CE 378: Structural Engineering Laboratory

Session: Spring 2016-17

Experiment No.: 7
Experiment Name: Tests on bricks-
(a) Determination of compressive strength as per IS 3495 (Part 1): 1992
(b) Determination of water absorption as per IS 3495 (Part 2): 1992

Starting Date of the Experiment: February 08, 2017

Laboratory Group No.: 03

Submitted by
Abhiram Chebrolu
Roll No.: 114CE0303

Department of Civil Engineering

National Institute of Technology Rourkela
 (a) COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST

PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to document the compressive strength test on fly ash bricks
conducted in Structural Engineering Laboratory.

BASIS OF THE EXPERIMENT

(i) This report of finding out the compressive strength of bricks is based on IS 3495 (Part-
1):1992.

(ii) Specification for burnt clay fly ash building bricks is based on IS 13757:1993.

SPECIMENS

Three numbers of fly ash bricks should be taken. The dimensions should be
measured to the nearest 1mm.

Mortar Mix Specifications used:

C:S = 1:4 (Cement to Sand ratio)

W/C = 0.4 (Water to Cement ratio)

Weight of Cement used= 200g

Weight of Sand used= 800g

Volume of Water used= 80mL

 FROG FILLED BY CEMENT MORTAR

CTM MACHINE
(Compressive Strength Testing Machine)

OBSERVATIONS

Compressive strength = maximum load at failure average area of bed face

Brick no. Length Width (mm) Height Area (mm2) Maximum Compressive
(mm) (mm) Load/Peak Strength
Load /Peak Stress
(N) (MPa)
1 230 100 75 2.3*104 2.231*105 9.7
2 230 100 76 2.3*104 9.7*104 4.2
3 230 100 75 2.3*104 1.735*105 7.5
AVERAGE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH 7.133
FAILURE OF THE BRICKS:

Failure of the 1st Brick.

Failure of the 2nd Brick
 Failure of the 3rd Brick

RESULTS
The average compressive strength of fly ash brick is found to be 7.133 N/mm2 or 7.133MPa.

DISCUSSIONS

From the above experiment, the average compressive strength of the given set of three
specimens is found to be 7.133 N/mm2 or 7.133MPa.
The fly ash brick belongs to class 7.5 as per the classification given in IS 13757:1993
(Table 1).

Table Showing Classes of Burnt Clay Fly Ash Bricks (IS

13757:1993)
 Average Compressive Strength

Class Designation

N/mm2 Kgf/cm2, (approx)

30 30 300

25 25 250

20 20 200

17.5 17.5 175

15 15 150

12.5 12.5 125

10 10 100

7.5 7.5 75

5 5 50

3.5 3.5 35
Some values of Compressive Strength of Clay Bricks and their Classes. These can be useful
while comparing the results obtained from Fly Ash Bricks with them :
Class AA: 140 kg/ cm2
1st Class: 105 kg/ cm2
2nd Class: 70 kg/ cm2
3rd Class : 35 kg/ cm2

(b) WATER ABSORPTION TEST

PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to document the water absorption test on bricks conducted in
Structural Engineering Laboratory.

BASIS OF THE EXPERIMENT

(i) This report of finding out the water absorption capacity of brick is based on IS 3495 (Part-2):
1992.

(ii) Specification for burnt clay fly ash building bricks is based on IS 13757:1993.

BRICK CLASSIFICATION

Based on the water absorption of bricks after 24 hours of immersion, they ae classified as

First class bricks20%

Second class bricks22 %

Third class bricks25%

OBSERVATIONS

Sl. No. Weight of dry Weight of immersed % of water absorption

brick brick after 24 hours = [(M2-M1)/M1]x100
(M1) (M2)
(in kg) (in kg)
1 2.840 3.360 18.309%
2 2.700 3.160 17.037%
3 2.600 3.140 20.769%
AVERAG
E WATER ABSORPTION 18.705%
RESULTS
The average water absorption capacity of fly ash brick is found to be 18.705%.

DISCUSSIONS
The bricks when tested as per the procedure laid down in IS 3495 (Part 2) : 1992 after immersion
in cold water after 24 hours water absorption shall not be more than 20% by weight up to class
12.5 and 15% by weight of higher classes. Here we are using class 7.5 fly ash bricks; hence, the
water absorbing capacity of the bricks is within the limits.