BY--MANISHA AGARWAL

REPORT ON A BUILDING MATERIAL [ BRICKS]

INRODUCTION A brick is a block of a single unit of

a ceramic material, used in masonry construction. In general sense brick is a standard sized weight bearing building structure. The raw ingredients of bricks are sand , clay and water.

Basically it is one of the clay product. It is used as substitute for stone , where stone is not available.

The manufacturing of bricks involves four distinct operations. They are earth preparation for bricks, molding , drying and burning.

Normal size of bricks– 9”* 4.5”*3” and 10”*5”*3”

Brick are extensively used for construction of building exteriors and interiors.

COLOR AND TEXTURE OF BRICKSThe color of brick

is determined by raw materials it contain and method to use to fire it.

By adding different types of techniques you can add more texture and decorate to wall.

TYPES OF BRICKSMostly two types of

bricks are used for construction.

1. Pressed clay bricks2. Wire cut bricksBricks may be

broadly classified as -----

1. Building bricks2. Paving bricks3. Fire bricks4. Special bricks

PRESSED CLAY BRICKSThese are clay

bricks that recesses on either of its surfaces. These recesses are called frogs. Generally Pressed clay bricks have a deep frog in one bedding surface and shallow one in the other.

WIRE CUT BRICKSThese are clay

bricks that have three or four holes in them. They can be laid either way and requires less mortar for the bedding. MORTAR is made from mixing lime, sand , cement and water.

BROAD CLASSIFICATION OF BRICKSFirst class bricksSecond class

bricksThird class bricksOver burnt or

jhama bricksUnder burnt or

pilla bricks

FIRST CLASS BRICK It should be 19*9*9cm It is free from pebbles lime

lumps, organic matter and sodium salt.

It is well burnt and should be uniform yellow or red.

It has regular surface and sides parallel, sharp edges and right angle to each other.

Its surface so hard that fingernails can not be able to make any impression on its surface.

It should not break when is dropped from a height of 1m.

Absorb water more than 20% of its own dry weight after 24 hours of immersion in cold water.

First class bricks are used in all works of permanent nature.

SECOND CLASS BRICKIt is slightly over burnt

than first class brick. It absorbs water more

than 22% of its own dry weight after 24 hours of immersion in cold water.

Generally its shape, size, texture and color is not regular and uniform.

Presence of lime stone, kankar should not be allowed to occur but pebbles may be allowed.

THIRD CLASS BRICK These are under burnt, soft

and light colored and not uniform texture.

They emit a dull sound when stuck against each other.

Absorb water more than 25% of its own dry weight after 24 hours immersed in cold water.

It may suffer from intensive efflorescence.

It may show lot of pebbles on its surface.

These bricks are not used for important and permanent works.

OVER BURNT OR JHAMA BRICKSThese are over

burnt vitrified bricks.

They are only used for making aggregate for lime concrete , foundations and as a road metal in the road construction.

UNDER BURNT OR PILLA BRICKSThese are just

half burnt , yellow color and do not have any strength.

They can be ground to powder from and used as surkhi.

USES Building bricks are used for the construction of wall. Paving bricks are vitrified bricks and used as pave. Fire bricks are specially made to withstand furnace temperature.

Ex. Silica bricks Special bricks are commonly used as building bricks with

respect to their shape and purpose for which they are made . Some of these bricks are –

specially shaped bricks Facing shaped bricks Perforated bricks Sewer bricks Acid resistant bricks The different types of bricks offer a versatile way of working with

bricks in constructing different structures from relating walls to house, large buildings such as churches. Different types of bricks provide a great way for home owners and builders to create beautiful and lasting structure.

PROPERTIESBricks should be soaked in water for about

one hour before use.A brick should give a metallic ring when

struck with a small hammer or another brick.The surface should not so smooth otherwise

mortar will not stuck to it.A good brick should not break when struck

against another brick or fell down from a height of about 4 or 5 feet.

Brick’s surface should be too hard to scratched by fingernail.

TESTS OF BRICKS BEFORE USEAbsorption testHardness testSoundness testCrushing strength testShape and size testTest for presence of soluble salts

SPECIALS SHAPES OF BRICKSCow nose brickBull nose brickCopping bricksRadial bricksQueen closer brickKing closer brick Splayed brickPaving brickHollow brickPerforated brickPurpose made brick

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STONE AND BRICKS Stone is much more strong , durable and weather resisting than

bricks, so brick construction may not last long. Brick is a very good fire resistant material in comparison with

stone. Bricks absorb more water than stones therefore brick will be

easily affected by harmful salts in water. Brick masonry is easy to raise whereas stone masonry needs

skilled masons. Bricks work can be done anywhere, manufactured anywhere by

establishing brick kilns but stone masonry remains restricted at and around the area where stone is easily and locally available.

Bricks do not require any dressing etc,. But stone masonry need lot of dressing

Brick work does not create the feeling of massiveness in comparison to stone work, specially in monumental structures.

Bricks walls can be as thin as 10cm but thickness of stone masonry is generally not less than 38cm.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTADES Versatile thermal massStrong and durableLow maintenanceThermal performance Acoustic performanceDesign flexibilityFire resistanceBricks have so many advantages but

production of bricks is energy intensive and uses non renewable resources.

Manisha agarwal

Thank you