Compressive Strength Test on Bricks

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Compressive strength test on bricks are carried out to determine the load carrying capacity of bricks under compression with the help of compression testing machine.

Bricks are generally used for construction of load bearing masonry walls, columns and footings. These load bearing masonry structures experiences mostly the compressive loads. Thus, it is important to know the compressive strength of bricks to check for its suitability for construction.

Apparatus, sampling, procedure and calculations to determine the compressive strength of bricks are discussed below.

Compressive Strength Test on Bricks

Apparatus

Compression testing machine, the compression plate of which shall have ball seating in the form of portion of a sphere center of which coincides with the centre of the plate.

Specimens

Three numbers of whole bricks from sample collected should be taken. The dimensions should be measured to the nearest 1mm.

Sampling of Bricks

Remove unevenness observed the bed faces of bricks to provide two smooth parallel faces by grinding. Immerse the bricks in water at room temperature for 24 hours, then remove the specimen and drain out any surplus moisture at room temperature.

Fill the frog and all voids in the bed faces flush with cement mortar (1 cement, 1 clean coarse sand of grade 3mm and down). Store it under the damp jute bags for 24 hours filled by immersion in clean water for 3 days. Remove and wipe out any traces of moisture.

Procedure of Compressive Strength Test on Bricks

1. Place the specimen with flat face s horizontal and mortar filled face facing upwards between plates of the testing machine.
2. Apply load axially at a uniform rate of 14 N/mm² (140 kg/cm²) per minute till failure occurs and note maximum load at failure.
3. The load at failure is maximum load at which the specimen fails to produce any further increase in the indicator reading on the testing machine.

Calculation

Compressive Strength of Bricks = Maximum Load at Failure (N)/Average area of bed face (mm²)

The average of result shall be reported.

Range Calculation

Maximum compressive strength =

Contact area =

Maximum expected load =

The range to be selected is .....................

Result

Average compressive strength of the given bricks =.............. N/mm²

Specifications of Bricks

Speciation of Common Clay Building Bricks

Dimensions: The standard size of clay bricks shall be as follows

Length (mm)	Width (mm)	Height (mm)
190	90	90
190	90	40

Classification of Bricks based on Compressive Strength

The common burnt clay shall be classified on the basis of average compressive strength as given in table.

Bricks Class Designation	Average compressive strength of Bricks
	Not less than (N/mm2)	Less than (N/mm2)
350	35	40
300	30	35
250	25	30
200	20	25
175	17.5	20
150	15	17.5
125	12.5	15
100	10	12.5
75	7.5	10
50	5	7.5
35	3.5	5