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Characterization of clay deposits of Nanga-Eboko (central Cameroon): suitability for the production of building materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2018

A. Nzeukou Nzeugang ,
R. Medjo Eko ,
N. Fagel ,
V. Kamgang Kabeyene ,
A. Njoya ,
A. Balo Madi ,
J. R. Mache  and
U. Melo Chinje
A. Nzeukou Nzeugang*
Affiliation:
Local Material Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), P.O. Box, 2396, Yaoundé, Cameroun Laboratory of Alterology and Engineering Geology, P.O. Box. 812, Yaoundé, Cameroun
R. Medjo Eko
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Alterology and Engineering Geology, P.O. Box. 812, Yaoundé, Cameroun
N. Fagel
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Clays, Geochemistry and sedimentary Environments (AGEs), Boulevard du Rectorat, 17 (Bât. B18) Sart Tilman - 4000, Liège, Belgium
V. Kamgang Kabeyene
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Alterology and Engineering Geology, P.O. Box. 812, Yaoundé, Cameroun
A. Njoya
Affiliation:
Local Material Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), P.O. Box, 2396, Yaoundé, Cameroun
A. Balo Madi
Affiliation:
Local Material Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), P.O. Box, 2396, Yaoundé, Cameroun
J. R. Mache
Affiliation:
Local Material Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), P.O. Box, 2396, Yaoundé, Cameroun
U. Melo Chinje
Affiliation:
Local Material Promotion Authority (MIPROMALO), P.O. Box, 2396, Yaoundé, Cameroun
*
*E-mail: nzeuk@yahoo.fr
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Abstract

Clayey deposits of Nanga-Eboko (central Cameroon) were studied to assess their potential as building materials. Characterization was performed using XRD, FTIR, XRF, DTA/DTG and firing testing. Clays appear as discontinuous pockets with the same textural characteristics in three villages located on both sides of the Sanaga River. The average thickness of the exploitable layer is about 3m. The estimated tonnage ∼7–17×105 m3 can supply a brick industry of great importance. SiO2 (∼70%), Al2O3 (∼15%) and Fe2O3 (∼4%) are the predominant oxides of the natural clays. Quartz (∼55%), kaolinite (∼33%), illite (∼5%) and K-feldspar (∼4%) are major minerals. Clays are not suitable for building construction due to their fine-grained size and high plasticity properties. Firing properties of bricks (950 and 1050°C) are good despite the high shrinkage values. Therefore the addition of “degreasers” is recommended to control shaping and drying.

Keywords

clay depositcharacterizationbuilding materialCameroon
Type
Research Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 48 , Issue 4 , September 2013 , pp. 655 - 662
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2013

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