Brick (building material) full information

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Abstract
Brick is one of the oldest and basic materials in construction that use for wall and
facing and many other things in construction. And because of the importance of
brick we decide to write a report about brick and our goal in this report is to
introduce a brick and the history of brick, how many types we have, use of brick
and brick’s properties that make brick be better than other materials in
construction. Of course like any other materials brick have some weak properties
and our group search for some solution for this weakness or disadvantage of this
materials.

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Contents
1.Introduction ………………………………………………………………………......... (4)
2.History of brick ……………………………………………………………………………. (5)
2.1 Middle East and South Asia …………………………………………………(5)
2.2 China …………………………………………………………………………..(5)
2.3 Europe …………………………………………………………………………(6)
2.4 Industrial era ………………………………………………………………….(7)
3. Types ……………………………………………………………………………………… (9)
3.1 Classification by manufacture method ……………………………………..(9)
3.2 Classification of Bricks Based on Quality…………………………………..(9)
3.2.1 First Class Brick
3.2.2 Second Class Brick
3.2.3 Third Class Brick
3.3 Classification of Bricks Based on Building Process……………………(11)
3.3.1 Unburnt Bricks
Figure1: Unburnt brick ………………………………………………….(11)
3.3.2 Burnt Bricks
Figure2: Burnt brick…………………………………………………….(11)
3.3.3 Over Burnt or Jhama Brick
3.4 Classification of Bricks Based on Raw Materials……………………….(12)
3.4.1 Burnt Clay Brick
3.4.2 Fly Ash Clay Brick
3.4.3 Concrete Brick
3.4.4 Sand-Lime Brick
3.4.5 Firebrick
3.5 Classification of Bricks Based on Using Location ……………………..(13)
3.5.1 Facing Brick
3.5.2 Backing Brick
3.6 Classification of Bricks Based on Weather-resisting Capability ……..(14)
3.6.1 Severe weather Grade
3.6.2 Moderate Weather Grade
3.6.3 No Weather Grade
3.7 Classification of Bricks Based on Their Using ……………………….(14)
3.7.1 Common Brick
3.7.2 Engineering Brick
3.8 Classification of Bricks Based on Shape……………………………..(15)
3.9 Classification of Bricks Based on Region…………………………….(16)

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4. Composition of Bricks…………………………………………………………………….(17)
Table 1 ingredient percentage in Brick …………………………………(17)
5. Bricks Test ………………………………………………………………………………. (20)
5.1 Absorption ……………………………………………………………….(20)
5.2 Compressive/Crushing strength of Bricks …………………………….(20)
Figure3 compressive strength test …………………………………(21)
5.3 Hardness test on bricks …………………………………………………(21)
5.4 Presence of soluble salts ……………………………………………….(21)
5.5 Shape and size ………………………………………………………….(22)
5.6 Soundness test on brick ………………………………………………..(22)
Table 2 Physical Requirements for Clay Building Bricks (ASTM C62)….(22)
6. Use of Bricks…………………………………………………………………………….. (23)
Figure 5 building brick ……………………………………………...(23)
Figure 6 Facing brick ………………………………………………..(23)
Figure 7 Floor brick.. …………………………………………………(24)
Figure 8 paving brick …………………………………………………(24)
7. Advantages of clay bricks……………………………………………………………… (25)
7.1 Durability ……………………………………………………………….(25)
7.2 Aesthetics ……………………………………………………………...(25)
7.3 Maintenance ……………………………………………………………(25)
7.4 Insulation………………………………………………………………...(25)
7.5 Environmental Impact ………………………………………………….(26)
7.6 blocks disadvantage (bricks advantage) …………………………….(27)
8. Disadvantages of Bricks………………………………………………………………… (28)
Figure 9 block and brick size ………………………………………(28)
9.conclusion …………….………………………………………………………………….. (30)
10. Reference …………………………………………………………………………….. (31)

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1.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,
but it is now used to denote any rectangular units laid in mortar. A brick can be
composed of clay-bearing soil, sand, and lime, or concrete materials. Bricks are
produced in numerous classes, types, materials, and sizes which vary with region and
time period, and are produced in bulk quantities. Two basic categories of bricks are fired
and non-fired bricks.
Block is a similar term referring to a rectangular building unit composed of similar
materials, but is usually larger than a brick. Lightweight bricks (also called lightweight
blocks) are made from expanded clay aggregate.
Fired bricks are one of the longest-lasting and strongest building materials, sometimes
referred to as artificial stone, and have been used since circa 4000 BC. Air-dried bricks,
also known as mudbricks, have a history older than fired bricks, and have an additional
ingredient of a mechanical binder such as straw.
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.

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2.History of brick1
2.1 Middle East and South Asia
The earliest bricks were dried brick, meaning that they were formed from clay-bearing
earth or mud and dried (usually in the sun) until they were strong enough for use. The
oldest discovered bricks, originally made from shaped mud and dating before 7500 BC,
were found at Tell Aswad, in the upper Tigris region and in southeast Anatolia close to
Diyarbakir.The South Asian inhabitants of Mehrgarh also constructed, and lived in,
airdried mudbrick houses between 7000–3300 BC. Other more recent findings, dated
between 7,000 and 6,395 BC, come from Jericho, Catal Hüyük, the ancient Egyptian
fortress of Buhen, and the ancient Indus Valley cities of Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, and
Mehrgarh. Ceramic, or fired brick was used as early as 3000 BC in early Indus Valley
cities like Kalibangan.
2.2 China
The earliest fired bricks appeared in Neolithic China around 4400 BC at Chengtoushan,
a walled settlement of the Daxi culture. These bricks were made of red clay, fired on all
sides to above 600 °C, and used as flooring for houses. By the Qujialing period (3300
BC), fired bricks were being used to pave roads and as building foundations at
Chengtoushan.
Bricks continued to be used during 2nd millennium BC at a site near Xi'an. Fired bricks
were found in Western Zhou (1046–771 BC) ruins, where they were produced on a
large scale. The carpenter's manual Yingzao Fashi, published in 1103 at the time of the
Song dynasty described the brick making process and glazing techniques then in use.
1
History reference : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brick#History

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Using the 17th-century encyclopaedic text Tiangong Kaiwu, historian Timothy Brook
outlined the brick production process of Ming Dynasty China:
"...the kilnmaster had to make sure that the temperature inside the kiln stayed at a level
that caused the clay to shimmer with the colour of molten gold or silver. He also had to
know when to quench the kiln with water so as to produce the surface glaze. To
anonymous labourers fell the less skilled stages of brick production: mixing clay and
water, driving oxen over the mixture to trample it into a thick paste, scooping the paste
into standardised wooden frames (to produce a brick roughly 42 cm long, 20 cm wide,
and 10 cm thick), smoothing the surfaces with a wire-strung bow, removing them from
the frames, printing the fronts and backs with stamps that indicated where the bricks
came from and who made them, loading the kilns with fuel (likelier wood than coal),
stacking the bricks in the kiln, removing them to cool while the kilns were still hot, and
bundling them into pallets for transportation. It was hot, filthy work."
2.3 Europe
Early civilisations around the Mediterranean adopted the use of fired bricks, including
the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The Roman legions operated mobile kilns and built
large brick structures throughout the Roman Empire, stamping the bricks with the seal
of the legion.
During the Early Middle Ages the use of bricks in construction became popular in
Northern Europe, after being introduced there from Northern- Western Italy. An
independent style of brick architecture, known as brick Gothic (similar to Gothic
architecture) flourished in places that lacked indigenous sources of rocks. Examples of
this architectural style can be found in modern-day Denmark, Germany, Poland, and
Russia.
This style evolved into Brick Renaissance as the stylistic changes associated with the
Italian Renaissance spread to northern Europe, leading to the adoption of Renaissance
elements into brick building. A clear distinction between the two styles only developed at
the transition to Baroque architecture. In Lübeck, for example, Brick Renaissance is

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clearly recognisable in buildings equipped with terracotta reliefs by the artist Statius von
Düren, who was also active at Schwerin (Schwerin Castle) and Wismar(Fürstenhof).
Long-distance bulk transport of bricks and other construction equipment remained
prohibitively expensive until the development of modern transportation infrastructure,
with the construction of canal, roads, and railways.
2.4 Industrial era
Production of bricks increased massively with the onset of the Industrial Revolution and
the rise in factory building in England. For reasons of speed and economy, bricks were
increasingly preferred as building material to stone, even in areas where the stone was
readily available. It was at this time in London that bright red brick was chosen for
construction to make the buildings more visible in the heavy fog and to help prevent
traffic accidents.
The transition from the traditional method of production known as hand-moulding to a
mechanised form of mass-production slowly took place during the first half of the
nineteenth century. Possibly the first successful brick-making machine was patented by
Henry Clayton, employed at the Atlas Works in Middlesex, England, in 1855, and was
capable of producing up to 25,000 bricks daily with minimal supervision. His mechanical
apparatus soon achieved widespread attention after it was adopted for use by the South
Eastern Railway Company for brick-making at their factory near Folkestone. The
Bradley & Craven Ltd „Stiff-Plastic Brickmaking Machine‟ was patented in 1853,
apparently predating Clayton. Bradley & Craven went on to be a dominant manufacturer
of brickmaking machinery. Predating both Clayton and Bradley & Craven Ltd. however
was the brick making machine patented by Richard A. Ver Valen of Haverstraw, New
York in 1852.
The demand for high office building construction at the turn of the 20th century led to a
much greater use of cast and wrought iron, and later, steel and concrete. The use of
brick for skyscraper construction severely limited the size of the building – the
Monadnock Building, built in 1896 in Chicago, required exceptionally thick walls to
maintain the structural integrity of its 17 storeys. Following pioneering work in the 1950s

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at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the Building Research Establishment
in Watford, UK, the use of improved masonry for the construction of tall structures up to
18 storeys high was made viable. However, the use of brick has largely remained
restricted to small to medium-sized buildings, as steel and concrete remain superior
materials for high-rise construction.

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3.Types2
There are thousands of types of bricks that are named for their use, size, forming
method, origin, quality, texture, and/or materials.
3.1 Classification by manufacture method
 Extruded – It is created by forcing clay and water into a steel die, with a very
regular shape and size, then cutting the resulting column into shorter units with
wires before firing. It is used in constructions with limited budgets. It has three or
four holes constituting up to 25% volume of the brick.
 Moulded – It is shaped in molds by hand rather being in the machine. Molded
bricks between 50-65mm are available instantly.
 Dry-pressed - similar to soft mud method, but starts with a much thicker clay mix
and is compressed with great force.
3.2 Classification of Bricks Based on Quality
3.2.1 First Class of Brick:
The size is standard. The color of these bricks is uniform yellow or red. It is well burnt,
regular texture, uniform shape. The absorption capacity is less than 10%, crushing
strength is, 280kg/cm2
(mean) where it is 245 kg/cm2
(minimum). It doesn‟t have
efflorescence. It emits a metallic sound when struck by another similar brick or struck by
a hammer. It is hard enough to resist any fingernail expression on the brick surface if
one tries to do with a thumbnail. It is free from pebbles, gravels or organic matters. It is
generally used for :
2
Types reference: https://civiltoday.com/

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 in a building of long durability, say 100 years
 for building exposes to a corrosive environment;
 for making coarse aggregates of concrete.
3.2.2 Second Class of Brick:
The size is standard, color is uniform yellow or red. It is well burnt, slightly over burnt is
acceptable. It has regular shape; efflorescence is not appreciable. The absorption
capacity is more than 10% but less than 15%. Crushing strength is 175kg/cm2
(mean)
where the minimum is 154 kg/cm2
. It emits a metallic sound when struck by another
similar brick or struck by a hammer. It is hard enough to resist any fingernail expression
on the brick surface if one tries to do with a thumbnail. It is used for the construction of
one-storied buildings, temporary shed when intended durability is not more than 15
years.
3.2.3 Third Class of Brick:
The shape and size are not regular. The color is soft and light red colored. It is under
burnt, slightly over burnt is acceptable. It has extensive efflorescence. The texture is
non-uniform. The absorption capacity is more than 15% but less than 20%. The
crushing strength is 140kg/cm2
(mean) where the minimum crushing strength is
105kg/cm2
. It emits a dull or blunt sound when struck by another similar brick or struck
by a hammer. It leaves fingernail expression when one tries to do with the thumb

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3.3 Classification of Bricks Based on Building Process
3.3.1 Unburnt Bricks:
These are half burnt bricks. The color is yellow. The strength is low. They are used as
surki in lime terracing. They are used as soiling under RCC footing or basement. Such
bricks should not be exposed to rainwater.
Figure 1 unburnt brick
3.3.2 Burnt Bricks:
Burnt bricks are made by burning them in the kiln. First class, Second Class, Third
Class bricks are burnt bricks.
Figure 2 Burnt brick

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3.3.3 Over Burnt or Jhama Brick:
It is often known as the vitrified brick as it is fired at high temperature and for a longer
period of time than conventional bricks. As a result, the shape is distorted. The
absorption capacity is high. The strength is higher or equivalent to first class bricks. It is
used as lime concrete for the foundation. It is also used as coarse aggregate in the
concrete of slab and beam which will not come in contact with water.
3.4 Classification of Bricks Based on Raw Materials
3.4.1 Burnt Clay Brick:
It is obtained by pressing clay in molds and fried and dried in kilns. It is the most used
bricks. It requires plastering when used in construction works.
3.4.2 Fly ash clay Brick:
It is manufactured when fly ash and clay are molded in 1000 degree Celsius. It contains
a high volume of calcium oxide in fly ash. That is why usually described as self-
cementing. It usually expands when coming into contact with moisture. It is less porous
than clay bricks. It proved smooth surface so it doesn‟t need plastering.
3.4.3 Concrete Brick:
It is made of concrete. It is the least used bricks. It has low compression strength and is
of low quality. These bricks are used above and below the damp proof course. These
bricks are used can be used for facades, fences and internal brickworks because of
their sound reductions and heat resistance qualities. It is also called mortar brick. It can
be of different colors if the pigment is added during manufacturing. It should not be used
below ground.

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3.4.4 Sand-lime Brick:
Sand, fly ash and lime are mixed and molded under pressure. During wet mixing, a
chemical reaction takes place to bond the mixtures. Then they are placed in the molds.
The color is greyish as it offers something of an aesthetic view. It offers a smoother
finish and uniform appearance than the clay bricks. As a result, it also doesn‟t require
plastering. It is used as load bearing members as it is immensely strong.
3.4.5 Firebrick:
It is also known as refractory bricks. It is manufactured from special designed earth.
After burning, it can withstand very high temperature without affecting its shape, size,
and strength. It is used for the lining of chimney and furnaces where the usual
temperature is expected to be very high.
3.5 Classification of Bricks Based on Using Location
3.5.1 Facing Brick:
The façade material of any building is known as facing brick. Facings bricks are
standard in size, are stronger than other bricks and also have better durability. The color
is red or brown shades to provide a more aesthetic look to the building. There are many
types of facing bricks which use different techniques and technology. Facing bricks
should be weather resistant as they are most generally used on the exterior wall of
buildings.
3.5.2 Backing Brick:
These types of brick don‟t have any special features. They are just used behind the
facing bricks to provide support.

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3.6 Classification of Bricks Based on Weather-resisting Capability
3.6.1 Severe Weather Grade:
These types of bricks are used in the countries which are covered in snow most of the
time of year. These bricks are resistant to any kind of freeze-thaw actions.
3.6.2 Moderate Weather Grade:
These types of bricks are used in the tropical countries. They can withstand any high
temperature.
3.6.3 No Weather Grade:
These bricks do not have any weather resisting capabilities and used on the inside
walls.
3.7 Classification of Bricks Based on Their Using
3.7.1 Common Bricks:
These bricks are the most common bricks used. They don‟t have any special features
or requirements. They have low resistance, low quality, low compressive strength. They
are usually used on the interior walls.
3.7.2 Engineering Bricks:
These bricks are known for many reasons. They have a high compressive strength and
low absorption capacity. They are very strong and dense. They have good load bearing
capacity, damp proof, and chemical resistance properties. They have uniform red color.
They are classified as Class A, class B, class C. Class A is the strongest but Class B is
most used. They are used for mainly civil engineering works like sewers, manholes,
ground works, retaining walls, damp proof courses etc.

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3.8 Classification of Bricks Based on Shape
1. Bullnose Brick: These bricks are molded into round angles. They are used for
rounded quoin.
2. Airbricks: These bricks contain holes to circulate air. They are used in
suspended floors and cavity walls.
3. Channel Bricks: They are molded into the shape of a gutter or channel. They
are used in drains.
4. Coping Bricks: They can be half round, chamfered, Saddleback, angled varied
according to the thickness of the wall.
5. Cow Nose Bricks: Bricks having double bullnose known as Cow Nose Bricks.
6. Capping Bricks: These bricks are used to cap the tops of parapets or
freestanding walls.
7. Brick Veneers: These bricks are thin and used for cladding.
8. Curved Sector Bricks: These are curved in shape. They are used in arcs,
pavements etc.
9. Hollow Bricks: These bricks are around one-third of the weight of the normal
bricks. They are also called cellular or cavity bricks. Their thickness is from 20-
25mm. These bricks pave the way to quicker construction as they can be laid
quickly compared to the normal bricks. They are used in partitioning.
10.Paving Bricks: These bricks contain a good amount of iron. Iron vitrifies bricks
at low temperature. They are used in garden park floors, pavements. These
bricks withstand the abrasive action of traffic thus making the floor less slippery.
11.Perforated Bricks: These bricks contain cylindrical holes. They are very light in
weight. Their preparation method is also easy. They consume less clay than the
other bricks. They can be of different shapes like round, square, rectangular.
They are used in the construction of the panels for lightweight, structures, and
multistoried frame structures.
12.Purpose Made Bricks: For specific purposes, these bricks are made. Splay and
can‟t bricks are made for doors and window jambs. Engineering bricks are made
for civil engineering constructions such as sewers, manholes, retaining walls.

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Fire bricks are made for chimneys and fireworks. Ornamental bricks are made to
use for cornices, corbels. Arch bricks are used in arcs.
3.9 Classification of Bricks Based on Region
1. Cream City Bricks: These bricks are from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
2. London Stock: These bricks are used in London.
3. Dutch: These are from the Netherlands.
4. Nanak Shahi Bricks: These are from India.
5. Roman: These are used in Roman constructions,
6. Staffordshire Blue Brick: These are from England.

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4. Composition of Bricks3
Bricks are rectangular units of construction material. Bricks are used in masonry
construction, walls, and pavements. It is used as a substitute of stone, where the stone
is not readily available. Brick chips are often used as coarse aggregate in the concrete
mix.
Percentage of Constituents of Brick (Weight Basis)
There are six major ingredients of brick. The general percentage of these ingredients in
brick is given below:
Table 1 ingredient percentage in brick
Ingredient Percentage in brick
Silica (SiO2) 55%
Alumina (Al2O3) 30%
Iron Oxide (Fe2O3) 8%
Magnesia (MgO) 5%
Lime(CaO) 1%
Organic Matter 1%
3
Composition reference: https://civiltoday.com/

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Chief Ingredients of Brick and Their Functions
Silica (Sand) and Alumina (Clay), these two are the most prominent ingredients in brick
clay. When mixed with water in proper proportions, it gains plasticity. The plastic mass
can be easily molded and dried. It should not go through cracking, shrinkage or
warping.
Alumina
Alumina is the main constituent of clay. It acts as a cementing material in raw brick.
Brick clay is plastic due to the presence of alumina. This plasticity ensures that bricks
can be molded. An excess amount of alumina in clay may cause the bricks to shrink,
warp or crack on drying and burning as any other cementing material.
Silica
Good quality bricks contain 50-60% silica. It is present in both free and combined form.
As frees sand, it remains mechanically mixed with clay. In combined form, it reacts with
alumina to form aluminosilicates. Silica prevents raw bricks from cracking, shrinking and
warping. The higher the proportion of sand, the more and shapely and uniform in texture
will be the brick. Although, excess silica destroys cohesion between the brick clay
particles and makes brick brittle and weak. The durability of bricks largely depends upon
the proper proportion of silica and alumina.
lime
Bricks should contain a little amount of finely powdered lime. It enables silica (of a
required portion) to melt at the furnace temperature of 1650o
C and binds the particles of
brick together resulting in strong and durable bricks. At about 1100o
C, lime acts as a
catalyst to elevate the furnace temperature to 1650o
C at which silica fuses. This slightly
fused silica works as a strong cementing material. Excess lime in brick clay will cause

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vitrification of bricks. It causes bricks to melt, as more than the required amount of silica
will fuse. The bricks then lose their shape and become disfigured.
Iron Oxide
Bricks contain a small quantity of Iron Oxide. Iron Oxide acts a flux like lime, thus helps
silica to fuse at low temperature. It imparts a red color to bricks upon burning. Iron also
increases the durability and impermeability of the bricks.
powder
Magnesia
A small proportion of magnesium decreases shrinkage and gives a yellow tint to the
bricks. An excess amount of it causes bricks to decay.

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5. Bricks Test4
5.1 Absorption :
A brick is taken and it is weighed dry. It is then immersed in water for a period of 16
hours. It is weighed again and the difference in weight indicates the amount of water
absorbed by the brick. It should not in exceed 20 per cent of weight of dry brick.
5.2 Compressive/Crushing strength of Bricks:
The compressive strength of clay bricks is an important mechanical property that
controls their load-carrying capacity and durability. The compressive strength
manufacturing, and the degree of firing. The compressive strength is determined by
capping and testing a half unit “flatwise” (load applied in the direction of the height of the
unit) and is calculated by dividing the load at failure by the cross-sectional
area (ASTM C67). In determining the compressive strength, either the net or gross
cross-sectional area is used. Net cross-sectional area is used only if the net cross
section is less than 75% of the gross cross section. A quarter of a brick can be tested if
the capacity of the testing machine is not large enough to test a half brick. The crushing
strength of a brick is found out by placing it in a compression testing machine. It is
pressed till it breaks. the minimum crushing or compressive strength of bricks is 8.6Mpa
this type be in the class NW. The bricks with crushing strength of 15.2 to 17.2 Mpa are
graded as MW and those having above 17.2 Mpa are graded as SW. and this
classification according to ASTM C62.
4
Tests reference : https://www.theconstructioncivil.org/test-for-bricks/

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Figure 3 compressive strength test
5.3 Hardness test on bricks:
In this test, a scratch is made on brick surface with the help of a finger nail. If no
impression is left on the surface, the brick is r sufficiently hard.
5.4 Presence of soluble salts:
The soluble salts, if present in cause efflorescence in brick work. For finding out the
presence of soluble salts in a brick, it is immersed in water for 24 hours. It is then taken
out and allowed to dry in shade. The absence of grey or white deposits on indicates
absence of soluble salts.If the white deposits cover about 10 per cent surface, the
efflorescence is said to be slight and it is considered as moderate, when the white
deposits cover about 50 per cent of surface. If grey or white deposits are found on more
than 50 per cent of surface, the efflorescence becomes heavy and it is treated as
serious, when such deposits are converted into powdery mass.

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5.5 Shape and size:
In this test, a brick is closely inspected. It should be of standard size and its shape
should be truly rectangular with sharp edges. For this purpose, 20 bricks of standard
size (190 mm x 90 mm x 90 mm) are selected at random and they are stacked
lengthwise, along the width and along the height.
For good quality bricks, the results should be within the following permissible limits
5.6 Soundness test on brick:
In this test, the two bricks are taken and they are struck with each other. The bricks
should not break and a clear ringing sound should be produced.
5
Min. compressive
strength, Gross area MPa
(psi)
Max. water
absorption by 5-hr
boiling,%
Max. saturation
coefficient
Grade Average of
five bricks
Individual Average
of five
bricks
Individual Average
of five
bricks
Individual
SW6
20.7 (3000) 17.2 (2500) 17.0 20.0 0.78 0.80
MW7
17.2 (2500) 15.2 (2200) 22.0 25.0 0.88 0.90
NW8
10.3 (1500) 8.6 (1250) No limit No limit No limit No limit
Table 2 Physical Requirements for Clay Building Bricks (ASTM C62)
5
Table and compressive strength reference: Materials for Civil and Construction Engineers,FOURTH
Edition, by Michael S.Mamlouk John P. Zaniewsk
6
Severe Weathering
7
Moderate Weathering
8
Negligible Weathering

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6.Use of Bricks 9
Bricks are used for different purpose including building, facing and aesthetics,
floor making, and paving:
1. Building bricks: are used as a structural material and typically are strong and
durable.
Figure 4 building bricks
2. Facing bricks: are used for facing and aesthetics purpose and are
available in different size,colors, and texture.
Figure 5 Facing bricks
9
Use of bricks reference: Materials for Civil and Construction Engineers,FOURTH Edition, by Michael
S.Mamlouk ,John P. Zaniewsk

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3. Floor bricks: are used on finished floor surfaces and generally smooth and
dense and have high resistance to abrasion.
Figure 6 Floor Bricks
4. Paving bricks: are used as a paving material for roads, sidewalks, patios,
drive ways, and interior floors. Paving bricks available in different colors
such as red, gray, or brown and typically they are abrasion resistance and
could be vitrified.
Figure 7 Paving Bricks

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7.Advantages of clay bricks10
7.1 Durability
Nothing beats the durability of brick . It will last for as long as you need it and probably
a lot longer. Many brick buildings have been standing for hundreds of years. Brick
siding stand up well to any type of climate and, unlike many other options, is impervious
to fire and insects.
7.2 Aesthetics
Function is not the only important factor when making choices about the face of your
home. You want siding that is beautiful as well. Stone and brick buildings have long
been the epitome of elegance, and these siding options offer a wide variety of choices
in color, texture, and style to suit each homeowner‟s tastes. The beauty of brick or
stone home will never go out of style.
7.3 Maintenance
Brick and stone siding options require very little maintenance to keep them beautiful for
many decades. Occasional power washing is all they require.
7.4 Insulation
Stone and brick siding offer protection against extreme weather as well as an effective
sound barrier. Brick and stone are very energy efficient, so long-term savings on your
utility bills will offset the higher price you pay for materials. This type of siding will also
help you maintain a peaceful home: the noise you make indoors will stay there, and
10
Advantage reference : https://www.hedrickconstructioninc.com/blog/the-advantages-of-brick-and-
stone-siding , and blocks lecture by Zrar Sedeeq Othman
(http://moodle.su.edu.krd/moodle_eng/course/view.php?id=7)

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outside noise will be kept out. If you live in a high traffic area, this is a particularly
attractive feature, both for your family and for prospective buyers, in the event that you
decide to sell.
7.5 Environmental Impact
Although brick requires a great deal of heat, and therefore a great deal of energy, to
produce, its durability and energy efficiency-enhancing qualities mitigate this
drawback. If you live in an area with clay-rich soil, you may be able to find locally
sourced brick, which saves a great deal of energy by eliminating the need for long
distance transportation of heavy materials. The clay used to produce brick is not
renewable, but it is plentiful. You can avoid using nonrenewable material by finding
reclaimed or recycled brick. Furthermore, some brick makers substitute fly ash for clay,
which saves both resources and energy.
Stone is also a nonrenewable resource, although it does not demand the energy in
production that brick does. Mining stone can damage ecosystems and wildlife, so it is
worthwhile to look for sourcing options that minimize this impact. You may be able to
find salvaged stone or to use stone that is displaced in the clearing of a site for a newly
constructed home. Manufactured stone, which uses molded cement, is another option
that is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. The use of cement lightens its
environmental impact, and it can be purchased for a fraction of the cost of natural stone.
Hedrick Construction is your source for brick and stone siding. When you are ready to
discuss siding options for your home in Ames, Ankeny, or the surrounding areas, give
us a call. We can help you select a material to fit your priorities, needs, and budget.

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7.6 blocks disadvantage (bricks advantage)
1. Shrinkage (Volume change in all cementitious members) due to movement of
moisture which is absent in bricks.
2. As blocks are much larger in size than bricks, and foundation movement will
cause blocks work to crack more than the brickwork. Hence the first important
point to remember in block work is that the mortar strength should not be high
and it should not be more than the strength of the blocks. When the mortar
strength is high, the cracks will be few and very large, but with weak mortar,
they will be small and distributed.
3. In construction of blocks, we should use only blocks which have been cured
properly for at least 14 days and dried for 2weeks. All the initial shrinkages
should have taken place by them.
4. Ordinary unreinforced block work in walls is very weak for resisting lateral
loads that are caused due to expansion of roof or due to earthquake and
cyclones. Otherwise we have to introduce reinforcements to take care of
these lateral loads.

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Disadvantages of Bricks11
1. One concrete block 400x200x200 mm can replace 8 bricks. Thus, resulting in
consideration reduction in cement mortar and speed.
230x110x70 mm
400x200x200 mm
Figure 8 block size vs brick size
2. Using hollow concrete blocks instead of solid clay bricks in wall construction,
leads to reduction in dead load on beams, and foundation, etc., that have been
considered in structural design.
3. Cheaper than bricks in overall cost (a very great advantage of blocks).
4. Brick masonry needs plastering done to finish a project which can raise
construction costs.
5. Rough surfaces of bricks may cause mold growth if not properly cleaned
6. Cleaning brick surfaces is a hard job
7. Color of low quality brick changes when exposed to sun for a long period of time
8. Environment-friendly:Concrete hollow blocks are very environment-friendly.
Unlike traditional brick manufacture, which releases harmful fumes, hollow blocks
are machine-made, thus saving our environment. These are also energy efficient
11
Disadvantage reference: blocks lecture by Zrar Sedeeq Othman
(http://moodle.su.edu.krd/moodle_eng/course/view.php?id=7) and https://www.aboutcivil.org/bricks-
advantages-disadvantages-uses.html and https://www.btibd.com/advantages-of-using-concrete-hollow-blocks-
an-innovation-in-building-products/

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building materials because of their insulating properties, thereby reducing energy
consumption, and helping to build a green city for the future generations.

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Conclusion
We have a goal in the start of the report and our goals are introduce a brick and the
history of brick, how many types we have, use of brick and brick‟s properties that make
brick be better than other materials in construction and advantage and disadvantage of
brick . And in the report we talked about the history of brick, brick is one of the oldest
materials in history of materials. And we have so many type that we classification them
by manufacturing and shape and purpose of use and….
And we talk about the advantage points of bricks that make brick be useful in
construction and of course brick have weakness point but if you compare the weakness
point to the advantage the advantage wins because bricks advantage is more than the
weakness or disadvantage. And we try to find some solution to the disadvantage but we
don‟t find solution for all the disadvantage but in bricks coast we can say we found a
solution and we can say that it isn‟t a solution it‟s a true fact because if we came and
calculate all the coasts of the house or the building that bricks used in it in 10 years or
along time we know that the coast of building processes and the coast of making the
house warm in winter and cold in summer be less than the same house for the same
time that block use it for build it.

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Reference
History
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brick#History
Types and Composition
https://civiltoday.com/
Test:
https://www.theconstructioncivil.org/test-for-bricks/
use of brick
Materials for Civil and Construction Engineers,FOURTH Edition, by Michael S.Mamlouk
,John P. Zaniewsk
Bricks advantage:
https://www.hedrickconstructioninc.com/blog/the-advantages-of-brick-and-stone-siding
Bricks disadvantage
blocks lecture by Zrar Sedeeq Othman
(http://moodle.su.edu.krd/moodle_eng/course/view.php?id=7)
and https://www.aboutcivil.org/bricks-advantages-disadvantages-uses.html and
https://www.btibd.com/advantages-of-using-concrete-hollow-blocks-an-innovation-in-
building-products/

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