In theconstruction industry, mud is a semi-fluid material that can be used to coat, seal, or adhere materials.[2] The term "mud" can be used for various semi-fluid materials used in construction includingslurry,mortar,plaster,stucco, andconcrete.[2]
Mud can be made into mud bricks, also calledadobe, by mixing mud with water, placing the mixture intomoulds and then allowing it to dry in openair.[6]Straw is sometimes used as abinder within thebricks, as it makes them acomposite. When the brick would otherwise break, the straw will redistribute the force throughout the brick, decreasing the chance ofbreakage.[7] Such buildings must be protected fromgroundwater, usually by building upon a masonry, fired brick, rock or rubble foundation, and also from wind-driven rain in dampclimates, usually by deep roof overhangs. In extremely dry climates a well-drained flat roof may be protected with a well-prepared (puddled) and properly maintained dried mud coating, viable as the mud will expand whenmoistened and so become more water-resistant.[8] Adobe mudbricks were commonly used by thePuebloIndians to build their homes and other necessary structures. In some countries there are entire cities made of mud brick houses.Cow dung andbiomass are added to regulate indoor climate.[9]
Mud that is mostly clay, or a mixture of clay and sand may be used forceramics, of which one form is the common firedbrick.[10] Fired brick are more durable but consume much moreenergy to produce.[11]
Pottery is made by forming aclay body into objects of a required shape andheating them to hightemperatures in akiln which removes all the water from theclay, which induces reactions that lead to permanent changes including increasing their strength and hardening and setting their shape. A clay body can bedecorated before or after firing. Prior to some shaping processes, clay must be prepared.Kneading helps to ensure an even moisture content throughout the body.Air trapped within the clay body needs to be removed. This is called de-airing and can be accomplished by amachine called a vacuumpug or manually bywedging. Wedging can also help produce an evenmoisture content. Once a clay body has been kneaded and de-aired or wedged, it is shaped by a variety of techniques. After shaping, it is dried and then fired.
Inceramics, the making of liquid mud (calledslip) is a stage in the process of refinement of thematerials, since larger particles will settle from theliquid.
Mud provides habitat for diverse species on land and in the sea.[13] Terrestrial mud environments, often found inriparian zones and wetlands, are essential for burrowing organisms, providing crucial shelter and moisture for many insects, worms, and amphibians during dry periods.[14] In marine and estuarine environments, the soft, fine-grained sediment ofmudflats andbenthic zones creates a unique, nutrient-rich habitat that supports dense communities of invertebrates, including various species ofpolychaete worms,bivalves (likeclams), andcrustaceans.[15] These infaunal species burrow deeply into the mud, which buffers them from extreme changes in temperature and salinity, and in turn, they serve as a critical food source for migratoryshorebirds andbottom-feeding fish.[16]
Below the surface, the burrows of somespecies form intricate lattice-like networks and may penetrate ameter or more downwards. This means that the burrowed mud is a productivehabitat, providingfood and shelter for many mud-dwellers and other animals that forage in and over the mud.[17]
Mud can pose problems for motortraffic whenmoisture is present, because everyvehicle function that changes direction orspeed relies onfriction between thetires and theroad surface, so a layer of mud on the surface of the road or tires can cause the vehicle tohydroplane. People and cars can also become stuck in mud, as inquicksand.
Geophagia is the practice of eating earth or soil-like substances, also known as geophagy, and is practiced by some non-human primates and by humans in some cultures. In other human cultures, it is considered an eating disorder and classed aspica.[19][20]
Mississippi mud pie is a chocolate based dessert pie.[21]Mud cookies (baked from literal dirt mixed with oil, water, etc.) are also eaten in the poorest parts ofHaiti. Children's recipes for "mud" also exist, which is generally achocolate orcornstarch-based sludge used more for visual appeal than actual taste. However, it does not contain real mud.[22] "Mud" is also a colloquialslang word forcoffee, especially when thick, strong, and/or dark.[23]
A mud bath is a bath of mud, commonly from areas where hot spring water can combine withvolcanic ash.[24] Mud baths have existed for thousands of years, and can be found now in high-endspas.
Mud wallows are a common source of entertainment forchildren. Mud wallows can be any shape, size, depth and some can havewater as well as mud. Usually, wallows are shallow dips in the ground that have beenflooded and were full ofdirt and those two have mixed to make a squishy mud wallow.
^Minke, G. (2006).Building with Earth: Design and Technology of a Sustainable Architecture (2nd ed.). Birkhäuser. pp. 10–13
^Wang, S., Wang, H., & Wang, J. (2024). Properties of Sustainable Earth Construction Materials: A State-of-the-Art Review.Sustainability,16(2), 670. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/2/670
^Houben, H., & Guillaud, H. (1994).Earth Construction: A Comprehensive Guide. Intermediate Technology Publications. pp. 1–3
^admin_666 (29 July 2013)."Mud brick".yourhome.gov.au.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^Smith, Michael G.The Cobber’s Companion: How to Build Your Own Earthen Home. Cottage Grove: Cob Cottage, 1998. Print.
^Riaz, M., Tahir, M., Javed, M., Khurshid, H., & Khan, Z. (2021). Manufacturing of Clayey Bricks by Synergistic Use of Waste Brick and Ceramic Powders as Partial Replacement of Clay.Sustainability,13(18), 10214. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/18/10214
^abMoreno-Maroto, J. M., Alonso-Fariñas, B., & Alonso-Santurde, R. (2023). Unfired Bricks from Wastes: A Review of Stabiliser Technologies, Performance Metrics, and Circular Economy Pathways.Sustainability,15(11), 1861.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/11/1861.
^UNIDO. (n.d.).Mud Stabilized Blocks: Production and Use - Technical Manual. United Nations Industrial Development Organization. p. 4. https://downloads.unido.org/ot/48/56/4856020/ALIMDJANOV_TII_BCI_KYR_2016_140116_ENG.pdf
^Kadlec, R. H., & Wallace, S. D. (2009).Treatment Wetlands (3rd ed.). CRC Press. pp. 31–32
^Alongi, D. M. (2009).The Energetics of World Oceans: Benthic Ecosystems. In D. M. Alongi,The Energetics of World Oceans. Springer. pp. 33–35.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-73895-7_2
^McLusky, D. S., & Elliott, M. (2004).The Estuarine Ecosystem: Ecology, Threats and Management (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 101–103
^abA summary of the ‘Burrowed Mud’ MPA search feature. (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2015, from[1] &cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
^"Mud on the Move." Earth: The Definitive Visual Guide. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2013. 98. Print.
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