Fabrication of Brick Carrying Device
AbhitoshTripathi1, Abhishek Tiwari2, Mr. RishikantSahani*,
AbhishekShukla3, AshviniPandey4
*Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Buddha Institute of Technology , Gida,Gorakhpur, U.P
1,2,3,4
B. Tech Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Buddha Institute of Technology, Gida,Gorakhpur,U.P.
ABSTRACT:
Brick Carrying Device is widely used in transportation and delivery operations due to the high level of
flexibility and agility offer to supply chains. However, there is a negative side to the application of brick
carrying devices in construction site which can be removed or minimized by proper ergonomic and technical
considerations. In this thesis work, the safety problems, economic issues and environmental effects associated
with brick carrying being used in organization are reviewed in order to come up with alternative solutions to
the current way of using old brick carrying in their supply chain. The analysis of the problem resulted in
ergonomic, safety and technical recommendation on using brick carrying within their associated supply chain.
The appropriate technical design of brick carrying that fits the organization facilities are introduced with the
aim of streamlining the supply chain flow within the organization. However, cost is considered as a limiting
factor for this organization. Hence, proper ergonomic awareness and use of appropriate accessories to the
brick carrying devices are considered as a contemporary alternative solution to replacing brick carrying
devices being used in thissupply chain.
Keywords- Brick Carrying, Ergonomics, Load Analysis.
I. INTRODUCTION
For the last couple of years, carrying bricks on head is the most common practice adopted by the labourer at
construction sites in India and the other developing countries. Most of these labourer are women especially in
India. Carrying bricks/load on head might cause injuries in brain and neck, pain in muscles and other spinal
problems. Bricks on back using a rope, on shoulders using wooden plank, etc. are few others ways of doing the
task of transporting bricks on construction sites1.
The problem taken up by us is important as it involves a lot of pain and drudgery for people especially women
who have to carry the load on their head. Hence it is important to understand the bio-mechanical aspect of this.
The construction industry in India is the second largest economic activity after agriculture. Safety consciousness
is yet to percolate to these construction sites where majority of the workers work under hazardous conditions2.
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Figure-1 Brick carrying on head
II. OBJECTIVE
The objective of this project is to Design and fabrication of brick carrying device based on ergonomics.
Fabrication of Brick Carrying Device using cast iron.
III. LITERATURE SURVEY
[1].JaunsBanwell et.al. [1996]had invented a new and useful Improvement in Brick-Carrying Devices jointly
inclamp for such uses in which are combined the features of a strong and efiective means for grasping a number
of brick together, so that the same can be handled conveniently, a simple and effective construction by which
the clamp is adapted for insertion into a close pile of brick to engage the desired number of the same, and a
convenient and ready means for adjusting the appliance to engage and hold a greater or less number of brick.
[2]. Brennan John F et.al. [2001]invented regard to analogous operations where bricks, or like material,
require to be transported short distances.. They made a sketch and described the idea of making this prototype.
The object of the present invention is to provide mechanical means for thus carrying the brick, which means
shall be, in view of the exigencies of the use to which the device is to be put, of light and simple construction.
The need to estimate safe levels of loading for manual handling activities has arisen with the confirmation.
[3]. James Banwell et.al. [2004] examined the relationship between work stressors and the following health
indicators: psychosomatic complaints, health behavior, and musculoskeletal problems. Results of the study
revealed that High work pace, low intellectual discretion, and physical stressors were associated with increased
health complaints (both psychosomatic and musculoskeletal) and musculoskeletal disorders after adjustment for
gender, age, education, and sports participation. Psychosocial stressors are not only associated with
psychosomatic complaints and health indicators, but also with musculoskeletal problems, both acute and
chronic.
[4]. Herman R Smith et.al. [2005]had invented certain new and useful improvements in Handling,
Transporting, and Storing Brick.He found that most of the ambulance workers had been confronted with acute
stressors in their work. Of the participants, more than a tenth suffered from a clinical level of post-traumatic
distress, one tenth reported a fatigue level that put them at high risk for sick leave and work disability and nearly
a tenth of the personnel suffered from burnout.
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[5].EmilianoLausell et.al. [2007] invented an adjustable carrying device for a single handed grasping, lifting
and transporting of an object which has at least two parallel opposed surfaces and a width between said parallel
opposed surfaces, said carrying device comprising a pair of handle brackets spaced by a handgrip carried by
said first gripping member for sliding and pivoting said first gripping member in relation to said second gripping
member and for holding said, adjustable carrying device.
[6].Nichols Michael J et. al.[2008] provided an adjustable carrying device that will not allow its removal from
the object being transported, until the object has been safely placed on a surface area similar to that contact area
provided by human hands.
[7]. Mortensen James W et.al.[2010] have invented new and useful Improvements in Brick-Handling Devices
to be clamped upon a number of bricks at one time-say eight or ten-and carry the same personally from one
place to another.
IV. METHODOLOGY
Study of research Study of mechanism
papers
Design and fabrication Selection of material
fabrication
Modelling
Workshop model
Load analysis Fabrication and
assembly
4.1 MATERIAL PROPERTIES
In this project we are using cast iron and stainless steel.
Compressive (Crushing) StrengthMPa 570 to 1290
Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus GPa 82 to 140
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) MPa 69 to 170
Brinell Hardness 160-300
Table 1: Grey cast iron properties
4.2 FABRICATION MODEL
Before starting the process of ideation, the team was asked to understand the whole process so that they can get
important insights of the design process. They even tried to use the device to get a feel of how the new solution
can accommodate the limitations in this design. An important missing was the involvement of workers at this
stage. They could have given the already existing device for use and taken specific feedback for improvements.
Reviewing the existing solutions is important to understand the need to design
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This model is created in workshop in which use cast iron and stainless steel.
Fig.4.1 Fabricated model of brick carrying device
This device is use to carrying brick at the plane surface and carries more bricks. In this fig one worker can carry
12 no of bricks easily on plane surface as well as rough surface.
Fig. 4.2- Carrying Bricks on fabricated model
This device can also use to carrying cement bag on the fabricated model. In this fig one worker can carry
1cement bag on plane surface as well as rough surface.
Fig.4.3 -Carrying Cement Sack on fabricated model
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4.3 PROTOTYPING AND FEEDBACK FROM USERS/MENTORS
The team designed a device as described in their proof of concept stage. They got it made with the help of a
local fabricator and went to test it in the field to get user feedback.
Functions and User 1 User 2 User 3
Reviews
Gender Male Male Female
Load capacity 10-12 14-17 10-12
(No. of brick) No. of brick) No. of No. of
brick) brick)
Age 21 35 26
User Review Little un- Satisfied Need
satisfied and some
Uncomfortable suggest size
to load-unload reducing reduction
the bricks. the weight in frame
of the diameter.
model.
They got feedback from labourers and also demonstrated the use of the device. The important thing missed in
the feedback is the use of device by women since 51% of the workers carrying bricks on their heads are women.
Thus uniform design of solutions will not work and it is important to have perspective of all the stakeholders.
V. THEORETICAL CALCULATION & RESULT
5.1 CALCULATIONS
The standard size of a brick (IS Standard) is 190 mm ×90 mm ×60 mm and with the mortar joint, it becomes
210mm × 100 mm× 62 mm.
l = 210 mm= 0.688976 ft.
b = 100 mm =0.328084 ft.
h = 62 mm = 0.203142 ft.
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Fig.Brick Dimension
Actual brick weight (Wa) = 3kg
Weight of device (Wd) = 10kg
No of brick carrying on the plane by device (n) = 18
Total weight of brick and device when carrying on plane (T) = 60
The maximum load taken by device with sack or sand on the shoulder (W max) = 27kg
The Total weight of sack with cement or sand on device (W s) = 37kg
The maximum load on head with device (Wh) = 10kg
The total weight (Wt) = 20kg
5.2REQUIRED LOAD CAPACITY
Many of those engaged with this work area believe that this is the most important criterion for choosing the type
and model of our casters. To stay on the safe side there has been a rather universal agreement on the load
capacity of each caster in brick carrying devices which is expressed in terms of bottom line load capacity for
each caster. In the industrial and managerial fields they say that each caster should have the capacity to support
one-third of the total weight. This can be considered as an easily comprehensible criterion for people involved in
this field. This design-manufacturing requirement may arise from different uncertainties like rough surfaces
covered with barriers like card boards or plastics. It may also happen due to overloading or unbalanced type of
load distribution on the casters. Another reason that makes it necessary to respect this safety factor is that
sometimes personnel do not handle the brick carrying devices in a proper way. Thus using this safety margin
will compensate for human error as well6.
5.3 MOVING NESTED BRICK CARRYING DEVICES
When brick carrying devices are nested the center of gravity moves toward the fixed casters side of the base
frame. Hence, there would be a high risk of overturning if a single nested brick carrying device is to be pulled
from the side with fixed casters. Therefore when handling a nested brick carrying device, we need to push it
from the side with fixed casters and not pull it.
When brick carrying devices are packed together to make a unit, there is little risk of overturning due to the
inherent safety character in moving them. Operators need to push them, otherwise they will not stay together or
in other words this is the only way to keep containers nested.
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It is usually a good practice to strap the nested containers together to avoid risky situations. This is especially
important when they are being pushed down a slope. In this case there is a risk of the leading ones to breaking
5.4FILLING AND EMPTYING ACTIVITIES IN BRICK CARRYING DEVICES
Many harms and injuries can take place at this phase. Proper implementation of ergonomic guidelines can
secure personnels life and health in short and long run.
5.5 LIFTING AND LOWERING TASKS
It is quite common for operators to face back injuries due to lack of attention to safety guidelines while filling or
emptying brick carrying. Operators task should go through a risk assessment process if they are supposed to
handle packages weighing over the permitted guideline loads.
VI.CONCLUSION
Brick carrying devices are very easy to handle and effective facilities when it comes to distribution and delivery
of goods. On the other hand, companies and organization face budget limits and authorities decision supports on
purchasing new models of brick carrying devices and replacing old types. Meanwhile the solution for companies
at this era of change would be to assure that proper ergonomic training and enforcements are at place. Health
and safety facilities and accessories would partially mitigate the hazardous situations in this chain of delivery
and transportation activities.
Money and time are being spent on this issue to get to higher levels in meeting up with requirements specified in
related standards and guidelines. As role containers are very often being used in association with manual
handling in supply/demand chain, they can have very important effect on reduction of accidents and
Inefficiencies for industries and people.
Hence the market demand already exists regarding optimized and ergonomic design and manufacture of brick
carrying devices with meeting the customization requirements from the customer sides. By market demand I
mean the demand from any party which is affected directly or indirectly by use of brick carrying devices. As it
is quite comprehensive in this regard, more or less the whole supply/demand chain can be potentially or actually
affected. Therefore it seems to be a multi-partition right to make the right decision in this regard.
In our case where hospital supply chain has been under study, there are some design considerations regarding
the brick carrying device as well as some ergonomic, safety and security revisions that need to be conveyed
throughout the organization through proper methods applicable to each department and warehouse.
VII. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to express our regards to Assistant Professor Mr.RishikantSahani for guiding us through the
whole research Programme. We would also like to thanks Mr.Sharique Hayat (Head of Department,
Mechanical Engineering, BIT, Gida, Gorakhpur) for giving his valuable time to guide through the research.
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