BRICKS .

BRICKS
• Brick is one of the oldest building material & in modern days it is a leading material of construction because of its durability,
strength , low cost and easy availability. Great wall of china was built with both burnt and sun dried bricks. Intially they are
used as Load bearing material but in modern days cement and steel frames are filled with burnt clay bricks.
• In India the process of making bricks has not been changed. Our country is largely depend upon on the small sector which is
unable to deliver high quality of bricks.

• Comparison Between Brick work and Stone work

- Brick is superior in the following respect
1. At place where plenty of clay the brickwork becomes cheaper.
2. There is no requirement of skilled labor, so it is cheaper than Stone work.
3. Lifting devices are not necessary , bricks can be easily move by manual labor.
4. Bricks are more fire resistant than stone.
5. Good quality of bricks resist atmospheric effects in a better way than stone.
6. Mortar joints are thin .
7. It is easy to construct connections and openings in case of brickwork.
Brick is inferior in the following respect
1. Brickwork is less water tight than stone work because they absorb moisture . It creates dampness in building.
2. Stone work is stronger than brickwork.
3. Brickwork does not create a solid appearance hence for monumental structure the stonework is more useful than
brickwork.
4. Stonework is cheaper where it is easily available.
5. Architectural effects of better quality can be developed by stone work.
DIMENSIONS OF BRICKS
• Prescribed size of bricks as per Indian Standards
Size Ordinary brick Tile brick
In cm In cm
Actual 19 x 9 x 9 19 x 9 x 4
Nominal 20 x 10 x 10 20 x 10 x 4

• Nominal size of bricks

is the size including
the thickness of
mortar in brickwork.
• Depression made on
top of brick is known
as frog.
 COMPOSITION OF GOOD BRICK EARTH
 Alumina
• Chief constituent of all kinds of clay
• Imparts plasticity to clay so that it can be moulded.
• A good brick earth should contain 20%-30%of alumina.
• If in excess, it makes the brick warp and crack on drying and burning
 Silica/sand
• It imparts uniform shape to bricks
• A good brick earth should contain 50%630%of silica.
• Its presence prevents cracking, shrinking and warping
• Its excess destroys cohesion between particles and makes the brick brittle
 Lime
• It should be present in very small quantities not exceeding 5 %
• It helps in fusing sand(alone infusible) which then acts as cementing material for brick particles.
• It should be very finely powdered else on burning the lumps will convert to quicklime which expands in presence of
moisture resulting in splitting of bricks.
• The excess of lime causes the brick to melt and loose its shape
 Oxide of Iron
• It is added in small quantity – 5-6%
• It helps fuse sand
• Imparts red color on burning . If it is less the bricks will be yellowish in colour.
 Magnesia
• A small amount of MgO imparts yellow color to the brick
• It decreases shrinkage
• Its excess leads to decay of brick
 HARMFUL INGREDIENTS IN BRICK EARTH
1. LIME
2. IRON OXIDE :- the bricks are crystallized and disintegrated during burning.
3. ALKALIES:- they are in form of Soda and Potash. The bricks are melted and loose their shape and they absorb moisture when
they are used in masonary.
4. Pebbles:- their presence will not allow the clay to be mixed properly. The bricks are porous and weak.
5. Vegetation and organic Matter:- the gases will be evolved during burning. It creates pores.
CLASSIFICATION OF BRICK EARTH
1. LOAMY MILD OR SANDY CLAY:- this type of earth is free silica in addition to alumina. Sands helps in preventing cracking ,
shrinking. Lime helps to fuse sand and increase hardness. A typical analysis of such clay is :-
1. Alumina - 27%
2. Silica - 66%
3. Lime and Magnesia - 1%
4. Oxide of Iron - 1%
5. Organic matter - 5%
TOTAL 100%
2. MARLS, CHALKY OR CALCAREOUS CLAY :- It contains chalk with alumina and Silica. Such clay generally makes good bricks.
1. Alumina - 10%
2. Silica - 35%
3. Lime and Magnesia - 48%
4. Oxide of Iron - 3%
5. Alkalies - 4%
TOTAL 100%
3. PLASTIC STRONG OR PURE CLAY :- This Clay consists of Alumina and Silica. Sand prevents from shrinkage.
1. Alumina - 34%
2. Silica - 50%
3. Lime and Magnesia - 6%
4. Oxide of Iron - 8%
5. Organic Matter - 2%
TOTAL 100%
 .

MANUFACTURE OF CLAY BRICKS

• Preparation of brick clay
 Unsoiling, Digging, Cleaning, Weathering, Blending, Tempering.
• Moulding the bricks
 Hand Moulding, Machine Moulding
• Drying the bricks
 Natural, Artifical
•
• .
Burning the bricks
 Burning in clamps, Burning in klins
DIGGING
Raw material is dug out of the
ground
SITE FOR OBTAINING CLAY/EARTH

DIGGING
PREPARATION OF. CLAY
• Unsoiling :- Top Layer of 20 cm depth is removed as it contains
impurities.
•• .Digging :- Clay dug out from ground is spread on leveled ground
(just a little deeper than the general level) in about 60cm to 120 cm
heaps.
• Cleaning :- Stones, pebbles, vegetable matter, etc. are removed and
lumps of clay are converted into powder form.
• Weathering :- Clay is exposed to atmosphere from few weeks to full
season for softening and mellowing.(Preferably dug before
monsoon)
• Blending :- Clay is made loose and any ingredient to be added to it
is spread out at top and blended by turning it up and down in
vertical direction.
• Tempering :- Clay is brought to a proper degree of hardness, then
water is added to clay and whole mass is kneaded or pressed under
the feet of men or cattle. For large scale, tempering is usually done
in pug mill as shown in the figure.
PUG MILL USED FOR TEMPERING
. OF CLAY
 TEMPERING/KNEADING OF CLAY WITH
.
THE HELP OF CATTLE OR MEN
• .
 .
PROCESS OF TEMPERING
• Clay with water is placed in pug mill from the
top. When the vertical staff is rotated by using
electric pair, steam or diesel or turned by pair
of bullocks. Clay is thoroughly mixed up by the
actions of horizontal arms and knives when
clay has been sufficiently pugged, hole at the
bottom of tub, is opened out and the pugged
earth is taken out from ramp for the next
operation of moulding.
MOULDING
• Clay, which is prepared from pug mill, is sent
for the next operation of moulding.
• Following are the two ways of moulding.
– Hand Moulding
– Machine Moulding
HAND MOULDING
• Moulds are rectangular boxes of wood or steel, which are
open at top and bottom. Steel moulds are more durable
and used for manufacturing bricks on large scale as
shown in figure.

Bricks prepared by hand moulding are of two types :

a) Ground moulded bricks
b) Table moulded bricks.
DIFFERENT MOULDS

GROUND MOULDING
a) Ground moulded bricks : ground is first made level
and fine sand is sprinkled over it, Mould is dipped in
water and placed over the ground to full the clay.
Extra clay is removed by wooden or metal.
Strike after the mould is filled forced mould is then
lifted up and raw brick is left on the ground. Mould is
then dipped in water every time . lower faces of
ground moulded bricks are rough and it is not
possible to place frog on such bricks.
Ground moulded bricks of better quality and with
frogs on their surface are made by using a pair of
pallet boards and a wooden block.
b) Table-moulded bricks : Process of moulding these
bricks is just similar to ground bricks on a table of size
about 2m x 1m.
MACHINE MOULDING
• This method proves to be economical when bricks in huge
quantity are to be manufactured at the same spot. It is also
helpful for moulding hard and string clay. These machines
are broadly classified in two categories :
a) Plastic Clay Machines
b) Dry Clay Machines
a) Plastic clay Machines : This machine containing
rectangular opening of size equal to length and width of
brick. Pugged clay is place in the machine and as it comes
out through the opening, it is cut into strips by wires fixed
in frames, so there bricks are called wire cut bricks.
b) Dry clay Machines : In these machines, strong clay is first
converted into powder form and then water is added to
form a stiff plastic paste. Such paste is placed in mould
and pressed by machine to form hard and well shaped
bricks. They carry distinct frogs and exhibit uniform
texture.
DRYING
• The damp bricks, if burnt, are likely to be cracked and
distorted. Hence moulded bricks are dried before they
are taken for the next operation of burning. Bricks are
laid along and across the stock in alternate layers. The
drying of brick is by the following means :
 Artificial drying : drying by tunnels usually 1200 C about
1 to 3 days.
 Circulation of air : Stacks are arranged in such a way that
sufficient air space is left between them free circulation
of air.
 Drying yard : Special yards should be prepared slightly
higher level prevent the accumulation of rain water.
 Period for drying : usually about 3 to 10 days for bricks to
become dry.
 Screens : Screens are necessary, may be provided to
avoid direct exposure to wind or sun.
 Newly-formed bricks are
dried under shelters in a
natural way.

When the bricks

are almost dry,
they are set
vertically in order
to make room for
the next batch of
bricks
BURNING
• This is very important operation in the manufacturing
of bricks to impart hardness, strength and make them
dense and durable.
• Heating clay up to 640 degree C produces physical
changes. If such clay is cooled back, it absorbs moisture
from air and gets hydrated back to its original state.
Such poorly burnt clay is unstable.
• However, if clay is heated up to 700-1000 degree C
chemical changes take place by which alumina and
silica in clay fuse together resulting in a compound
which is strong and stable.
• Burning of bricks is done either in clamps or in kilns.
– Clamps are temporary structures and they are adopted to
manufacture bricks on small scale.
– Kilns are permanent structures and they are adopted to
manufacture bricks on a large scale.
• A trapezoidal shape in plan with shorter end slightly in
excavation and wider end raised at an angle of 15 degree
from ground level.
• A brick wall with mud is constructed on the short end and a
layer of 70cm to 80cm thick fuel (grass, cow dung, ground
nuts, wood or coal) laid on the floor.
• A layer consists of 4 or 5 courses of raw bricks laid on edges
with small spaces between them for circulation of air.
• A second layer of fuel is then placed, and over it another
layer of raw bricks is put up. The total height of clamp in
alternate layers of brick is about 3 to 4 m.
• When clamp is completely constructed, it is plastered with
mud on sides and top and filled with earth to prevent the
escape of heat.
• The period of burning is about one to two months and
allowed the same time for cooling.
• Burnt bricks are taken out from the clamp.
CLAMP BURNING
• Advantages
– The bricks produced are tough and strong because
burning and cooling are gradual
– Burning in clamps proves to be cheap and economical.
– No skilled labour and supervision are required for the
construction of clamps.
• Disadvantages
– Bricks are not of required shape
– It is very slow process
– It is not possible to regulate fire in a clamp
– Quality of brick is not uniform
KILNS
• A kilns is a large oven, which is used to burn bricks by :
– Intermittent kilns
– Continuous kilns
• Intermittent kilns : These are intermittent in operation,
which means that they are loaded, fired cooled and
uploaded.
– Intermittent up-draught kilns
– Intermittent down-draught kilns
• Continuous kilns : These kilns are continuous in
operations. This means that loading, firing, cooling and
unloading are carried out simultaneously in these kilns.
There are three types of continuous kilns.
– Bull’s trench kiln
– Hoffman’s kiln
– Tunnel kiln
Intermittent Kilns
• Raw bricks are laid in row of thickness equal to 2 to 3 bricks and height 6 to 8
bricks with 2 bricks spacing between rows.
• Fuels are filled with brush wood which takes up a free easily.
• Loading of kiln with raw bricks with top course is finished with flat bricks and
other courses are farmed by placing bricks on edges.
• Each door is built up with dry bricks and are covered with mud or clay.
• The kiln is then fired for a period of 48 to 60 hours draught rises in file
upward direction from bottom of kiln and brings about the burning of bricks.
• Kiln is allowed to cool down and bricks are then token out.
• Same procedure is repeated for the next burning
Bricks manufactured by intermittent up drought kilns are better than those
prepared by clamps but bricks burnt by this process is not uniform, supply of
bricks is not continuous and wastage of fuel heat.
Disadvantages:
• Quality of brick is not uniform
• Over burnt near top and under burnt near bottom
• Supply of brick is not continuous
• Wastage of fuel as the kiln has to be cooled down every time after burning
Intermittent down-draught kilns:
• These kilns are rectangular or circular in shape. They
are provided with permanent walls and closed tight
roof. Floor of the kiln has opening which are connected
to a common chimney stack through flues. Working is
same as up-draught kiln. But it is so arranged in this
kiln that hot gases are carried through vertical flues up
to the level of roof and they are then released. These
hot gases move down ward by the chimney draught
and in doing so, they burn the bricks.
Advantages:
• Bricks are evenly burnt
• Performance of this kiln is better than that of up-
draught kiln
• This kiln is suitable for burning of structural clay tiles,
terra cota because of close control of heat.
Continuous kilns
• These kilns are continuous in operations. This means that
loading, firing, cooling and unloading are carried out
simultaneously in these kilns. There are three types of
continuous kilns.
• Bull's trench kiln
• Hoffman's kiln
• Tunnel kiln

a) Bull's trench kiln:

This kiln may be of rectangular, circular or oval shape in the
plan as shown in figure. It is constructed in a trench
excavated in ground either fully under ground partially
projecting above ground openings is provided in the outer
walls to act as flue holes. Dampers are in the form of iron
plates and they are used to divide the kilns in suitable
sections and most widely used kiln in India.
Bulls Trench Kiln -
• Invented in England 1876
• Commonly used in India, Bull trench kiln
has permanent brick chimney over 30
meters high.
• The chimney required skilled labors to
construct and is costly to build.
• The kiln can only be operated in
continuous mode.
• It has no roof and can only be used outside
the monsoon season.
• The bricks are arranged in such a way that flues are formed Fuel is placed
in flues and it is ignited through flue holes after covering top surface with
earth and ashes to prevent the escape of heat usually two movable iron
chimneys are employed to form draught. These chimneys are placed in
advance of section being fired Hence, hot gases leaving the chimney warm
up the bricks in next section. Each section requires about one day to burn.
The tentative arrangement for different sections may be as follows
Section 1 — loading
Section 2 — empty
Section 3 — unloading
Section 4 — cooling
Section 5 — Burning
Section 6 — Heating
b) Hoffman's kiln: This kiln is constructed over ground and hence, it is
sometimes known as flame kiln. Its shape is circular to plan and it is
divided into a number of compartments or chambers. A Permanent roof is
provided; the kiln can even function during rainy season The following
figure shows plan and section of Hoffman's kiln with 12 chambers
• The bricks are arranged in such a way that flues are formed Fuel is placed
in flues and it is ignited through flue holes after covering top surface with
earth and ashes to prevent the escape of heat usually two movable iron
chimneys are employed to form draught. These chimneys are placed in
advance of section being fired Hence, hot gases leaving the chimney warm
up the bricks in next section. Each section requires about one day to burn.
The tentative arrangement for different sections may be as follows
Section 1 — loading
Section 2 — empty
Section 3 — unloading
Section 4 — cooling
Section 5 — Burning
Section 6 — Heating
b) Hoffman's kiln: This kiln is constructed over ground and hence, it is
sometimes known as flame kiln. Its shape is circular to plan and it is
divided into a number of compartments or chambers. A Permanent roof is
provided; the kiln can even function during rainy season The following
figure shows plan and section of Hoffman's kiln with 12 chambers
• Chamber 1 - loading
• Chamber 2 to 5 — drying and pre-heating
• Chambers 6 and 7 - burning
• Chambers 8 to 11 - cooling
• Chamber 12 — unloading
The initial cost of installing this kiln is high, the following advantages :
• Good quality of bricks are produced
• It is possible to regulate heat inside the chambers through fuel holes.
• Supply of bricks is continuous and regular
• There is considerable saving in fuel due to pre heating of raw bricks by
flue gases.
c) Tunnel kiln:
This type of kiln is in the form of tunnel, which maybe straight, circular
or oval in the plan Raw bricks are placed in trolleys which are then
moved from one end too the other end of tunnel. Raw bricks get dried
and pre-heated as they approach zone of fire. In zone of fire, bricks are
burnt to the required degree and they are then pushed forward for
cooling. When bricks are sufficiently cooled, they are unloaded. The
kiln proves to be economical when the bricks are manufactured on a
large scale. As temperature is under control, uniform bricks of better
quality are produced
Burning Process
 No. Item Clamp-burning Kiln –burning

1 Capacity About 20000 to 100000 bricks can be Average 25000 bricks can be prepared
prepared at a time. per day.

2 Cost of Low as grass, cow dung, littler, etc. Generally high as coal dust is to be

COMPARISON fuel may be used used

3 Initial cost Very low as no structures are to be More as permanent structures are to
CLAMP built be constructed.

4 Quality of Percentage of good quality bricks is Percentage of good quality bricks is

BURNING bricks small about 60% or so. more about 90% or so.

Vs 5 Regulatio
n of fire
It is not possible to control or regulate
fire during the process of burning
Fire is under control throughout the
process of burning.

KILN 6 Skilled
supervisio
n
Not necessary throughout the process
or burning
Continuous skilled super vision is
necessary

BURNING 7 Structure Temporary structure Permanent structure

8 Suitability Suitable when bricks are to be Suitable when bricks are to be

manufactured on a small scale and manufactured on a large scale and
when the demand of bricks is not when there is continuous demand of
continuous bricks.
9 Time of It required about 2 to 6 months for Actual time for burning of one
burning burning and cooling of bricks chamber is about 24 hours and only
and about 12 days are required for cooling
cooling of bricks.
10 Wastage There is considerable wastage of heat Hot flue gas is used to dry and pre-
of heat from top and sides and not flue gas is heat raw bricks. Hence wastage of
not properly utilised heat is the least.
CLASSIFICATION OF CLAY BRICKS
• Bricks can broadly be divided into two categories
1) Un burnt or sundried bricks
2) Burnt bricks
1) Un burnt or Sun dried bricks - UN burnt or sun
dried with the help of heat received from sun
after the process of moulding. These bricks can
only be used in the constructions of temporary
and cheap structures. Such bricks should not be
used at places exposed to heavy.
2) Burnt Bricks – The bricks used in construction
works are burnt bricks and they are classified
into the following four categories.
• First Class bricks:
These bricks are table moulded and of standard shape. The surface
and edges of the bricks are sharp, square, smooth and straight.
They comply all the qualities of good bricks and used for superior
work of permanent nature.
• Second class bricks:
These bricks are ground moulded and they are burnt in kilns. The
surface of bricks is some what rough and shape is also slightly
irregular. These bricks are commonly used at places where brick
work is to be provided with a coat of plaster.
• Third class bricks:
These bricks are ground moulded and they burnt in clamps. These
bricks are not hard and they have rough surfaces with irregular and
distorted edges. These bricks give dull sound when struck together.
They are used for unimportant and temporary structures and at
places where rainfall is not heavy.
• Fourth class bricks:
These are over burnt bricks with irregular shape and dark colour.
These bricks are used as aggregate for concrete in foundation,
floors, roads, etc because of the fact that the over burnt bricks have
compacted structure and hence, they are some times found
stronger than even first class bricks.
PROPERTIES OF BRICK

• Color
• Texture
• Porosity
• Fire Resistance
• size variation
• compressive strength
• absorption.
Color:
• This color of fired clay depends upon its chemical
composition, the firing temperatures and the method of
firing control.
• Of all the oxides commonly found in clays, iron probably
has the greatest effect on color. Regardless of its natural
color, clay containing iron in practically any form will exhibit
a shade of red when exposed to an oxidizing fire because of
the formation of ferrous oxide. When fired in a reducing
atmosphere, the same clay will assume a dark (or black)
hue. Creating a reducing atmosphere in the kiln is known as
flashing or reduction firing.
• Given the same raw material and manufacturing method,
darker colors are associated with higher firing
temperatures, lower absorption values and higher
compressive strength values. However, for products made
from different raw materials, there is no direct relationship
between strength and color or absorption and color.
Texture:
• Coatings and Glazes : Many brick have smooth or
sand-finished textures produced by the dies or
molds used in forming.
• A smooth texture, commonly referred to as a die
skin results from pressure exerted by the steel die
as the clay passes through it in the extrusion
process. Most extruded brick have the die skin
removed and the surface further treated to
produce other textures using devices that cut,
scratch, roll, brush or otherwise roughen the
surface as the clay column leaves the die Brick
may be tumbled before or after firing to achieve
an antique appearance.
Porosity
• Porosity is an important characteristic of brick.
• In contrast to other moulded or pre-cast building materials, the porosity of
brick is attributed to its fine capillaries.
• By virtue of the capillary effect, the rate of moisture transport in the brick
is ten times faster than in other building materials. Moisture is released
during day-time and re-absorbed during night-time. The ability to release
and re-absorb moisture (a "breathing" process) by capillary effect is one of
the most useful properties of brick that helps to regulate the temperature
and humidity of atmosphere in a house.
• This distinctive property makes brick an admirable building material,
particularly suitable for houses in the tropics.
• On the other hand, all porous materials are susceptible to chemical
attacks and liable to contamination from weathering agents like rain,
running water and polluted air. Porosity of building material is an
important factor to consider in respect its performance and applications.
• Experiment results show that bricks with water absorption rate at 8% is 10
times more durable in resisting salt attack than that with water absorption
rate at 20%. Well burnt brick has a normal water absorption rate less than
10% in contrast to that of concrete block and cement mortar exceeding
15%. This explains why brick walls require comparatively minimum
maintenance in the course of time
Fire Resistance
Brick is inherent with excellent fire resistance, the non-combustibility of
brick helps to promote its use in building houses against fire.

Size Variation
• Because clays shrink during both drying and firing, allowances are made in
the forming process to achieve the desired size of the finished brick. Both
drying shrinkage and firing shrinkage vary for different clays, usually falling
within the following ranges:
– Drying shrinkage: 2 to 4 percent
– Firing shrinkage: 2.5 to 4 percent
• Firing shrinkage increases with higher temperatures, which produce
darker shades. When a wide range of colors is desired, some variation
between the sizes of the dark and light units is inevitable.
• To obtain products of uniform size, manufacturers control factors
contributing to shrinkage. Because of normal variations in raw materials
and temperature variations within kilns, absolute uniformity is impossible.
Consequently, specifications for brick allow size variations.
Compressive Strength and Absorption
• Both compressive strength and absorption are affected
by :
– properties of the clay,
– method of manufacture and
– degree of firing.
• For a given clay and method of manufacture, higher
compressive strength values and lower absorption
values are associated with higher firing temperatures.
• Although absorption and compressive strength can be
controlled by manufacturing and firing methods, these
properties depend largely upon the properties of the
raw materials.
TESTS FOR BRICKS
A brick is generally subject to following tests to find
out its suitability for the construction work.
• ABSORPTION
• CRUSHING STRENGTH
• HARDNESS
• PRESENCE OF SOLUBLE SALTS
• SHAPE & SIZE
• SOUNDNESS
• STRUCTURE
 ABSORPTION
• Water Absorption in Bricks is carried out by immersing it in water for 24 hrs. It
is again weighed and the diff is in wt. indicates the amount of water absorbed
by Bricks. It should not in any case exceed 20% of wt. of dry Bricks.
CRUSHING STRENGTH
• Crushing strength of a brick is found out by placing it in a compression testing
machine. It is pressed till it breaks. The min. crushing strength of bricks is 55
kg/cm2.
HARDNESS
• In this test, a scratch is made on brick surface with the help of finger nail. If no
impression is left on the surface, the brick is treated to be sufficiently hard.

SHAPE & SIZE

• In this test, a brick is closely inspected.
• It should be of standard size as per Indian
standards.
• Its shape should be truly rectangular with sharp edges.
 PRESENCE OF SALTS
• The soluble salts, if present in bricks will cause efflorescence in the surface of bricks.
For finding out the presence of soluble salts in a brick, it is immersed in water for 24
hrs. it is then taken out and allowed to dry in shed. The absence of grey or white
deposits in its surface indicates absence of soluble salts.
• If the white deposit cover about 10% surface, the efflorescence are said to be as
moderate; when deposits are to be more than 50%, the efflorescence become heavy
and it is treated as serious when such deposits are converted into powdery mass

SOUNDNESS

In this test, two bricks are taken and then struck together with each other, the bricks
should not break and a clear ringing sound should be produced.

STRUCTURE
A brick is broken and its structure is examined.
It should be homogeneous, compact and free from any defects
PROBLEMS OF EFFLORESCENCE AND LIME
BURSTING IN BRICKS AND TILES
• Efflorescence is a phenomenon that soluble slats dissolved in
water are carried, deposited and gradually accumulated on
brick surfaces to form an unsightly scum. The soluble salts
may be originated from the raw material of bricks. But in most
cases, efflorescence is caused by salts from the external
sources such as ground water, contaminated atmosphere,
mortar ingredients and other materials in contacts with the
bricks.
• Three conditions must exist before efflorescence will occur.
– First: There must be water-soluble salts present somewhere in the wall.
– Second: There must be sufficient moisture in the wall to render the salts into a
soluble solution.
– Third: There must be a path for the soluble salts to migrate through to the
surface where the moisture can evaporate, thus depositing the salts which
then crystallize and cause efflorescence.
• If these three conditions can be controlled, there should be no efflorescing
of masonry walls.
 Reduce all soluble alkali sulfates.
 Use good details to prevent water from entering the masonry.
 Use good construction practices to eliminate migratory paths for
moisture.
• Lime Bursts/pops"
 A phenomenon that sometimes occurs with new bricks is lime pop s.
 Lime pops are caused by small particles of lime that are located near the surface of
the brick. When the brick absorbs moisture, the lime particles swell and cause
portions of the brick lace to "pop" off The result are small pits in the surface of the
brick with a white spot in the center. The white spot is the lime particle.
 It is strictly an aesthetic issue and will not affect the structural integrity of the brick.
 The picture below is an example of lime popping.
• SUBSTITUTE FOR BRICKS.:-The indian construction industry has felt need to search
for alternative to the bricks for the following Reason:- high wastage during
Transportation.
• High water absorption of bricks.
• Inconsistency in size of bricks
• Increasing cost of kiln fuel.
• Unavailability of skilled Labor.
• It is possible to produce a variety of bricks from the materials other than Clay they
can be grouped in three categories;-
• 1) Concrete Blocks 2) Fly-ash Bricks 3)sand lime or calcium silicate Bricks
Concrete Blocks - Raw material -The material required for the production are
aggregates , cement and water. The strength texture and economy depend upon
grading of aggregate. The cement used is ordinary Portland cement.
Manufacturing – the fully automatic plants are available for high strength
concrete blocks. These automatic machines produce superior quality concrete
blocks but they involve large capital investment.
Advantages:- it increase carpet area because of small width as compare to brick.
It provides thermal insulation , fire resistance and sound absorption
Saving agricultural Land.
-The construction is Easier, faster and strong.
The perfect shape & size makes work simple. The vertical joints can be staggered
automatically.
The joints are reduced, thus less mortar is required. Available in even sizes these
help in creating even and polished walls with minimum plastering.

Features Uses
Robust Construction of malls
Even in measurement Commercial buildings
Environment friendly
Residential buildings
Easy to handle For Boundary Walls
Technical Specifications
Sizes available :400x200x200 mm, 400x200x100 mm,
290x190x140 mm or any sizes as per party's requirement
Raw Material Used : fly ash, sand, grit, cement
Colors & packaging available : dark grey
INTERLOCKING CONCRETE PAVERS
Ancient Romans introduced paved carriage
ways around 2000 years ago. They were so
durable that some have been preserved till
date. They have been in existence in some
form since. Interlocking concrete pavers were
introduced after World War II and with the
advances in mass production pavers have
taken over the world.
Interlocking concrete pavers are segmental.
Formed of multiple small interlocking units
held together through friction these pavers
have excellent load bearing hard standing
properties. The pavement behaves as one
cohesive structural unit but embodies great
flexibility in weight transmission making
pavers the ideal and economic choice
 .
SAND LIME OR CLACIUM SILICATE BRICKS:- raw material- the percentage of sand varies
from 88%-92% . The sand should be well graded and should be free from impurities.
-The percentage of lime is 8%-12% it should be high calcium lime of good quality.
-The water containing soluble salt in excess of 0.25% should not be used for preparation.
- The suitable colour pigment up to .2% to 3 % of wt. of bricks sholud be added to get
coloured Bricks.
- Manufacturing :-After mixing the raw material with water , they are subject to steam
pressure known as hydrothermal treatment. They form a crystal like compound
known as calcium hydrosilicate. Hence they are known as calcium silicate bricks.
Advantages:- the quantity of mortar required is less.
They are available in Brick, block and Tile Form, thus they permit wider uses in
housing & other const.
- Efflorescence does not arise in these bricks .
- They are uniform in colour and texture.
- They appear clean appearnce hence plastering may be avoided.
- The use of coloured bricks offers permanent finish.
- Disadvantages;-
- These are not suitable for furnaces because they will disintegrate.
- Theses cannot be used in Paving and Foundations.
Fly ash bricks:-The chemical compsition of clays and fly ash do not differ very much . The
process involves the use of Fly ash , lime, sand and a small quantity of magnesium
chloride.
The hydraulic press is used for manufacturing. then semi dried are cured in a steam
chamber.
- These are superior to the conventional burnt bricks in shape, compressive strength.
-they are also light in wt. & 10-15 % cheap.
• FIRE CLAY BRICKS :- These fire are made from Fire clay The process of manufacture is
the same of ordinary Bricks. These are usually white or yellowish white in colour.
They can resist high temperature softening or melting. Hence they are used for
linings of interior surfaces of furnace, chimney oven, Fireplace. Following are three
varieties of Fire Brick
• - Acidic bricks – Ordinary bricks are prepared from natural Fire clay. They provide a
good material for acidic Lining.
• Silica Bricks – These contain a high percentage of silica about 95-97% lime about 1-
2% added as binding material these are molded under pressure.
• Basic Bricks - The magnesia bricks are prepared from lime and Magnesia. They are
used for basic lining and refractory
• Chromite bricks.- they are prepared from mixture of chrome , iron ,ferrous oxide,
bauxite and silica. They are unaffected by acidic actions.
• High Alumina Brick- they contain high percentage of alumina.
QUALITIES OF GOOD BRICK
• Bricks should be table moulded, well burnt in kilns, copper
coloured, free from cracks and with sharp and square edges.
• Bricks should be uniform shape and should be of standard size.
• Bricks should give clear ringing sound when struck with each other.
• Bricks, when broken, should show a bright homogeneous and
compact structure free from voids.
• Bricks should not absorb water more than 20 percent by weight for
first class bricks and 22 percent by weight for second class bricks,
when soaked in coldwater for a period of 24 hours.
• Bricks should be sufficiently hard no impression should be left on
brick surface when it is scratched with finger nail.
• Bricks should have low thermal conductivity and they should be
soundproof.
• Bricks should not break when dropped flat on hard ground from a
height of about one meter.
• Bricks, when soaked in water for 24hours, should not show
deposits of white salts when allowed to dry in shade.
• No brick should have crushing strength below 55kg/cm2
Advantages of bricks:
• Brick will not burn, buckle or melt.
• Brick will not rot and allow Termites to invade.
• Brick will not rust and corrode.
• Brick will not dent.
• Brick will not fade from the Sun's UV Rays.
• Brick will not be damaged by high winds, rain or
• Brick will not require constant maintenance.
• Brick will not devalue.
• Brick will not limit your design options
 Assignment – 1 (Submission –26/8/15)
Q-1 Write down the comparison between Brick work and Stone work
Q-2 Explain the process of manufacturing of Bricks with Sketches.
Q-3 Describe the Properties , qualities & advantages of Brick.
Q-4 What are the other substitute of Bricks ?
Q-5 Explain about the different Test taken for Checking the Qualities of Bricks.