Brick Building

This is my friend’s house in Pretoria. South Africa. The building was constructed using bricks, and the construction was executed by Quicksand Company in South Africa.

 

Bricks are made from clay and shale; these materials undergo a vitrification process inside a kiln. This process enables the clay particles to fuse together.

There are different types of bricks used in masory:

1.   Common Burnt clay Bricks: these Bricks are manufactured by pressing clay in molds then dried and fired in a kiln.

2.   Sand Lime Bricks (Calcium Silicate brick): it is manufactured from sand, fly and lime. Then followed by chemical process during wet mixing.

3.   Engineering Bricks: these bricks are manufactured at extremely high temperature, to form a dense and strong brick, which allows the bricks to limit strength and water absorption.

4.   Concrete Bricks: these bricks are made from solid concrete, and it can also be manufactured in different colour pigments during production.

5.   Fly Ash clay Bricks: these bricks are manufactured with clay and fly ash.

Uses of Bricks

It is used in constructing foundation walls, walls and floors.

It is used for decoration and ornamental purpose.

It is used in constructing pavements, fences, arches and cornice.

It is used in constructing brick retaining walls, to construct bridge piers, constructing dams.

Properties of Bricks

Brick offers natural and variety of colour and texture.

Brick has an excellent high compressive strength.

Brick has a high fire resistance property, with a fire protection maximum rating of 6 hours.

Brick has a good thermal properties; it gives comfort during hot and cold weather.

Brick provides protection from high wind.

Advantages

Brick will not require painting.

Bricks are economical; because of the availability of its raw material.

Bricks are hard and durable.

Bricks can be reusable and recyclable.

In terms of maintenance, the cost required is low.

Bricks produce less environmental pollution during manufacturing process.

Bricks are lighter than concrete.

Images © Ekene Ogah