Bricks

What factors should I consider to decide which type of brick should I use in my construction?

Things which must be taken into consideration while choosing bricks are:

• • Size: Bricks must be uniform in size with sharp edges and angles
• • Shape: Bricks must be smooth & uniform in shape. Evenly sized rectangular shaped bricks ensure a neat work.

2nd Class Table Mould Brick having strength of 75 Kgs/cm2 is recommended to be used for house construction.

Why red clay bricks are commonly used bricks in house construction?

The various benefits of using bricks in house construction are enumerated below:

• • Bricks can absorb impressively high loads before crumbling. This property is known as “compressive strength”. Historically, when columns and other modern load bearing elements did not exist, bricks were used to carry most of a structure’s weight
• • Bricks can release and absorb moisture. This property is known as “porosity” and is one of the most useful properties of a brick. Porosity helps in regulating temperature and humidity inside structures. This way bricks can produce significant energy savings, more than 30% of energy saving
• • Provide maximum protection from fire: A properly prepared brick structure can withstand fire for close to 6 hours. Bricks offer you the maximum protection in case of a fire

What are the different sizes of brick?

Bricks come in a standard size of 9”X4.5”X3”.

How can I estimate how much to order?

Requirement of Brick in numbers, to construct a Brick wall: (Size of Brick is 9”X4.5”X3” / 230mmX115mmX75mm) is based on the measurement of the wall.

E.g. for a single wall of dimensions as 10 feet X 9 feet (length X height), in order to construct a 9” wide wall we would need ~1010 bricks. (Including wastage of 5%)

For a partition wall of dimensions 10 feet X 9 feet (length X height) and a width of 4.5” close to 505 brick will be required taking 5% damages into consideration.

Are there any thumb rules for purchasing bricks?

Brick is an important raw material used to build walls. The following points must be taken into consideration while purchasing bricks:

• • Supply of the same must be taken during the day time in the presence of you or person deputed by you for this job.
• • Counting of bricks is of utmost importance. Acknowledgement of the same must only be given after counting them
• • Checking of the size and shape. They should be uniform in size with sharp edges and angles. The bricks must be smooth and rectangular in shape. This is because the accurate size and shape of the bricks ensures a neat work.
• • The bricks should not have any cracks or chips. They must be free from large particles of limestone and lumps of any other organic matter.
• • Strength must be checked by striking two bricks against each other. Good quality bricks are hard and well burned. A hard ringing sound ensures that the bricks are strong enough for any ordinary work. Remember that a dull sound ascertains that the brick is soft or shaky.
• • Absorption rate must be checked: Weighing the brick before and after immersing it in water for 24 hours, helps you to know the absorption rate. The average water absorption should not be more than 20% of the brick’s own dry weight. Good quality bricks absorb not more than 5% and hence are best suitable for foundation and outside walls.
• • Hardness must be checked: When a scratch is made on brick surface with a finger nail, it should not leave any impression on the surface. This indicates that the brick is hard enough. The brick should not break when dropped from a height of 1m. When you drop a light-weight and a heavy brick from the same height, the heavier one is found to break more easily. So light-weight bricks are mostly preferred.
• • The sizes of the brick delivered must be checked at random to ensure they are of the specified size. A variation of ± 5mm is acceptable.

What are the things which must be undertaken during construction using bricks?

Things to take into consideration during construction are:

• • Brick soaking: Before a brick is placed for masonry work, it needs to be thoroughly soaked in water, as a dry and porous brick will immediately consume away the water from the mortar. It is however exactly this water which is required for ensuring the proper hardening and controlled setting of the cement.
• • Maximum brick wall height per day: The maximum brick wall height per day should not exceed more than 12 to 14 layers. Every new layer of bricks that is laid is accompanied by a 100mm layer of mortar. The same needs time for binding. Laying over 12 to 14 layer per day will lead to cracks in brock under this heavy load. These cracks usually cannot be seen; still they are there and will reduce the total strength of the masonry wall.
• • Curing: This refers to spraying water on a brick wall. A brick wall needs to be cured for at least 7 days. Several times a day, water needs to be sprayed over the brick wall.

How are the bricks delivered?

Bricks are always supplied in numbers. This will be transported in a vehicle with a carrying capacity ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 of table mould brick.