Classification of Bricks | Size and Weight of the Brick | Bricks Types

3 min readOct 5, 2022

The bricks are obtained by moulding clay in rectangular blocks of uniform size and then by drying and burning these blocks.

Bricks are one of the oldest building material and it is extensively used at present for loading the material in construction methods because of their durability, strength, reliability, low cost, easy availability, etc.

Bricks are used for building up exterior and interior walls, partitions, piers, footings, and other loading structures.

Size and Weight of Brick In India

Bricks Dimension or Size of brick

The standard size of bricks is 19 cm x 9 cm x 9 cm.
Nominal size (with mortar) is 20 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm.
The commonly adopted nominal size of traditional bricks is 23 cm x 11.4 cm x 7.8 cm.

Weight of Brick

Classification of Bricks or Bricks Types

(A) On Field Practice

Clay bricks are classified as first class, second class, third class, and fourth class based on their physical and mechanical properties.

First class bricks

These bricks are table-moulded and of standard shape and they are burnt in kilns.
The surfaces and edges of the bricks are sharp, square, smooth, and straight.
First-class bricks have all qualities of good bricks.
These bricks are used for superior work of permanent nature
Compressive strength> 10.5 N/mm²
On allowing immersed in cold water for 24 hours, water absorption should not be more than 20% of its dry weight.

Uses: First-class bricks are recommended for pointing, exposed facework in masonry structures, flooring, and reinforced brickwork.

Second class brick

These bricks are ground moulded and they are burnt in kilns.
The surface of these bricks is somewhat rough and the shape is also slightly irregular.
These bricks are commonly used at places where brickwork is to be provided with a coat of plaster.
Water absorption of 22% of its dry weight is allowed.
Compressive strength ≥ 7.0 N/mm².

Uses: Second-class bricks are recommended for all important or unimportant hidden masonry works and centering of reinforced brick and reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structures.

Third class bricks

These are ground moulded and they are burnt in clamps.
These bricks are not hard and they have a rough surface
These bricks give a dull sound when struck together.
They are used for unimportant and temporary structures.
Water absorption is about 25% of its dry weight is allowed.
These have rough surfaces with irregular or distorted edges.

Uses: For unimportant and temporary structures and at places where rainfall is not heavy.

Fourth class bricks

Uses: Used as ballast in foundations, and floors in lime concrete.

NOTE: Heavy-duty bricks have a compressive strength of more than 40 N/mm2, used in structures such as bridges, foundation buildings, etc. water absorption is limited to 5%.

(B) On Strength

Originally published at https://civilchapola.com on October 5, 2022.