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Classification and Types of Bricks used in Construction and Civil Engineering
Bricks are the building materials which are made of lime, sand, concrete or clay. Bricks are used for constructing pavements, walls, or other types of architecture. Bricks are available in different varieties of shapes on the basis of the materials that are used to produce them.
Factors impacting the types of bricks
There are different factors that impact the types of bricks which include:
- The quality of the bricks
- The building process
- Different types of manufacturing methods
- Type of raw materials that are used for making bricks
- The location in which bricks are going to be used
- The shape of the bricks
- Region of the bricks
Different types of bricks
Bricks have been classified into different types which include:
Classified on the basis of brick’s quality
First Class Brick: In this type of brick, the brick colour is uniform red or yellow and it is well burnt as well as available in a uniform shape. The absorption capacity of this brick is less than 10%.
Second Class Brick: In this case, bricks are slightly burnt and the absorption capacity is more than 10%.
Third Class Brick: In this case, the size and shape of the bricks are not regular, and the brick colour is also soft and light red. These bricks are underburnt and the absorption capacity is more than 15%.
Classified on the basis of the building process
Unburnt Bricks: These bricks are half burnt and the colour of these bricks is yellow.
Burnt Bricks: These bricks are produced by burning in the kiln.
Over Burnt Bricks: If the bricks are burnt for a longer period of time, the shape of the brick has been distorted. In this case, the absorption capacity of the bricks is high.
Classified on the basis of the manufacturing process
Extruded Brick: These bricks have been created by forcing water and clay into the steel die along with a regular size and shape.
Moulded Brick: The shape of these types of bricks has been given in the mould by using hands.
Dry pressed Brick: These dry-pressed bricks have been made by compressing clay into moulds.
Classified on the basis of raw materials
Burnt Clay Brick: This brick has been produced by pressing the clay in the mould and fried and dried in kilns.
Fly ash clay Brick: It has been produced by moulding fly ash and clay at 1000 degrees Celsius.
Sand-lime Brick: In this type of brick, the sand, lime and fly ash have been mixed and molded under pressure which helps to offer a smooth and aesthetic view.
Concrete Brick: These are made of concrete and have sound reduction as well as heat resistance qualities.
Firebrick: This type of brick has the ability to resist a very high temperature without providing any effect on its strength, size, and shape.
Classified on the basis of the weather-resisting capacity
No weather grade: Any weather resistance capacity is not present in these types of bricks.
Moderate weather grade: These bricks have the ability to stand at high temperatures.
Severe-weather grade: These bricks are resistant to freeze-thaw actions.
Classified on the basis of the shapes
Airbricks: Holes have been contained in these bricks for circulating air.
Bullnose Brick: Bullnose Brick has been moulded into round angles.
Coping Bricks: These bricks are half-round, saddleback, or chamfered, in which angles vary based on the thickness of the wall.
Channel Bricks: These types of bricks are used in drains and moulded into the shape of a channel.
Cow Nose Bricks: These types of bricks have double bullnose as it is known as Cow Nose Bricks.
Perforated Bricks: The cylindrical holes have been contained in these bricks.
Paving Bricks: These types of bricks have been used on pavements or garden park floors.
Classified on the basis of the location
Facing Brick: Facing bricks have the standard size as well as having better durability.
Backing Brick: Any kind of special features are not there is backing bricks. These are used to provide support behind the facing bricks.
Classified on the basis of the usage
Common bricks: These types of bricks are used commonly which does not have any special features. It has low resistance and low comprehensive strength and generally, these common bricks are used in interior walls.
Engineering bricks: The engineering bricks have higher comprehensive strength and low absorption capacity which are very strong and able to bear good load. These bricks are used in the civil engineering world including manholes, groundworks, sewers, damp-proof courses, retaining walls and others.
Classified on the basis of the region
Based on the region, the bricks are classified into several types which are:
Cream City Bricks: These types of bricks are from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Roman: These are from Roman constructions.
London Stock: These types of bricks are from London.
Dutch: These types of bricks are from the Netherlands.
Staffordshire Blue Brick: These bricks are from England.
Nanak Shahi Bricks: These are from India.
Quality of good bricks for the construction process
The specific quality of bricks has been determined as the prime quality for use in the construction process which includes:
Texture and Color of the bricks: If the brick has rich, uniform colour and texture, as well as does not fade over time, it is considered a good quality brick. This type of brick helps to ad aesthetic appeal to the building.
Environmental impacts of bricks: The high-quality bricks are made with natural materials that are recyclable.
Sound insulation quality: High-quality bricks also have excellent sound insulation capacity which is appropriate for residential and commercial buildings in which noise reduction is necessary.
Fire resistance capability: Clay bricks also have the capability to be fire resistant which helps to increase the safety of the building structure.
