OPTIMIZATION OF THE FIRING CYCLE FOR CLAY BRICKS WITH DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS

Clay bricks are natural materials widely used in traditional and sustainable construction because of their thermal properties and availability. In artisanal production, firing temperatures are often poorly controlled, which affects the final quality of the bricks. A survey of pottery workshops in the Rabat-Salé- Kénitra region showed that bricks are traditionally made from a mixture consisting of 50% red clay and 50% white clay, based on empirical know-how. This study aims to scientifically evaluate this formulation by comparing it to two mixtures containing a predominant proportion of red clay or white clay, respectively. The bricks were molded, airdried, and then fired in an electric kiln at temperatures reaching up to 875 °C. Heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation was analyzed using Fourier’s law and the Stefan-Boltzmann law. The results show that the conventional 50/50 formulation provides the most favorable firing conditions, thereby contributing to the optimization of the firing cycle and the design of more energyefficient brick kilns.