Normally, bricks contain the following

ingredients:

Silica (sand) – 50% to 60% by weight

Alumina (clay) – 20% to 30% by weight
Lime – 2 to 5% by weight
Iron oxide – ≤ 7% by weight
Magnesia – less than 1% by weight
 • Brick have been used all
History Of Bricks over the world in every
class and kind of building.
• At present India has the
production capacity to
manufacture over one
lakh crore brick through
about 45000 local kilns in
an unorganized sector
• The brick do not required
dressing and the art of lay
bricks is so simple that the
brick work can be carried
out with the help of
unskilled labour.
•The bricks are obtained by moulding clay in rectangular
block of uniform size and then by drying and burning this
blocks.
•As bricks are uniform size they can properly arranged.
•The common brick is one of the oldest building material.
•It is extensively used at present as a leading material of
construction, because of durability, strength, low cost, and
easily available, etc.
 Qualities Of Good Bricks
• table-moulded, well burnt in kilns, copper colored,
free from cracks, sharp and square edges, uniform and
bright color
• uniform and standard size
• bright, homogenous and uniform compact structure
• should not absorb more than 20% by weight for 1st
class bricks and 22% by weight for 2nd class bricks,
when soaked in water for 24 hours
• sufficiently hard
• low thermal conductivity, sound proof
• crushing strength below 5.50 N/mm sq
 Tests For Bricks
ABSORBTION
 A brick is taken and it is weighed dry.
 It is then immersed in water for a period of 16 hours.
 It is weighed again and the difference in weight indicates the
amount of water absorbed by the brick.
 It should not, in any case, exceed 20% of weight of dry brick.

CRUSHING STRENGTH
 The crushing strength of a brick is found out by placing it in a
compression testing machine.
 It is pressed till it breaks.
 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/mm are graded as AA.
HARDNESS
 In this test, a scratch is made on brick surface with the help of
a finger nail.
 If no impression is left on the surface, the brick is treated to be
sufficiently hard.
SHAPE AND SIZE
 In this test, a brick is closely inspected.
 It should be of standard size and it’s shape should be truly
rectangle with sharp edges.
SOUNDNESS
 In this test, two bricks are taken and they are struck with each
other.
 The bricks should not break and a clear ringing sound should
be produce.
STRUCTURE
 A brick is broken and its structure is examined.
 It should be homogeneous, compact and free from any defects
such as holes, lumps, etc.
 ADVANTAGES
 If plaster is to be provided on sand lime bricks, the quantity
of mortar required will be less as bricks are uniform in size
and shape.
 The calcium silicate products are available in brick, block
and tile forms. They thus permit wider uses in housing and
building construction.
 The masonry work of these bricks offer the architects
considerable flexibility to produce complex shapes, intricate
designs and different surface finishes given a pleasant visual
effect.
 The raw material of these bricks do not contain any soluble
salt. Hence, trouble of efflorescence does not arise.
 These bricks are uniform in colour n texture.
 These bricks can be prepared where clay is scare.
In other words, the adoption of these bricks
relives pressure on the agricultural land.
 These bricks have accurate size and shape with
straight edges and true rectangular faces.
 These bricks have better water repellant
properties and noise reduction coefficients and
they grant protection from fire.
 These bricks present a clean appearance and
hence, the plastering may be avoided.
 The use of coloured sand-lime bricks offer
permanent finish to the wall without extra cost.
 The wastage of calcium silicate products is less,
say within 1% or so
 DISADVANTAGES
 These bricks are not suitable for furnace brickwork
because they will disintegrate, if exposed to heat
for a long time.
 These bricks are weak in offering resistance to the
abrasion. Hence, they cannot be used as paving
material.
 These bricks cannot be used as foundation work as
they are less water resistant than clay bricks.
 Wherever suitable clay for the manufacture of
clay bricks is available in plenty, these bricks will
prove to be un economical.
Functions Stabilizers in Bricks
Stabilizer material in the Bricks will do the following:
(i) cementing/binding the soil particles together making the
product stronger
(ii) water proofing - reducing the amount of voids and water
which can be absorbed by the Bricks
(iii) reducing the shrinkage and swelling properties of Bricks
(iv) increase the tensile strength of Bricks.

Some Commonly Used Stabilizers are:

(i) cement
(ii) lime
(iii) combination of lime and cement
(iv) combination of lime and Pozzolana
(v) asphalt
(vi) burning clay bricks
BRICK FOUNDATION

FOUNDATION OF A 1½ BRICK
TH WALL
BONDS IN
BRICK-
WORK
TO BUILD A
ARCH
Arch Types: Segmental Arch Types: Jack

Arch Types: Semicircular Arch Types: Bullseye

 Arch Types: Multicentered
Arch Types: Horseshoe

Arch Types: Venetian

Arch Types: Tudor

Arch Types: Triangular

Arch Types: Gothic

Brick vaults
are
constructed
in the same
manner as
common
brick arches.
 SERPENTINE WALL

Plan showing the method of maintaining the

true alignment of a serpentine wall throughout
its height
BRICKS IN PAVEMENT

A - PAVEMENT
B - EDGING
C - MORTAR
D - COURSE SAND
E - RUBBLE
BRICK JALI
Maintenance of brickwork
1. Mortar
Well-built clay brickwork is virtually maintenance free. The brick
color will not fade and the only obvious reparation
maybe that after many years, the joint faces may require re-
pointing. However, if the correct mix proportions are
used appropriate to the exposure factor, this will not be for many
years.
2. Graffiti
Keeping the brickwork free of graffiti can now be accomplished by
the use of a range of graffiti removing materials,
which will not harm the brick or the joint. Such materials are readily
available from most builders’ merchants, and
although they are not able to deter potential graffiti artists, they
may enable such masonry to be cleaned down
effectively.
3.Efflorescence, Algae, Lichen
•Persistent efflorescence, extensive salt staining from
within the brickwork and vegetable growth on the
brickwork are due to excessively wet conditions. In such
cases, it is necessary to overhaul faulty flashing and
damp proof courses, repair leaking rainwater down-
pipes, renew copings, etc.
•Particular areas of masonry that can encourage
lichen, moss, etc. are free standing boundary walls,
adjacent to trees. If this does occur, then the
application of a proprietary weed killer will not harm
the brickwork, and will rid those areas of masonry
which are likely to become saturated, such as below
expanses of window, parapets and copings.
4. General Staining, i.e. dirt
Staining in brickwork is generally due to
external causes but sometimes may result
from salts in the brickwork itself.
Staining can mar the appearance of
brickwork but incorrect cleaning techniques
can cause permanent damage.
Consequently, any proposed method of
cleaning should be tried out in a small
unobtrusive area and left for as long
as possible, (at least a week or so) to judge
the results, before the whole job is tackled