Clay Products Overview and Brick Laying

Bricks typically measure (20x10x10)mm when laid with mortar.

Mortar is usually a combination of cement and sand, or a mix of lime, sand, and sometimes cement.

Mortar thickness is normally between 6.5mm and 9mm, but can sometimes be larger.

Plastering is done after bricklaying to create a smooth surface for painting, improve appearance, and make brick joints uniform.

Good quality bricks have uniform size, rectangular shapes with parallel sides and sharp corners.

High-quality bricks have a uniform, deep red or cherry color, reflecting proper burning and consistent composition.

Good quality bricks have a uniform, dense texture, and aren't too smooth to avoid slipping when mortar is used.

Good bricks contain silica(50-60%), alumina (20-30%), lime (10%) , magnesia(<1%), ferric oxide(<7%), alkalis(<10%), and other trace elements for strength, color, and uniformity.

High-quality brick with smooth, rectangular surfaces, sharp edges, and no flaws. Meets strict water absorption and crushing strength requirements.

Brick that meets most requirements of a first-class brick, but allows for small cracks and slightly higher water absorption. Suitable for hidden parts of a construction.

Under-burnt brick that is soft, light-colored, and produces a dull sound. Has a higher water absorption than first or second class bricks.

Over-burnt brick that is brittle and distorted. Used for foundation or structural elements requiring stability.

A multipurpose brick, made for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, not for appearance. Suitable for filling and backing walls.

A brick with a special focus on appearance, either from color or texture. Used for the visible exterior of a building.

Strong and impermeable bricks designed to withstand loads, with specific limits on water absorption and strength; suitable for load-bearing walls.

A brick should be hard enough that a fingernail cannot leave an impression.

When two bricks are struck together, a metallic sound should be produced.

The amount of water absorbed by a brick shouldn't exceed 20% of its dry weight after 24 hours of immersion.

Brick earth should be free from stones and organic matter.

The minimum acceptable crushing strength of a brick is 10 N/mm2.

Thoroughly burnt, deep red, cherry or copper coloured bricks.

Bricks are categorized based on their physical properties and mechanical strength.

Bricks are classified based on strength, such as 3.5 to 35 MPa.

Bricks used for general building purposes.

Bricks designed to be visible as part of external building finish.

Bricks without hollow spaces.

Bricks with hollow spaces.

Lightweight bricks with many small, interconnected holes.

Presence of bituminous matter or carbon due to incomplete oxidation during brick firing.

Deformation of brick shape caused by rainwater falling on hot bricks.

Cracks in bricks caused by excess lime or water.

Dark spots on brick surfaces caused by iron sulphide.

Blisters on bricks caused by trapped air during molding.

Thin layers or sheets on a brick face, potentially deteriorating over time.

A lightweight building material, often used as a substitute for clay bricks due to its excellent thermal and sound insulation properties, fire resistance, and relatively low weight.

Good quality clay tiles must have uniform texture, accurate size/shape, be free from flaws/cracks, absorb less than 15% water, and resist weathering and moisture for durability.

Clay tiles are used for various purposes like flooring, roofing, walls, and partitions in construction

A brick with a textured surface created by sprinkling sand on the mold.

A brick with a mechanically textured finish that varies in pattern.

An under-burnt brick from the outer part of the kiln.

A well-burnt brick from the central part of the kiln.

An over-burnt brick, also called clinker, from the inner part of the kiln.

A brick without any holes or cavities.

A brick with small holes, not exceeding 25% of its volume.

A brick with holes exceeding 25% of its volume.

Used to create curved edges in construction, like curved walls or drains.

A brick, also called a splay brick, suitable for door and window jambs. Double cant bricks are used for octagonal pillars.

A brick used for architectural purposes.

The topmost bricks in a course, often used for protection.

A brick defect caused by alkali presence

A brick defect resulting in a soft molten mass and changes in shape.

A brick defect characterized by incomplete vitrification, leading to less hardness and increased water absorption.

Spongy swelling on the surface of burned bricks, caused by carbonaceous matter and sulfur.