8 IMPORTANT TESTS ON BRICKS YOU SHOULD KNOW
BRICK TESTS:
Bricks are the most common and useful building materials
used for masonry construction works. To build a long lasting structure we
should always use good quality bricks and other building materials. The common
brick tests performed on the field as well as in the laboratory are described
below.
1. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST:
This test is performed to determine the compressive
strength of bricks. It is additionally known as crushing strength test of
bricks. Normally, 5 samples of bricks are selected and transported to the
laboratory for testing. A brick sample is kept on the crushing machine and then
the pressure is thoroughly applied axially until it breaks. The maximum
pressure at which the brick starts to crack is noted. The test is repeated with
all 5 brick samples one by one and the average result is considered as the
compressive strength or crushing strength of bricks.
2. WATER ABSORPTION TEST:
In this
test, bricks are weighed first in dry condition (W1) and then they are fully
submerged in water for 24 hours. After immersion of 24 hours, the bricks are
collected and weighed again in wet condition (W2). The difference of weight
between dry and wet condition is considered as the water absorbed by the
bricks. Then the amount of water absorption is determined in percentage.
The less water consumption by the bricks indicates their
greater quality. A brick will be considered as good quality if it does not
consume more than 20% water of its own weight.
3. EFFLORESCENCE TEST:
This test is
carried out to obtain the presence of alkaline substances in bricks. First,
bricks are fully submerged in fresh water for 24 hours. After 24 hours they are
collected from water and left them to dry. After completely dried the bricks
are closely observed to find the presence of alkali. If a white or gray layer
is formed on the brick surface, it means alkali is present in the brick.
4. IMPACT TEST:
In this test
few bricks are dropped from 1-meter height. If bricks are broken it indicates
low impact value and not acceptable for construction work. Good quality bricks
do not break at all.
5. DIMENSION TOLERANCE TEST:
20 bricks
are randomly collected and arranged in a straight line. This is done to see the
variation of shape, size, and colour with the standard bricks.
6. SOUNDNESS TEST:
In this
test, two randomly selected bricks are hardly punched with each other. If they
produce a clear metallic sound and remain unbroken then they are good quality
bricks.
7. HARDNESS TEST:
This test is
done to know the hardness of bricks. In this test, scratches are made on the
surface of the brick by a hard thing. If it does not leave any impression on
the brick surface then it will be considered as good quality bricks.
8. STRUCTURE TEST:
In this
test, a brick is fractured and firmly investigated. If any flaws, holes or
cracks are seen inside the broken brick, then it is considered as poor quality
brick.
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