Monday, January 20, 2014

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3 Most Important Properties of Brick

Brick has many good properties which make it most popular building material in the industry. Common brick properties are -

  • Strength
  • Absorption
  • Weather resistance
  • Fire resistance
  • Wear Resistance
  • Porosity
  • Efflorescence
  • Sound Insulation
  • Thermal Insulation
  • Durability
  • Aesthetic Look, etc.

Among them following three are most important properties of brick.

Brick properties, Important properties of brick

3 Most Important Properties of Brick

  1. Strength
  2. Absorption
  3. Weather Resistance

Strength: Brick has good compressive strength which makes it popular in construction world. The compressive strength of brick can vary from 3 N/mm² to 40 N/mm² depending on raw materials used for making brick, manufacturing process and size and shape of brick.

But brick masonry wall strength isn't only depends on brick strength. It also depends on mortar strength, bond quality between mortar and bricks. Bond quality depends many things. Such as brick textures, mortar quality, absorption and workmanship. So, the brick masonry wall strength may not be same as brick strength.

Absorption: Dry brick absorbs too much water from mortar. It's why the mortar cannot be cured properly and develop weak bond-strength. So brick should be soaked properly before masonry work (See: How to Soak Bricks).
The mechanism of bond between bricks and mortar is that fresh mortar absorbs into surface pores of brick and develop bond. If the brick is moistened in such a way that it lost its absorption capability then it cannot absorb mortar paste and develops weak bond. So we suggest to remove bricks from soaking tank one hour before starting masonry work so that it can regain its absorption capability of surface.

Read More: Traditional Brick Bond Patterns Used in Masonry Wall Construction

Weather Resistance: Brick is made from clay and it's burned at high temperature which capable it to withstand severe weathering impact. Only one weathering effect which affects the masonry wall most is the freeze-thaw action. Resisting it almost depends up on the resisting capability of water penetration of bricks.

Preventing water penetration is also depends on the good workmanship. It is said that a masonry wall made by good workmanship can resist water penetration during a storm lasting 24 hours accompanied by 80 to 100 km per hour wind velocity.

Most of the time it is found that water penetrates through mortar joint between bricks and around window and door frame. So, tooling mortar joints and caulking around window and door frames properly can prevent the water penetration to highest level.

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