How to Select the Right Brick for Your Home
Brick is a basic building unit which is in the form of rectangular block in which length to breadth ratio is 2 but height can be different.
Normal size (nominal size) 9''×4½" ×3"
Architectural size (Working size) 81⅟16" x 4⁵⁄₁₆" x 21⅟16"
The general dimensions of the standard brick are as follows:
Length — 9 inches (22.9 cm)
Breadth — 4.5 inches (11.2 cm)
Height — 3.0 inches (7.0 cm)
The size includes the ¼ inch (6.0mm) the thickness of cement mortar in the joints. In case of IS Bricks the corresponding sizes are 20 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm. This also includes the thickness of the mortar.
Frog: The depression in the middle of the flat side of the brick is called frog. During brick work this depression is filled by the cement mortar at the time of brick work.
How to check Quality ?
The quality of brick is evaluated on the basis of its shape, water absorbing capacity, and load carrying capacity. The edges of the bricks should be straight. The brick should be properly burnt, water absorption should be minimum (usually less than 1/5th of its weight). It should not break if dropped by hand. The bricks which are under burnt will break if dropped by hand and its color will also be not Cherry red. Over burnt bricks are usually black in color and its edges are curved (not straight). Bad quality brick should not be used for brick work. The soil used for making brick should neither be excessively cohesive (clay) nor it should be excessively cohesion less (sandy). A well burnt brick should have cherry red color.
Types of Bricks
Well Burnt (Properly Burnt) Bricks: These types of bricks have cherry red color. When kept in water for 24 hrs, it should not absorb more the 20% water by weight.
Jhama Bricks (Over Burnt Bricks): Over burnt bricks, become black and its edges also become curved. This type of brick is not used in brick work of building.
Yellow Bricks (Under burnt Bricks): These types of bricks are under burnt. Their load carrying capacity is also very low. They break easily. Therefore they are not suitable for use in construction work
So choose the right Brick for your home according to these standards.
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