Effect of dolomite substitution on physical and mechanical properties of clay plasters

Clay and clay products are materials that have been used in different application areas up to the present on account of its durability in various parts of the world for centuries. Thanks to plasticity feature has (commonly) used extensively as a raw material of brick, roof tile and plaster material. Clays are provided to prepare more economical plaster mixtures due to clay can be acquired easily. Clay plasters provide users ease of application thanks to their versatility. Fineness, grain distribution and surface properties of clay plasters are directly related to the quality of plaster. Dolomite is tight porous due to its size being smaller than 300 µ. In this study, clay plasters with additive of dolomite were produced as replacing dolomite with ratio of 1/3, 2/3, 3/3 by volume of clay/sand mixtures. After Atterberg Limits and elementary features of the clay plaster were explored, the clay plaster was put into production. Prepared plasters were poured into molds of 50x50x50 cm3 and 40x40x160 cm3 prism. Compressive and flexural strength test were carried out on the all plaster samples. After determining optimum Atterberg limits of clay plasters, observational plaster applications and field tests were performed and appropriate clay plaster mixtures were selected. Compressive and flexural strength tests were carried out on specified clay/sand and dolomite substituted clay/sand mixtures. 1/3 volume replacement of dolomite was showed that positive results in terms of both compressive and flexural strength tests. Therefore, it is considered to contribute in terms of evaluation of reserves dolomites in our country and improving of technical properties of clay plaster by dolomite substitution of clay plasters.