Basic Civil Engineering

Chapter 5

Bricks

Manufacture of bricks is mostly a village industry. Bricks have been produced since the dawn of civilization in the sun dried form. The Great Wall of China was made of both burnt and sun dried bricks. Bricks have been used all over the world in every class and kind of building. In places where plenty of clay is available, brickwork is cheaper. The cost of construction work is less with bricks. Bricks resist fire and, hence, they do not easily disintegrate. The atmospheric effects are resisted by bricks of good quality.

5.1 COMPOSITION OF GOOD BRICK EARTH

The constituents of good brick earth are:

1. Alumina: A good brick earth should contain 20–30 per cent of alumina. It imparts the property of plasticity to the earth. An excess ...