This document classifies and specifies requirements for three classes of brickwork used in construction. First class brickwork uses high quality, uniformly shaped bricks with a crushing strength over 10.7N/mm2. It is used for load-bearing walls. Second class brickwork allows for slightly irregular bricks with strength over 7N/mm2 and is used for internal and compound walls. Third class brickwork consists of lower quality, non-uniform bricks with strength over 3.5N/mm2 and is used for temporary construction or flooring.

1. SPECIFICATIONAND
CONTROL
SPECIFICATION FOR 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD CLASS BRICKWORK
PRESENTED BY –VIGHNESH B RANE

2. INTRODUCTION
Bricks may be defined as ” Structural units of rectangular
shape and convenient size that are made from a suitable type of
clays by molding, drying and burning.”
Brick work are probably the most common building elements
in construction of a house in India. These walls form basic units
for creating rooms that make up a house. The walls besides
being space dividers are also structural elements that transfer the
load of the roof to the ground. Brick walls are constructed on
strip spread or raft foundations that support the walls. The walls
are constructed using bricks and mortar. These can also be
constructed with various structural qualities and thicknesses.
Brick walls are constructed by joining bricks with cement
mortar in arrangements called English Bond, Flemish Bond or Rat
Trap Bond. These bonds give different external appearances to
the wall. All construction systems of brick walls are such devised
that vertical cross joints in any layers are staggered. The bricks
thus bonded form a solid mass that does not split when the wall
is loaded with live loads and dead loads.

3. GENERAL
CLASSIFICATION
OF BRICKWORK
The classification of brick work according to the quality of brick is
following.
 First class brick work
 Second class brick work
 Third class brick work

4. FIRSTCLASS
BRICKWORK
INTRODUCTION
First class brick work is made by using first class bricks and cement
mortar.This brick work is used for load bearing walls. It is made in
rich mortar in which the cement and sand ratio is from 1:3 to 1:
6. First class bricks are identified by their uniform color and a ringing
sound when struck.The bricks are equal in size and have even edges
and surfaces.These bricks do not chip and don’t have any cracks.
First class bricks do not absorb water more than 1/6 of their weight.
There is no salty residue when the bricks are dry. First class bricks
have a minimum crushing strength of 105.kg. Per sq. cm

5. FIRSTCLASS
BRICKWORK
SPECIFICATIONS
 Plain surface, sharp edges and size with tolerance in dimensions +-
3%
 Uniform red or brownish colored.
 High crushing strength, not less than 10.7 N/mm2
 Machine moulded
 Efflorescence- NIL
 Water absorption less than 15%.
 USE: They are used for the exterior wall brick works, short
columns and arches.

6. SECOND
CLASS BRICK
WORK
INTRODUCTION
Second class bricks work is made by using second class bricks and
cement mortar.These bricks also have the property of first class
bricks but are not very regular or even in shape.These bricks should
not be used for load bearing walls for more than two storey
buildings. Second class bricks have minimum crushing strength
70.kg per sq. meter. Slight difference in the structure on fractured
surfaces is admissible. Used for exterior work when plastering is to
be done. And can also be used for interior works but they may not
be used for flooring.

7. SECOND
CLASS BRICK
WORK
SPECIFICATIONS
 Slightly uneven faces and edges with tolerance in dimensions +-
8%
 Uniform colored but may be slightly over burnt.
 High crushing strength, not less than 7 N/mm2
 Hand moulded
 Efflorescence- Little
 Water absorption less than 20%.
 USE: They are used for internal walls and compound walls.

8. THIRDCLASS
BRICKWORK
INTRODUCTION
 This type of brick work is made by using third class bricks and
cement mortar or mud mortar.Third class brick work is not made
in any Govt. work. Generally this type of brick work is made for
temporary work in private sector.These are not burnt so fully as in
previous two cases but are generally of uniform reddish yellow
color. Defects in uniformity or shape are tolerated. On striking
together, they produce a dull thud sound. Its compressive strength
lies between 35 – 70 kg/cm2 and absorption between 22 – 25
percent.They are used mostly in the ordinary type of construction
and in dry situations.

9. THIRDCLASS
BRICKWORK
SPECIFICATIONS
 May be distorted with blunt edges.
 Over burnt or under burnt and non uniform color.
 High crushing strength, not less than 3.5N/mm2
 Hand moulded
 Efflorescence- Large
 Water absorption less than 25%.
 USES: They are used for flooring, paving, small brick foundations
and brick bat lime concrete(B.B.L.C.).