Brick Quality Test Explained By Rodi Dust

The quality of the bricks can be determined by the following seven tests that are to be conducted in the laboratory and there are several other tests that can be done on the field.

• Compressive strength test
• Water Absorption test
• Efflorescence test
• Hardness test
• Size, Shape, and Color & nbsp test
• Soundness test
• Structure test

Compressive strength test

This simple test is done to test the compressive strength of the brick. It is also called the crushing strength of brick. Generally, five specimens of bricks should be tested in the laboratory and the test is performed on them one by one. During the test, each brick specimen is placed in a crushing machine and applied pressure until it breaks. The ultimate pressure at which the brick is crushed is taken into consideration.

After successfully testing all the five bricks one by one, the average result’s taken as brick’s compressive/crushing strength.

Water Absorption test:

During the Water absorption test bricks are first weighed in dry condition and then they are immersed in water for twenty-four hours. After twenty-four hours of immersion, the bricks are taken out from the water and wiped with a piece of cloth. Then brick is weighed in wet condition. The difference between the weight is the water absorbed by brick. The percentage of water absorption is then calculated.

The less water absorbed by brick the higher is the brick quality. Good quality bricks do not absorb more than twenty percent of the water of their own weight.

Efflorescence test:

The presence of alkalis in bricks is harmful and they form a gray or white layer on the brick surface by absorbing moisture. This test is performed to find out the presence of alkalis in bricks.

During this test, the brick is immersed in water for twenty-four hours and then it is taken out from the water and allowed to dry in shade.

If the whitish layer is not visible on the surface it proves the absence of alkalis in brick.

If the whitish layer is present on 10 percent of the brick surface, then the presence of alkalis is present in the acceptable range. If the whitish surface is visible on the brick for almost fifty percent of the surface, then it is moderate and if the whitish surface is over fifty percent then the presence of alkalis is severe in the bricks.

Hardness test:

A scratch is made on the brick surface with a hard thing and if does not leave any impression on the brick then the brick quality is good.

Size, shape, and color test:

While performing this test, twenty bricks are randomly collected. These bricks are stacked widthwise, lengthwise, and height wise and then these are measured to know the variation of sizes as per standard.

Bricks are monitored closely if their edges are straight, sharp, and uniform in size and shape. Good quality bricks have bright and uniform colors throughout.

Soundness test:

In the soundness test or sound test, two bricks are held in both hands and they are hit with each other to check the sound of the bricks stuck together. If the bricks leave a clear metal ringing sound and do not break, then the brick quality is good.

Structure test:

In the structure test, a brick is broken or a broken brick is collected and closely monitored.

If there are any cracks, flaws, or holes available on the broken piece then the quality of the brick is not good and if there are no cracks, flaws, or holes present on the bricks then the brick quality is good.