What are Puddled Mud Bricks?
Puddled mud bricks are made by mixing clay/soil with water (generally 18%) to make a workable mix. This mix is then poured into a mould and left to sun dry. During the mixing process the clay particles realign and the evaporation of the water creates surface tension on the clay particles which actually binds the brick together. This produces a strong, dense brick once dried. You know how if you drive or walk over mud when it is wet, once it dries it is like concrete? This is the same principle at work. If the right clay is used, puddled bricks should not need stabilising agents to give them strength. What are Pressed Mud Bricks? Pressed mud bricks are made by mixing soil with only a small amount of water (generally 10%). The moist soil is then placed in a press and a mechanical force is applied to push the particles together. Not enough water is used in the manufacture to allow the clay to bind the brick, so their strength depends on the mechanical force used to make the bricks. They a
