Experiment 3: Compressive Strength of Fired Clay Bricks

Fig. 1 Standard Brick Size | Bricks Dimensions

Test Procedure
(i) Take five random bricks samples and immerse them in water for 24 hours at room
temperature.
(ii) After 24 hours, take them out, allow them to drain and then clean the surplus water.
(iii) Now, fill their frogs (and any other voids) by a layer of standard 1:1 mortar (1 part cement
and 1 part sand). Store these bricks under damp sacks for 24 hours (to allow setting of mortar).
(iv) Place the bricks in water for 3 days.
(v) Take the bricks out of the water, allow the water to drain and remove the surplus water.
When surface dry, each brick is tested for compressive strength individually.
(vi) Before testing, the bricks were cut into halves.
(vii) Place the half brick flat-wise, with frog end facing upward.
(viii) Brick so adjusted between the plywood sheets is placed on the bed of compressive strength
of bricks testing machine and load is applied axially and at a uniform rate of 140 kg/cm2/minute.
(ix) Note the load at which the brick fails (gets broken). This load (P) is divided by cross-
sectional area (A) of the brick gives the compressive strength (Co).
Results:
Table Compressive Strength of Brick Samples
Average
Compressive
Sampl Load Compressive
Sample Dimension Strength
e No. (kg) Strength
(kg/cm2)
(kg/cm2)
1 110 (L) x 100 (W) x 75 (T) mm 15290

2 109 (L) x 100 (W) x 75 (T) mm 15105

3 112 (L) x 100 (W) x 75 (T) mm 15300

4 111 (L) x 100 (W) x 75 (T) mm 15201

5 110 (L) x 100 (W) x 75 (T) mm 15340

Where, L- Length, W-Width and T-Thickness

Discussion:
1. Check whether your results comply with the requirement for common burnt clay bricks as per
Indian Standard IS 1077 and classify accordingly.
2. Also compare your findings with the results of Group 2 and Group 6.