6 Types of bricks & their use in construction
Based on material such as clay, concrete, lime, fly ash, an, etc different types of bricks are used and for different constructions work filed identification of bricks for their properties, suitability, and use is important. Manufactured from clay brick is an important construction material that is available in a rectangular shape.
Bricks are to be categorized into many types which depend on their Making processes, Quality, the raw material is going to use and also their using purpose But mainly we can categorize the brick into six main types and then subtypes.
- Burnt Clay Bricks
- Concrete Bricks
- Fly Ash Bricks
- Fire Bricks
- Sand Lime Bricks
- Sun-Dried Bricks
Burnt Bricks
The classic form of the bricks is burnt clay bricks. These types of bricks are created by pressing the wet clay into the molds than these are drying and firing in the kilns. This material is the oldest building material; these bricks are the solid blocks of hard clay & reddish in color.
These bricks have the best quality and good strength but costly.
Burnt clay bricks are also classified into four types;
First-class bricks
They are good quality bricks as compared to other and these bricks contain standard shape, smooth surface, and sharp edges. These are created by table molding and burnt in large kilns.
| Brick | Properties |
| 1. Type | 1. First Class Brick |
| 2. Size | 2. 19 x 9 x 9 cm |
| 3. Crushing Strength | 3. 105 kg/cm2 |
| 4. Edges | 4. Sharp and square. |
| 5. Color | 5. Uniform red or brown. |
| 6.Shape | 6. Standard and uniform (rectangular) |
| 7.Water Absorbing | 7. 15% to 20 % of its self-weight when submerged in water for 24 hours. |
| 8.Surface | 8. Smooth and straight |
| 9. Use of this Brick | 9. Superior work,1 class construction |
Second class bricks:
They are moderate qualities that are molded by the process of ground molding. They do not have a smooth surface and sharp edges because of ground molding but these bricks also result in strength and durability.
| Brick Feature | Properties |
| 1. Type | 1. Second Class Brick |
| 2. Size | 2. 19 x 9 x 9 cm |
| 3. Crushing Strength | 3. 70 kg/cm2 |
| 4. Edges | 4. Uneven faces may consist of hairline cracks. |
| 5. Color | 5. Uniform color. |
| 6. Water Absorbing | 6. 22% of its self-weight when submerged in water for 24 hours. |
| 7. Crushing Strength | 7. 70 kg/cm2 |
| 8. Shape | 8. Slightly irregular as compare to 1 class |
| 9. Use in | 9. Internal walls |
Third class bricks
They are poor quality bricks used for temporary structure and not suitable for rainy areas. These bricks are burnt in clamps and surface of these type of bricks have unfair edges and are rough.
| Brick | Properties |
| 1. Type | 1. First Class Brick |
| 2. Size | 2. 19 x 9 x 9 cm |
| 3. Crushing Strength | 3. 105 kg/cm2 |
| 4. Edges | 4. Sharp and square. |
| 5. Color | 5. Uniform red or brown. |
| 6.Shape | 6. Standard and uniform (rectangular) |
| 7.Water Absorbing | 7. 15% to 20 % of its self-weight when submerged in water for 24 hours. |
| 8.Surface | 8. Smooth and straight |
| 9. Use of this Brick | 9. Superior work,1 class construction |
Fourth class bricks
They are very poor quality bricks and not used in the structure, in aggregates they are crushed and used and these bricks are obtained by over burning so they can break easily and not used for construction.
Uses
These bricks are solid blocks and have good quality & strength, so these are used in the foundations, columns & masonry walls.
Concrete Bricks:
The concrete brick is one of the types of bricks in which solid concrete is used for making the concrete bricks. These bricks are placed in fences, which provide a good presence. During production, if the pigments are added, it provides different colors. So, these bricks are manufactured to provide different colors.
Uses
These bricks are used in Fences & in hidden brickwork.
Fly Ash Bricks:
Fly ash brick is made by fly ash (coal burning at 1000 centigrade) and clay. There is a high volume of calcium oxide in fly ash. Fly ash bricks have the advantage of lighter weight than concrete and clay bricks. This is the one of the types of bricks.
Uses
Fly ash bricks are used in pillars, foundation, structural walls and anywhere where fire resistance is required.
Fire Bricks:
The fire bricks are made up of specially formulated earth with high aluminum content. These bricks can stand with high temperatures without changing their shape, size, and strength after burning.
Uses:
Fire bricks are mostly used in chimneys, fences, pizza ovens, and outdoor barbecues.
Sand Lime Bricks:
Sand lime bricks are made by the mixing of fly ash, lime, and sand. For the color, pigments may also be added, then the brick is formed by applying pressure on the mixture. A chemical reaction takes place and provides wet bricks which are dried under heat and pressure.
Uses:
Sand lime bricks are used in fences and hidden brickwork.
Sun-Dried Bricks:
Sun-dried bricks are used for temporary structures and are less durable. The sun-dried bricks preparation involves three steps which are clay, molding, and drying after molding bricks are subjected to sunlight and dried by the heat of the sun. This brick has less fire resistance and less water resistance so that is not so much stronger. For permanent structures, these bricks are not suitable.
