CE8391 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
UNIT I STONES – BRICKS – CONCRETE BLOCKS
Topic : Bricks
Subtopic: Special bricks
Special Bricks
• These bricks differ from the commonly used building
bricks with respect to their shape, specifications and
special purpose for which they are made.
Types of Special Bricks
1. Specially shaped bricks
2. Burnt clay facing bricks
3. Heavy duty bricks
4. Perforated bricks
5. Burnt clay hollow bricks
6. Sand Lime bricks
7. Sewer bricks
Specially shaped bricks
Bull Nose Bricks
• A brick moulded with a rounded angle is
termed as a bull nose.
• It is used for a rounded quoin (it is a
connection which is formed when a wall takes
turn).
• The centre of the curved portion is situated on
the long centre-line of brick.
Specially shaped bricks
Cant or plinth bricks:
• These bricks have a bevel taken
off one side and may be used in
plinths or in doors and window
joints.
Specially shaped bricks
Circular bricks:
These bricks have internal external
faces curved to meet the requirement of
the particular curve and radius of the
wall.
• They are used for towers, wells, pillars,
pathways, etc.
• When ordering for such bricks, the radius
should always be given.
Specially shaped bricks
Squint bricks:
These bricks are made in a variety of
different shapes and are used in the
construction of acute and obtuse squint
quoins.
Specially shaped bricks
Cornice bricks:
• These bricks are often made in different
shapes and sizes. They are used for
constructing cornice.
Specially shaped bricks
Coping bricks:
• These bricks are manufactured in a
variety of shapes to suit the thickness
of the wall and are throated on the
underside to throw off rain water.
Specially shaped bricks
Paving bricks:
• These bricks are usually made from clay
containing a higher percentage of iron.
• They are machine-moulded and are burnt in a
continuous kiln to ensure high vitrification.
• They are unaffected by weather and ordinary
traffic wear.
• The paving bricks may be plain or chequered.
Burnt clay facing bricks
• These bricks are used in the exposed
face of masonry without any further
surface protection.
• The use of these bricks is economical
where external plastering or
rendering have to be frequently
renewed due to corrosive atmosphere
and also for high rise buildings.
Heavy duty bricks
• These bricks are characterised by high compressive strength, low
water absorption, high durability and high bulk density.
• They should be free from cracks and other flaws and lime nodules.
• Uses: They are required for masonry in heavy engineering works
such as bridge structures, multi-storeyed buildings and industrial
foundation.
Perforated bricks
• These bricks may be standard size
bricks and contain cylindrical
holes throughout their thickness.
• The aperture of the perforations is
such that it gives maximum
amount of ventilation but does
not permit the entry of rats or
mice.
Perforated bricks
• They are light in weight and require less quantity of clay for their
preparation.
• These bricks are easy to burn and their light weight makes it
possible to cut down the weight of the structure and effect
economy in foundations.
• Uses: These bricks are used for constructing panel walls for
multi-storeyed buildings and for providing partition walls.
Burnt clay hollow bricks
• They are prepared from special homogeneous clay.
• They should be of uniform colour and have a fine,
compact and uniform texture.
• These bricks/blocks are light in weight for masonry
construction and also being hollow impart insulation
against heat, sound and dampness to the building.
• Uses: They are used for construction of load bearing
walls, partition walls or panel walls, multi-storeyed
buildings.
Sewer bricks
• These bricks are manufactured from surface clay, fire
clay or shale or a combination of these materials.
Uses:
• They are used for lining of walls, roofs and floors of
sewers used for ordinary sanitary (domestic) sewage.
• These bricks, however, are not suitable for sewers
dealing with industrial effluent/sewage for which
acid-resistant bricks may be considered.
Thank You
Any queries?
