INTRODUCTION

Blocks of clay that have been hardened through being fired in a kiln or dried in the sun is
called as a brick. Bricks have been used over 5000 years ago, Commonly, the term brick
referred to a unit composed of clay, but it is now used to denote any rectangular unit laid in
mortar. Clay bricks is made from mudstone, shale and slate. Bricks is usually produced in a
wide variety of colours, shapes and textures. The materials used for clay bricks range from
soft and plastic surface deposits to hard mudstone, shales and even some of the softer
varieties of slate. The shape that has been obtained should retained without undue
shrinkage, warping or cracking when the bricks are dried and fired.
Clay bricks is the most frequently used in industry than other common type of bricks. In
order to make clay bricks, press the prepared sample into a mould, extracting the formed
unit immediately and heating it in order to sinter the clay. Many different types of bricks may
be produced depending on the type of clay used, the moulding and firing process.
There are three basic subdivision of type:
Common brick : This is the cheapest brick because this is ordinary brick that are
not designed to provide good finished appearance or high
strength.
Facing brick : This bricks are design to be free from imperfections such as
cracks to give attractive appearance.
Engineering brick : This brick usually designed to give extra strength and durability.

The clay brick is being prepared by stages of weathering and tempering. During weathering,
clay is being exposed to atmosphere condition for about a month to a full season. The main
objective of this operation is to break bog boulders of clay under the action of atmosphere
agencies to obtain uniform mass. The next process is the process of tempering, the obtained
mass is then mixed with the required quantity of water to attain proper consistency and
make it fit for the next operation. To modify the composition of the clay, sand and other
addictive may be added at this stage. The whole mass kneaded with spades or pressed
under the feet of men or cattle into a plastic mass.
The obtained clay is then being moulded into the shape of bricks either by hands or by
machine. Hand moulding is generally done for soft clay using wooden or steel moulds.
Machine moulding is usually used for hard and strong clay. The bricks is then being dried so
that it get uniform shrinkage. It is done to prevent cracking and distortion during firing.
Bricks can be naturally or artificially dried. Usually it takes 3 to 10 days for the bricks to dry.
After that, the bricks are burnt in clamps or kilns. Bricks are burnt to remove the moisture
present in the clay. It imparts strength and hardness and makes them dense and durable.
The bricks should be burnt properly. If the bricks is over burnt, they will be brittle and break
easily. If it is under burnt, they will be soft and cannot carry loads.
The size of standard bricks that are commonly being used are 215 x 102.5 x 65 mm.

Nowadays, bricks are still in

common use for the
construction of walls, cladding
and facings and even for the
complex features such as
chimneys, columns, fireplace, arches and column.
The reasons why engineer used bricks is because, bricks are very strong in compression, low
water absorption and low maintenance. This is because bricks are very hard, dense, and true
in shape. Bricks are normally so impervious and absorb very little moisture and usually used
for load bearing members.

PROPERTIES OF BRICKS IN CONSTRUCTION

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
As we know, physical properties is something that we can observed or measured
which describe about physical state of a material without changing the material’s
composition or substance. However, the physical properties of bricks in construction, there
are a few properties such as density, texture, colour, resistance, water absorption, water
permeability, porosity, hardness and many more. This all concern about the material that
can be used during the construction.
The first physical properties is density of a bricks. Density is known as the ratio of
mass of the material to its volume. Density mostly influenced the physical properties of a
bricks. As we know, there are many types of bricks. Different bricks have different density.
Table below shows the density of different types of common bricks;

BRICK DENSITY (kg/)

Blue 2405
Diatomaceous 480
Engineering 2165
Fibre brick 1890
Flettons 1795
London stock 1845
Red facings 1765
Sand cement 2085
Sand lime 1845

Density of bricks represents the compactness of material where high density is more
compacted compare to low density. It also help to find out the quantity of material needed
for particular space.
The second physical properties is the colour and texture of bricks. Variety of bricks
have different textures and colour which based on the material use. For example, the result
of a pink bricks is high iron content, white or yellow bricks have higher lime content.
Moreover, the increasing of temperature can also cause the colour change from dark red,
purple, brown or grey at 1300. Texture and colour plays a vital role in this process which
reflect the look of existing legacy brickwork. Below are the example of different texture and
colour;

STOCK

TUMBLED
A traditional-looking
brick
Retro bricks
irregular in
with handmade
appearance, shape, achieving the old
 slightly irregular shape, world charm.
creased texture

HEAVY TEXTURED
LIGHT TEXTURE
Rougher texture from the
bark
The textures vary from
small
like effect of a rusticated
brick. indentations, through printed
irregularities to a rippled wave
effect.

The third physical

properties is hardness of
bricks. It is commonly used
as description of bricks. Hardness of bricks related to how moderately well the compressive
strength, reasonable resistance of saturation and sufficient resistance to disruptive action of
frost. It can be determine by a method of testing for hardness where the brick is hold by one
hand and tapped lightly with a hammer. The sound shows the quality of the bricks. A well
bricks should be a dull ringing tone and not a dull thud. When there is no sign of remark
during tapping the bricks shows a high grade quality of bricks. Clearly, different types of
bricks will give off different sorts of sound and dull sound when struck may possible be hard
burned.
The fourth physical properties is the water absorption. Water absorption is the
amount of water that a brick can absorb which define as an increasing weight of brick due to
water and expressed in percentage. This properties will surely affects the durability of bricks.
The smaller amount of water absorption, the greater the durability. For example, an
underburned bricks may absorb water as much as one-third of their weight where a well and
hard bricks absorb less than 10 % of water.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Mechanical properties is a properties that involve the response of the material to
external forces. It also determine the range of usefulness of a material and establish the
service life that can be expected as well as to help classify and identify material. The most
common mechanical properties are toughness, ductility and strength.
The first mechanical properties is the compressive strength of a bricks. It can be
determine from the compressive strength test where 12 bricks are crush individually until
they are fail or crushes. The pressure value of material when reach failure is noted and it is
expressed as newtons per mm of surface area. The range of the different types of bricks
usually from about 3.5 N/m while for soft facing bricks commonly up to 140 N/m. Below are
the example for compressive strength of some common bricks;

BRICKS COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (N/m)

Mild (soft) stocks 3.5
Hard stocks 17.5
Flettons 21
Southwater A 70
 Based on the table above, different types of bricks have different strength which
basically depends on the composition of the clay, method of manufacture and also the
degree of burning.
The second mechanical properties is the durability of bricks. The durability of brick is
likely to be more of a problem than its strength. Almost durability problems are associated
with moisture penetration and it is therefore of paramount importance that bricks be suited
to the degree of exposure likely to be found. In any one structure the most exposed position
should be identified and assuming that the same brick type is to be used throughout, the
brick selected should be adequate for this degree of exposure.

TESTING ON BRICKS

A. Absorption Test on Bricks

Water absorption of bricks depend upon their porosity. A good brick does not absorb water
greater than one-seventh of its weight.
Objective: To find out the amount of moisture content absorbed by brick under extreme
conditions
Procedure:
1.Sample dry bricks are taken and weighed
2.The bricks are placed in water for 24 hours.
3.Weight the wet brick.
4.Note down its value.
  Water absorption: The difference between dry and wet brick weights

 For a good quality brick the amount of water absorption should not exceed 20% of
weight of dry brick.
B. Crushing Strength or Compressive Strength Test on Bricks
Procedure:
1.Place brick in compression testing machine.
2.Apply load until it is break.
3.Note down the value of failure load.
4.Calculate the crushing strength value of brick

 As per BIS: 1077-1957, the minimum crushing or compressive strength of bricks is

3.50 N/mm2. The bricks with crushing strength of 7 to 14 N/mm2 are graded as A
and those having above 14 N/mm2 are graded. as AA. if it is less than 3.50 N/mm2,
then it is not useful for construction purpose.
C. Hardness Test on Bricks
Procedure:
1.Use sharp tool or finger nail to make a scratch on brick.
If that doesn't leave any impression on brick then that is good quality brick.

D. Shape, Size and Colour Test on Bricks

1.Select 20bricks randomly.
2.Stack them along its length, breadth and height then compare. All bricks used for
construction should be of same size. Standard brick size consists length x breadth x height as
19cm x 9cm x 9cm
3.Inspect the bricks to check if it has a sharp edge. The shape of bricks should be purely
rectangular with sharp edges.

 For good quality bricks, the results should be within the following permissible limits.
The bricks are qualified for construction work. A good brick should possess bright and
uniform colour throughout its body.
E. Soundness Test of Bricks
It shows the nature of bricks against sudden impact.
Procedure:
1.2 bricks are chosen randomly.
2.Struck the bricks with each other

 The bricks should not break and a clear ringing sound should be produced. Then it is
said to be good brick.
F. Structure of Bricks
Procedure:
1.Pick one brick randomly.
2.Break the brick.
3.Examine the structure of the brick.

 It should be free from lumps and homogeneous. If there are any flows, cracks or
holes present on that broken face then that isn't good quality brick.

G. Efflorescence Test on Bricks

Efflorescence due to the presence of soluble salts (such as sulphates of sodium and
potassium) in the brick. It is generally common in new brickwork, but may also be formed on
the face of old external wall that are subjected to excessive dampness. A good quality brick
should not contain any soluble salts in it. If soluble salts are there, then it will cause
efflorescence on brick surfaces.
Procedure:
1.Immerse a brick in a fresh water for 24 hours.
2.Take the brick out from the water.
3. The partially soaked brick is now placed in a warm (20°C to 30°C), well-ventilated room
until all water is evaporated.
4. The bricks are now examined for efflorescence by measuring the area of white patches, if
present on the brick.

 Depending upon the size of white patches on the brick, efflorescence can be stated
as follows:
Nil : When there is no perceptible deposit of efflorescence
Slight : When not more than 10 percent of the area of the brick is covered with a
thin deposit of salt
Moderate : When there is a heavier deposit than mentioned under slight and covering
up to 50 percent of the exposed area of the brick surface but
unaccompanied by powdering or flaking of the surface
Heavy : When there are heavy deposit of salts covering 50 percent or more of the
exposed area of brick surface but unaccompanied by powdering or flaking
of the surface
Serious : When there are heavy deposit of salts accompanied by powdering and/or
flaking of the exposed surface

 If the white deposits cover about 10 per cent surface, the efflorescence is said to be
slight and it is considered as moderate, when the white deposits cover about 50 per
cent of surface. If grey or white deposits are found on more than 50 per cent of
surface, the efflorescence becomes heavy and it is treated as serious, when such
deposits are converted into powdery mass.

ADVANTAGES OF BRICKS IN CONSTRUCTION

When you build a house or building, you need to tackle a whole new set of problems.
One thing is sure that when you finish your house for example, you’ll spend many hours’
inside it. So, there are advantages by using the bricks for your construction.
Building a house exclusively of bricks can be costly. But it’s a sensible investment that
pays off. Interior walls made of bricks help adjust the building’s temperature, as they store
heat and cool air. In winter, the walls offer warmth, while on a hot summer day they have a
cooling effect. This creates a pleasant indoor climate, which means healthy houses.
Besides comfort, a building made of bricks also has some financial advantages. Houses
made entirely out of brickwork costless in the long run, because they need less energy for
heating. Research has proved that bricks for internal walls are best suited to household with
passive and lower energy consumption, as the walls efficiently support the house’s heating
system and also absorb humidity that cannot escape through efficient climate shielding.
Other advantages of bricks is have a good heat resistance where it can withstand heat
thus giving good fire protection to the house and building. It won’t burn or rot like others
finish material with easily.
The real benefits for bricks is it’s an interior wall that does not deteriorate as quickly as
other materials. It has a higher durability and reduces the risk of cracks. Bricks also classify
as a clean natural material that doesn’t impact on the environment. Bricks are fired at
temperatures so high that organic materials are eradicated.
In terms of sound performance for the bricks, since the bricks is a heavy material which
offers the best noises absorption between the individual’s rooms. Noise coming from
outside is likewise insulated, thanks to thick walls.

DISADVATAGES OF BRICKS IN CONSTRUCTION

There are several disadvantages of bricks in construction. Firstly, its adds a lot of weight
to the foundation, therefore it increases the stress of the foundation which the stronger of
foundation is needed to support this bricks from cracks.1
Secondly, during extreme weather, it may cause degradation of the surface walls due to
the frost damage. It’s not a good condition for a long-term construction otherwise the
building will easy cracks.
Thirdly, when the bricks show some damage, it is unable to repair the part that only
damage, but we need to remove all the entire walls section which needs larger cost plus
material that are used is most of its are related.
1
 In humid climates, porous bricks invite mould. Its suffer damage where water and ice
expand and contract in its pores.