Bricks

Bricks and blocks are walling units that form the vertical elements of the building meant to
enclose and divide space.
Bricks: A brick is a walling unit not exceeding 337.5mm in length, 225 mm in width, or 112.5
mm in height. They may be made of clay (90%), Calcium silicate (3%) or concrete (approx.
8%). Clay bricks are the most used worldwide.
History of Brick: Brick laying and making has been traced back to 6000BC. It started in
Western Asia and spread eastwards and was also widely used in Europe by the Romans. It is
now firmly established throughout the world and remains one of the major building
materials in the world about which architects and engineers have to be familiar.
Types of Bricks
1. Burnt Clay Bricks
• Description: Traditional bricks fired in a kiln.
• Types:
o First-class: Uniform size, shape, and color, often used for walls and
foundations.
o Second-class: Irregular in shape, typically used for internal walls where
appearance is less critical.
o Third-class: Poor quality, mostly used for temporary structures.
o Fourth-class: Overburnt and generally broken, often used as aggregate in
concrete.
2. Sand Lime Bricks (Calcium Silicate Bricks)
• Description: Made by mixing sand, fly ash, and lime, then molded under pressure and
heat.
• Characteristics: Known for smooth texture and uniform color, commonly used for
aesthetic applications.
3. Engineering Bricks
• Description: High-strength, low-porosity bricks, often made with controlled clay and
fired at higher temperatures.
• Types:
o Class A: Highest strength and low water absorption.
o Class B: Lower strength than Class A but still used in strong structures.
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 • Applications: Sewers, basements, retaining walls.
4. Concrete Bricks
• Description: Made from a mixture of cement, sand, and water, often molded into
specific shapes.
• Applications: Facades, fences, and sometimes load-bearing walls.
5. Fly Ash Clay Bricks
• Description: Made with fly ash (a by-product of coal combustion) and clay.
• Benefits: Lightweight, low cost, and eco-friendly.
• Applications: Similar to traditional clay bricks but with better insulation properties.
6. Fire Bricks (Refractory Bricks)
• Description: Designed to withstand high temperatures, made from a special clay with
high alumina content.
• Applications: Used in fireplaces, furnaces, and chimneys.
7. Porotherm or Hollow Bricks
• Description: Lightweight bricks with hollow cavities, typically made from clay.
• Benefits: Good thermal and sound insulation properties, environmentally friendly.
• Applications: Internal and partition walls.
8. Compressed Earth Bricks (CEBs)
• Description: Made from soil with high clay content, stabilized with cement or lime,
and compressed.
• Benefits: Eco-friendly, energy efficient.
• Applications: Sustainable construction, low-rise buildings.
9. Eco or Bio Bricks
• Description: Made using recycled materials, sometimes with plant-based
compounds or plastic waste.
• Benefits: Environmentally friendly, reduces waste in construction.
• Applications: Eco-friendly construction, partitions.
10. Specialty Bricks
• Acid-resistant bricks: Used in chemical factories.

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 • Perforated bricks: Provide better insulation and reduce weight.
• Bullnose bricks: Rounded edges, used for aesthetics on corners or curvatures.

Properties of Bricks
1. Physical Properties
• Size and Shape: Bricks are typically manufactured in standard sizes and shapes,
allowing for uniform construction. The most common size is around 190 x 90 x 90
mm.
• Color: Quality bricks have a uniform color, usually reddish-brown for clay bricks,
which reflects even firing and high-quality clay.
• Texture: The surface of bricks should be smooth but not polished, providing good
adhesion with mortar for strong bonding.
• Weight: Bricks usually weigh between 3-3.5 kg each. This relatively low weight makes
them easy to handle, compared to larger construction blocks.
2. Mechanical Properties
• Compressive Strength: Bricks have high compressive strength, typically between 3.5
MPa to 20 MPa (depending on type and quality), allowing them to bear structural
loads.
• Tensile Strength: Bricks have low tensile strength, making them susceptible to
cracking under tension, which is why they are generally used in compression
structures.
• Hardness: Quality bricks are hard and resistant to abrasion, making them suitable for
surfaces exposed to wear, such as pavements and walkways.
3. Thermal Properties
• Thermal Insulation: Bricks provide moderate thermal insulation, helping to
maintain indoor temperatures. This makes brick structures energy-efficient,
especially in warmer climates.
• Thermal Conductivity: Bricks have low thermal conductivity, meaning they don’t
allow heat to pass through easily, which helps in reducing heat loss or gain within
buildings.
• Fire Resistance: Bricks are highly fire-resistant and can withstand temperatures up
to 1000°C, making them ideal for use in fire-prone or high-temperature areas like
fireplaces and furnaces.
4. Acoustic Properties

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 • Sound Insulation: Due to their density, bricks provide good sound insulation,
reducing noise transmission between rooms. Thicker walls made of bricks are
especially effective in soundproofing.
• Sound Absorption: Bricks can absorb some amount of sound, making brick buildings
quieter inside and limiting echoes, which is beneficial for residential and commercial
buildings.
5. Water Absorption and Porosity
• Water Absorption: Good-quality bricks have a water absorption rate of less than 15-
20% by weight. Higher absorption makes bricks susceptible to frost damage and
reduces durability.
• Porosity: Brick porosity affects water absorption, and less porous bricks are
preferred for structures exposed to moisture. Bricks with controlled porosity are
more durable in various climates.
6. Durability
• Weather Resistance: Bricks can withstand extreme weather conditions, including
rain, wind, and frost. Well-fired bricks resist cracking and erosion, extending their
longevity.
• Efflorescence Resistance: Bricks with low soluble salts are resistant to efflorescence
(white salt deposits), which maintains their appearance and structural integrity over
time.
7. Chemical Properties
• Chemical Resistance: Bricks, especially high-quality clay and refractory bricks, are
resistant to chemicals, acids, and salts, making them suitable for industrial
environments.
• Efflorescence: This is a property of some bricks where salts present in the brick or
mortar are drawn to the surface by moisture, forming a white powder. High-quality
bricks have minimal efflorescence.
8. Environmental Properties
• Recyclability: Bricks are recyclable and can be reused in new construction or broken
down for aggregate in other materials.
• Energy Efficiency: Buildings made with bricks have lower heating and cooling costs
due to their thermal insulation properties, contributing to energy conservation.
• Eco-Friendliness: Fly ash bricks and other alternatives are made from industrial
waste, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability.

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Manufacturing Process of Bricks
• Preparation of Raw Material: Clay is excavated and mixed with water to reach the
required consistency.
• Moulding:
o Hand Moulding: Traditional method; labor-intensive.
o Machine Moulding: Faster and produces more uniform bricks.
• Drying: Bricks are dried to reduce moisture, which helps prevent cracking during
firing.
• Firing: Bricks are baked in a kiln at high temperatures (800°C-1200°C), which
strengthens them.
• Cooling: Bricks are cooled gradually to avoid cracking, then are stacked for curing.

Tests of Bricks
1. Compressive Strength Test
• Purpose: To measure the brick's ability to withstand pressure and load.
• Procedure:
o A brick sample is placed in a compression testing machine.
o A gradually increasing load is applied until the brick fails.
o The maximum load the brick can withstand is recorded.
• Standard: For high-quality bricks, compressive strength should typically be between
3.5 to 20 MPa (Mega Pascals), depending on the type.
• Result Interpretation: Higher strength indicates better load-bearing capacity.
2. Water Absorption Test
• Purpose: To measure the brick’s porosity and its water absorption capacity,
indicating durability.
• Procedure:
o Weigh a dry brick (W1).
o Immerse the brick in water for 24 hours.
o Remove the brick, wipe off excess water, and weigh again (W2).
• Calculate water absorption as a percentage:

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 W2 − W1
Water absorption = × 100
W1
• Standard: Quality bricks should not absorb more than 15-20% of their dry weight.
• Result Interpretation: Lower water absorption indicates higher durability and
resistance to weathering.
3. Efflorescence Test
• Purpose: To check for soluble salts in the brick, which can cause white powdery
deposits on surfaces.
• Procedure:
o Place a brick in a shallow dish with distilled water, allowing it to partially
submerge.
o Leave the brick in the water for 24 hours and then dry it in the air.
• Observation: Check for white or grey patches (efflorescence) on the brick surface.
• Grading:
o No Efflorescence: No white deposits, high-quality brick.
o Slight: 10% area affected, acceptable.
o Moderate to Heavy: Over 50% area affected, poor quality.
• Result Interpretation: Bricks with no efflorescence are preferable for aesthetic and
structural purposes.
4. Hardness Test
• Purpose: To assess the hardness and resistance to scratching or abrasion.
• Procedure:
o Scratch the brick surface with a hard object, like a steel knife.
o Check if it leaves any mark or scratch on the brick surface.
• Standard: A quality brick should not show significant scratches.
• Result Interpretation: Harder bricks are more durable and resistant to wear.
5. Soundness Test
• Purpose: To assess the internal structure and uniformity of the brick.
• Procedure:
o Strike two bricks together lightly.

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 o Listen to the sound produced.
• Observation: A clear ringing sound indicates a well-burnt, dense brick.
• Result Interpretation: A dull sound suggests internal cracks or poor firing, reducing
strength.
6. Shape and Size Test
• Purpose: To ensure uniformity and proper dimensions for construction.
• Procedure:
o Check brick dimensions using a measuring tape.
o Visually inspect for uniform shape and straight edges.
• Standard: Bricks should adhere to standard dimensions (usually 190 mm x 90 mm x
90 mm) with a tolerance of ±3 mm.
• Result Interpretation: Uniform size and shape ensure consistent masonry.
7. Structure Test
• Purpose: To examine internal brick quality and uniform composition.
• Procedure:
o Break a brick in half.
o Inspect the interior for uniformity, free from lumps or voids.
• Observation: A homogeneous, compact structure indicates good-quality brick.
• Result Interpretation: Non-uniform structure may weaken the brick, making it
prone to breaking.
8. Impact Test (Drop Test)
• Purpose: To test the brittleness and ability of a brick to withstand impact.
• Procedure:
o Drop the brick from a height of approximately 1 meter onto a hard surface.
• Observation: Good-quality bricks will not break easily, while brittle bricks may
shatter.
• Result Interpretation: Bricks that withstand the impact without significant damage
are preferred.

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Uses of Bricks in Construction
• Load-Bearing Structures: Bricks can support the structural loads in traditional
buildings.
• Non-Load Bearing Walls: Used as partition walls for interior divisions.
• Paving: Brick pavers are used in walkways, driveways, and courtyards.
• Architectural Aesthetics: Used in facades and decorative walls for visual appeal.
• Fireproofing: Fire-resistant properties make bricks suitable for chimney and furnace
linings.
Bricks are a vital construction material, valued for their durability, load-bearing capacity, and
aesthetic versatility. Advances in eco-friendly manufacturing (e.g., fly ash bricks) are helping
reduce their environmental impact. While newer materials like concrete blocks are becoming
popular, bricks remain widely used for traditional and architectural purposes

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