Adobe in Action's Adobe Brickmaking Process

Summary

This video showcases the detailed process of making adobe bricks using local materials in New Mexico. Starting with soil preparation, the team screens local clay-rich soil and mixes it with water, straw, sand, and other ingredients in a specially designed station. The wet adobe mixture is carefully poured into wooden brick molds, smoothed, and left to dry. Once the bricks are set, they are stacked on pallets for easy transportation. The process highlights sustainability, volunteer engagement, and the production of durable, eco-friendly building materials for nonprofit organizations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Local soil from the Santa Fe River Basin is screened to break it down into smaller pieces for the brick-making process.
• 😀 Mixing stations are designed for comfort, with waist-height stands and rubber buckets for accurate measurements.
• 😀 Water is added to the mix first (12 gallons), making it easier to incorporate dry materials and preventing clumping.
• 😀 Straw is added to the mix to help bind the materials together; it is soaked in water to ensure even distribution.
• 😀 The clay-rich soil (seven buckets) is incorporated into the mix to provide the essential binding element for the bricks.
• 😀 Washed concrete sand (seven buckets) is added to the mix to enhance strength and prevent clumping.
• 😀 The mixing process requires constant agitation to ensure the materials are well combined, especially to prevent the sand from settling.
• 😀 The final mix should be wet and uniform, with a quick check to ensure there are no remaining clumps.
• 😀 Brick molds are made with 2x4s, with each mold holding six bricks, and the dimensions of each brick are 10x14x3.5 inches.
• 😀 The wet mix is transferred to molds using three-gallon buckets, and the mix is distributed and leveled using a screed tool.
• 😀 After filling the molds, the bricks are left to sit for several hours or overnight to allow the mix to set before removing the forms.
• 😀 To prevent bricks from drying too quickly in hot or windy conditions, a small amount of water is applied to the surface to maintain moisture.
• 😀 Once dried, the bricks are removed from molds, scraped for uniformity, and then stacked on pallets to cure for about a week before being packaged for delivery.

Q & A

Why is it important to screen the soil before using it for adobe brick making?

Screening the soil helps break it down into smaller particles, which is essential for creating a smooth, uniform mix for the adobe bricks and mortar. It also helps remove any larger, unwanted debris from the soil.

What role does straw play in the adobe mix?

Straw is added to the adobe mix to provide reinforcement. It helps bind the materials together and adds strength to the bricks, making them more durable.

Why is it better to add water first in the mixing process?

Adding water first makes it easier to mix the ingredients, as the dry material won't stick to the bottom of the mixing station. This helps ensure a more consistent and even mixture.

What is the purpose of using a garden hose in the mixing process?

The garden hose is used to evenly distribute water throughout the mix. It helps hydrate the clay and straw, preventing clumps and ensuring a smooth, consistent mixture.

Why is it important to have one person mixing while the other adds the ingredients?

Having one person mixing while the other adds ingredients ensures that the materials are evenly distributed. Without this, the ingredients, especially sand, can clump at the bottom of the mix, affecting the quality of the bricks.

How does the type of sand affect the strength of adobe bricks?

The sand used in adobe bricks should be coarse and washed, as this provides strength and stability to the bricks. A mix with too fine or unwashed sand may result in weaker bricks.

What is the significance of using a wet mix for adobe bricks?

A wet mix is easier to work with and ensures that the materials bind together effectively. It also helps in distributing the ingredients evenly, which is crucial for making strong and uniform bricks.

Why is it essential to leave the adobe bricks to dry for a few hours before removing the forms?

Allowing the bricks to dry for a few hours or overnight helps them set properly. The wet mix needs time to firm up so that the forms can be removed without damaging the bricks.

What precautions are taken to prevent the adobe bricks from drying too quickly in hot weather?

In hot or windy weather, a small amount of water is sprayed on the surface of the bricks to slow down the drying process. This prevents the bricks from cracking due to rapid drying.

How are the dried adobe bricks stored for delivery?

The dried bricks are stacked on pallets, with space between them for air circulation. They are wrapped with shrink wrap to secure them for transportation, usually to nonprofit organizations.