BALOCHISTAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, KHUZDAR

CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIALS

CE-111
By
ABDUL MAJEED

BRICKS

BRICK
A SMALL RECTANGULAR BLOCK TYPICALLY
MADE OF FIRED OR SUN-DRIED CLAY, USED
IN BUILDING.

HISTORY OF BRICKS

Bricks are one of the oldest types of building

blocks.
They are an ideal building material because
they are relatively cheap to make, very
durable, and require little maintenance.
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in
masonry construction, usually laid using
various kinds of mortar.
Bricks dated 10,000 years old were found in
the Middle East.

HISTORY OF BRICKS

Examples of the civilizations who used mud

brick are the ancient Egyptians and the Indus
Valley

Civilization,

where

it

was

used

exclusively. In particular, it is evident from the

ruins of Buhen, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.

CLASSIFICATION OF BRICKS
SUN-DRIED BRICKS
The sun-dried bricks are those bricks
which are dried in the heat of sun after the
process of moulding.

CLASSIFICATION OF BRICKS
BURNT BRICKS
The bricks which are burnt in Kiln after the
process of drying are called burnt bricks.

CLASSIFICATION OF BURNT BRICKS

1st Class Bricks

2nd Class Bricks

3rd Class Bricks

4th Class Bricks

CLASSIFICATION OF BURNT BRICKS

1st CLASS BRICKS
These first class bricks are of uniform shape and
they are burnt in kilns. The surfaces and edges of
the bricks are sharp, square, smooth and straight.
When two first class bricks are struck together
they produce a metallic like sound.

USES

These bricks are used for important work of

permanent nature.
Flooring, Masonry work, Face work.

1ST CLASS BRICKS

These are thoroughly burnt and are of deep

red, cherry or copper colour.
These should be free from flaws, cracks and
stones.
The crushing strength should not be less than
10.5 N/mm2.
No impression should be left on the brick when
a scratch is made by a finger nail.
Water absorption should be 1215% of its dry
weight when immersed in cold water for 24
hours.

CLASSIFICATION OF BURNT BRICKS

2nd CLASS BRICKS
Those bricks which are not well burnt and or not
uniform in size and have irregular shape, and
have slight rough structure. These type of bricks
are called 2nd class bricks

USES

These bricks are commonly used at places

where brick work is to be covered with a coat
of plaster.
Interior use

2nd CLASS BRICKS

Small cracks and distortions are permitted.

A little higher water absorption of about
1620% of its dry weight is allowed.
The crushing strength should not be less than
7.0 N/mm2.

CLASSIFICATION OF BURNT BRICKS

3rd CLASS BRICKS
These bricks are also called PILLA bricks. These
bricks are under burnt bricks. They are soft and
light-coloured producing a dull sound when struck
against each other.

USES

They are used for building temporary structures

and at places where rainfall is not heavy.

CLASSIFICATION OF BURNT BRICKS

4th CLASS BRICKS
These are over burnt bricks with irregular shape
and dark color. Over burnt bricks have a compact
structure and hence they are sometimes found to
be stronger than even the first class bricks.

USES

These bricks are used as aggregate for concrete.

Used in the foundation of Structures.
Used in the construction of roads.

PROPERTIES OF BRICKS
The most important properties of brick are
Durability
Color
Texture
Size variation
Compressive strength
Porosity & Water absorption

PROPERTIES OF BRICKS
DURABILITY
A good brick should be able to withstand
weathering actions of Sun, rain wind etc.

PROPERTIES OF BRICKS
TEXTURE
Many bricks have smooth or sand-finished textures
produced by the dies or moulds used in forming.
A smooth texture, results from pressure exerted by
the steel die as the clay passes through it in the
extrusion process. Brick may be tumbled before or
after firing to achieve an antique appearance.

PROPERTIES OF BRICKS
COLOR
The color of fired clay depends upon its chemical
composition, the firing temperatures and the
method of firing control.
Of all the oxides commonly found in clays, iron
probably has the greatest effect on color.

PROPERTIES OF BRICKS
SIZE VARIATION
Because clay shrinks during both drying and firing,
allowances are made in the forming process to achieve
the desired size of the finished brick. Both drying
shrinkage and firing shrinkage vary for different clays,
usually falling within the following ranges
Drying shrinkage: 2 to 4 percent
Firing shrinkage: 2.5 to 4 percent
Firing
shrinkage
increases
with
higher
temperatures, which produce darker shades.

PROPERTIES OF BRICKS
SIZE VARIATION
To obtain products of uniform size, manufacturers
control factors contributing to shrinkage. Because of
normal variations in raw materials and temperature
variations within kilns, absolute uniformity is
impossible. Consequently, specifications for brick allow
size variations.

PROPERTIES OF BRICKS
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND ABSORPTION
Both compressive strength and absorption are
affected by properties of the clay, method of
manufacture and degree of firing.

PROPERTIES OF BRICKS
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND ABSORPTION
For a given clay and method of manufacture, higher
compressive strength values and lower absorption
values are associated with higher firing
temperatures. Although absorption and compressive
strength can be controlled by manufacturing and
firing methods, these properties depend largely upon
the properties of the raw materials.

PROPERTIES OF BRICKS
POROSITY
It is affected by chemical composition, proper mixing,
shaping and the degree of burning.

Porosity affects the strength and durability of the

brick. Higher porosity leads to lower strength and
lower durability.

ADVANTAGES

Uniformity is size and shape. Therefore it can be

easily laid in masonry.

Unlike stone brick do not need dressing.

Cheaper than stone.

Smaller in size and lighter therefore less effort is

required while building brick masonry.

DISADVANTAGES

Bricks are less durable than stone.

Plastering is required.

Alkalis & salts present in the brick have

hygroscopic properties. They absorb moisture
from the air and creating a damp and unhygienic
condition