CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

UNIT 2

VINAY T M
L/CE
DVSPt.
 CONSTITUENTS OF GOOD BRICK EARTH

1. SILICA
1. Brick earth should contain about 50 %
to 60 % of silica.
2. It is responsible for preventing
cracking, shrinking and warping of
bricks.
3. It also effects the durability of bricks

2. ALUMINA
1. Good brick earth should contain
about 20%-30% of alumina.
2. It is responsible for plasticity
characteristic of earth which is
important in melting operation.
3. LIME 1. The percentage of lime should be in
the range of 5% to 10% in a good
brick earth
2. It prevents shrinkage of raw bricks.
3. It causes silica in clay melt on burning
and thus helps to bind it

4. IRON OXIDE
1. A good brick earth should contain
5% to 8% of iron oxide.
2. It gives red color to the bricks.
3. It improves impermeability and
durability.
4. It gives strength and hardness.
5. MAGNESIA
1. Good brick earth should contain
a small quantity of magnesia
about 1%.
2. Magnesium in brick imparts
yellow tint to the brick.
3. Excess of magnesia leads to the
decay of bricks
 Modular and Standard bricks

1. Modular dimensions are whole number without fraction

that result in 190mm X 90mm X 90mm
2. Non Modular Brick sizes are 230mm X 110mm X 70mm
 FLY ASH BRICKS
•The standard size of the brick is 230x110x70
•The bricks are manufactured and tested as
per IS 12894-2002
•Fly ash bricks are sound, compact and uniform
in shape, size & colour.
•Smooth rectangular faces of the bricks are
accompanied with sharp and square corners.
•They are free from visible cracks, flaws and
organic matter.
•Compressive strength: 7.5N/mm2
•Water absorption: <8%
Uses of Fly ash Bricks:

1. Fly ash bricks are used for the construction of various

types of buildings such as:

2. Factories

3. Warehouses

4. Power plants

5. Homes

6. High rise structures

 Characteristics of good brick

1) Size and Shape 3) Texture and

Compactness:

2) Colour:

4) Hardness and Soundness:

5) Water Absorption:
 6) Crushing Strength: 10) Compression strength:

7) Brick Earth:

8) Efflorescence:
9) Frog:
FIELD TESTS ON BRICKS

1. Hardness Test

2. Shape and Size Test

3. Soundness Test

4. strength Test
5. Structure Test

6. Colour Test
7. Water Absorption Test
There are two test determine the
water absorption
(i) 24-hour immersion cold water
test

(ii) 5-hour boiling water test

8. Compressive strength test

9. Efflorescence test