Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Distribusi panas selama proses pembakaran berperan penting dalam menentukan kualitas mekanik batu bata. Pada industri batu bata rakyat di Aceh Besar, pembakaran tradisional sering menyebabkan ketidakteraturan suhu di dalam tungku. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis distribusi panas tungku pembakaran dan pengaruhnya terhadap kuat tekan serta kuat lentur batu bata. Metode yang digunakan meliputi simulasi numerik berbasis metode elemen hingga menggunakan COMSOL Multiphysics dengan pendekatan heat transfer in solids pada kondisi tunak, yang divalidasi menggunakan pengukuran suhu lapangan dengan kamera termal. Selain itu, dilakukan pengujian mekanik berdasarkan standar ASTM C67. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa distribusi panas yang lebih merata menghasilkan sifat mekanik batu bata yang lebih baik dan konsisten.

Heat distribution during the firing process plays an important role in determining the mechanical quality of bricks. In the artisanal brick industry in Aceh Besar, traditional firing often causes temperature irregularities in the kiln. This study aims to analyze the heat distribution of the kiln and its effect on the compressive and flexural strength of bricks. The method used includes numerical simulations based on the finite element method using COMSOL Multiphysics with a heat transfer in solids approach under steady-state conditions, which are validated using field temperature measurements with a thermal camera. In addition, mechanical testing was conducted based on the ASTM C67 standard. The results show that a more even heat distribution results in better and more consistent mechanical properties of the bricks.