BRICKS

Brick is an artificial building material

prepared by moulding clay/earth in
rectangular blocks of uniform size, then
by drying and burning these blocks.
Composition of brick earth
Brick earth contains following oxides:
✔Silica
✔Alumina
✔Lime
✔Iron
✔Magnesia

Structures like Ravenshaw College and High Court of Orissa made with bricks standing
 Contributions of oxides of brick earth
Silica Lime
⚫ A good brick earth should contain 50-60% ⚫ A good brick earth should contain a small
of silica quantity of lime in finely powdered form not in
⚫ Silica imparts uniform shape to the bricks. lump form.
⚫ Its presence prevents cracking, shrinking ⚫ Lime prevents shrinkage of the bricks.
and warping during drying and burning ⚫ Excess of lime causes the bricks to melt and
⚫ Excess presence of silica destroys the hence the shape is lost.
cohesion between particles and makes the
bricks brittle. Oxides of iron
⚫ Durability of bricks depends on proper ⚫ A good brick earth should contain about 5-6%
proportion of silica. of iron oxide
Alumina ⚫ It helps lime to fuse the sand.
⚫ A good brick earth should contain 20-30% ⚫ It imparts red colour to bricks
of alumina
⚫ Excess of iron oxide makes the brick dark blue
⚫ Alumina imparts plasticity to earth, so that
or bluish and less of iron oxide makes it
it can be moulded easily.
yellowish.
⚫ Excess presence of alumina makes the
Magnesia
bricks shrink and warp during drying and
burning. ⚫ A small quantity of magnesia imparts yellow
tints to bricks and decreases shrinkage.
⚫ Excess of magnesia leads to decay the bricks.
 QUALITIES OF GOOD BRICKS
⚫ Strength: Should not break when dropped flat on
• Colour: Should be copper coloured.
hard ground from one meter height
• Shape and size: Should be uniform in ⚫ Sound insulation: Should be sound proof. Light
shape and standard in size weight and hollow bricks provide good sound
• Sound: Should give ringing sound insulation. The strength and sound insulation
when struck with each other properties are inversely proportional to each
• Structure: When broken should show other.
⚫ Thermal conductivity: Should have low thermal
homogenous and compact structure
conductivity, so that the structure will be cool in
• Water absorption: Bricks of class I, II summer and warm in winter.
and III should not absorb more than ⚫ Fire resistance: Good bricks are fire resistant.
20, 22 and 25% of water respectively ⚫ Efflorescence: Bricks should not show white
when soaked for 24 hrs in cold water. patches when soaked in water for 24 hours. White
• Hardness: Should be hard enough so patches indicate presence of sulphates of calcium,
as to not receive any mark on magnesium, sodium and potassium. They keep
application of finger nail the masonry permanently damp.
 TESTS OF BRICKS
Testing of bricks: ⚫ Sound: This test is done on
⚫ Field tests observation by striking two bricks
⚫ Laboratory tests against each other. The produced sound
should not be dull and it should give
⚫ Field tests: metallic sound.
⚫ Uniformity in size: This test is done on visual ⚫ Hardness: This test is done on
screening and observation. A good brick observation by scratching the bricks
should have plane surface, sharp and right with nail. No nail impression is found
angled edges. Size shoud be uniform. on a good quality brick.
⚫ Uniformity in colour: This test is done on
⚫ Strength: This test is done on
visual screening and observation. A good brick
observation by allowing the brick to fall
should have uniform colour.
⚫ Structure: This test is done on observation by
on hard surface from a height of 1
meter. A good brick does not break.
breaking some bricks. The brick should have
compact and homogeneous structure.
 Laboratory tests
Compressive strength test: Water absorption test:
⚫ Five bricks are randomly selected, dimensions are ⚫ Five bricks are randomly selected and oven dried at
checked up to 1mm accuracy and immersed in water a temperature of 110-115℃ till they attain a constant
of 25-29℃ for 24h weight. This condition happens normally at 48h.
⚫ Then the frog of the bricks are flush filled with ⚫ Then the samples are cooled at room temperature
cement mortar of proportion (1:3) which generally done within 4-6h without fan and in
⚫ Then it is stored in a damp jute bag for 24h 2-3h with a fan.
⚫ Following this the brick is immersed in water for ⚫ Then initial weights (W1) of sample are taken and
24h recorded.
⚫ Then the samples are taken out and wiped of ⚫ Then they are kept immersed in water for 24h after

⚫ The bricks are then tested with a compression test which these are taken out, wiped with cloth and
machine using two ply boards, one at bottom and the weights (W2) are measured.
other at top of the sample. The ply board is provided ⚫ The percentage of water absorption is calculated
to distribute the load properly. using the formula:
⚫ The load is applied @ of 140 kg/cm2 per minute till
failure
⚫ An average of five samples is taken as the ⚫ The average of five tests is reported as the result of
compressive strength of brick. the test.
 Laboratory tests
Efflorescence test: ⚫ Then the brick is examined after second evaporation
⚫ Five bricks are randomly selected for test and reported as follows:
and the test is conducted in a well ventilated a) Nil: when there is no deposit of salt
room at 18-30℃. b) Slight: when 10% area of brick is covered with
⚫ The brick is placed in a dish of salt
300mmx200mm and the brick is immersed c) Moderate: When salt deposit is up to 50% of the
25mm in stilled water. area of brick accompanied by powdering of the
⚫ Then the whole water is allowed to be surface
absorbed by the brick and evaporated d) Heavy: when there is heavy deposit covering
through the brick. more than 50% of the area of brick accompanied
⚫ After evaporation when the bricks appear by powdering of the surface
dry, then the process is repeated by placing e) Serious: when there is heavy deposit
same quantity of water allowing to evaporate accompanied by powdering of the surface and this
as before. deposition tends to increase in the repeated
wetting of the specimen
f) Bricks for general construction should have
efflorescence slight-to-moderate.
 Dimensional tolerance test
Dimensional tolerance test:
⚫Twenty bricks are selected randomly to
check the dimensions like length, breadth
and height
⚫A lot of ten bricks are taken to check the
dimensions
⚫Variation in dimensions ± 3% for Class I
bricks and ±8% for other bricks
 Classification of bricks
According to physical According to IS
requirement : classification:
⚫ Class-I
Class Compressive Additional
⚫ Class-II designatio strength requirements
n (Not less
⚫ Class-III than)
10 10 N/mm2 Ringing sound, sharp
Parameters Class-I Class-II Class-III
edges, smooth surface
and dimensional
General Uniform colour, Uniform colour, Slightly under tolerance ± 3%
requirements well burnt, sharp slightly over burnt or over
and rectangular burnt, slight burnt, round 7.5 7.5 N/mm2 Slight distortion and
faces, compact round edges, edges, defects dimensional tolerance ±
structure compact in uniformity 8%
structure and shapes.
Water Not more than Not more than Not more than 5.0 5 N/mm2 Slight distortion and
absorption 20% 22% 25%
dimensional tolerance ±
8%
Efflorescence Slight Slight Moderate
3.5 3.5 N/mm2 Slight distortion and
dimensional tolerance ±
8%
 Size of bricks

The size of the bricks are according to Indian Standard (IS)

1. Standard size of brick
⚫190 mm × 90 mm × 90 mm
2. Nominal size of Modular brick with mortar joints, are
taken as
⚫200 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm.
3. Traditional brick
⚫230mm x 114mm x 76mm
Cellular Lightweight Concrete (CLC) and Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (ACC)Blocks
❖ AAC blocks stand for Autoclaved Aerated
⚫ CLC Blocks (Cellular Light Weight
Concrete.
Concrete Blocks) are made of Cellular
❖ AAC blocks are manufactured by blending
Light weight concrete (CLC) or Foam
Concrete. Cellular Light Weight Concrete compounds like fly-ash, gypsum, lime, cement,
(CLC) is a light weight concrete that is aluminium powder, and water.
produced by mixing cement and flyash ❖ Also, it carries almost 50% to 60% of air voids.
slurry with pre-formed foam. ❖ It is a lightweight, durable, and high-insulating
⚫ These CLC blocks are competitive with red building product.
clay bricks in pricing and offer significant ❖ Moreover, AAC blocks enhance the quality of a
savings for finished structures. building and at the same time reduce the cost of
construction.
 Comparison between AAC blocks & CLC blocks

S/No Parameter ACC blocks CLC Blocks

Fly-ash, Gypsum, Lime, Cement, Aluminium A slurry of cement, Fly-ash, Water, and pre-
1 Raw Materials
powder, and Water. formed stable foam.
2 Size 400-600mm X 200mm X 150mm – 300mm 400-600 x 200 x 100/150/200 mm
Pollution-free but no primary energy
3 Eco-friendly Pollution-free and high energy consumption
consumption
4 Finishing Excellent Not linear
Factory setup cost is low.
Factory setup cost is high.
5 Availability Production may take time if steam curing is not
Fewer factories = less availability
used.
Need to protect from humidity otherwise will
6 Aging get damaged. With time gains strength

Factory-made product, so the quality of end The quality of the end product depends on the
7 Quality of end product
product is consistent and good. foam used and the degree of quality control.
8 Cost-effective AAC blocks are expensive. CLC blocks are cheaper than AAC blocks.
Compressive
9 7 N/mm2 (Out of 1000kg/m3 dried density) 3.5 N/mm2 (Out of 1000kg/m3 dried density)
Strength (N/mm2)
10 Water absorption (%) 30% (Out of 1000kg/m3 dried density) 12.5% (Out of 1000kg/m3 dried density)
 STONES
Structures made of stones standing since thousands of years
 STONES

Stones are obtained from rocks. When the rock

is cut to the required sizes or broken to pieces
is called stone. Similarly when the stone is
further broken to the required sizes are called
aggregates.

CLASSIFICATION OF ROCKS

Rock

Geological Physical Chemical

classification classification classificatio

Sedimentary stratified Unstratified

Igneous rock Metamorphic rock Foliated Silicious Agrillaceous Calcareous
rock rock rock
Geological classification

Igneous rock:
⚫ The rock which is formed due to the cooling of magma is
known as igneous rock. Magma is a molten pasty material with
the temperature that comes from the earth's core to the earth's
surface through the cracks.
Sedimentary rocks
⚫ Rocks formed due to the deposition of weathering materials on
pre-existing rock surfaces. These weathering deposits are
carried away from the place of origin due to the action of
transport agents such as frost, rain, wind, etc.
Metamorphic rocks
⚫ Rocks formed due to change in characteristics of pre-existing
rock like igneous and sedimentary rocks under heat and
pressure. The process is known as metamorphism.
 Physical classification
Stratified rocks:
⚫ These contain planes of stratification that can be split up along
these planes.
⚫ Sedimentary rocks are examples of such types of rocks.
Unstratified rocks:
⚫ These do not contain planes of stratification.
⚫ The structure of such rock is crystalline granular or compact
granular.
⚫ Igneous rock of volcanic agents and sedimentary rock affected by
the movement of the earth are examples of such types of rocks.
Foliated rocks
⚫ These rocks tend to split in a definite direction only.
⚫ Metamorphic rocks are examples of such types of rocks.
Chemical classification
Siliceous rocks:
⚫ These contain silica as the major constituent.
⚫ The rocks are hard and durable
⚫ Not easily affected by the weathering agencies
⚫ Granite, quartzite rocks are examples of such types of rocks.
Argillaceous rock:
⚫ These contain clay major constituent.
⚫ These rocks may be dense, compact, or soft.
⚫ Slates, laterites, etc. are examples of such types of rocks.
Calcareous rock
⚫ These contain calcium carbonate as the major constituent.
⚫ The durability of these rocks depends on the surrounding
atmosphere.
⚫ Limestones, marbles, etc. are examples of such types of rocks.
 Uses of stones

1. Structure:
⚫ Foundations
⚫ Walls
⚫ Columns
⚫ Lintels
⚫ Arches
2. Face-work:
⚫ In this type of work, stones of desired shades are used
as cladding or face stone over the brick walls.
3. Paving:
⚫ In this type of work, stones are used to cover
⚫ Floors
⚫ Footpaths
⚫ Roads
⚫ Garage space
⚫ Parking space
 Uses of stones
4. Basic materials: In this type of use stones are
converted to different sizes of basic materials like
⚫ Aggregates of concrete
⚫ Metal of water bound macadam road
⚫ Artificial stones
⚫ Cement
⚫ Hollow blocks
5. Miscellaneous:
⚫ Ballast for railways
⚫ Flux in blast furnaces
⚫ Blocks in construction of bridge piers, abutments
and retaining walls
⚫ Blocks of lighthouses
⚫ Blocks of dams
TILES
 TILES
❖Tiles in are thin plates or elements used to ❖ After the shaping, they are allowed to
cover surfaces like roofs floors, and walls. dry. These dried elements are subjected
❖Tiles in the present scenario are a primary
to fire.
element in bringing building interior as well as
❖ This stage of firing is to ensure that
exterior finishing and beauty.
❖They are mainly made up of clay material or they gain the required properties, that
any form of inorganic raw material. they are meant to acquire when they
❖Nowadays tiles are also manufactured from are in the market and in the building
recycled materials, making the element eco- application.
friendlier. ❖ Different types of tiles used in building
❖The shape of the tiles is obtained by the construction are available in glazed or
different processes like extrusion or pressing at unglazed form. They are incombustible
room temperature or any other method. in its nature.
❖ Tiles are unaffected under the light.
 Types of Tiles based on Application
1) Roofing tiles,
2) Flooring tiles,
3) Wall tiles
4) Partition tiles
⚫The roofing tiles are earthenware that is baked
products. Its manufacture is similar to that of
brick.
⚫The wall tiles are employed in the interior as well
as the exterior of the building. This is mainly
employed based on the requirement of decoration
or aesthetics. These belong to the class of
ceramics and are called as white wares.
 Types of Tiles based on Application cntd…

⚫Floor tiles are too designed to bring

the beauty of flooring and movement.
But it is subjected to higher load,
pressure and other undesirable
material action. So, these tiles are
made more durable, abrasion resistant,
water impervious and easy clean form.
⚫Partition tiles are used for making
various types of partitions. These are
prepared in pieces and jointed for
making temporary walls.
 Type of Tiles based on Materials and Manufacture
Based on material and manufacture, following are
Types of unglazed and
the types of tiles used in building construction:
❖ Ceramic tiles or non-porcelain tiles, and
glazed forms of ceramic
❖ Porcelain tiles.
tiles:
Ceramic Tiles ⚫Earthenware tiles
⚫ Ceramic tiles are used for the interior ⚫Terracotta and faience
floors, swimming pools, exterior floors, walls ⚫Fully vitrified tiles
and for special installation both in interior and
exterior cases. ⚫Glazed tiles
⚫ Most types of tiles come under the category of ⚫Stoneware Tile
ceramic tiles.
⚫ They are made from a mixture of clay and other
materials.
⚫ They are fired in a kiln
 Glazed and Vitrified Ceramic Tiles
⚫ The earthenware tiles are made of clay while
⚫ Glazed and vitrified tiles ceramic are
the stoneware tiles have a large quantity of silica
that is present in the form of sand, crushed developed presently. The glazed tiles were
stoneware etc. only used for walls, at initial stages. Glazed
⚫ Silica in the stoneware tiles are added to prevent the ceramic tiles are mainly manufactured by
shrinkage when the fixing process is carried out. two processes.
⚫ Terracotta tiles are manufactured by the use of Step 1: With the help of special white clay
high-grade fired clay. that is fired at a temperature of 1200 degree
⚫ When the firing is done twice unlike the case of Celsius, the body of the tiles are made.
terracotta tiles, we obtain the faience. Faience These final elements are called biscuits.
initially is subjected to fire, that is initially terracotta. Step 2: The biscuits are accompanied by
After glazing the terracotta tiles, it is again fired. This glazing and decorations if any, and are fired
will finally give Faience. The Faience is available in in the oven.
large variety of color change. The glazes in ceramic tiles can be of two
types:
⚫ Earthenware glazes, and
⚫ Colored enamels.
The colored enamels are also of different
types.
⚫ Bright or glossy surface
⚫ Eggshell, vellum finishes
⚫ Matt finishes
 PAVER BLOCKS

There are two types of paver blocks:

1. Concrete Paving Block
⚫Paver block or Paving block is one ⚫ Concrete blocks are mass manufactured to
of the most popular flexible standard sizes.
surface treatment options for ⚫ Hence, they can be easily interchanged. A typical
concrete block has two surfaces - one is smooth,
exterior pavement applications. and the other is a rough surface.
⚫These blocks are aesthetically ⚫ The concrete paving blocks are most suitable for
pleasing, comfortable to walk on, heavy-duty applications, able to support
extremely durable, and easy to substantial loads and resist shearing and braking
forces.
maintain. 2. Clay Paving Blocks
⚫ Clay paving blocks are also called bricks or
cobbles.
⚫ These blocks are generally available as typical,
rectangular brick-shaped.
⚫ Unlike the concrete paving blocks, either side of
clay paving blocks can be used. So both sides
are interchangeable.
⚫ These blocks are mostly used for walls or pillars.
 Shapes and Classification of Paver Blocks

⚫ There are four generic shapes of paver blocks

corresponding to the four types of blocks:
⚫ Type A: Paver blocks with plain vertical faces, which
do not interlock into each other when paved in any
pattern,
⚫ Type B: Paver blocks with alternating plain and
curved/corrugated vertical faces, which lock into each
other along the curve/corrugated faces, when paved in
any pattern,
⚫ Type C: Paver blocks having all faces curved or
corrugated, which lock into each other along with all
the vertical faces when paved in any pattern and
⚫ Type D: 'L' and 'X' shaped paver blocks that have all
faces curved or corrugated and which lock into each
other along with all the vertical faces when paved in
any pattern.
 Advantages and Uses of Paver Blocks
Advantages ⚫ With all these advantages, paver blocks are
⚫ Paver blocks do not need special maintenance as the most sort after solution for exterior
compared to concrete or asphalt surfaces. pavement or driveways.
⚫ Paver blocks are very durable, and if they are ⚫ These paver blocks not only make the
adequately interlocked, they can easily last for exterior pathways look clean and neat but are
about 20 years. also safe for walking on.
⚫ Paver blocks are available in different shapes and
⚫ Paver blocks are a definite solution for a low
colors, making it very versatile.
maintenance pathway.
⚫ Paver blocks are slip-resistant and skid resistant.
⚫ Paver blocks can be used in any weather
conditions.
⚫ These paver blocks are very easy to install and do
not need any special equipment for its installation.
⚫ The most important advantage of paver blocks is
that they can be easily replaced.
Thank you