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BRICKS AND BLOCKS
Bricks and blocks are the most basic building
components utilized in the construction of any
structure. Bricks have changed in shape and size
over centuries. There are many different types
available; not only in size but also colour, texture and
strength. Size varies depending on category, type
and the manufacturing process. When describing the
dimensions of a masonry unit, the standard procedure
is length x width x height (all in millimetres).
Most bricks (solid units) are usually manufactured to
the imperial size 106mm (1 module) wide and 222
mm long (i.e. 2 modules, 2 x 106 plus a 10 mm mortar
joint) long. There is a rough ratio of length to width of
2:1 and an aspect ratio of height to width of 0,7 in the
standard or imperial brick of 222mm long x 106mm
wide x 73mm high; when used with a 12mm mortar
joint, the following formats are applicable:
which are too vast to display in this publication.
In the construction of a typical residential house,
the cost of clay bricks or clay plaster bricks would
generally amount to between 6% and 8% of the
total construction cost of the house. In the case of
commercial projects, like factories or office blocks,
the cost of face bricks and plaster bricks is between
2% and 3% of the total construction cost. Brickwork
being the most visible component of a building often
leads to the perception that the vast majority of the
cost of the building must therefore be in the brickwork.
Fortunately this is not true and should allow one the
flexibility of creating different details that can be
achieved using Clay bricks in many different ways
and applications.

• The format size becomes 234 x 118 x 85mm.

• The format length (234) is the module of
stretcher + perpend.
• The format width (118) is the module of perpends.
• The format height (85) is the coursing height.

Bricks can be divided into two distinct categories,

being; Clay and Concrete (concrete bricks are
sometimes incorrectly referred to as cement bricks).
Clay Bricks are manufactured from a mixture of Clay
(different clays produce the different colours) and
other additives, which are mixed together to make
a pliable type mixture almost like plasticine, which
is then extruded and cut to size and fired. Concrete
bricks and blocks are manufactured from various
types of aggregate (sand and other materials like ash
mixed with small stone particles) creating the texture
and colour, mixed with cement and water, which is
then vibrated into a mould creating the shape and
size and profile of the brick/block.
Clay bricks
Please consult with your local brick manufacturer,
dealer or builders merchant as to the availability of
a large variety of clay bricks available in your area,
Some traditional advantages of using Clay bricks
Clay bricks keep interiors thermally comfortable;
heavyweight clay bricks have an inbuilt quality to
keep buildings cool in summer and warm in winter.
During the day, clay bricks slow the transfer of heat
to the inside helping keep habitable space cooler
for longer in summer. During winter the radiant heat
entering through windows is slowly absorbed and
stored in the internal brickwork and then slowly
released during the night to the colder air, assisting in
maintaining thermal comfort conditions for longer. This
ability of clay bricks to maintain inside temperatures

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at a constant level minimising the need for heating
and cooling and associated energy costs, has
become increasingly important in a new energy
conservation era.
Clay bricks are fire resistant; because they are fired
at high temperatures during manufacture and are
therefore almost incombustible. A clay brick wall is
resistant to both fire and collapse. Walls built with
quality clay bricks which are properly constructed will
produce strong, stable and durable buildings.
Clay bricks built in the form of solid or cavity walls offer
insulation properties in compliance with SANS 10400
Building Regulations.
The standard brick as we know it, is known as an
imperial brick, with an average weight of 2.6kg which
is available in as a solid brick and some available as
with an dentation or holes.
Typical clay brick (Masonry unit)
Type Length Width
IMPERIAL 222mm 106mm
MAXI 90 222mm 90mm
MAXI 140 290mm 140mm
JEM 222mm 140mm
Special shaped bricks
To further enhance the potential for more inspired
concepts in creative brickwork, manufacturers offer
various special shaped bricks, for example; single
bullnose, double bullnose, bullnose header on flat,
external angle, internal angle, plinth header, sill bricks,
etc. We recommend you discuss your requirements
with your local manufacturer or your architectural
professional who would give you more details of these
types of brick and their applications.
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Brickwork movement
Moisture expansion and Irreversible moisture
expansion; Irreversible moisture expansion of a clay
brick ranges from 0.1 to 0.2mm/m length of walling
depending upon the clay and firing process used.
In addition, irreversible moisture expansion occurs as
a result of moisture in the air being absorbed by the
fired clay brick. This process takes from two to five
years, with at least half the movement taking place
in the first six months after manufacture. Irreversible
moisture expansion must be considered when
designing and constructing a clay brick structure.
The extent of this expansion will vary with brick
types falling into one of three categories. In order
to accommodate this expansion, it is necessary
for vertical movement joints to be provided at the
maximum spacing given below.
Note: Horizontal movement joints to be
provided at every height of clay brickwork
Height infill to a concrete framed structure.
73mm
114mm Exposure zones and durability
114mm Durability is the ability of a material to withstand
73mm the combined effects of the weathering agents
of moisture, soluble salts and thermal changes.
Weathering action varies from moderate to severe,
depending upon regional geographic conditions, the
microclimatic conditions pertaining to the building’s
height and the material’s position within the building.
Parapets and copings, as an example, are clearly
subjected to more severe exposure conditions than
brickwork protected by overhanging eaves. Internal
face brick is not subject to the same degree of
exposure as external face brickwork. Therefore, this
section is primarily concerned with the selection of
bricks for external face brickwork applications.
Reference: https://www.claybrick.org/
4
Types of clay bricks

FBS - NFP -
FACE BRICK NON-FACING
STANDARD PLASTERED

Clay bricks that are selected or produced for their durability and Clay ricks suitale for general building work that is to be plastered
uniformity of size and shape

FBX – NFX -
FACE BRICK NON-FACING
EXTRA EXTRA

Clay bricks suitable for use, plastered or unplastered, for general

Clay bricks that are selected or produced for their durability and high building work below damp-proof course or under damp conditions or
degree of uniformity of size, shape and colour below ground level where durability rather than aesthetics is the
criterion for selection

FBA -
ENGINEERING
FACE BRICK
UNITS
AESTHETIC

Any class masonry unit produced for structural or load-bearing

purposes in face or non-face work, where the manufacturer supplies
Clay bricks that are selected or produced for their durability and
clay bricks to an agreed compressive strength. An engineering unit is
aesthetic effect deriving from non-uniformity of size, shape, or colour
designated by the addition of the letter E followed by a number equal
to the nominal compressive strength in megapascals, e.g. FBSE21

PA CLAY PB CLAY
PAVERS PAVERS

Clay pavers that are selected or produced for their durability and for a
high degree of uniformity in size and shape, and that have dimensions Clay pavers that are selected or produced for their durability and for
such that the ratio of work size length to work size width is their uniformity in size and shape.
approximately 1:1;2:1 or 3:1.

Note: For more details on paving bricks see – External Works – Paving
Reference: https://www.claybrick.org/

5
Recommended Specifying Procedure:
There are three factors to be considered when
specifying face bricks for a particular application.
1. Geographic Consideration
In parts of Southern Africa, where the climate and
peculiar local conditions combine to produce a
harsh environment, certain types of face bricks
used externally, may suffer from accelerated
weathering. Broadly, experience has shown that
Southern Africa may be grouped into four exposure
zones, which are defined in SANS 10164-2: 2008
as follows;
2. Macro consideration
The immediate site environment e.g., site
orientation, prevailing winds, driving rain index, the
size and shape of the building and its relationship to
surrounding structures and natural features
The degree of exposure the weathering of brick
3. 
elements within the building envelope.
Concrete bricks/blocks
Concrete masonry has a surprisingly long history and
was first seen in Britain in 1840, in the USA it has been
in use since 1900. More concrete masonry is used in
the USA, Germany and France than any other type
of masonry, and in the USA, it accounts for 80% of
all masonry used. Although concrete masonry units
have been used in South Africa since the early 1900s,
their use was initially confined to rural areas. Their
application increased rapidly after World War 2,
due to an increased demand for housing. And this
period saw the introduction of mobile block-making
machines, where concrete masonry units were
produced on site.
The difference between a brick and a block is a
matter of size, not material. A block is a masonry unit
varying in length from 300mm to 650mm, a brick varies
in length from 190mm to 220mm.
Standard specification
The standard for concrete masonry units is SANS 1215.
This standard covers the physical requirements and
the sampling of units for testing.
Assurance of compliance with the quality
requirements of this standard is by obtaining the
SABS Certification Mark that the concrete masonry
units manufactured comply with the requirements of
SANS 1215. This certificate will indicate to purchasers
that the concrete masonry units are produced under
acceptable controlled conditions with appropriate
materials. SABS accredited laboratories are permitted
to perform the appropriate testing requirements on
behalf of SABS in the awarding of the mark.
6
Physical conditions and format
Dimensions of concrete masonry units do not appear
in SANS 1215, amendment No. 2 but in Appendix
F recommended nominal dimensions of concrete
masonry units.
The use of modular size masonry units is essential
if buildings are designed to the 100mm standard
module – as stated in SANS 993 modular coordination
in building. Modular planning is based on a nominal
joint thickness of 10mm. Modular wall thicknesses
are 90,140 and 190mm. The permissible thickness
of masonry walls in building is 90, 110, 140, 190, and
230mm and the modular dimensions are 90,140, and
190 mm. In the market place there is a proliferation
of different sizes of masonry units. Mainly these are
based on the “imperial” brick size of 222x106x73mm,
or multiples of this size up to block size units of
448x224x224mm. The width of these units exceeds the
requirements of SANS 10400, namely 106 and 224mm
wall thickness as compared to the “deemed to satisfy”
thicknesses of 90 and 190mm. Thus for commercial
reasons, units of reduced width are being made
which are non-modular and non-imperial, such as
222x90x73mm that satisfy the minimum requirements
of SANS 10400.
Block Sizes
Modular co-ordinating for specific blocks (hollow
units) of suitable modular dimensions is 100 mm (1
module, i.e. 90 wide plus a 10mm mortar joint) or
multiples thereof when built into a wall as in the
case with bricks. Modular co-ordination is a method
of co-ordinating the dimensions of buildings and
building components to reduce the range of sizes
required and to enable components to be built in on
site without modification; modular door and window
frames are required. While bricks are laid on a full-
bedding face of mortar hollow units are laid on shell
bedding across the width of the face shell.
Typical block

Shell bedding along

face.

190mm (H)

390mm (L)

90/140190mm (W)

10mm Mortar

Masonry Units (Bricks And Blocks) Sizes and Quantities Required per m2

Note: The table is based on exact

sizes of solid masonry units, with
10 mm thick bedding and vertical
joints, and no wastage (Quantities are
rounded up).

A figure of 10% is usually accepted when

making allowance for wastage, which also
includes for breakages (during off loading
and construction). 0,34m³ of mortar is
required per 1000 bricks (standard imperial
brick). 1,0m³ of sand would be required for
every 1,0m³ of mortar.

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Strength Where possible, take the following factors into
There are three factors to be considered when account: Particle shape and surface texture:
Units are available in a wide range of strengths as An elongated particle shape resists the flow of
described in the table Table 7.34. concrete due to particle interlock and high internal
friction, whereas rounded shapes with smooth textures
The compressive strength of a unit is based on its gross produce concrete that flows and fills moulds easily.
or overall area. The class of masonry unit required is On the other hand, elongated particle give extruded
described by reference to its nominal compressive or demoulded units the “green” strength they need to
strength in MPa. The minimum strength of blocks is avoid distortion and collapse.
3.5 MPa and of bricks 7 MPa. Normally all units with a
compressive strength exceeding 10.5 MPa are solid, Flaky particles are always unacceptable: they resist
i.e. not hollow. A solid unit contains cavities (also flow, reduce internal friction and tend to create layers
referred to as cores) not exceeding 25% of the gross or planes of weakness in the concrete.
volume of the unit while a hollow unit contains cavities
constituting in excess ofStrength
Table 7,33 Compressive 25% but According
not exceeding 60%.
to Units Grading
Coarse gradings (i.e. larger particle size, low fines
Minimum Compressive content) produce open- or rough-textured units
Nominal
Strength (Mpa) which can be easily demoulded but may not have
Compressive adequate green strength. Fine gradings (i.e. small
Average for 5*
Strength (Mpa) Individual Units average particle size, high fines content) will produce
Units
a close or fine-textured unit, but compressive strengths
3,5 4,0 3,0 may be low. Excessive fines can result in “sticky” mixes,
7 8,0 5,5 and the recommended FM is from 3.2 to 4.2.
10,5 11,5 8,5
Consistent gradings of both stone and sand reduce
14 15,5 11,0
the need to constantly adjust mix proportions and
21 23,5 17,0 equipment settings.
* In the case of units having an overall length of 290mm or less,
an average of 12 units is taken Stone size
The largest practical stone size should be used:
Aggregate for concrete masonry units reduced water requirement gives better strengths
Before settling on an aggregate source for precast using the same cement content. Maximum stone
units, bricks or blocks, carry out trials using the size used is normally 13,2mm, but stone size should
relevant, specific equipment to check: not exceed 1/3 of the maximum hollow unit shell,
i.e. 6,7mm for a 25mm shell thickness. Also, stone size
• The performance of the aggregate or blends should not be so large that the mix segregates in the
during manufacturing processes mould, or that particles are plucked from the surface.
• Achievement of the “green” strengths required for
demoulding, handling during curing and stacking
operations, and transporting to site
• The quality of the final product in terms of surface
texture, arrises,uniformity of size and shape and
density, and percentage handling breakages
• Achievement of the required ultimate strengths of
the masonry units

8
 Table 7.34 Strength requirements for masonry units and mortar
Strength requirements for masonry units and mortar
[SANS 10400 – K]

Minimum average
Class of
Wall type Position Compressive strength, MPa
a
Mortar
Solid units Hollow units

Single storey building

Structural 7,0 3,5 II
Internal or external
other than
foundation and retaining
Double storey building
walls 10,5 or 14,0 b
7,0 II
Internal or external

Non-structural External 7,0 3,5 II

other than prapet,
balustrade and
free-standing walls Internal 7,0 3,5 III

External, or
Free-standing 10,5 7,0 II
Internal

Supporting single
Foundation 7,0 3,5 II
storey

Supporting double
Foundation 10,5 or 14,0 7,0 II
storey

Parapet - 7,0 3,5 II

Balustrade - 7,0 3,5 II

Retaining - 10,5 7,0 II

a For class of mortar use – Mortar- Mix porportions

b Refer to Sans 10400 K for permissible dimension of masonry walls in buildings

9
FOR GOOD Q FOREVER
Ceramic clay brick is a natural insulator against winter cold, summer heat, humidity and
noise. With stylish, timeless appeal and impressive sustainability credentials - the enduring
hues and textures of clay brick are low maintenance and look beautiful for a lifetime.

CBASA represents clay brick & paver manufacturers across Southern Africa and drives
inclusive, sustainable practices in the industry. We inspire energy-efficient, contemporary
architecture and paving that supports our local producers, builders and architects.

CUT COOLING & HEATING COSTS

Download free technical & construction guides for clay bricks & pavers at www.claybrick.org

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