[Cob] how to Test Bricks

[dirtcheapbuilder-Charmaine Taylor]

Dave I know the method of drying lime clay tests is to use an 'oven 
roast'  type  bag, seal well and bake at 200 deg or less  for 24 hours. 
  the bag keeps moisture in, and the low temp simulates a 90 day cure.

I  may be off a bit on exact temps.  but this method is used to test 
the amount of lime needed to make a "roman cement" and stabilize clay.

obviously the less lime the less costly overall- 2%-6% etc for big 
jobs, but lime is not that expansive.

  but for straight cob it may  give you a good shrink and crack  test 
result


using NO oven bag is a sure way to just get dry cracked brick samples 
which may tell you nothing

I used to test mixes using a tuna can as the form, and  mixing several 
different batches by % of lime used.  worked great

Charmaine Taylor Publishing
www.dirtcheapbuilder.com
PO BOX 375 CUTTEN CA 95534
Tel:  707-441-1632   MORE Building DVDs in stock


On May 10, 2006, at 8:18 AM, Dave Brown wrote:

> What, if any, is the downside of drying test bricks in an oven at 
> minimum temp?  At higher temps?
>
> Dave Brown
> Green Bay, WI
>
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