Bricks: A Concise Guide

1
Bricks
Even a brick wants to be something.
-Louis Kahan

Introduction
A brick is building material used to make walls, pavements and other
elements in masonry construction.
Traditionally, the term brick referred to a unit composed of clay hardened
by heat, but it is now used to denote any rectangular units laid in mortar.
Bricks are laid in courses and numerous patterns known as bonds,
collectively known as brickwork, and may be laid in various kinds of
mortar to hold the bricks together to make a durable structure.
Block is a similar term referring to a rectangular building unit
composed mainly of concrete
It is usually larger than a brick.
2

Some Structures
Made of BRICKS
4

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Ancient Jetavanaramaya Stupa
(Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka)

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Victoria Building
(University of Liverpool, England)

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St, Martin’s Church
(Landshut, Germany)

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8
Malbork Castle
(Malbork, Poland)

Types of Bricks
Common Burnt Clay Bricks
Sand Lime Bricks (Calcium Silicate Bricks)
Engineering Bricks
Concrete Bricks
Fly ash Clay Bricks
9

Common Burnt Clay
Bricks
Common burnt clay bricks are formed
by pressing in molds. Then these
bricks are dried and fired in a kiln.
Common burnt clay bricks are used in
general work with no special attractive
appearances. When these bricks are
used in walls, they require plastering
or rendering.
10

Sand Lime Bricks
Sand lime bricks are made by mixing
sand, fly ash and lime followed by a
chemical process during wet mixing.
The mix is then molded under
pressure forming the brick. These
bricks can offer advantages over clay
bricks such as:
11

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• Their color appearance is gray instead of the
regular reddish color.
• Their shape is uniform and presents a
smoother finish that doesn’t require plastering.
• These bricks offer excellent strength as a load-
bearing member.

Engineering Bricks
Engineering bricks are bricks
manufactured at extremely high
temperatures, forming a dense and
strong brick, allowing the brick to limit
strength and water absorption.
13

Concrete Bricks
Concrete bricks are made from solid
concrete and are very common
among homebuilders. Concrete bricks
are usually placed in facades, fences,
and provide an excellent aesthetic
presence. These bricks can be
manufactured to provide different
colors as pigmented during its
production.
14

Fly Ash Clay Bricks
Fly ash clay bricks are manufactured
with clay and fly ash, at high
temperature. Some studies have
shown that these bricks tend to fail
poor produce pop-outs, when bricks
come into contact with moisture and
water, causing the bricks to expand.
15

Types of Blocks
Stretcher block
Corner block
Pillar block
Jamb block
Partition block
Lintel block
Frogged brick block
Bull nose block
16
Solid concrete blocks are commonly
used, which are heavy in weight and
manufactured from dense aggregate.
They are very strong and provides
good stability to the structures. So for
large work of masonry like for load
bearing walls these solid blocks are
preferable. They are available in
large sizes compared to bricks.
Hollow Concrete Blocks
Hollow concrete blocks contains void area greater than
25% of gross area. Solid area of hollow bricks should be
more than 50%.

Stretcher Blocks
Stretcher blocks are used to join the
corner in the masonry. Stretcher
blocks are widely used concrete
hollow blocks in construction. They
are laid with their length parallel to the
face of the wall.
17

Corner Blocks
Corner blocks are used at the ends or
corners of masonry. The ends may be
window or door openings etc. they are
arranged in a manner that their plane
end visible to the outside and other
end is locked with the stretcher block.
18

Pillar Blocks
Pillar block is also called as double
corner block. Generally these are
used when two ends of the corner are
visible. In case of piers or pillars these
blocks are widely used.
19

Jamb Blocks
Jamb blocks are used when there is
an elaborated window opening in the
wall. They are connected to stretcher
and corner blocks. For the provision of
double hung windows, jamb blocks
are very useful to provide space for
the casing members of window.
20

Partition Concrete
Block
Partition concrete blocks are generally
used to build partition walls. Partition
blocks have larger height than its
breadth. Hollow part is divided into
two to three components in case of
partition blocks.
22

Lintel Blocks
Lintel block or beam block is used for
the purpose of provision of beam or
lintel beam. Lintel beam is generally
provided on the top portion of doors
and windows, which bears the load
coming from top. Concrete lintel
blocks have deep groove along the
length of block as shown. After
placing the blocks, this groove is filled
with concrete along with
reinforcement.
23

Frogged Brick Blocks
Frogged brick block contains a frog on
its top along with header and stretcher
like frogged brick. This frog will helps
the block to hold mortar and to
develop the strong bond with top
laying block.
25

Bullnose Concrete
Block
Bullnose blocks are similar to corner
blocks. Their duties also same but
when we want rounded edges at
corner bullnose bricks are preferred.
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Bricks and It's
Constituents
Plastic or Pure Clay
Loam or Sandy Clay
Marls
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Bricks are easily molded from plastic
clays also known as bricks or brick
earth
Three Different Kinds of Bricks

Useful
Constituents of
Brick Earth
Alumina (Al2O3) - the bricks
constituents of clay, gives the
plasticity necessary for molding into
required shape.
Silica (SiO2) - present in adequate
quantity in a brick, preserved the form
of the brick at high temperatures and
prevent shrinkage, warping and undue
hardness during drying and burning.
Lime
Iron Oxide - acts as flux and brings
hardness in bricks
Magnesia - influences the colors of
bricks and gives yellow tint.
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Harmful
Constituents of
Brick Earth
Iron Pyrite
Alkalies
Carbonaceous Matters
Pebbles
Sulphate of Lime
Magnesium Sulphate
Sodium and Potassium Chlorides
Reh and Kallar
Vegetable Matters, Weed, etc.
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Manufacture of
Clay Bricks
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The fundamentals of brick
manufacturing have not
changed over time. However
technological advancement
have made contemporary bricks
plants substantially more
efficient and have improved the
overall quality of the products.
A more complete knowledge of
raw materials and their
properties, better control of
firing improved kiln designs and
more advanced mechanization
have all contributed to
advancing the brick industry.

Types of Clay:
Surface Clays
Shales
Fire Clays
Raw Materials
(CLAY)
31

Types of Clays
it may be the up thrusts of older
deposits.
are clays that have been
subjected to high pressure until
they have nearly hardened into
slate.
are usually mined at deeper
levels.
Surface Clays
01 Shales Fire Clays
02 03
32

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Process of Manufacture

1. Selection of Site
The site selected for the
manufacture of bricks must have
suitable soil available in sufficient
quantity, otherwise unnecessary
labor and transportations of the
soil would be involved. The
availability of materials near the
site of the brick making is a great
importance. It also necessary that
the water and fuel, coal and wood
are easily available in sufficient
quantities.
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2. Preparation of Clay
a. Weathering – the soil is left on heaps and exposed to weather for at
least one month in cases where such weathering is considered
necessary for soil. The purpose of weathering is to disintegrate big
boulders of clay under the action of atmospheric agencies to make it
uniform mass and also to eliminate the impurities which get
oxidized.
b. Tempering – After weathering the required quantity of water should
be mixed with the soil to obtain the right consistency for molding.
The quantity of water to be added may range from ¼ to 1/3 of the
weight of soil, sandy soils requiring less water and the clayey soils
requires more water The moistened soil is kneading the soil maybe
plugged in a pug mill of suitable size corresponding the quantity of
bricks to be manufactured.
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a. Hand molding
The tempered clay is forced in the mold
in such a way that fills all the corners of
the mould. Extra clay is removed by
wooden strike. Mould is then lifted up
and raw brick is left in the ground.
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Moulding of Bricks

b. Machine moulding
Is used where large number of bricks
are to be made.
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Moulding of Bricks

Types of Clays
Plastic Clay Machine
01 Dry Clay Machines
02
38

5. Burning of Bricks
Bricks are burnt to remove the moisture
present in the clay in the mixed state,to
impart hardness and strength to the
bricks.
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Burning of Bricks
Brick Clamp
01 Kiln Burning
02
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are not permanent structure and that
most of the fuel is incorporated in
clays
are permanent structure and have
arrangement for introducing furl
during the burning period

CLASSIFICATION
OF BURNT CLAY
On the basis of Quality
On the basis of Manufacturer
On the basis of Utility
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BRICKS are classified as the following:

Sand Faced
A faced brick shaped in a mold that
has been sprinkled with sand to
prevent clay from sticking to the mold.
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Rustic
A brick that has a rough-textured
finish produced by covering it with
sand, wire brushing, or impressing it
with a pattern. These bricks are often
in a variety of colors.
43

First Class Bricks
(Grade-A)
Well burnt in kilns, table mouled and
rectangular with sharp edges.
Surface is clean, smooth and has no
cracks.
Very hard
Mainly used for face-worked
structured or used for superior work.
47

Second Class Bricks
(Grade-B)
Burnt in clamps and ground-moulded
but with little irregular in shape.
Surface of bricks is rough and have
spots.
Hard
Mainly used for ordinary structures
and also used at places where brick
work is to be provided with plaster
coat.
48

Third Class Bricks
(Grade-C)
Ground-moulded and burnt in clamps.
Have distorted edges.
Slightly soft.
Used for important and temporary
structure and at place where rainfall is
not heavy.
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Fourth Class Bricks
(Grade-D)
Over burnt bricks.
Have irregular surface and dark color.
Very hard
Used as aggregates for concrete
foundations, floor, roads etc.
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Colour of brick should be bright
and uniform.
Bricks should have uniform
shape and standard size.
Bricks should free from voids.
Bricks should be well-burnt,
copper-coloured or reddish in
colour.
Properties of
BURNT CLAY
BRICKS
51

Bricks should be free from cracks
and must have sharp edges.
When two bricks are struck with
each other, it should give a
metallic sound.
When bricks are soaked in water,
it should not absorb more than
20% of its dry weight.
Properties of
BURNT CLAY
BRICKS
52

When bricks are dropped on a
flat surface from a height of one
meter it should not crush into
pieces.
Burnt Clay Bricks must be
greater than 5.5 N/mm².
Bricks must have nil
efflorescence.
Bricks must be sound proof and
should have low thermal
conductivity.
Properties of
BURNT CLAY
BRICKS
53

Testing of Bricks
and Blocks
Test for Compressive Strength
Test for Water Absorption
Test for Efflorescence
Test for Warpage
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Test for Compressive Strength
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The specimen brick is immersed in water for 24 hours followed by immersion in
clear water for three days. The specimen is then placed between the plates of the
compression testing machine. Load is applied axially at a uniform rate of kN/mm2
(140 kgf/cm2) and the maximum load at which specimen fail is noted for
determination of compressive strength the brick given by.
Compressive Strength =
𝑚𝑎𝑥. 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑘

56
The absorption of bricks is not related directly to the porosity. Some of the
absorption may be through the pores, which permit air to escape in absorption test
but others are cul-de-sac or even completely sealed and inaccessible to water
under ordinary conditions. For these reason, it is seldom impossible to fill more
than about 75% of the pores by simple immersion in cold water and boiling method
is adopted for measuring complete absorption. In both cold water test and boiling
water test, the specimen is dried in a ventilated oven at 100⁰ C to 150⁰ C till it
attains a substantially constant mass. In cold water test the specimen is then kept
immersed in clean water at 27⁰ C for 24 hours. It is weighed again to determine the
weight of water absorbed and water absorption percentage is given by:
Water absorption percentage by weight =
𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑑
𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛
𝑥 100

57
In the boiling water test after the dried specimen is immersed in a tank such that
water can circulate freely on all sides of the specimen. Water is healed to boiling in
one hour and boiled continuously for five hours. The water is allowed to cool to 27⁰
C by natural loss of heat for 16 to 19 hours. The specimen is again weighed and
the water absorption percentage is given by
Water absorption percentage by weight =
𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛
𝑥 100

What is efflorescence?
is a crystalline deposit of salts
often seen on the surface of
concrete, bricks, stucco or
natural stone surfaces.
the word efflorescence means to
"flower out" in French .
a white powdery substance.
Test for
Efflorescence
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1.Fill distilled water in shallow dish
and place one end of brick in dish.
Water should fill in dish such that
bricks should immersed in water up
to 25 mm depth. Bricks soaked in
Distilled water
2.Place this whole arrangement in a
warm ventilated room such that
whole water is absorbed by the
specimen and the surplus water will
get evaporated.
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Method of Efflorescence Test

3.Cover the dish containing brick with
suitable glass cylinder so that there
will not excessive evaporation from
dish.
4.When whole water get absorbed
and brick appears to be dry, place a
similar quantity of water in the dish
and allow it to evaporate as before.
5.After this process examine the
bricks for efflorescence and report
results.
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Method of Efflorescence Test

Results of efflorescence test shall be
reported as nil, slight, moderate,
heavy or serious.
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Results

Nil- If there is no noticeable deposit
of efflorescence.
Slight- when less than 10% of
exposed area of brick is covered by a
thin layer of salt.
Moderate- When there is a heavier
deposit than under ‘slight’ and
covering up to 50 percent of the
exposed area of the brick surface but
unaccompanied by powdering or
flaking of the surface.
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Results

Heavy – When there is a heavy
deposit of salts covering 50 percent
or more of the exposed area of the
brick surface but unaccompanied by
powdering or flaking of the surface.
Serious-when there is heavy deposit
of salt acquired by powdering and/or
flaking of exposed surface.
63
Results

What is warpage?
-To twist or out of shape,
especially from straight or flat
form
Test for Warpage
64

a. For concave warpage- the flat
surface is placed along the surface to
measured selecting the location that
gives the greatest departure from
straightness and measure a greatest
distance of brick from the edge of
straightness by a steel rule or wedge
b. For convex warpage- the
specimen is placed in the plane
surface with the convex surface is
contact with flat surface and measure
the distance of the four corners of
brick from the flat surface
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Special Bricks
Specially Shaped Bricks
Burnt Clay Facing Bricks
Heavy-duty Bricks
Perforated Building Bricks
Burnt Clay Hollow Blocks
Sand Lime Bricks
Sewer Bricks
Acid-resistant Bricks
Refractory Bricks
67
These bricks are different from the commonly
used building bricks with respect to their shape,
specification and special purpose for which they
are made. Accordingly the following types of
bricks may be classified as special bricks.

Bull-nosed Bricks
These are used for rounding off
sharp corner
Special Shaped Bricks
+1200k +5000k
68

Cant/Plinth Bricks
These bricks have a bevel taken of one side and
may be used in plinth or in doors and window
jambs
+1200k +5000k
69

Cornice Bricks
These are often made in different shapes and
sizes. These bricks are used for constructing
cornice.
+1200k +5000k
70

Circle Bricks
These are made to curve off the desired circle and
are as used in walls of circular towers and wells,
etc.
+1200k +5000k
71

Coping Bricks
These are made in different forms and
sizes to fit walls of different thickness.
+1200k +5000k
72

+1200k
Gutter Bricks
+5000k
73
Are used for draining water from slope roofs,
stables and pavements.

Jamb Bricks
Are ornamental bricks, used in doors and
window jambs. These are either chamfered or
differently rounded at one corner.
+1200k +5000k
74

Sill Bricks
Are specially manufactured ornamental bricks
for window sills.
+1200k +5000k
75

Key Bricks
Are used in arches.
+1200k +5000k
76

Round Bricks
Are used for circular pillars.
+1200k +5000k
77

Hollow Bricks
Are used in construction of hollow walls.
+1200k +5000k
78

Mullion Bricks
Are used for bay window
+1200k +5000k
79

Perforated/ Air Bricks
+1200k +5000k
80

Corbel Bricks
+1200k +5000k
81

Chequered Bricks
Are the paving bricks. These bricks render the
wall less slippery.
+1200k +5000k
82

Tubular Bricks
Are hollow bricks having large perforations
running along their length.
83

Hourdi Bricks
Are similar to the tubular bricks, but are flat
instead of round.
+1200k +5000k
84

+1200k
Culvert Bricks
+5000k
85
Are shaped as voussirs or arches
and they taper in thickness.

These bricks are used in the face
masonry without any further
surface protection. Where
external plastering or rendering
have to be frequently renewed,
due to corrosive atmosphere and
also for high rise building, used
for facing bricks is economical.
Burnt Clay Facing
Bricks
86

IS Specification
as regards
Burnt Facing
Clay Bricks
1. Facing bricks are of two classes
2. The average compressive strength
should not be less than 75kg/cm² for
Class II and 100kg/cm² for Class I
3. Water absorption requirement to 24
hours immersion should not exceed
15%
87

IS Specification
as regards
Burnt Facing
Clay Bricks
4. Efflorescence requirement should be
‘nil’ for both classes.
5. The war page for both classes should
not exceed 2.5mm.
6. These bricks should be far from
cracks, flaws and nodules of free
lime. The standard size of facing
bricks is 19 x 9 x 9 cm and 19 x 9 x4
cm.
88

They are required for masonry in
heavy engineering work such as
bridge structures, industrial
foundations and multi storied
building.
They characterized by high
durability, low water absorption,
high compressive strength and
high bull density , and should be
free from cracks and other flaws
and lime nodules.
Heavy Duty Bricks
90

These bricks are lightweight and
provide better thermal insulation
as compared to common bricks.
These are free from cracks, flaws
and nodules of free lime and have
a rectangular face sharp straight
edges to right angle.
Perforated
Building Bricks
92

94
1. The Standard size of perforated bricks
should be 19 x 19 x 9cm and 29 x 9 x
9cm
2. The area of perforation should be
between 30% to 45% of the total area of
the corresponding face of bricks.
3. The area of each perforation should not
exceed 500mm².
4. The perforation should be uniformly
distributed over the surface.

95
These bricks when tested in accordance with the
procedure lay down in IS:3495-1973; should have:
1. Maximum compressive strength of 7 N/mm² on
net area.
2. A maximum average water absorption of 15%
by mass.
3. A rating for efflorescence not more than slight,
and the average war page should not exceed
3%.

They are light in weight for
masonry construction and also
being hollow imparts thermal
insulation to the building.
These blocks should be uniform in
color and should have fine,
compact and uniform texture.
Burnt Clay Hollow
Blocks
96

98
1. These blocks are of the following three types:
Type A: Blocks with both faces keyed for
plastering and rendering
Type B: Blocks with both faces smooth and
suitable for use without plastering and
rendering on either side.
Type C: Blocks with one keyed and face smooth

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2. The size of burnt clay hollow blocks should be 19
x 19 x 9cm and 29 x 9 x 9.
3. Thickness of any shell should not less than 11
mm and that of any web not less than 8mm.
4. The minimum average crushing strength of the
blocks when determined should be 2.5
N/mm².The average water absorption of the
blocks by mass should not be more than 20%.

These bricks, are also called
calcium silicate bricks, consist
essentially on an intimate and
uniform mixture of siliceous sand
and crushed siliceous rock and
lime combined by the action of
saturated stream under pressure.
By heating the mixture under
pressure, hydrated silicates and
aluminates are formed which
bind the sand grains together
Sand Lime Bricks
100

Sewer bricks are intended
for lining of walls, roofs
and floors of sewers used
for ordinary sanitary
(domestic) sewage.
Sewer Bricks
104

The general practice in our country is
also to utilize common building bricks in
the construction of sewer, which is not
satisfactory. However, these bricks are
not suitable for sewer dealing with
industrial effluent (sewage) for which the
use of acid resistant bricks as per IS:
4885 – 1968 are as follow:
105

1. The standard size of sewer bricks shall be as follow:
106
Length
(cm)
Width
(cm)
Height
(cm)
19 9 9
19 9 4

2. Tolerance for distortion or warpage of face or edges of
individual brick from a plane surface and from a straight line
respectively should be 2.5mm
107
Dimension
(cm)
Tolerance
(mm)
19 + 5
9 + 2
4 + 1.5

3. The average compressive
strength obtained on a sample
sewer bricks should not be less
than 175 kg/sq. cm
108

4. The average value of water
absorption for five bricks after 20
hours cold water immersion
should not exceed 10% of average
dry weight of bricks and
absorption of each individual brick
should not exceed 12%
109

5. The rating of efflorescence
should not be more than slight
110

These bricks are used for
masonry construction, flooring
subject to acid attack, lining of
chambers and towers in
chemical plants, lining of sewer
carrying industrial effluents, etc.
to prevent deterioration of
surface by acid except
hydrofluoric acid and per chloric
acid and other chemicals.
Acid Resistant
Bricks
111

These bricks are made of raw
materials, such clay or shale of
suitable composition with low
lime and iron content, feldspar,
flint or sand vitrified at high
temperature in a ceramic kiln.
These are designed primarily for
use in chemical and allied
industries and are normally
used with chemical resistant
mortars. As per IS 4860-1968.
Acid Resistant
Bricks
112

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113
The actual dimensions for acid resistant bricks are 230 x 114 x 64mm .
Dimension Tolerance
(mm) (mm)
230 +3.5
114 +2.0
64 +1.0
Acid Resistant Bricks

-----
114 Acid resistant bricks are manufactured in two classes satisfying the requirements as given in the table.

Two Classes of
Acid Resistant
Bricks
Class I bricks are recommend for
severe type of corrosive environments
as obtained in storage tanks, picking
tanks, etc. and also in heavy duty floors
subject to frequent contact with
corrosives
Class II bricks are recommended for
floors and working areas which are
subjected to occasional spillage of
acids, flumes and contact with dry
chemical as in fertilizer soils. These may
also be used for skirting and lining soil.
115

These are non-metallic suitable
for the construction or lining of
fumaces operated at high
temperatures. Stability at high
temperatures both physical and
chemical is the primary
requirement for refractory
materials.
Acid Resistant
Bricks
116

These are made of from
refractory clays which can
withstand very high
temperatures without becoming
soft and melting. The refractory
clay is composed of heat
resisting materials such as
silica, alumina, bauxite,
magnesite, chromite, etc. and
does not contain metallic oxide
of iron, lime alkalies owing to
their actions as fluxes.
Acid Resistant
Bricks
117

118
The preparation of clay, moulding, drying, burning in kins and aneating of fire bricks are the same
as detailed for ordinary bricks.

119
The preparation of clay, moulding, drying, burning in kins and aneating of fire bricks are the same
as detailed for ordinary bricks.

Acid bricks
Basic bricks
Neutral bricks
Types of
Refractory
Bricks
120

121
These are made from clays which are
generally mixed with small percentage of sand
to reduce shrinkage during burning. The clay
generally comprises 50% to 70% silica,20% to
40% alumina and less than 10% of fluxes.
The brick are moulded either by stiff mud and
dry press process or repressed after partial
drying. These bricks should be able to stand a
temperature of 1200 degree Celsius and
should withstand with a load of 2kg/sq.cm at a
temperature of 1350 degree Celsius.
Fire Bricks

122
These are made from quartzite and sandstone or silica
sand which contains more than 95% of silica.
Ordinarily, however, the ground siliceous rock or sand
are not sufficiently plastic when tempered with water
and are mixed either with 2% of high calcium lime to
act is binding material or a very small percentage of fire
clay is added. Silica bricks are moulded by soft mud
process and burn at a temperature of about 1483
degree Celsius which slightly higher than that of fire
bricks. The compressive strength of silica brick is often
more than 150 kg/sq. cm and the softening
temperature ranges between 1300 degree Celsius to
1800 degree Celsius. These bricks have a large
coefficient of expansion and are laid with a wide joint.
Both fire and Silica bricks are used in steel industry
and coke oven and cannot be used in intermittently
operated furnaces.
Silica Bricks

123
A type of acid bricks made from clay and marl
containing about 10% of oxide of iron. These
bricks are durable, capable of withstanding
pressures and impervious of water. These are
chiefly used in lining works of masonry
sewers.
Blue Bricks

Common types of Basic Bricks:
Magnesite Bricks
Dolomite Bricks
Bauxite Bricks
Basic Bricks
124

125
The chemical composition of these bricks is as follows:
Magnesia (Mgo) (min 85%); calcium oxide (CaO) (max
25%); and silica (SiO2) (max 5.5%)
Magnesite Bricks

-----
126
These are not as satisfactory as magnesite bricks. These are made of calcined
dolomite, the carbonate of magnesia and lime. The natural rock or a mixture of the
rock and is ground and tempered with water and moulded. After drying they are burnt
like magnesia bricks. These bricks suffer greater contraction at high temperature than
bricks.
Dolomite Bricks

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127
Bauxite which consists of 50% of 50% or more of alumina and iron and silica as
impurities of calcined and crushed to a fine powder. It is then mixed with 15 to 30% of
fire clay and with water and then moulded. Although properly burnt, bauxite bricks are
highly refractory they have not come into general use because of high shrinkage and
high temperature.
Bauxite Bricks

Various types of Neutral Bricks:
Chrome Bricks
Chrome-magnesite bricks
Spinel
Forsterite Bricks
Neutral Bricks
128

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129
These contains 30 to 40% of chrome oxide, the remainder being mainly oxide of
magnesium, aluminum and silicon. They possess great resistance to corrosive
actions of slags and gases. They are less refractory and weaker magnesia bricks.
Chrome Bricks

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130
These are made from a mixture of chrome ore and magnesite with a predominating
percentage of chrome ore. These bricks possess good mechanical properties.
Chrome-magnesite Bricks

-----
131
Is a special refractory produced in an electric furnace consisting of magnesia and
alumina.
Spinel

-----
132
These are made from mineral forsterite (2MgO SiO2). They have less shrinkage and
possess good mechanical properties at high temperature.
Forsterite Bricks

Clay products that
resemble bricks, but
thinner, are called tiles.
Building Tiles
133

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Roofing Tiles
01 Flooring Tiles Wall Tiles
02 03
Building tiles are principally of three types depending upon their use:
134

-----
135
Roof tiles are designed mainly to keep out rain, and are traditionally made from
locally available materials such as terracotta or slate. Modern materials such
as concrete and plastic are also used and some clay tiles have a waterproof glaze.
Roofing Tiles

136 20x20cm
20x10cm
15x15cm
Thickness 15mm or 20mm
Tolerance of length and width +5cm
and for thickness +2cm

-----
142
A tile, made from any material, designed to be laid as flooring.
15x15x1.5cm
15x15x2.0cm
20x20x2.0cm
25x25x3.0cm
25x20x2.5cm
Tolerance limit is the same as roofing tiles.
Flooring Tiles

-----
151
Flooring , roofing, terracing are made from good clay or even texture and should be
well burnt. This should be uniform in size and shape and should be free irregularities
such as twists, bends, crack, flaws ,etc.
General Quality

-----
152
Warpage should not exceed 2% along the edges and 1.5 along the diagonal in case
of flooring tiles. In case of terracing tiles maximum warpage should not exceed in any
direction by 1%.
Warpage Test

-----
153
Take six tiles and dry this in an oven at a temperature 100°C to 110°C till they attain
the constant weight and then cool. Weight this is immerses the dry specimen
completely in clean water at 24°C to 30°C for 24hours . Remove each specimen wipe
of the surface water carefully with a damp cloth and weigh the specimen current to a
gram within 3 min. after removing the specimen for water.
Water absorption test for flooring, roofing and
terracing tiles

-----
154
Water absorption test for flooring, roofing and
terracing tiles
W= Percent of water absorption
M2= weigh of the specimen after
24hours immersion in cold water
M1= weigh of the dry specimen

155
These are semi-cylindrical in shape whose one end is
broader than the other . It is 300mm long , having
106mm and 99mm diameters at the ends and 10mm
thick. This tiles maybe use as a sole covering to a roof.
Pot tiles

156
They have 3-4 corrugations. This tiles are handsome in
appearance but these are easily strip off by violent
wind. However this tiles can be laid as low a pitch as
25 degrees.
Corrugated tiles

157
Are used upon roofs or a tiles hanging. These are
either a rectangle or cut to various patterns to suit the
requirements . The dimensions of such tiles are
260mm x 160mm x 15mm. These tiles have slight
projection of top under edge called nibs , so as to hang
over the lath.
Plain tiles

158
Are required to cover the ridge of a stopped roof. The
lengths of those tiles vary from 450mm to 500mm.
These tiles have overlapping arrangements.
Ridge tiles

159
These tiles maybe plain and white or colored and
decorative. These are chiefly used in walling and
sometimes in flooring to serve a specific function.
Porcelain or Glazed Tiles

160
Are usually segmented tiles required for construction of
drains. The manufacture of these tiles is abandon
because it is rarely used.
Drain tiles

161
It is used for wall surfaces with a view to bring good
appearance. The used of these tiles is restricted to
auditoriums, cinema, theatres and public halls.
Glass tiles

Pottery made of clay fired
to a porous state that can
be made impervious to
liquids by the use of a
glaze. Ceramic ware
made of slightly porous
opaque clay fired at low
heat.
Earthenware
162

Types of
Earthenware's
Glaze Earthenware Tiles
Terracotta
Stoneware
163

164
The glaze as uniform in quality and is either glossy or matt.
Glaze earthenware

165
Glaze earthenware

166
Glaze earthenware

167
Is a clay-like earthenware ceramic that can be either glazed or unglazed.
Terracotta

168
Is a clay-like earthenware ceramic that can be either glazed or unglazed.
Terracotta

169
A type of pottery that is impermeable and partly vitrified but opaque.
Stoneware

170
Stoneware

171
Stoneware

Bricks: A Concise Guide

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