BRICKS –FIELD TESTS
The bricks are one of the building blocks that has found space in the construction of the structure. As we all know that bricks are used to construct walls, flooring, soling, septic tank, use as a foundation in the olden days for the load-bearing walls. So, it has lots of uses and hence before using these bricks we should know some qualities and checking of good quality of bricks is a must. So, here I brought you the following a few important pieces of information for you. Hope it will be useful to you:
Basic tests for Bricks:
1. Compressive Strength
2. Water Absorption
3. Efflorescence
1. Compressive Strength:-
It cannot be determined exactly at field without a compression testing machine.
However, it should not break when dropped from 1 M height on hard ground. Further when two bricks are struck with each other lightly or when struck with our finger, a clear ringing sound should be produced.
The maximum Compressive strength for a common burnt clay brick is 35 Kg/ Sq.cm ( 3.5 N/Sq.mm)
2. Water Absorption*
Brick when soaked in cold water for 24 hours, should not Absorb more than 20% by the weight of normal bricks.
3. Efflorescence*
This is due to the presence of soluble salts ( such as sulphates of sodium and Potassium )
About 3 Nos. of bricks are placed in a tray of water about 25 mm depth (end side of the bricks inside the water ) in a well-ventilated room and they are allowed to absorb the water completely.
When the bricks appeared to be dry, they are examined for efflorescence marks and interpreted as given below;
1) When there is no perceptible deposit efflorescence - NIL
2) 10% exposed area of the bricks covered with a thin deposit - Slight
3) Up to 50% covered by deposit but unaccompanied by powdering or flaking of the surface - Moderate
4) 50% covered by deposit but unaccompanied by the powdering or flaking of the surface - Heavy
5) Heavy deposit of salts accompanied by powdering and/or flaking of the surface -Serious
The bricks are one of the building blocks that has found space in the construction of the structure. As we all know that bricks are used to construct walls, flooring, soling, septic tank, use as a foundation in the olden days for the load-bearing walls. So, it has lots of uses and hence before using these bricks we should know some qualities and checking of good quality of bricks is a must. So, here I brought you the following a few important pieces of information for you. Hope it will be useful to you:
Basic tests for Bricks:
1. Compressive Strength
2. Water Absorption
3. Efflorescence
1. Compressive Strength:-
It cannot be determined exactly at field without a compression testing machine.
However, it should not break when dropped from 1 M height on hard ground. Further when two bricks are struck with each other lightly or when struck with our finger, a clear ringing sound should be produced.
The maximum Compressive strength for a common burnt clay brick is 35 Kg/ Sq.cm ( 3.5 N/Sq.mm)
2. Water Absorption*
Brick when soaked in cold water for 24 hours, should not Absorb more than 20% by the weight of normal bricks.
3. Efflorescence*
This is due to the presence of soluble salts ( such as sulphates of sodium and Potassium )
About 3 Nos. of bricks are placed in a tray of water about 25 mm depth (end side of the bricks inside the water ) in a well-ventilated room and they are allowed to absorb the water completely.
When the bricks appeared to be dry, they are examined for efflorescence marks and interpreted as given below;
1) When there is no perceptible deposit efflorescence - NIL
2) 10% exposed area of the bricks covered with a thin deposit - Slight
3) Up to 50% covered by deposit but unaccompanied by powdering or flaking of the surface - Moderate
4) 50% covered by deposit but unaccompanied by the powdering or flaking of the surface - Heavy
5) Heavy deposit of salts accompanied by powdering and/or flaking of the surface -Serious
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