6 Requirements of Good Quality Bricks

For good quality construction works, as constant supervision is required so is required good
quality building materials. Thus, for good quality masonry works both "supervision" and
quality bricks are required. We'll discuss the requirements of good quality bricks in this post.

Followings are the six requirements of good quality bricks -

Size: We commonly use 9.5 x 4.5 x 2.75 inch size of bricks. Whatever brick size you use,
they should be regular and uniform. Good quality bricks shouldn't exceed the following
tolerances in size -
In length they shouldn't exceed 3mm and in width and height 1.5 mm.

Shape: Shape should be uniform of quality bricks. Edges of them should be sharp, straight
and right angle.

Colour of bricks: Well brunt brick always have uniform colour. That means, good quality
bricks should have uniform colour. Over burned and less burned bricks lost its uniformity of
colour on its surface and its strength. So, a good quality brick should have uniform colour
throughout. It can be red, cherry or copper-coloured. Well burned bricks gives metallic
ringing sound when struck with one another.

Surface finish: Good quality brick surface should be free from cracks, flaws, air holes and
any defect or impurities. Broken surface of good quality bricks should show uniform,
compact and fine structure.

Strength: Crushing strength of good quality bricks shouldn't be less than 3.5 N/mm2.
Crushing strength is tested in laboratory. We can also test its strength on field.

Quality bricks left no mark when scratched with thumb-nail. In this way, we can guess its
hardness.

Good quality bricks shouldn't break when dropped on ground from about two feet height on
their flat face in a saturated condition. In this way we can be assured about its strength.

Water absorption: Good quality bricks doesn't absorb water more than 20% of its dry
weight when soaked 24 hours in cold fresh water.

As we discussed beginning of this post, quality brick work doesn't depend only good quality
bricks. It also need proper supervision. You should read the "quality checklist for good brick
works".