RECORD BOOK

CE 3410 - Construction Materials Laboratory

(Experiments on Cement, Concrete, Aggregates, Bricks/Tiles, & Steels)

Vamsi Bhargav Siddela

Student’s Name

CE17B015
Student’s Roll Number

Group Number B5

Building Technology & Construction Management Division

Dept. of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Chennai 600 036, India

July - November 2019

 4. BRICK-TILE LAB

4.1. OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

4.1.1. Efflorescence test

Liability of efflorescence = Slight

4.1.2. Warpage test – concave

The maximum distance of the brick surface from the edge of straightness = 4mm

4.1.3. Warpage test - convex

The distance from the flat surface to the corner A of the brick = 5mm

The distance from the flat surface to the corner B of the brick = 5.5mm

The distance from the flat surface to the corner C of the brick = 3mm

The distance from the flat surface to the corner D of the brick = 7mm

Minimum distance from the flat surface to any of the corners = 3mm

4.1.4. Dimensional tolerance test

Modular Parameter Standard size Allowable tolerance Measured length of a

type of one brick for a row of row of 20 bricks
(mm) 20 bricks (mm) (mm)
Non- Length (L) 230 4600±80 4520
Standard
Width (W) 110 2200±40 2100

Height (H) 70 1400±40 1610

Length (L)

Width (W)

Height (H)
4.1.5. Compressive strength test for bricks

Sl.No. Size of brick Maximum Area of the Compressive Average

(mm) load at brick (mm2) strength Compressive
failure(N) (N/mm2) strength
220*101*85 94100 22220 4.235 5.13 N/mm2
1.

222*103*89 108600 22866 4.75

2.

219*102*94 143100 22338 6.406

3.

4.1.6. Water absorption test for bricks

Sl.No. Size of brick Weight of Weight of Water absorption Average

(mm) dry wet (M2--Ml ) x100 water
specimen specimen /M1 absorption
(M1) (M2)
220*101*85 2.518 3.046 20.97% 15.02%
1.

222*103*89 3.012 3.384 12.35%

2.

219*102*94 3.030 3.386 11.75%

3.

4.1.7. Wet transverse strength test for tiles

We have wet flexural strength f=3Pl/2bt2

where P= load in N
l= span of loading(mm)
b= width of tile(mm)
t= thickness of the tile(mm)

We have the thickness of the tile to be 19mm

 Table 4-1 Observations from wet transverse strength test

Sl.No. Size of tile (mm) Span Proving ring dial gauge calibration
(mm) 1 Division =8.33 kg
Dial gauge Breaking load Wet flexural
reading (N) strength
(Divisions) (MPa)
250*250 200 18 1470 4.886
1.
250*250 200 15 1225 4.072
2.
250*250 200 15 1225 4.072
3.

Average wet transverse strength of tiles = 4.343MPa

4.1.8. Wear resistance test for tiles

Table 4-2 Observations from wear resistance test

Corner
Sl. No. Initial Reading Final Reading Difference (mm)
Identification
1 A 10.16 3.65 6.51

B 9.51 2.79 6.72

C 8.81 3.07 5.74

D 9.54 3.91 5.63

AVERAGE: 6.15

2 A 10.39 6.27 4.12

B 10.06 5.48 4.58

C 10. 5.35 4.65

D 10.64 6.08 4.56

AVERAGE: 4.48

The wear determined using the differences in readings obtained by the measuring
instrument before and after the abrasion of the specimen =6.15mm and 4.48mm

For Sample 1

Initial weight, W1 = 180g

 Final weight, W2 = 123g

Initial volume, V1 =41.38cm3

Surface area of specimen, A =43.54cm2

Average loss in thickness, t = (10(W1-W2) V1)/(W1.A) (10*57*41.38)/(180*43.54)

= (10*57*41.38)/(180*43.54)

= 3 mm

4.2. RESULTS
4.2.1. Bricks
Liability of efflorescence of the bricks=
Maximum distance of the brick surface from the edge of straightness = 4mm
Minimum distance from the flat surface to any of the corners = 3mm
Average compressive strength of bricks = 5.13N/mm2
Water absorption of bricks = 15.02%
4.2.2. Tiles
Average wet transverse strength of tiles= 4.343MPa

Experimentally determined average wear of tiles = 5.315mm

Analytically determined average wear of tiles = 3mm

4.3. DISCUSSISONS
1. Are the measured dimensional tolerances of bricks within the IS specified limits?
Comment.
Bricks showed a variation in dimensions. In length wise there is increase in comparison with
specified limits and for width, Breadth there is a decrease in the size. This ultimately leads to
use of more usage of mortar for building the bricks we tested exhibit variation in length
within the specified tolerance limits. Also, the brick examined shows a considerable
warpage of 4mm. This considerably affects the quality of masonry wall and quantity
of bricks required to make a wall of specific length.
 2. What is the basis on which the burnt clay bricks have been classified in IS 1077?

We classify the Bricks on the basis on their average compressive strength into
different class designations from 3.5 to 35. As per as this classification the bricks we
tested come under class 5.

3. What is the main difference in the test methods to determine the compressive

strength of solid and perforated bricks?

For solid bricks, we provide a mortar layer over the frog whereas we don’t provide any
mortar capping for perforated bricks. The perforations are not filled with mortar.

4. Did the bricks you tested pass the requirements of IS 1077-1976 with regard to the

water absorption characteristics?

We have the average compressive strength of the tested bricks is 5.13 N/mm2. By the
result we can say that the tested bricks are of Class 5 as per as IS 1770. According to IS
1770, we have the permissible water absorption to be 20% by weight. Our
experiments conclude the average water absorption of the sample to be 15.02% by
weight. So, we can conclude that the bricks were to the requiremts of IS 1077-1976
with regard to the water absorption characteristics

5. Discuss the significance of the efflorescence test as per IS 1077 for burnt clay bricks?

As per as IS 1077, the efflorescence shouldn’t be more than ‘moderate’ up to class

12.5 and not more than slight’ for higher classes. The tested bricks were class 5 and
they have shown a liability of slight, nil and moderate. Which shows that all of them
follow the standards.

6. Discuss the dimensional tolerance and warpage of standard size burnt clay bricks.

While bricks were manufactured, we don’t get a perfect size required considering
many factors. The dimensions will be a bit smaller or larger when compared with the
required size brick.

7. Discuss whether the tiles you tested pass the BIS requirements with regard to wet

transverse strength.

As per as the IS 1237-1980, cement concrete tiles need to have a minimum wet
transverse strength of 3MPa. The tested samples have shown an average wet
transverse strength of 4.343MPa. Thus, they pass the BIS requirements
8. Discuss whether the tiles you tested pass the BIS requirements with regard to loss

of thickness (wear).

Considering IS 1237:2012, for general purpose tiles the average wear should not
exceed 3.5mm and individual wear should not exceed 4mm. But our experiments
showed the wear in the specimen to be 6.15mm and 4.48mm. And the average wear is
5.32mm. Which shows that our tested tiles didn’t pass the test.

9. Why is the wet transverse strength test recommended for concrete flooring tiles?

In order to get some good quality material, we go for wet condition. Material like tiles
will be weak in wet condition. So, if it can bear load in this condition it can bear in
other temperatures and climactic conditions. A higher wet transverse strength is an
indication of a good quality material. Hence, we recommend wet transverse strength
for concrete flooring tiles.