Characteristics of Good Bricks - Civil Engineering (2024)

FAQs

What are the characteristics of good bricks? ›

Characteristics of Good Bricks

Bricks should be uniform, in size and shape. The standard size of brick should be maintained. They should be sound and compact. They should be free from cracks and other flaws such as air bubbles, stone nodules, etc.

In addition to their high strength, engineering bricks have excellent resistance to water, frost, and chemical attack. These bricks resist frost damage because of their low water absorption rate. Their low porosity also makes them ideal for use in areas where harsh weather conditions are prevalent.

WATER WEIGHT TEST

This test will identify the moisture absorption rate of a brick. Weigh a dry brick and note down its weight then submerge the brick in water for a long period of time. Take it out and weigh it again; if the weight doesn't increase by 15%, then it's a good quality brick.

First-class brick has a compressive strength of 105 kg/cm². The compressive strength of a second-rate brick is 70 kg/cm². The compressive strength of sun-dried brick is between 15 and 25 kg/cm².

Good brick earth should contain about 20% to 30% of alumina. It is responsible for plasticity characteristic of earth, which is important in moulding operation. If present in excess, then the raw brick shrink and warp during drying.

Good quality bricks should be well-burnt, as well as having a uniform colour. If bricks are under-burnt or over-burnt, they lose this uniformity. Brick earth – brick earth should be free from physical materials such as stones and pebbles, as well as chemicals like potassium nitrate.

Engineering bricks are specialist construction bricks designed around high strength, water resistance, and acid resistance. They are used for a variety of non-visual uses within construction projects, especially ones involving water such as groundworks and sewers.

A brick is a type of construction material used to build walls, pavements and other elements in masonry construction. Properly, the term brick denotes a unit primarily composed of clay, but is now also used informally to denote units made of other materials or other chemically cured construction blocks.

The raw materials used, the manufacturing process, the size and shape of the bricks, as well as their color and texture, are all aspects that can affect the quality of a brick. Builders and homeowners should be aware of these factors.

High-quality bricks have low water absorption, which indicates their durability. It is also important to examine the brick's color and surface texture. Good quality natural bricks have a uniform color and a smooth surface. Finally, the dimensions and shape of the brick should be inspected.

Which brick is good for construction? ›

Red bricks are renowned for their strength and durability. They have a higher compressive strength compared to fly ash bricks, making them suitable for load-bearing applications. The higher strength of red bricks allows them to withstand heavier loads without experiencing significant deformation or failure.

The minimum compressive strength of first-class bricks should be 10 N / mm². It can be taken as 105 kg/cm. These bricks are used for superior work of permanent nature.

Hold one brick in each hand and strike them against each other. A metallic or ringing sound indicates good bricks. If the brick breaks, it is obviously not suitable for construction. Throw a brick from a height of 1.5m – a good quality brick won't break when it falls from a height of 1.5m.

Explanation: Brick should have uniform red coloured and hom*ogeneous strata. It should not have any visible pores.

1. Burnt Clay Bricks. They have high strength and are durable. Burnt bricks offer good resistance against moisture, insect, and erosion.

Detailed Solution

Good brick earth should contain 50 – 60% of silica. It prevents cracking, shrinking and wrapping of raw bricks. Silica imparts uniform shape to the bricks. Excess of silica makes the bricks brittle.