Classification of Bricks Essay Example

based on anticipated weather conditions. Two examples of these grades include GRADE SW designed for regions with moist climates like those found in northern parts of the United States where temperatures are below freezing and GRADE MW which can withstand below-freezing temperatures in drier areas.

GRADE NW is a brick variety primarily intended for interior or backup use, with limited suitability for exposed areas where there is no frost action or low annual rainfall. Different types of bricks exist that vary in their formation, composition, and application. The following paragraphs outline some frequently employed brick types.

The three types of bricks available are designed to withstand exposure to below-freezing temperatures. GRADE SW is specifically made for moist climates, like that of Northern regions in the US. GRADE MW is suitable for drier climates compared to GRADE SW. GRADE NW, on the other hand, is intended for indoor or backup brick purposes, but can still be used in regions where there's no frost action although it's not recommended for exterior use.

There are different types of bricks that can be used in brick masonry, such as solid, hollow, and architectural terra cotta. These bricks can have both a structural and decorative function. The formation and composition of the types of bricks differ from each other. Building bricks, also known as common, hard, or kiln-run bricks, are made from ordinary clay or shale and are fired in kilns. They do not have any special shoring, markings, surface texture, or color. Because building bricks are often utilized as backing courses in either solid or cavity brick walls, the harder and more durable types are usually preferred.

When it

comes to the quality and appearance of bricks, face bricks are a superior choice over building bricks. They are typically used in areas where walls are exposed. Brown, red, gray, yellow, and white are the most commonly used colors for face bricks. On the other hand, clinker brick is overburned in the kiln, which produces a rough, hard, durable and sometimes irregularly shaped brick. Finally, pressed brick is made using a dry-press process instead of kiln firing.

Pressed bricks are typically used as face brick due to their regular, smooth faces, sharp edges, and perfectly square corners. On the other hand, glazed brick has a colored or white ceramic glazing on one surface. The process of fusing mineral ingredients together during burning creates a glass-like coating for the glaze. Glazed bricks are ideal for walls or partitions in hospitals, dairies, laboratories, and other structures that require sanitary conditions and ease of cleaning. Lastly, fire brick is produced from a particular type of clay.

This particular type of clay is extremely pure and consistent, allowing it to endure the extreme heat often associated with construction projects like fireplaces and boilers. Fire bricks are typically larger than other types of bricks and are often manually shaped. Cored bricks feature ten holes, arranged in two rows of five, to make them lighter in weight. Despite this, walls constructed from cored bricks are just as durable as walls made from solid brick.

It is important to use the most suitable brick that meets building requirements, whether it is cored or solid, as both types have similar resistance to moisture penetration. The strength and durability of European brick, especially the

English and Dutch types, is comparable to that of U.S. clay brick.

The production process for sand-lime brick involves mixing slaked lime and fine sand in a lean mixture, which is then molded mechanically and hardened with steam pressure. These bricks are commonly used in Germany. The strength of a brick structure relies on various factors such as the durability of the bricks and mortar, elasticity of the structure, consistency of the bricks, quality of the bricklayer's workmanship, and laying technique. This section will specifically address strength and elasticity.

This section pertains to "Workmanship" and the varying strength of individual units of brick masonry. The ultimate compressive strengths can range from 1,600 psi to over 15,000 psi for well-burnt brick, depending on their composition and manufacturing process. Nevertheless, when laid with portland-cement-lime mortar, brick masonry typically has greater strength than a single unit due to the mortar's strength.

When comparing the load-carrying capacity of walls or columns made with plain lime mortar versus portland-cement-lime mortar, the latter is able to carry more than twice the weight. The compressive strength of bricks that are laid with plain lime mortar has a typical range between 500 and 600 psi. For proper bonding between mortar and brick, it is essential that adequate water be present in order to fully hydrate the portland cement within the mortar. The high absorption rates sometimes exhibited by bricks can cause water in the mortar to be absorbed before it has had a chance to fully hydrate the cement. Therefore, it is important to test brick absorptive qualities in order to ensure proper mortar hydration. A simple field test can be conducted by placing 20

drops of water within a l-inch circle (approximately the size of a quarter) on a single brick, using a medicine dropper.

When a brick is capable of absorbing all the water within 1 1/2 minutes, it can cause the mortar to lose its moisture. In order to fix this problem, it is necessary to wet the bricks thoroughly.