Bricks can be considered the foundation of building construction. In every building project, bricks are the material that is utilised the most frequently. Therefore, it is crucial to check brick quality to ensure that the structure will stand out in all weather conditions. Clay is typically used to make bricks. However, you should know about the materials employed in construction as a building owner. Since bricks serve as the foundation for building construction, poor brick quality can significantly harm a building. But have you ever considered how brick quality is assessed? We can carry out specific outdoor tests to evaluate the bricks’ quality.
Various Types of Bricks
- Sand lime bricks
- Fly ash clay bricks
- Burnt clay bricks
- Engineering bricks
- Concrete bricks
- Eco bricks
- Calcium silicate bricks
The following is a list of several efficient techniques for evaluating the quality of construction-related bricks.
Water Absorption
This test is carried out to detect how much moisture bricks can detect in harsh circumstances. Five bricks are taken for questioning, weighed together while dry, and then submerged in water for a day. It is removed and considered again after the 24-hour period has passed. Water absorbed by the bricks is thought to represent the difference between wet and dry environments. The brick is seen to be of higher quality if it uses less water; water should not make up more than 20% of the brick’s weight.
Visual Inspection
During this examination, the brick’s form would be scrutinised if the brick is rectangular and has sharp edges. Then, brick is regarded as being of excellent quality.
Hardness of Brick
The purpose of this test is to ascertain the bricks’ hardness. Some bricks are taken out, scraped with pointed instruments, and if they withstand rubbing and scratching, they are deemed outstanding.
Homogeneity
In this test, a brick is fractured and carefully examined. All high-quality bricks are produced using the same type of clay. A compact is considered excellent and exceptional quality if it is free of bumps and holes. Before we start any job, we must check the building materials.
Soundness
The importance of bricks in the building of a structure makes it essential to assess their soundness. Two bricks are held in each hand during this test and softly knocked against one another. The bricks are considered excellent quality if they remain whole, do not break, and produce a ringing or metallic sound.
Dimensional Tolerance
A dimension tolerance test requires that bricks be inspected. Twenty bricks are chosen randomly and arranged in a straight line to be examined for shape, size, and colour. The building process can continue if the bricks pass the test and are the same size.
Efflorescence Test
You must do this test in a well-ventilated space. Bricks are immersed in water for a day in this experiment before being allowed to dry. If a white layer has developed on the surface of the brick, the brick is of poor quality. In contrast to what a good brick should have, it contains soluble salt.
Impact Test
This test is done to see how long the bricks will last. A small sample of bricks is used in this test, which involves dropping them from a height of one meter; if they break, the bricks are considered poor quality; if not, they can be used to build buildings.
Conclusion
Before starting any construction project, it is essential to evaluate the quality of the building materials. In the paragraphs above, we learned how to assess the bricks’ quality and choosing high-quality materials is necessary while building. If you’re searching for a construction supplier, come to us for cost-effective, high-quality building supplies.