Adobe bricks are
mud bricks formed from local clay and sand resources and baked in the sun until
they are hard enough for use. Although
not as strong as conventional bricks, they posses reasonably high strength under
compression and can be used to construct buildings of a considerable size. Adobe bricks are more commonplace in warmer
climates such as Australia and Asia.
Even in these climates, it is only after thirty days of baking in the
sun that the bricks are sufficiently cured to give an optimum strength. Variations of Adobe bricks include the
addition of straw or paper to hold the materials together or the addition of
bitumen to increase resistance to moisture and weathering. The addition of bitumen does, however, lead
to emissions of hydrocarbons from the bricks.
Even standard Adobe bricks are relatively hardwearing and resistant to
fire or fungal attack. The insulation
properties of the Adobe bricks are poor due their dense structure with little
trapped air. However, this is not such
a problem in warmer climates, and insulative linings could be added.