a high feed value of FR. Scientific novelty. The transfer of mined out brick clay pits for temporary agricultural use will contribute at the formation of soil on the bottom and slopes of the quarry and ultimately, increase the productivity of future plantations.

Reformulating Ceramic Body Composition to Improve Energy Efficiency in Brick Manufacture

The influence of inorganic minerals (colemanite and nepheline syenite) as additives for sustainable clay brick manufacture has been examined. Each additive was added at 4 wt% to 96 wt% brick clay and samples were fired to 950 °C and 1040 °C and then compared with samples of 100% brick clay. Multiple analytical techniques (X-ray fluorescence, dilatometry, boiling water absorption, volumetric shrinkage, and mercury porosimetry) were used for analysis. Dilatometry shows that the additives influenced the temperature at which shrinkage began and the extent of that shrinkage. The use of colemanite reduced the temperature at which the shrinkage began by 120 °C and nepheline syenite reduced it by 20 °C. A linear shrinkage in dilatometry of 1% (from the maximum expanded length) was achieved at 1000 °C for 100% clay, 875 °C for colemanite additions and 970 °C for nepheline syenite additions. However, for samples fired at 1040 °C for 2 h colemanite containing samples had significantly lower volumetric shrinkage and higher water absorption than 100% clay and nepheline syenite samples, suggesting the presence of higher amounts of open porosity caused by the decomposition of the colemanite on heating. Samples containing nepheline syenite had a lower volumetric shrinkage but also a marginally lower water absorption than the 100% clay. The further optimisation of these or similar additives could potentially provide energy saving opportunities and reductions in CO2 emissions for brick manufacturers.

Cigarette butts and waste coffee grounds as additives to brick clay

The paper analyses the influence of cigarette butts and waste coffee grounds addition on the properties of the brick clay. The waste materials were added to the clay in amounts of 5 wt.% and 10 wt.%. Standard consistency, plasticity, drying and firing behaviour and refractoriness were tested on the clay sample and the samples with wastes additions. Apparent density, apparent porosity, water absorption, strength and thermal conductivity were investigated on the samples fired at 1173 K. Addition of the waste materials improved thermal insulation characteristics and drying shrinkage, while other properties remain within the required limits for brick industry

The Chronology of the Lidded Leg Jars in the Early Proto-Three Kingdome of Korea

Lidded leg jars are brick-clay pottery from the early proto-Three Kingdome of Korea. These artifacts are mainly discovered in the Yeongnam and Midwest regions in Korea. As they are excavated from both regions, these artifacts could be crucial to ascertain the relationship between Youngnam and Midwest regions. Through this essay, three points could be considered. Firstly, the Youngnam and Midwest regions produced totally different types of pottery in the early time. Next, when it goes to VII level, Both regions affected each other and share the pottery form. Lastly, VII and VIII levels are very significant. In early time, both regions had their unique and different pottery types. However, they started to share the shape of the pottery in VII and VIII levels. The early types of each regions originally thought to be exclusive, now they are found in each other area. Normally, it is believed that the early brick-clay pottery does not have leg and lid while the typical type of brick -clay pottery in late proto-Three Kingdome has both of them. Potteries from after VIII level are the late brick-clay pottery. However, these lidded leg jars are from the early time and they already have a lid and leg. According to these, it could assume that the early lidded leg jars has some connection with the late pottery. Hence, the further study will be conducted later.

Specific Issues with Liquidation of the Mineral Deposit in Vazany by the Kromeriz

This paper investigates the problematic liquidation of now unused deposit of brick clay in south – eastern part of Czech Republic approximately 1.5 km to SW from the city centre of Kromeriz. Initially the condition of the deposit is described from the time of closure to the present day, including a detailed discussion of the problem. Main part of this paper is devoted to the design concept of reclamation of the unused deposit. The purpose and aim of this conception is to design a proposal of technical and biotechnical measures to create conditions for full-fledged reintegration of this segment of land, affected by mining, into it´s surrounding area. The conception summarises the whole scale of necessary tasks needed to achieve remediation and reclamation of the area.

Stresses in Fly Ash Brick using Different Proportion of Lime, Cement, Gypsum, Sand and Stone Dust

The dead load of any structure varies depending on the type of bricks and its weight. Due to the increased numbers of high rise buildings, lighter materials than normal clay bricks are preferred. Fly-ash bricks are more popular presently since it weighs 28% less than clay bricks as well as shows higher strength .The strength is higher by 25% than commonly available bricks. Besides strength other characteristics such as absorption capacity, modulus of rupture, initial rate of absorption, durability and bond strength. The values thus obtained from the test shows excellent results as compared to that of brick clay. The latest type of bricks has been given the name fly-ash bricks. The key objective of the paper is to study the strength of fly ash brick using different material proportion and also to improve the compressive stress and also to determine the durability along with stability of the bricks.