The Manufacture, Properties and Uses of Mud-Bricks in Architecture - Essay Example

The Manufacture, Properties, and Uses of Mud-Bricks in Architecture throughout History The Manufacture, Properties, and Uses of Mud-Bricks in Architecture throughout History The use of mud-bricks in construction is evidently an aspect that has existed for centuries. Historical evidence reveals that mud-bricks were a critical building material in regions such as Egypt, Middle East, Babylon, Assyria, India, the Mediterranean, and China. Notably, mud-bricks are used in modern day constructions. Throughout these regions, mud-bricks proved a reliable building material. The manufacturing process, properties of the bricks and their uses has been a subject of intriguing research for many scholars. This paper will offer an analytical context of mud-bricks in history. Moreover, it will offer an in-depth description of the manufacturing processes and the properties of mud-bricks (Salvan, 2005). Use of Bricks throughout History Evidence suggests that mud-bricks have been in use since 7000 BC. The initial description of mud-bricks occurred in Spain, specifically the Jericho area. According to the description, the Spaniards in this region preferred sun-dried, fired mud-bricks because of the resistance they exhibited irrespective of diverse weather conditions. Studies reveal that mud-bricks were used in the construction of permanent buildings in this region. However, as highlighted above, mud-bricks served as a reliable building material in different regions. Peering into Egyptian ancient history reveals that mud-bricks served as a common building material. A close analysis of some ruins such as Muhenjo-daro and Harappa Buhen indicate that the people used mud-bricks (Fields, 2004). Considering the early civilization of the ancient Egyptians, they adopted and developed different techniques of manufacturing mud-bricks. As slavery was rampant in Egypt, the work of manufacturing mud-bricks was designated for the slaves. Moreover, evidence from the architectural design of mausoleums and tombs proves that mud-bricks had been used in the construction of the walls. Further research reveals that slaves relied on the tempering of clay as a precondition of manufacturing handmade bricks. The size rations preferred by the ancient Egyptians were usually 4:2:1, a factor that eased the laying process (Emery, 2011). Moreover, analysis of the rising Roman Empire, defined by an increased level of technology reveals that mud-bricks were a central material in their architectural designs. Brick making was an aspect reserved for the spring when the weather condition favoured the process. Evidently, the Romans exhibited the awareness that the rainy weather was unsuitable for brick making because the bricks needed ample time to dry. Most of the bricks from this region exhibited a stamping that showed the initials or names of the legions that assumed the supervisory role of the brick making process (Fields, 2004). Through innovation, the Romans had managed to manufacture bricks exhibiting a diverse range of colours, sizes, and shapes. Some of the common shapes of bricks used by romans were oblong, square, rectangular, rounded, and triangular. Romans exhibited a preference for the white and red clay, and they relied on mobile kilns to process the bricks into the desired fired type. Research indicates that mud-bricks were in use during the first century of the Roman Empire reign. Evidently, they used bricks in the construction of both permanent and temporary structures. Many Romans preferred bricks of 1or 2 feet in all dimensions, although there is evidence indicating the availability of larger sizes of bricks. From the History of the Greeks, it appears that they adopted the use of mud-bricks in construction as well. Evidence from this region reveals that the presence of perpendicular walls constructed using mud-bricks, replacing stone, as the lone material used for wall construction. Moreover, the Greeks had relied on marble in the construction of walls in the previous years. However, the emergence of the brick-making technology had revealed that brick walls exhibited a higher level of durability, a factor that prompted the replacement of marble walls with the brick ones (Rael, 2009). In the 12th century, the reintroduction of bricks into the northern regions of Germany occurred. Evidently, the Italians had adopted brick making in the years preceding this century. The use of mud-bricks in architecture persisted in different parts of Europe as the technique spread. The gothic period defined by rigorous changes in architectural plans saw the emergence of different shapes of mud-bricks (Niroumand and Zain, 2011). The gothic architecture was prevalent in Poland, Germany, Finland, Russia, Estonia, and Sweden. During this architectural period, many of the bricks used lacked any definitive structure, and exhibited a wide range of preferred colours. In the Renaissance period, the baroque art movement emerged that exerted its effects on architectural designs. Some of the changes that define this period were the covering of bricks with plaster, rendering them invisible. Plastering continued until the 18th century, when the preference for visible bricks became prevalent. In the modern era, mud-bricks still exhibit immense value in architecture. The use of bricks and the pertinent counterpart heracotta are critical materials in modern architecture. However, the diversity of sizes, shapes, and colours has immensely increased because of the application of advanced machinery in the manufacture of bricks (Salvan, 2005). Exemplary machinery in brick manufacture includes the electric motors, earth moving equipment, and advanced kiln technology. These advancements evident in modern day brick- making has served to register a higher production rate and efficiency (Rael, 2009). Moreover, new techniques have served to alter the composition of bricks by the inclusion of calcium, ash, lime, silicate, and concrete in the manufacture of bricks. This has enhanced the quality of modern bricks, and diversified the properties of mud-bricks. The emergence of the use of fly ash in the 21st century served as an avenue of creating bricks that exhibit a wider range of desirable properties. Mud-bricks that exhibit a percentage of fly ash exhibit a higher resistance to fire, pollution, and acids (Niroumand and Zain, 2011). Brick Composition throughout History In the ancient civilizations, mud-brick composition was defined by clay and water. However, many of the societies demonstrated the need for proper choice of clay in a bid to ensure that the manufactured bricks exhibited certain attributes. Evidently, tempering clay from a diverse range of sources served to enhance the quality of the final products. Moreover, the burning process and the conditions of the kiln affected the quality of the final products. However, advancing technology through the years has resulted in the inclusion of lime, ash, or additional organic materials in a bid to enhance the quality of the bricks. Experts in brick making include a certain percentage of lime in the clay, as a component that fosters the bonding process of other components (Niroumand and Zain, 2011). Moreover, lime prevents undesired shrinkage of the bricks. Modern day brick making incorporates iron oxide as a component that serves to enhance the red colour. Manufacturing Processes In the ancient Egypt and Assyrian civilizations, handmade bricks were used. This technique was evident among the Romans and Greeks, and persisted until the invention of machinery suited for brick making. The process involved the creation of a pit where the mixing of clay, water, and pertinent additives occurred. Tempering was the preferred technique in many lands, with a tempering wheel being in use. After tempering to the proper consistency, the moulding process followed. In the ancient days, the brick makers relied on their hands in the moulding process. After moulding, shaping of the bricks into the desired shape followed. The finished product was air-dried for 2-3 days. Transferring the dried bricks to the kiln formed the final step burning. Notably, different types of kiln technology exist, and the choice depends on the desired final product. Modern methods of manufacturing bricks incorporate the use of machinery as highlighted above. Soft-mud and stiff-mud processing are the common methods preferred for brick making. Soft-mud processing involves the preparation of clay using a pug mill. In this procedure, the water content is 20%, and the clay needed ample to absorb the water. After working the clay, moulding followed using wooden moulds (Fields, 2004). The lining of the wooden moulds with oil or and particles served to prevent unnecessary sticking of the clay. In some cases, a dryer may serve to hasten the drying process before kilning of the bricks. In the stiff-mud process, a reduction of the water content of 12% is evident. Extrusion of clay into a die occurs. Cutting of the die into the required sizes follows, with the use of a machine, and then final step drying and kilning. Bricks made from these processes may exhibit undesirable shapes at the corners, prompting the repressing process that reshapes such bricks before they undergo complete drying. Repressing involved the help of a metal mould, and took place at remarkably high temperatures. Uses of Mud-Bricks throughout History As described above, mud-bricks found use in different parts of the construction. They were for walls and roofing in some cases. Moreover, they were core-building materials for both temporary and permanent buildings (Emery, 2011). Radial bricks served a critical role in the construction of curved-edged walls, while arched bricks fitted perfectly in arches. On the other hand, face bricks exhibited a higher suitability in the construction of the outside walls. Places of the building that would be exposed to soaring temperatures required the fired bricks. Evidently, the mortar composition and the types of bonds adopted determined the quality of the building constructed with mud-bricks. Conclusion Evidently, the use of mud-bricks in construction is an aspect that existed for centuries. Since 7000BC, mud-bricks have been in use for wall and roof construction in different parts of the globe. Notably, their use has persisted to modern day architecture. The manufacturing processes have changed with advances in technology. Moreover, a diverse range of new properties of mud-bricks are evident from the new composition and manufacturing processes. Mud-bricks have a long history, and are likely to remain a common material in building and constructions. References Fields, N. (2004). Troy c. 1700-1250 BC. Oxford: Osprey publ. Niroumand, H., and Zain, F. (2011). Earth Architecture in Iran: Earth Buildings, Mud Architecture, Sustainable Architecture, Rammed Earth, Mud Bricks.  Saarbrücken: Lambert Academic Publishing, GmbH. Emery, L. (2011). Mud-Brick Architecture. In Willeke Wendrich (ed.), UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology, Los Angeles. Rael, R. (2009). Earth architecture. New York, N.Y: Princeton Architectural Press. Salvan, G. S. (2005). Architectural character & the history of architecture. Manila: Goodwill Trading Co. Read More