Aim at verifying the feasibility of the adobe brick for housing construction, a research was carried out to evaluate the mechanical and physical characteristics of the material and to define production procedures and methods, establishing therefore the criteria to improve the product quality. The soil chosen was distrofic (Red Yellow) Latosoil that is typical in south region of Minas Gerais State. Humidity levels and granulometric correction with medium sand (0.25-0.50mm) were adopted according to Hernandez et al. (1983) and Pacheco & Dias Júnior (1990). The production followed two processes, one of them with compressed dirt blocks (CDB) using manual press MCR-1 TECMOR, called as AP (23x11x5,0 cm) and another handicraft wood mold brick called BTA size of the bricks are: BA (23x11x5.5 cm), CA (29x14x10 cm) e DA (29x14x14 cm). After the manufacturing, the adobes were submitted to flexion and compression resistance tests, with weight, volume, density and humidity monitoring, in three drying distinct periods, which were ranged in seven, twenty-one and thirty-five days. After the adobes were placed in a close room, a shed and an unprotected place subject to weather changes. To analyze the data, a factorial design was used with four replications, with the use of the Tukey test at 5% of error level. The production of BTC did not present satisfactory results when compared with the production of BTA. The BA size presented the best results for compression and flexion resistance. The stabilization with medium sand in clay soils provides the production of adobes with minor contraction. The shed protection is ideal for the cure process. The resistance to compression achieved higher levels compared to the ones found in the bibliographic references. We concluded that the production of adobe following the criteria defined in the research, such as appropriate humidity, medium sand stabilization, "maromba", the care during production and drying, resulted in bricks of superior quality, concerning resistance and aesthetic aspects proving their feasibility in masonry construction.
Adobe; ecologic brick; earth construction
