3 BRICKS

3.1 INTRODUCTION
Bricks have been in use since the dawn of civilization. In the initial stages they were used
as sun-dried bricks. Burnt bricks have succeeded sun-dried bricks. It has been reported that
bricks have been used to build monuments in different parts or the world. Relined brick
making and burning techniques have remarkably improved the quality of buildings and
other works.
Now, brick plays a prime role in construction at all levels starting from thatched roofs
to multi-storeyed buildings. But, the process of brick making has not changed over many
years in India except for minor refinements. It is the oldest construcricn material which has
been extensively used at present because of its durability. easy availability and low cost.

3.2 CONSTITUENTS OF BRICK EARTH

The main constituents of good brick earth arc alumina, silica, lime, oxide of iron ~ntl
magnesia.

3.2.1 Functions of Constituents of Brick Earth

1. Alumina
This is themain constituent of every kind of brick earth. This imparts plasticity 10 the earth
so tbat it can be moulded. If alumina is present in excess. it leads to shrinking and warping
during drying and burning. TJ1is can be prevented by the addition of sand.
2. Silica
It exists in brick earth as free sand or in a combined form as silicate of alumina. The pres-
ence of silica prevents cracking, shrinking and warping of raw bricks. Thus, it imparts
uniform shape to bricks. The addition of silica also increases hardness, durability and resis-
tance to heat. Excess of silica removes the cohesion between particles and makes the brick
brittle.
3. Lime
It enables the silica 10 melt during burning and bind the particles together. Lime should be
in the form of powder, otherwise Jumps of lime arc converted into quick lime after burning.
I 24 I BUILDING CONSTRUCTIOI>! MI\TRII\LS ANO TECHNIQUES

Quicklime slakes and expands in the presence of moisture and results i11 the splitting
of bricks into pieces. Excess of lime causes the brick 10 melt 100 readily, and the shape
will be lost.
4. Iron Oxide
ll acts as a flux a1ill helps the grains of sand to melt anti bind the particles of clay together.
ll is responsible for imparting a red colour to the brick. It improves the durability of the
brick. Excess of iron oxide makes the bricks dark blue or blackish, and less quantity of iron
oxide makes the brick yellowish in colour.
5. Magnesia
A small quantity of magnesia in brick earth imparts a yellow tint and decreases shrinkage.
Excess of magnesia causes decay of bricks.

3,2,2 Desirable Chemical Composition of Brick Earth

The desirable chemical composition of brick earth for good quality bricks are given below
(IS: 1077. 1976):
L. Alumina or clay 20 to 30% by weight
2. Silica or sand - 35 to 50% by weight
3. Silt 20 to 25% by weight
4. Other required ingredients are
( i) Iron oxide }
(ii) Magnesia .
... ) . I to 2% by weight
( III Lune
(iv) Sodium porasb, etc.
5. In the case of alluvial soils, the total lime and magnesia should not be more than
I%: in other soils it should be less than 15%.
6. Water-soluble materials in total should be less than I%.

3.2.3 Harmful Ingredients in Brick Earth

Naturally available soil may contain ingredients other than those required for making
quality bricks, which arc discussed below.
1. Aiko/is
Alkalis in the form of soda and potash lower the fusion point of clay, and cause bricks to
fuse, twist. and warp during burning. Alkalis present in bricks absorb moisture from the
atmosphere ,u,(I create dampness. Such dampness dries and leaves behind grey or white
deposits on the surface of the wall.
2. Pebbles
A I though the presence of pebbles causes harm chemically, they are not desirable as they do
not permit the clay to be thoroughly mixed uniformly resulting in weak and porous bricks.
Regular breaking of bricks during masonry work is not possible because of the presence
of pebbles.
3. Iron Pyrites
The presence of iron pyrites in brick earth causes the earth to decompose and oxidize
resulting in the splitting of bricks.
 BRICKS I 25 I

4. Vegetation and Organic Matter

Vegetation and organic matter when present in brick earth assists in burning. lncompletc
burning of these materials causes the bricks to become porous.
5. Limestone
Limestone and kankar nodules present in brick earth arc harmful as that of lumps of lime.
On heating limestone is converted into lime, which comes into contact with water, swells
and finally results in splitting and crumbling.

3.2.4 Field Testing of Brick Earth

Brick earth in the field has to be tested for consistency, moulding properties and shrinkage.
In order to test for the first property, a handful of soil sample is taken and formed into a
ball. The ball is dried in the sun and then examined. Crumbling of the dried ball shows the
presence of excess sand. If the ball is hard and shows cracks on the surface, it indicates the
presence of less sand. Thus, the soil has to be modified by mixing different proportions of
sand or clay such that the above-mentioned defects do not occur.
The soil found or made suitable in the first test is taken anti ground well. Then a required
quantity of water is added and mixed. The mixed soil is kneaded well to be rolled to form
threads of about 3 mm diameter without crumbling. Such a mixture of soil and water is
used to make a brick using a mould. The moulded brick should be with clear edges and
corners which ensures perfect requirement of water. Otherwise water is added or removed
to get a satisfactory brick.
Sample of bricks moulded as above arc burnt in a clamp until bricks become red hot.
These bricks arc examined for shrinkage and deformation after cooling. Bricks which
have shrunk evenly and do not show any defects arc separated out and others arc rejected.
The percentage of sorted out bricks should be high, otherwise the soil is modified 10 get a
bertcr percentage of good bricks.

3.3 SELECTION OF SITE FOR BRICK EARTH

The following factors are to be considered in the selection of a site for brick earth:
(i) The sire to be selected should be capable of providing an adequate quantity of' soil
during the entire planned production period.
(ii) Additional materials, such as sand or silt. required to make good bricks should also
be available near the site.
(iii) Water and fuel should also be available near the site; otherwise extra cost may be
incurred for transport.
(iv) It should be connected by road and rail for easy conveyance of the produced bricks.
(v) The ground of the site must be situated as a plain ground.
(vi) The location of the water table should be at a deeper depth.

3.4 MANUFACTURING OF BRICKS

The manufacturing of bricks involves tour stages, viz .. preparation of soil, moulding,
drying and burning.
I 26 I au1LDING c:oSTRU'CTrOiil MATt:R'li\CS AUO FE'CllNlQUtS

3.4.1 Preparation of Soil

1. Removal of Top Soil

The preparation of soil involves first renewal of loose materials at the top of the ground for
a depth of about 200 mm. As it contains a lot of impurities, this material is not used for the
preparation of bricks.
2. Digging and Spreading
The canh is dug out 200 mm from the ground. The soil is spread on the level ground. i\ntl
heaps of clay are about 600 to 1200 111111.
3. Cleaning
The soil after being spread on the ground should be cleaned of stones. pebbles, vegetable
matter, etc. If non-clay materials are in excess, the clay should be washed and screened.
Such a process will be expensive and cumbersome. All the lumps of soil should be broken
into a powder form.
4. Weathering
The soil is tbcn exposed to the atmosphere for softening or mellowing. The period of expo-
sure may last for a few weeks depending on the nature of soil. This imparts plasticity an(!
strength to the soil.
5. Blending
To increase the quality of soil. additional soil such as sandy or calcareous clays may be
added in suitable proportions with a small quantity of coal, ash, etc. The whole mass is
mixed uniformly and water is added.
6. Tempering
It is the process of kneading the soil under the feet of men or caule after adding the neces-
sary quantity of water in order to make the soil stiff and homogeneous. In general. a soft
plastic clay could be prepared by using about 25 to 30% of water. This procedure is adopted
for the majority of common handmade bricks. For making superior bricks on a large scale,
the earth is tempered in a pug mill.
A pug mill comprises of a truncated conical tub of 120 cm diameter at the top and 75 cm
diameter at the bottom with a height of about l 80 cm. A long vertical shaft is placed at the
centre (Fig. 3. I). The central shaft is provided with a number of horizonial arms atrached
with cutting knives for breaking clay lumps, if any. A long horizontal arm is fitted at the
top of the vertical shaft. The shaft is rotated with the help of bullocks or sometimes by
electric power. Clay and water in the ratio of I :3/4 arc fed inro the vessel from the top. The
tempered clay is collected from the hole provided at the bottom of the vessel. This type of
pug mill, as shown in Fig. 3. I, can be used 10 get sufficient soil for a daily output of about
20,000 bricks.

3.4.2 Moulding of Bricks

Bricks arc made in traditional size (in inch) and in metric size (cm) as prescribed by the
Bureau of Indian Standards. Metric size bricks arc called modular bricks. Nominal size of
bricks is the size including thickness of'rhe mortar. Mcnee. the actual size of modular bricks
is 19 cm x 9 cm x 9 cm and the nominal size of modular bricks is 20 cm x JO cm x 10 cm.
 BRICKS I 27 I

J-120 cm dia-J
Horizontal arm

T
120 cm
Conical
tub
C::::l--11-- Arm with
knives

o----H-- Vertical

l
shaft

Ground level

60 cm Base

Figure 3. 1 Pug mlll

A brick mould is a rectangular box of steel or wood. Both ends, the top and bottom, of
the box are open. The inside dimensions of the mould arc 20 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm (Fig. 3.2).
Moulding of bricks is carried out either by hand or by machine.
1. Hand Moulding
Two types of hand moulding, viz .. ground moulding and cable moulding, are adopted in
India. In hand moulding, bricks are moulded manually. This is preferred in areas where
the manpower is cheap and
available readily and where only a small quantity of bricks is
needed.
(I) Ground Moulding
Tbe processof moulding bricks on the ground by manual labour is called ground moulding.
Al first a level ground is prepared, and a thin layer of fine sand is spread over the ground.

Figure 3.2 Typical steel brick mould

I 28 I BUILDING CONSrRUC'l'IOl'I MATl!lllALS ANO T'l!CHNIQtlES

The mould is wetted and placed on the ground firmly.The tempered brick earth is dashed
into the mould. The earth is pressed in the mould such that the earth fills all the corners of
the mould without leaving any air gap within the brick. The excess earth is removed using
a wooden or metal strike dipped in water.
The mould is then lifted. and the raw brick is left on the ground. The mould is cleaned.
dipped in water and placed near the previous brick: the process is repeated till the ground
is completely covered with the prepared raw bricks. On an average, a moulder can mould
about 750 bricks per day. When the bricks have sufficiently dried they arc taken to the
drying shed and placed in an ordered manner.
Brick prepared by dipping moulds in water every rime called slop-moulded brick. and
if sand is sprinkled on the sides of the mould, the brick is called a sand-moulded brick.
(ii) Table Moulding
Table moulding is done on a table of size 2 rn x I m x 0. 7 111 instead of on the ground. The
process of moulding is almost similar 10 ground moulding except for a few changes.
Invariably, table-moulded bricks are provided with a frog. A frog is a mark of depth of
about IO 10 20 111n1 provided in a mould. This serves two purposes. viz., it provides a key
for the mortar when the next brick is placed with its flat surface over this and to place the
trademark of the manufacturer.
A stock board of the same site as the inside dimensions of the mould with a projection
for the frog with the trademark of the manufacturer is kept on the moulding table, and the
moulder stands behind the table.
The mould is placed to fit the stock board and the tampered earth is dashed against the
mould, carefully filled, and excess earth is removed. Then a thin board called the pallet
board is placed on the mould; the mould and pallet board arc titted together followed by
lifting the mould leaving the brick on tbc pallet board. Another pallet board is kept on the
brick and carried to the drying yard where it is placed on its edge and Ilic pallet boards
are removed. This procedure is repeated. Figure 3.3 shows a moulded brick lying over the
pallet board.

Frog 10 cm x 6 cm x 1.5 cm
Brick
20 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm
Pallet board

Figure 3.3 Moulded brick tying over the pallet board

2. Machine Moulding
Moulding machines are used when a large number or bricks are 10 be manufactured
within a short time. Machine-moulded bricks are heavier and stronger than the hand-
moulded ones. These bricks have a sharp regular shape and size, a smoother surface and
sharp edges.
 BRICKS I 29 I

There arc two types of machine moulding, viz., plastic method and dry method.
(i) Plastic Method
ln the plastic method, pugged earth is used. The machine adopted for the plastic method
contains a rectangular opening of size equal to the length and width of the brick. The
pugged earth is placed in the machine and a beam of the moulded earth comes out. This is
cut into strips of width equal to the depth of the brick by wires fixed in the frames. These
bricks are also known as 111ire-c111 bricks.
(ii) Dry Method
In the Dry Method, the machine first converts the hard earth into a powder form. A small
quantity of water is added to the powder to form a stiff plastic paste. The plastic paste is
placed in the mould anll pressed by the machine to form hard and correct-shaped bricks.
These bricks arc called pressed bricks. Such bricks do not require drying and can be sent
directly to the burning section.

3.4.3 Drying of Bricks

Moulded bricks can not be burnt directly as they may get cracked or distorted. Hence,
before burning they arc dried. Natural drying or artificial drying may be resorted to. The
bricks arc left to dry for about two weeks.
1. Natural Drying
IL is also called hack d1J,i11g. It comprises placing moulded bricks in rows on their edges
on a slightly raised ground called a hack. A small space is given between bricks for the
circulation of air. Direct exposure to sun is avoided by providing a cover and it is also pro-
tected from the rain. The air- and sun-dried bricks arc strong enough and can be used for
the construction of small structures.
2. Artificial Drying
When bricks are needed continuously and 10 a large scale, artificial drying is resorted to.
The bricks arc dried in special dryers which receive heat from special furnaces that arc
made especially for this purpose. Hor Aue gases from the chambers of a kiln a,1<1 waste
steam from engines may also be used for the artificial drying of bricks.

3.4.4 Burning of Bricks

Bricks are burnt in kilns after moulding and drying so as to impart hardness and strength
and to increase the density oftl1e brick so that it absorbs less quantity of water.
Physical and chemical changes take place in burning of bricks. Heating brick earth up
to about 640C produces only physical changes. At this temperature moisture and water of
crystallization are driven out, and the organic mailer is burnt. Such a brick that can absorb
moisture from the air can get back hydrated. Such bricks are said to be poorly burnt and
disintegrate when subjected to moisture contact.
If brick earth is heated up to 700-l ,000C, it undergoes chemical changes. During chem-
ical action alumina and silica in brick earth fuse together resulting in a compound which is
strong and stable. After this chemical transformation, it does not turn back to break earth on
cooling. Further. it does not crumble when immersed in water. Thus, the break earth burnt
above 700C is different from the original brick earth. Hence, 10 get a good quality brick it
has to be heated 10 the required temperature.
I 30 I BUILDING CU-N!,tRUCTION MATERIALS ANO T'E'CRNIQUES

On heating the brick earth beyond 1,300C, the above materials get vitrified. The bricks
begin 10 lose their shape.
1. Clamp or Open Kiln
Clamp or open kiln is a temporary structure where dried bricks are stacked in alternate layers
of fuel. i.e .. both bricks and fuels are placed in alternate layers. Locally available materials
such as grass, rice. husk, wooden chippings, cheap quality woods and dried cow dung are
used as-fuel. About 20,000 to 1,00,000 bricks are available after burning anti cooling. lttakes
around 3-6 months to complete the burning an<l cooling of the bricks (Fig. 3.4) in the clamp.

Layer of dried bricks

Figure 3.4 Typlc::al a.rra,ngement of fveJ and bricks. In clamp o, open kilns

The main advantages of this method arc that its initial cost is low, fuel cost is low and
there is no need of a permanent structure and skilled labourers. The regulation and circula-
tion of heat are not possible, and hence only 60% of good-quality bricks can be expected.
Further, only a small quantity of bricks can be manufactured at a time.
2. Intermittent Kiln
When a largo quantity of good-quality bricks are needed, intermittent or continuous kilns
have to be used. In intermittent kilns, the process of burning is discontinuous.
Figure 3.5 shows the plan of an intermittent kiln. The operations are in the order of load
ing the bricks. firing, cooling and unloading, which are performed one after the other. It is
rectangular in shape with thick outside walls and is constructed over the ground.
Trenches arc dug across the floor of the kiln. Small openings are made in between the
trenches. Sun-dried bricks are laid above the trenches with the bricks being laid on edges
with gaps in between. This gap enables the hot flue gases to flow to each brick.
Flue gases arc let in through the longitudinal walls through the small openings. Dampers
are provided in the flue openings to regulate the air supply. Circulation of flues is kepi up
for 3-4 days. The bricks are cooled for a week's time.
3. Continuous Kilns
In continuous kilns. the process of burning is continuous. There arc three types of cominu-
ous kilns. viz.,
(i) Bu.H's Trench Kiln
(ii) Tunnel Kiln
(iii) Hoffman's Kiln
 BRICKS I 31 I

~ ~ ~
,,
.g .,
.g .,
.g

1
0
1
0
]
0

Figure 3.5 Plan of an intermittent kiln

(i) Bull's Trench Kiln

This type of kiln is usually oval in plan and is constructed in a trench excavated in rhc
ground. It may be fully underground or partly projecting above ground. The depth of trench
is about 2 metres. The outer and inner walls arc constructed of bricks. and the flue holes
are provided in the outer walls (Fig. 3.6). Dampers are provided to conveniemly divide the
kiln into sections.
Bricks are arranged in sections in such a way that flues are formed. Fuel is placed in
the flues. and the top surface is covered with earth and ashes to prevent the escape of heat.
The fuel is burnt through the Aue holes. Additional flue holes are provided at the top to
insert fuel when burning is in progress. Two movable chimneys are used to form a draught.
These chimneys arc placed before the section is fired. This arrangement makes the hot
gases leaving the chimney warm up the bricks in the next section. When the burning is
over in a section the flue holes are closed and the bricks are cool down gradually. The fire
is advanced to the next section and the chimneys are moved forward.
As loading, burning, cooling and unloading arc carried our simultaneously, a continuous
supply of bricks is available. This is the mostly used kiln in India.

Dampers

Outer brick wall j

Pian
1. Loading 2. Empty 3. Unloading 4. Cooling 5. awning 6. Hearing

Figura 3.6 Bull's trench kiln

I 32 I BUILDING GONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TEC>INIQUES

(ii) Tunnel Kiln

This kiln is in the form of a tunnel which may be of any shape in plan, viz., Straight. circular
or oval. The zone or lire is at one place. The moulded bricks are loaded on a trolleys. which
arc moved from one end of the tunnel to the other end. During this process when they
approach the zone of fire that are completely dried and pre-heated.
These bricks are burnt in the zone of fire and are then moved for cooling. Afler adequate
cooling, the bricks arc unloaded. As the temperature can be controlled, better quality bricks
arc produced. The bricks from this kiln arc said to be economical.

(iii) Hoffman's Kiln

This is constructed over the ground to produce a continuous supply of bricks on a large
scale.

Plan
D, to 012 - Main doors; 01 and 01- Opened doors. D, to 0.2 - Closed doors
1 to 12 - Chambers; C - Chimney, F, to F., - Radial Hues
A1 to A11 and B, to Bt2 - Communicating doors

Figuro 3. 7 Hoffman's continuous kiln

This is circular in plan anti is provided with a chimney at the centre. Around the chimney
are 12 chambers that are in an annular shape. Each chamber comprises of the following
parts (Fig. 3.7):

(i) A main door for the loading and unloading of bricks (e.g. D,).
(ii) Communicating doors for the flow of flue gases between the chambers (e.g. A I and 81).
(iii) A radical flue from each chamber to the chimney (e.g. F.).
(iv) Fuel holes for providing fuel. and powdered coal is used as fuel.
Functions 1hat occur in the chambers arc listed below:
Chamber I Loading
Chambers 9-12 Drying and pre-heating
Chambers 7 and 8 Burning
Chambers 3- 6 - Cooling
Chamber 2 Unloading
 BRICKS I 33 I

The working of a kiln is as follows:

{i) Cool air enters through Chambers I and 2 as they are open doors.
(ii) It crosses the cooling Chambers 3-6 and enters the burning Sections 7 and Sin a
heated condition.
(iii) It moves to Chambers 9-12 to dry and pre-heat the raw bricks.
(iv) It escapes into the atmosphere through the damper of Chamber 12 and the chimney.
The flow of air aniJ fuel gas arc shown by arrows in each chamber. Although the initial cost
is more, Hoffman's Kiln claims several advantages:
(i) High-quality bricks with uniform burning are obtained with regulation of heat.
(ii) Supply of bricks are continuous in all seasons because the top of the kiln is closed,
and the working is nor stopped.
(iii) Considerable saving in fuel due to pre-heating of raw bricks by fire gases.
(iv) No air pollution in tbc locality, as the exhaust gases do not contain black smoke or
dust particles.

3.5 QUALITIES OF GOOD BRICKS

The qualities of good bricks arc as follows:
I.Bricks should have perfect edges, must be adequately burm, should be uni form red
or copper in colour and should be free from cracks.
2. Bricks should have rectangular plane surfaces with parallel sides and sharp right-
angled edges. The size of a standard brick is 190 111111 x 90 mm x 90 111111.
3. It should be hard enough such that no impression is left when scratched with one's
finger nails.
4. Bricks when struck with each other should produce a ringing sound.
5. Bricks should not break when dropped flat from a height of I m.
6. Bricks should be homogeneous and compact throughout, and the brick should not
have any voids or grit
7. Bricks should have a percentage of absorption of water by weight less than 20%.
8. Bricks should not show deposits of salts when immersed in water and dried.
9. Bricks should have less thermal conductivity and must be sound proof.
10. Brick should have a minimum crushing strength of3.5 N/mm2.

3.6 CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDING BRICKS

AND USES
Bricks are broadly classified into two broad categories as follows:
I. Sun-dried bricks and
2. Burnt bricks
Sun-dried bricks also called un-burnt or katcha bricks, and these are dried directly under
the sun after the process of moulding. These bricks are of inferior quality and are used for
the construction of temporary and cheap structures. Such bricks should not be used in areas
exposed 10 heavy rains.
Burnt bricks are of superior quality, which are generally used for civil engineering con-
structions. These are discussed in depth below.
I 34 I BUILDING CONSTRUCTION MAl'ntlALS ANU Tl!C-HNIQOB

3.6.1 Quality Classification of Burnt Bricks

The classification of bricks under the following four categories on the basis of constituents,
preparation and burning is called quality classification:
1. First-class Bricks
First-class bricks are table-moulded bricks and are burnt in kilns. These bricks should not
have any defects like cracks, stones or lumps of clay. They should be of standard size and
have uniform colour, sharp edges, even surfaces, correctly burnt and hard. These bricks arc
used for superior quality works and works of permanent nature.
2. Second-class Bricks
Second-class bricks arc ground moulded and arc burnt in kilns. In general. they have 10
satisfy the requirement - quality of first-class bricks. However, they may have a sligllll)'
irregular shape, rough uneven surfaces or may have slight cracks. These bricks are hard and
arc correctly burnt and used where the brick masonry is to be plastered.
3. Tbird-class Bricks
Third-class bricks are ground moulded and burnt in clamps. These bricks have irregular
edges with less sharpness, uneven surfaces and arc not hard enough. They give a dul I sound
when struck against each other. They are used for unimportant and temporary constructions.
4. Fourth-class Bricks
Fourth-class bricks are either over burnt or under burnt with irregular shapes, edges and sur-
faces. These arc used as aggregates for concrete in road, floor and foundarion construction.

3.6.2 Indian Standard Classification of Burnt Bricks

As per the Indian Standard {IS: JI 02 - 1971), bricks are classified according to their
strength as given in Table 3.1.

Table 3. t Clas~ifieationof bricks

Class Compresstve srrcngth Addltionol rcqulrcments

deslgnatton requirement (no, less than)
IO IO N/n\111? Dimensional tolerance 3%, surface must be
smooth, corners should be sharp, should produce a
ringing sound when struck against each other
7.5 7.5 N/mm' Dimensional tolerancc r 8%. permined to have
slight distortion but it should not cause difficuhy
while Joying
5.0 5.0 Nlmm' Dimensional tolerance 8%. permitted to have
slight distortion but it should not cause difficulty
while laying
3.5 3.5 N/mm' Dimensional tolerance 8%. permitted to have
slight distortion but it should not cause difficulty
while laying

S11111ce: IS: 3102-1971.

-r
 BRICKS I 35 I

3.7 TESTS ON BRICKS

Before recommending bricks for construction work. their suitability is LO be assessed by
conducting the following tests:
l. Compressive Strength Test
2. Water Absorption Test
3. Efflorescence Test
4. Dimensional ToleranceTest
5. Hardness Test
6. Soundness Test
7. Structure Test
The sampling and testing of bricks are carried out as per IS: 3495 - 1992 and are as shown
in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2 Sampling ~nd testing of bticks

Class designation Sampling size Lot size Tests to be conducted

10 20 bricks 50.000 or more l, Compressive Strength
2. Water Absorption
3. Efflorescence
4. Dimensional Tolerance
5. Hardness
6. Soundness
7. Structure
7.5-3.5 20 bricks I 0.000 or more Tests under LJ1e direction of the
engineer-in-charge
Source: IS: 3495-1992.

3. 7.1 Compressive Strength Test

As per norms, five bricks are taken at random and their dimensions arc measured accurately
to I mm. They are immersed in water at 25-29C for a period of24 hours. After that they
arc taken out, and excess moisture is allowed to drain. If the bricks have frogs they arc filled
with C.M I :3. They are again kept under a jute bag for another 24 hours, They are again
immersed i.n clean water for three days.
Just at the time of testing they arc taken 0111. one at a time. from the water and wiped dry.
The horizontal and mcrtar-filled surface is placed facing upwards with three thin plywood
sheets on a brick-testing machine.
Load is applied on the brick at a rate of 140 kg/cm' per minute till the failure of the
brick. An average of five test values of bricks is reported. While computing the average
value, any single value obtained as compressive strength which is higher than the upper
value of the class of the bricks tested should be taken only as the upper limit of the class.
Test values less than 20% of the average should be rejected. Also the average value should
1101 be less than the specified value of the class of the brick.