With the development of the ceramic industry and the increase of the size of the ceramic kiln, higher requirements are put on the technology and effect of the construction of the kiln. This promotes the improvement of the construction technology. Of course, the construction technology replies on the design of the kiln and the improvement of refractory materials and construction equipment. 

In the recent primary stage, larger bricks can reduce mortar joints, increase the overall strength, and improve the efficiency of casting; the application of bulk refractory materials (e.g., refractory concrete) can replace manual with mechanization and speed up the construction. The progress of the production technology of bulk refractories improves the quality and expands their applications; combine the actual situation of the construction and promote the use of other methods and tools, such the belt for material transportation, the pump for refractory mortar and the diamond cutter for cutting bricks to reduce labor intensity and improve work efficiency.

 

In the long-term advanced stage, with the development of refractory materials and advanced insulation materials, in the kiln, ancient Qin brick and Han tile has been replaced with mass-produced preforms; Like the rapid construction of skyscrapers, furnaces (especially tunnel kiln) are built with preforms, which makes the construction mechanization, reduce the cost and improve the quality. Therefore, this requires gradual standardization and serialization.

 

The kiln should withstand high temperature and the heat load causes thermal stress, which are important factors for the damage of kilns. Thermal stress depends on the temperature and temperature gradient, so the high temperature parts are easily damaged, especially the Arch Punta which is also subjected to lateral thrust. The main parts easily damaged include combustion chamber, arch Punta, holes and bridge, firing zone of tunnel kilns, hot base plate of round kilns, inner tank, door, etc.. Basic characteristics of damages include looseness, displacement, deformation, cracks, and subsidence. Reasons for kiln damage include the structure, material quality, masonry quality, preheating, conditions and maintenance. Sometimes under the same conditions, the same kilns, some have longer service life, while some have shorter service life, which the service life has a significant relationship with the construction. 

 

 

The characteristics for the damage of the external walls include cracking, moving and sinking. The construction factors include large mortar joints, poor tightness, undesirable connection and biting, unreasonable reservation of vent holes and improper mortar. Mortar used in the external walls include cement clay mortar and lime mortar. Both are good binding materials. The cement in the former has strong bonding force at room temperature and can make the consistency and liquidity moderate when added into the clay. The clay has good adhesion to bricks. When the temperature rises, the volume of clay shrinks and the moisture content is discharged, while cement absorbs water and expands, so it has good bonding with bricks well and good tensile strength. For the latter clay will shrink when the temperature rises, free calcium oxide in the lime expands, and the clay has better bonding with red bricks, so it has higher tensile strength.

 

When the base sinks, the chimney cracks by wind influence, but this is rare. The main reason for the cracking of chimneys is the stress caused by thermal expansion. For this reason, air insulation layer is used to prevent chimney cracking. Since the thick walls and the thin bricks have different thermal conductivity, there is a temperature difference in the junction which may cause cracking, so to minimize the scarcement of the chimney inner wall or take reinforcement measures in the junction.

 

During operation, whether the furnace is easy to control not only depends on the reasonable design, and the skill level and experience of operators, but also is related to the construction quality.