A brick may be defined as a small,solid or cored

building unit in the shape of a rectangular block

composed of inorganic, non metallic substances
of mineral origin and hardened by heat or
chemical action.
Brick is one of the oldest building materials
,perhaps as early as 12000 years ago.
Bricks are extensively used at present as a
leading material of construction because of its
durability, strength, reliability, low cost , light
weight thermal insulating property and easy
availability
 Silica: present as free ,as sand or in combination of
silicates of alumina.
Alumina: chief constituent of every type of clay.
Lime:small quantity of lime is desirable in good brick
earth. Should be present in a fine powdered state because
even small particles causes flaking of the brick.
Oxide of iron:act as flux enabling silica to melt during
burning and binds the particle of the brick giving hardness
and strength.
Magnesia:a small quantity of magnesia present in the
brick earth imparts yellow tinge to the brick and decreases
shrinkage.
 Uniform in shape,should be of standard size.
Should be hard, homogeneous compact structure.
Should have low thermal conductivity and should be sound
proof.
Should not absorb water more than 15% of its dry weight,
when immersed in water for 24 hours.
Should be well burned in kilns to give uniform and bright red
colour.
No brick should have crushing strength less than 5.5 N/mm2.
should give clear ringing sound when struck against each
other.
 Absorption test:
1.test by 24 hour immersion in cold water.
2.test by 5 hour boiling water immersion.
Percent water absorbed is measured.
Hardness test
Take a brick and scratch on its surface with the help of finger
nail. If no impression is made the brick is sufficiently hard.
Test for soundness
Take two bricks and strike them against each other.
Test for structure
Take a brick, break it and observe it. The broken surface should
be homogeneous, compact and free from structural defects such
as holes.
Test for shape and size
The bricks are inspected closely for its standard size and shape.
Should be of standard size and its shape truly rectangular.
 Crushing strength:
It is found out using a compression testing
machine. It is pressed till it breaks. As per BIS
1077-1957 the minimum crushing strength
of brick is 3.50 .
Presence of soluble salt:
if present causes efflorescence on the surface.
For finding this out the brick is immersed in
water for 24 hours. It is then dried. The
absence of grey or white deposits indicates
the absence of soluble salts.
 Perforated brick

Imitation brick Fire brick

Paving brick

Hollow brick
common Face brick

Channel brick
 Brick masonary is built with bricks bonded
together with mortar. For temporary sheds mud
mortar may be used but for all permanent
buildings lime or cement mortars are used.
 A stretcher is the longer face of the brick as seen in the
elevation. In brick of size 190mm x 90mm x
90mm,190mm x 90mm face is the stretcher. In stretcher
bond masonry all the bricks are arranged in stretcher
courses. However care should be taken to break vertical
joints. This type of construction is useful for the
construction haif brick thick partition wall.
 A header is the shorter face of the brick as seen in
the elevation. In a standard brick it is 90mm x 90mm
face. In header bond brick all the bricks are arranged
in the header courses.
This type of bond is useful for construction of one
brick thick walls.
 In this alternate courses consists of headers
and stretchers. This is considered to be the
strongest bond. Hence it is commonly used
bond for walls for all thickness. To break the
continuity of vertical joints a brick is cut
lengthwise into two halves and used in the
beginning and end of a wall after first header.
This is called queen closer.Figure shows
typical one brick and one and half brick thick
wall with English bond.
 Flemish Bond: In this type of bond each course comprises
of alternate header and stretcher. Alternate courses
start with stretcher and header. To break the vertical
joints queen closers are required, if a course starts
with header. Every header is centrally supported on the
stretcher below it.
Flemish bonds may be further classified as
(a)Double Flemish Bond
(b)Single Flemish Bond.
In case of double flemish bond, both faces of the wall
have flemish look, i.e. each course consist of alternate
header and stretcher, whereas single flemish bond outer
faces of walls have flemish look whereas inner faces
have look of English bond. Construction of flemish bond
needs greater skill. It gives more pleasing appearance.
But it is not as strong as English bond. If only pointing
is to be used for finished wall, flemish bond may be used
to get good aesthetic view. If plastering is going to be
used, it is better to use English bond
 Since shape and size of bricks are
uniform it does not need labour for the
construction.
Bricks are light in weight and hence
handling them is easy.
easily available and transportation cost
is less.
Easy to form openings for doors and
windows.
Dead load of brick is less
Better fire and weather resistance
compared to stone masonry
 Strength of brick masonry is less than that of
stone masonry
Durability of brick masonry is less.
Brick masonry needs plastering and plastered
surface needs color washing.
Brick masonry absorbs water and hence causes
dampness.
CREDITS
Akshay kumar
Akshay cv
Anargha
Anagha
Anjana o