Bricks: an Overview

Brick is one of the important part of the building construction, It is one of the oldest man-made building materials. We will explore the forms in which brick is used today. In this article Brick sizes, types of bonds, and mortar details are the topics that we will be focusing on to.

Composition

Ancient brick was kiln-fired clay or earth. But today, additives can be used to give brick special qualities. In the production of nearly all kinds of bricks, cement is used to provide a binding agent. Water is also added to mix everything together and to provide a workable mixture.

Types

There are 3 types of bricks used in buildings.

• Facing Bricks - are used on the exterior of buildings as a cladding material. Many varieties offering different colors and textures are available.
• Engineering Bricks - have a high crush strength and low porosity. Available in Class A and Class B, they are often used in load-bearing applications, retaining walls, in the sewage system, etc.
• Building or Common Bricks - are generally used for below ground structures or structures that are not visible. These bricks are cheaper and of poor quality.

Sizes

Size of a brick is dependent on the mold used to create it. Brick sizes can vary in different countries or regions. Some commonly used sizes are (length x width x height, measured in mm):

• CSR - 230 x 90 x 70
• Max - 257 x 90 x 79
• Ontario - 213 x 102 x 79
• Metric Modular - 190 x 90 x 57
• Metric Closure - 190 x 90 x 90
• Metric Jumbo - 290 x 90 x 90

Laying 

When bricks are laid, some kind of pattern needs to be followed. For obtaining the best strength and/or appearance, certain standard bonds are used. The most commonly used bonds are:

Running Bond

English Bond
Flemish Bond
Common/American Bond
Stack Bond
Stretcher Bond

Mortars

Mortar is used to join one brick to the other. They are composed of cement and sand. Water is added to create a workable mixture. Lime may also be added. The ratio of cement : lime : sand varies for different conditions. To give an idea, use 1 : 1 : 6 for normal exposure and use 1 : 1/4 : 3 for extreme conditions. Mortars can also be colored. The joints between the bricks that are created with mortar also need to be finished. Here are some sites that provide detailed information on mortar colors and joints.