Quality Study of Automated Machine Made Environmentally Friendly Brick (KAB) Sample Using Film Neutron Radiography Technique

Khurshed Alam, Robiul Islam, Sudipta Saha, Nurul Islam, Syed Azharul Islam

Department of Physics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Bangladesh.
Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, AERE, Savar, Bangladesh.

DOI: 10.4236/jbcpr.2013.14015                

Abstract

Neutron radiography (NR) technique has been adopted to study the internal structure and quality of the KAB bricks made by Hoffman kiln method. Thermal neutron radiography facility installed at the tangential beam port of 3 MW TRIGA Mark-II Research Reactor, AERE, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh is used in the present study. Measurements were made to determine the internal structure and quality of the automated machine made environmentally friendly brick sample. In this case, optical density/gray values of the neutron radiographic images of the sample have been measured. From these measurements, the porosity, water penetrating height, water penetrating behavior, initial rapid absorption of water (IRA), elemental distribution/homogeneity and incremental water intrusion area in the sample have been found. From the observation of different properties, it is seen that, homogeneity of the Hoffman kiln brick KAB is not perfectly homogeneous and contains small internal porosity; the incremental water intrusion area is very poor, and the water penetrating height through the two edges is higher than the middle part; the initial rapid absorption (IRA) rate is also very poor and the water penetrating behavior of the samples is different as like as stair, capillary, wave and zigzag shape. From these points of view, it is concluded that the quality of the environmentally friendly brick KAB is better. The results obtained and conclusion made in this study can only be compared to the properties of bricks produced under similar conditions with similar raw materials.

Keywords

Neutron Radiography Technique; Water Penetrating Height/Behavior; IRA

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	H. Berger, “Neutron Radiography,” Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1964.
[2]	P. Von der Hardt and H. Rotterger, “Neutron Radiography Hand Book,” D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, 1981. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8567-4
[3]	M. M. Rahman, S. Saha, M. N. Islam, M. K. Alam, A. K. M. A. Rahman and S. M. Azharul Islam, “A Study of the Morphological Change in Plant Pod by Using Neutron Radiography Technique,” Journal of African Review of Physics, Vol. 8, 2013, pp. 239-242.
[4]	J. M. Cimbala, D. E. Hughes, S. Levine and D. Sathianathan, “Application of Neutron Radiography for Fluid Flow Visualization,” Nuclear Technology, Vol. 81, No. 3, 1988, pp. 435-445.
[5]	M. N. Islam, M. M. Rahman, S. M. A. Islam and M. A. Zaman, “Neutron Radiographic Investigation of the Quality of Some Rubber Samples,” Indian Journal of Pure and Applied Physics, Vol. 38, 2000, pp. 675-680.
[6]	M. K. Alam and M. A. Khan, “Study of Water Absorption and Internal Defects in Jute Reinforced Biopol Composite Using Digital Neutron Radiography Technique,” Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 30, No. 1, 2006, pp. 29-37.
[7]	C. Renfrew and P. Bahn, “Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice,” Thames and Hudson, New York, 1996.
[8]	P. Rice, “Pottery Analysis: A Sourcebook,” University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1987.
[9]	M. K. Alam, “Comparative Study of Internal Defects in Ceramic Products Using CCD-Camera Based Digital Neutron Radiography Detector,” Bangladesh Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, Vol. 40, No. 3-4, 2005, p. 169.
[10]	M. K. Alam, M. N. Islam and M. A. Zaman, “Study of Internal Defects and Water Absorption Behavior of Single Layer Italian Tiles Using Neutron Radiography Facility of 3 MW TRIGA MARK II Research Reactor,” Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 31, No. 2, 2007, pp. 213-222.
[11]	M. N. Islam, M. K. Alam, M. A. Zaman, M. H. Ahsan and N. I. Molla, “Application of Neutron Radiography to Building Industries,” Indian Journal of Pure and Applied Physics, Vol. 38, 2000, pp. 348-354.
[12]	M. K. Alam, M. A. Khan and E. H. Lehmann, “Comparative Study of Water Absorption Behavior in Biopol and Jute Reinforced Biopol Composite Using Neutron Radiography Technique,” Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 25, No. 11, 2006, pp. 1179-1187. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0731684406066365
[13]	M. N. Islam, M. A. Khan, M. K. Alam, M. A. Zaman and M. Matubayashi, “Study of Water Absorption Behavior in Wood Plastic Composite by Using Neutron Radiography Technique,” Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineer- ing, Vol. 42, No. 5, 2003, pp. 925-934. http://dx.doi.org/10.1081/PPT-120025004
[14]	A. H. Bouma, “Methods for the Study of Sedimentary Structures,” John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1969, p. 140.
[15]	P. M. Norris, J. S. Brenizer, D. A. Paine and D. A. Bostain, “Measurements of Water Deposition in Aerogel by Neutron Radiography,” Proceedings of 5th World Conference on Neutron Radiography, Berlin, 17-20 June 1996, p. 602.
[16]	A. A. Harms and D. R. Wyman, “Mathematics and Physics of Neutron Radiography,” D. Reidel Publishing Company, Holland, 1986, p. 22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-6937-8
[17]	B. Illerhaus, “Proc. Seminar Computer Tomographie: Stand der Technik und Zukunftsaussichten,” Family Readiness Group, Stuttgart, Vol. 29, 1988, p. 15.
[18]	G. Pfister, A. K. Schatz, C. Siegel, E. Steichele, W. Waschkowski and T. Bucherl, “Nondestructive Testing of Materials and Components by Computerized Tomography with Fast and Thermal Reactor Neutrons,” Nuclear Science and Engineering, Vol. 110, No. 4, 1992, pp. 303-315.
[19]	ASTM-E545-05, “Standard Test Method for Determining Image Quality in Direct Thermal Neutron Radiographic Examination,” 2010. http://www.astm.org/Standards/E545.htm
[20]	H. P. Leeflang and J. F. W. Margraf, “Detection of Corrosion on Air Craft Components by Neutron Radiography,” Proceedings of the 4th World Conference on NR, Sandiego, 10-16 May 1992, pp. 161-172.
[21]	S. Prasertsan and T. Theppaya, “A Study toward Energy Saving in Brick Making: Part 1-Key Parameters for Energy Saving,” International Energy Journal, Vol. 17, No. 2, 1995, pp. 145-156.
[22]	J. M. Bhatnagar and R. K. Goel, “Thermal Changes in Clay Products from Alluvial Deposits of the Indo-Gangetic Plains,” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 16, No. 2, 2002, pp. 113-122.
[23]	G. Cultrone, E. Sebastian, K. Elert, M. J. Torre, O. Cazalla and C. Rodriguez-Navarro, “Influence of Mineralogy and Firing Temperature on the Porosity of Bricks,” Journal of the European Ceramic Society, Vol. 24, No. 3, 2004, pp. 547-564.
[24]	L. Mbumbia, A. M. Wilmars and J. Tirlocq, “Performance Characteristics of Lateritic Soil Bricks Fired at Low Temperatures: A Case Study of Cameroon,” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 14, No. 3, 2000, pp. 121-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0950-0618(00)00024-6
[25]	W. J. MC Burrey, “The Effect of Strength of Brick on Compressive Strength of Brick Masonary Process,” Vol. 2, ASTM, West Conshohocken, 1970, p. 28.
[26]	“Manufacturing, Classification and Selection of Brick, Manufacturing Part I,” Brick Industry Association, Reston, 1986.
[27]	O. Kayali and K. J. Shaw, “Manufactured Articles from Fly Ash,” Patent no.PCT/AU03/01533, Australia, International Patent no. PCT/AU02/00593, European Patent Registration, R. Dhir, T. Dhir and J. Halliday, Eds., Publisher.
[28]	C. Renfrew and P. Bahn, “Archaeology: Theories, Meth- ods and Practice,” Thames and Hudson, New York, 1996.
[29]	P. Rice, “Pottery Analysis: A Sourcebook,” University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1987.
[30]	S. Bhatnagar and R. K. Goel, “Thermal Changes in Clay Products from Alluvial Deposits of the Indo-Gangetic Plains,” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 16, No. 2, 2002, pp. 113-122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0950-0618(01)00031-9
[31]	S. L. Marrusin, “Interrior Fissures and Microstructure of Shale Brick,” American Ceramic Society Bulletin, Vol. 64, No. 5, 1985, pp. 674-678. (Turkish Standards Institutions, Ankara, 1979).
[32]	M. A. Rahman, J. Podder and I. Kamal, “Neutron Radiography Facility in Bangladesh Research Reactor,” Pro- ceedings of the 3rd World Conference on Neutron Radiography (NR), Osaka, 14-18 May 1989, pp. 179-185.
[33]	M. N. Islam, M. M. Rahman, M. H. Ahsan, A. S. Mollah, M. M. Ahasan and M. A. Zaman, “A Study of Neutron Radiography Parameters at the Tangential Beamport of the 3 MW TRIGA Research Reactor of AERE, Savar,” Jahangirnagar University Journal of Science, Vol. 19, 1995, p. 181-187.
[34]	H. I. Bjelkhagen, “Silver-Halide Recording Materials,” Springer Verlag, 1993, pp. 128-151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-47593-4
[35]	T. J. Collins. “Image J for Microscopy,” BioTechniques, Vol. 43, No. S1, 2007, pp. S25-S30. http://dx.doi.org/10.2144/000112517
[36]	C. H. Weng, D. F. Lin and P. C. Chiang, “Utilization of Sludge as Brick Materials,” Advances in Environmental Research, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2003, pp. 679-685. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1093-0191(02)00037-0
[37]	J. Sanders and J. Frederic, “Capillary—A New Way to Report IRA (initial rate of absorption),” Structural Clay Products Division Meeting, The National Brick Research Center, Gettysburg, 2-4 May 2011, pp. 1-24.
[38]	“Clay Bricks (Wall Tile), TS 704,” Turkish Standards Institution, Ankara, 1979.
[39]	“Solid Bricks and Vertically Perforated Bricks, TS 705,” Turkish Standards Institution, Ankara, 1975.
[40]	S. Karaman, S. Ersahin and H. Gunal, “Firing Temperature and Firing Time Influence on Mechanical and Physical Properties of Clay Bricks,” Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research, Vol. 65, No. 2, 2006, pp. 153-159.