Colloquial term for concrete stabilized soil used to form blocks. High strength concrete requires all the materials Calcium (Lime) Aluminum and Silicone (clay) to be calcined together but if strength requirements are minimal (such as creating a footing over compressed soil but under a hardened road bed.) Concrete powder can be mixed directly with soil to produce a material with an intermediate strength that may be more useful for broader support for structures.
Dutch bricks are building-blocks made, not of brick, but of a mixture of concrete, sand and soil. They are not Dutch; rather, the name results from the use of the word "Dutch" to mean "inferior". The mixture of concrete, sand and soil is also known as Mexican concrete when poured in larger moulds.
This form of mudbrick has been adapted widely by the peoples of the Sahel such as Mali and Mauritania. Its use has been popularized by Peace Corps volunteers working in the region. The similar process of Rammed earth is also widespread in the continent of Africa and developing countries.
Famous quotes containing the words dutch and/or brick:
“The French courage proceeds from vanity—the German from phlegm—the Turkish from fanaticism & opium—the Spanish from pride—the English from coolness—the Dutch from obstinacy—the Russian from insensibility—but the Italian from anger.”
—George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)
“Man you ought to see his plans for allsteel buildins. He’s got an idea the skyscraper of the future’ll be built of steel and glass. We’ve been experimenting with vitrous tile recently... crist-amighty some of his plans would knock you out... He’s got a great sayin about some Roman emperor who found Rome of brick and left it of marble. Well he says he’s found New York of brick an that he’s goin to leave it of steel... steel an glass.”
—John Dos Passos (1896–1970)