The Owner-built Adobe House

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UNIFORM BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS

The Uniform Building Code is a set of construction standards that has been adopted for many areas of the United States. Bricks meeting the Uniform Building Code standards are strong and durable, cannot be damaged by rain, and will withstand most stresses.

Most counties across the United States follow the Uniform Building Code requirements, and many lending institutions will not finance dwellings that do not comply with the code. Here is a summary of the Uniform Building Code requirements for adobe bricks.

[1] The clay content of the soil used in producing adobe bricks must be greater than 25% and less than 45%.

[2] Bricks are to be stabilized with emulsified asphalt and shall not absorb more than 2.5% water by weight (based on the dry weight of the adobe brick).

[3] Bricks shall not have more than three shrinkage cracks. No shrinkage crack shall exceed 3 inches (7.6 cm.) in length or be more than 1/4 inch (0.6 cm.) wide.

[4] The minimum compressive strength acceptable is 300 pounds (136.1 kg.) per square inch (6.5 sq. cm.).

[5] The average modulus of rupture for five bricks must be 50 pounds (22.7 kg.) per square inch (6.5 sq. cm.), with no one individual brick testing out less than 35 pounds (15.8 kg.) per square inch (6.5 sq. cm.).

TESTING THE STABILIZED BRICKS

Before you actually start making bricks, you should determine the amount of emulsified asphalt needed for your particular soil. There are several types of emulsified asphalt you can use (RS-1, SS-1, Dupont S-9). Local paving contractors should sell this product . . . or, if not, they can tell you who does. You can have this item delivered to your site, or you can haul it yourself. To hold enough for your brick building, you will need at least one 50-gallon drum. You can generally buy empty 50-gallon drums at surplus stores. (At times I have also found them at the local garbage dump.)

When buying emulsified asphalt, you should shop around for the best bargain. I have found it selling for from 15¢ to $1.00 a gallon. Prices vary greatly, and you can often get a price break by buying 100 gallons or more.

Generally you will find 1/2 gallon (1.9 L.) of emulsified asphalt per cubic foot (.03 cu. m.) of soil fairly satisfactory (that's 1/2 gallon for every 3-1/2 bricks). Here is how to determine the amount of asphalt needed for your particular soil:

[1] Construct a wooden box measuring 6 inches (15.2 cm.) by 6 inches by 6 inches. This is 1/8 cubic foot (0.004 cu. m. ).

[2] Fill the box with soil, measure 8 ounces (0.2 L.) of emulsified asphalt into a plastic measuring cup, and add to soil.

[3] Hand-shape this mixture into a small, 3 inch by 3 inch by 3 inch (7.6 cm. X 7.6 cm. X 7.6 cm.) brick. Label and set aside.

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