Construction Materials and Technology

Subject Code: CIVL 2103

Size of Bricks:
(1) Conventional / Traditional bricks: Size: 20 cm x 10 cm
x 10 cm
(2) Standard / Modular : Size : 19 cm x 9 cm x 9 cm
Uses of brick
 Bricks are used in wall masonry construction of building.
 Bricks are used in brick lintel construction.
 Bats of bricks are used in concrete in foundation work.
 ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF
BRICKS :
Ingredients of good brick earth
Ingredients % Functions
Silica 50-60 Enables to retain its shape,
imparts durability and prevent
shrinkage
Alumina 20-30 Absorb water and renders clay
plastic.
Lime 10 Reduce shrinkage on drying.
Magnesia <1 Affects on color and makes
brick yellow
Iron <7 Gives red in color on burning
Improves impermeability and
durability.
Gives strength and hardness
 TYPES OF BRICKS

 Bricks are classified as per quality and utility:

(1)1st Class (Grade A)
(2) 2nd Class (Grade B)
(3) 3rd Class (Grade C)
(4) 4th Class (Grade D)
 1st Class Brick:
 These are thoroughly burnt and are of deep red or copper colour.
 The surface should be smooth and rectangular with parallel, sharp and straight edges and square corners.
 These should be free from flaws, cracks and stones.
 Water absorption should be 12-15% of its dry weight when immersed in cold water for 24hrs.
 2nd Class Brick:
 Small cracks and distortions are permitted.
 A little higher water absorption of about 16-20% of its dry weight is allowed.
 The crushing strength should not be less than 7N/mm2
 3rd Class Brick:
 Unburnt. They are soft and light colored
 Producing a dull sound when struck against each other.
 Water absorption is about 25% of dry weight.
 4th Class Brick:
 Overburnt.
 Badly distorted in shape and size
 Brittle in nature
 HARMFUL INGREDIENTS IN BRICKS

Lime
 Pebbles, gravels and Grits
 Iron Pyrites
 Alkalis
 Vegetation and Organic Matter
 Carbonaceous matter
 Sulpher
 Water
 Lime:
 When a desirable amount of lime present in clay, it results in good quality.
 But if it is in excess, it changes the color of brick from red to yellow.
 When lime presents in lumps, it absorbs moisture, swells and cause disintegration
• Pebbles, Gravels, Grits:
 It does not allow the clay to be mixed thoroughly and spoil the appearance of bricks.
 Bricks with pebbles and gravels may crack quickly.
• Iron pyrites:
 Tend to oxidize and decompose the brick during burning and consequently brick may split into pieces.
 Pyrites discolourise the brick
• Alkalis:
 When present in excess amount alkalis make the clay unsuitable for bricks.
 When bricks come in contact with moisture, water is absorbed and alkalis crystallize. On drying the moisture
evaporates, leaving behind grey and white powder which deposits on the brick and spoil the appearance. This
phenomenon is called efflorescence.
 Organic matter:
 On burning green bricks the organic matter gets charred and leaves pores making the bricks porous.
 The water absorption is increased and strength is reduced.
 Carbonaceous material:
 It is in the form of bituminous matter or carbon which greatly affects the colour of raw clay.
 Sulpher:
 It is usually found in clay as the sulphate of Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe (or Iron sulphide).
 Generally the proportion is small
 Water:
 A large proportion of free water generally causes clay to shrink considerably during drying.
 DEFECTS IN CLAY BRICKS
 Efflorescence
 Over burning of bricks
 Under burning of bricks
 Bloating
 Black core
 Chuffs
 Checks or cracks
Spots
 Blisters
 Laminations
 TESTS OF BRICKS
1. DIMENSION TEST

For good quality bricks, the

results should be well within the
permissible limits:-

1.) Length– 3680 mm

to 3920 mm.

2) Width– 1740 mm to
1860 mm

3.) Height– 1740 mm to

1860 mm
2. WATER ABSOPRTION TEST
3. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST
5. EFFLORESCENCE TEST

Excess salts and alkalis are appears and exposed on

the brick surface on drying
 DIFFERENT FORMS OF BRICKS
1. BULL-NOSED BRICKS
2. PERFORATED BRICKS
3. HOLLOW BRICKS
4. CIRCULAR BRICKS
5. PAVING BRICKS
6. CANT BRICKS
6. SQUINT BRICKS
FLY ASH
BRICKS
FLY ASH
1. Introduction:
 It is one of the residues generated in combustion of coal.
 Comprises of fine particles which rise with the flue gases.
 One of the major pollutants which originate from combustion.
 Due to recent mandate of using pollution control equipments, these are now
collected using electrostatic precipitators and other particle filters.
• Fly ash possesses both ceramic as
well as pozzolanic properties and
therefore can be utilized in an unique
way for manufacturing bricks.
• This proves to be very useful for
building construction.
• These bricks produced by the new
process are superior in quality as they
offer higher cold crushing strength
and smooth, uniform size.
S.NO FEATURES NORMAL CLAY FLY ASH BRICKS
BRICKS
1 BINDING LIGHT DENSE

2 COLOUR VARY UNIFORM

3 SHAPE IRREGULAR UNIFORM

4 WEIGHT MORE LESS

5 COMPRESSIVE 35 KGS/SQ.CM 100 KGS/SQ.CM

STRENGTH

6 WATER ABSORPTION 20-25% 6-12%