TYPES OF BRICKS

Bricks are one of the most useful building materials used in construction works. It is important to know the types of bricks for understanding the masonry work properly. The types of bricks depend on their quality, strength, making process, motivation behind their utilizing etc. In this article, we will discuss types of bricks used for different criteria.

1. Unburnt Bricks & 2. Burnt Bricks.

UNBURNT BRICKS:

Unburnt bricks are also known as sun-dried bricks because they are dried by the heat coming from the sun. Nowadays these bricks are not used in construction due to their lower strength but if required they can be used for constructing temporary structures.

BURNT BRICKS:

This types of bricks are made by burning in the kilns. Depending upon the quality burnt bricks can further be classified into 3 categories which are as following:

1. FIRST CLASS BRICKS:

As the name suggest, first class bricks are best bricks compared to others. Due to their high quality and greater strength, these bricks are most commonly used in construction work. The basic properties of first class bricks are given below.

First Class Bricks	Properties
1. Type	1. Class 1
2. Feature	2. Table molded.
3. Shape & Size	3. Standard and uniform (rectangular).
4. Surface & Edges	4. Sharp, smooth, square and straight.
5. Color	5. Uniform red or brown.
6. Maximum Water Absorbing	6. 15% of its self-weight when submerged in water for 24 hours.
7. Crushing Strength	7. 105 kg/cm2
8. Making Process	8. Burnt in kilns.
9. Use	9.  Permanent and superior work

2. SECOND CLASS BRICKS:

The quality of second class bricks is slightly lower than first class bricks. The basic properties of this type of bricks are given below.

Second Class Bricks	Properties
1. Type	1. Class 2
2. Feature	2. Table molded.
3. Shape & Size	3. Irregular
4. Surface & Edges	4. Rough, uneven faces, may consist of hairline cracks.
5. Color	5. Uniform color.
6. Maximum Water Absorbing	6. 22% of its self-weight when submerged in water for 24 hours.
7. Crushing Strength	7. 70 kg/cm2
8. Making Process	8. Burnt in kilns and sometimes may be slightly over burnt.
9. Use	9.  Used in internal walls. (Plaster or coating is required.

3. THIRD CLASS BRICKS:

The quality and strength of third class bricks are too much low and they do not fulfill all the properties of good bricks. The basic properties of these bricks are given below.

Third Class Bricks	Properties
1. Type	1. Class 3
2. Feature	2. Ground molded.
3. Shape & Size	3. Non-uniform
4. Surface & Edges	4. Irregular and distorted edges.
5. Color	5. Non-uniform and dark.
6. Maximum Water Absorbing	6. 25% of its self-weight when submerged in water for 24 hours.
7. Crushing Strength	7. 30 kg/cm2
8. Making Process	8. Burnt in kilns and may be overburnt or underburnt
9. Use	9.  Used in temporary structures.