TYPES OF TESTS ON BRICKS USED BY CIVIL ENGINEERS

LCETED THINGS CIVIL ENGINEER SHOULD KNOW,

BRICK TESTS

To find out the quality of the bricks following eight tests. Of these tests, some are done in the laboratory, and the rest are in the field

Here are LCETED Is some simple yet effective brick tests you can take to check the quality of bricks-

1) CLAP TEST

When the two bricks are striking against each other, it should produce a clear and ringing sound without crack

This determines the reaction of bricks against sudden impact.
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2) DROP TEST

Drop a brick from a 4 Feet height, if it does not break then the brick is of good quality.

If the bricks are broken it means low impact value and therefore not good for construction.

3) SHAPE AND SIZE TEST

All bricks should be the same. Take 20 bricks at random and make a stack of them to check.

You want to make sure the bricks are all the same for construction purpose.

4) ABSORPTION TEST

The absorption of first-class brick water should be less than 20%, otherwise, it will absorb water from the motor.

This will help you understand the amount of moisture absorbed in extreme conditions.

5) EFFLORESCENCE TEST

Put a brick in a water bath for 24 hours and dry it in the shade. If there are white/gray deposits on the surface, the quality of the brick is poor because of the soluble salt.

You want to gauge whether any of the bricks have any soluble salts and you want to avoid inflatables on the brick surface.

6) COLOUR TEST

Make sure the brick you select has bright and uniform colour throughout its body.

the good quality brick will have a uniform colour throughout.

7) HARDNESS TEST

When an incision is made on the surface of the brick; any impression on the nail shouldn’t be produced.

This is basically to test the hardness of the bricks. No record (impressions) indicates good quality.

8) STRUCTURE TEST

Break the randomly selected brick in half and check if its homogeneous and free from any lumps, holes or defects.

LCETED TRIVIA FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS

BIS has established standard size for brick. Such a brick is known as modular brick. The nominal size of this brick is 20x10x10cm whereas the actual dimension is 19x9x9cm)