الفهرس 
INTRODUCTION, OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGYOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The present study shed the light on the stratigraphy, sedimentology, mineralogy, geochemistry and industrial application of the Upper Paleozoic sedimentary succession exposed in the Wadi Araba and Abu Darag areas at the western side of the Gulf of Suez region.
Lithostratigraphically, the studied sequence composed of the Rod El-Hamal group which is described for the first time, in a higher rank, in the area studied including three well-developed rock units from the bottom to the top (Abu Nekheila Formation, Um Bogma Formation, and Abu Darag Formation). The Upper Paleozoic Aheimer Formation that is unconformably overlain by Permo-Triassic Qiseib Formation unconformably overlies the Upper Paleozoic Rod El-Hamal Group. Basalt dykes intruded in the above described sedimentry succession. Perhaps these dykes are connected with the Gulf formation.
The studied succession consists mainly of conglomerates, conglomeratic and pebbly sandstones, sandstones, siltstones, shales and carbonates (limestones and sandy dolostones). The petrographic studies of the studied rock units revealed four sandstone microfacies, four dolostone microfacies in addition to siltstone and shale facies. These lithologies represent fluviomarine environments.
The present work is focused on the potential use of the Egyptian Paleozoic raw building materials collected from the study area for the manufacture of clay building bricks. Sand and clay samples have been gathered from the investigated area and have been characterized mineralogically, chemically and physically using different analytical methods and techniques. Through the experimental work, three clay-based mixes have been formulated to prepare cylindrical briquettes with different proportions of sand (10%, 15%, and 20% by weight). The lab-made briquettes after drying were fired at 750 ºC, 800 ºC and 850 ºC in an electrical furnace. Physico-mechanical properties of the fired briquettes have been determined according to ASTM standards and assessed as stated by the Egyptian Code 204-2014. The ceramic tests showed that the briquettes color changed to dark brownish red with increasing sand content and firing temperature and the sound of all briquettes are dull. The compressive strength increased with temperature and decreased with sand addition. The findings indicated that the briquettes of 10% of sand at a sintering temperature equal / over 800 ºC have good technological properties and met the allowable requirements of the Egyptian code for use of clay bricks as non-load bearing walls.