An Investigation into the Local Production Technology of Burnt Bricks in Nigeria

The acceptability of fundamental features of burnt clay bricks is a control course obtained during the production process. The applied knowledge and skills in production technology of burnt clay bricks were subjectively evaluated and quantified. Multi-method research approaches were adopted which included questionnaire instruments and experimental analysis. Assessing the source of knowledge and skill, the experience of labour and team capacity showed that most of the participants have been in the burnt brick production business for 6-10 years (37.3%) through the tutelage of their friends (72.9%) and participated in the groups of 4-5 people (25.4%). There was a deficiency in knowledge and skills needed for forming and firing stages for standard quality burnt clay brick but only effective in the extraction and preparation stage but deficient in shaping, drying, building the field kiln and firing the field kiln. The independent-sample t-test showed that the mean of the measured water absorption value of the locally produced burnt clay brick was statistically higher (mean ± SD = 29.51±0.58) than the minimum allowable standard water absorption value (mean ± SD = 20.00±0.0) significant at p = 0.00. A similar observation was made for compressive strength as the measured mean compressive strength value for the locally produced burnt clay brick was 3.98±0.30 N/mm² which was statistically higher than 3.5 N/mm². However, the dimensions of the burnt clay bricks were with the tolerance of approximately 5% for locally produced bricks. Considering the importance of good quality burnt clay bricks in construction local producers need a training.