COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH STUDY OF BRICK MASONRY

SUBJECTED TO AXIAL LOADING

YAP SIE HORNG

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

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COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH STUDY OF BRICK MASONRY

SUBJECTED TO AXIAL LOADING

YAP SIE HORNG

A report submitted in partial fulfilment of the

requirements of the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Civil Engineering

Faculty of Civil Engineering

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

APRIL 2010
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This report is dedicated to my beloved and supportive father and mother.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Here, I, the author, take my chances to express my gratitude to all who have
given me guidance, advices and assistances in completing this report. Without them,
it is impossible for me to complete this report with my own strength.

First of all, I want to thank my supervisor, Prof. Dr. Jahangir Bakhteri and co-
supervisor Prof. Madya Ir. Dr. Mohd. Hanim Osman for their guidance along the
way in completing this course. I also want to thank the technicians of Structure and
Material Laboratory, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia,
Skudai for their guidance and co-operation during my laboratory work.

I also express my appreciation to all my friends who involved indirectly to

my study. I thank them for their assistances and supports.

Finally, I want to express a thousand thanks to both of my parents for all their
support and high expectation in me. And again, thanks to all who have guided me,
assisted me and supported me.
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ABSTRACT

This project report presents the effect of mortar joint thickness on the
compressive strength of brickworks. These studies included the investigation on the
properties of the materials used for the brickwork. A series of experiments based on
British Standard were done to obtain the properties of the materials. Various sets of
5-bricks prisms and stretcher bond wallete specimens were made and having
different mortar joint thickness. In this research, the mortar joint thicknesses used
were 7.0 mm, 10.0 mm and 15.0 mm. The samples were tested to obtain the
necessary information. By using simple statistically and graphical method, the
characteristic compressive strength of the brickwork along with other properties was
obtained. From the compressive testing, samples with mortar joint thickness 7.0 mm
showed higher compressive strength compared to the other two thicknesses.
Observation was made during the test to evaluate the failure occurred to the
brickwork under compression. From the observation made during the experiment, the
general failure mode occurred on the samples was vertical cracking. An attempt was
made to compare the experimental results obtained with the theoretical values
calculated from a formula based on elastic analysis. The results obtained from the
experiment testing fulfilled the theories stated by A.W. Hendry and this strengthened
the analysis done previously. The tests and the analysis result clearly show that the
increment of the mortar joint thickness will directly reduce the compressive strength
of brick masonry.
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ABSTRAK

Kertas kerja ini membentangken kesan ketebalan sambungan mortar ke atas

kekuatan mampatan kerja bata. Kajian ini termasuk penyelidikan sifat bahan-bahan
yang digunakan untuk kerja bata. Satu siri ujian yang merujuk kepada British
Standard dilaksanakan untuk memperolehi sifat-sifat bahan tersebut. Beberapa set
prisma 5-bata dan spesimen wallete ikatan memanjang dibuat dan mempunyai
ketebalan sambungan mortar yang berbeza. Dalam kajian ini, ketebalan sambungan
mortar yang diguna adalah 7.0 mm, 10.0 mm dan 15.0 mm. Sampel tersebut diuji
untuk mendapatkan informasi yang diperlukan. Dengan menggunakan kaedah
statistik dan graf mudah, kekuatan mampatan kerja bata dan sifat-sifat lain telah
diperolehi. Daripada ujian mampatan, sampel yang mempunyai ketebalan
sambungan mortar 7.0 mm menunjukkan kekuatan mampatan yang lebih tinggi
dibandingkan dengan dua ketebalan yang lain. Pemerhatian dibuat semasa ujikaji
untuk menilai kegagalan yang berlaku kepada kerja bata dalam keadaan mampatan.
Daripada pemerhatian yang dibuat semasa ujian, mod kegagalan umum yang berlaku
kepada sampel adalah retakan menegak. Percubaan dilakukan untuk membandingkan
keputusan ujikaji dengan nilai teori yang dikira daripada fomula yang berdasarkan
kepada analisa keanjalan. Hasil yang diperolehi daripada ujikaji memenuhi teori-
teori yang telah dinyatakan oleh A.W. Hendry and ini menguatkan lagi analisa yang
dibuat sebelum ni. Ujikaji dan analisa yang dibuat jelas menunjukkan bahawa
peningkatan ketebalan sambungan mortar akan secara langsungnya mengurangkan
kekuatan mampatan kerja bata.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

TITLE PAGE i

DECLARATION ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

ABSTRACT v

ABSTRAK vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES xii

LIST OF FIGURES xiv

LIST OF SYMBOLS xvii

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 General 1

1.2 Statement of the Problems 2

1.3 Objectives of the Research 3

1.4 Statement of Hypothesis 3

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1.5 Scope of Research 4

1.6 Importance of Research 4

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 5

2.1 General 5

2.2 Bricks 5

2.2.1 Type of Bricks 6

2.2.1.1 Clay Bricks 6

2.2.1.2 Sand-lime Bricks 9

2.2.1.3 Concrete Bricks 10

2.2.2 Properties of Clay Bricks 12

2.2.2.1 Compressive Strength 12

2.2.2.2 Water Absorption 12

2.2.2.3 Fire Resistance 13

2.2.2.4 Chemical Resistance 13

2.2.2.5 Thermal Resistance 14

2.2.2.6 Sound Absorption and Transmission 14

2.2.2.7 Colour 14

2.2.2.8 Texture 15

2.3 Mortar 15

2.3.2 Properties of Mortar 16

2.3.2.1 Workability of Wet Mortar 16

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2.3.2.2 Compressive Strength 17

2.3.2.3 Bonding Strength 17

2.3.2.4 Elastic Properties 18

2.4 Properties of Brickwork 18

2.4.1 Behaviour of Brickwork in Compression 18

2.4.2 Mechanism of Failure in Brickwork under Axial

Load 23

3.0 METHODOLOGY 24

3.1 General 24

3.2 Required Materials 24

3.3 Tests on the Materials 26

3.3.1 Tests on Bricks 26

3.3.1.1 Measurement of Dimensions 26

3.3.1.2 Determination of Compressive Strength 28

3.3.2 Tests on Mortar’s Constituents 29

3.3.2.1 Sieve Analysis for Sand Grading 29

3.3.2.2 Compressive Strength Test on Mortar 31

3.4 Tests on Wallete Specimens 33

3.4.1 Construction of Wallete Specimens 33

3.4.1.1 Construction of 5-Bricks Prism Wallete

Specimens 35
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3.4.1.2 Construction of Stretcher Bond Wallete

Specimens 36

3.4.2 Compressive Strength Test on Wallete Specimens 36

4.0 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 38

4.1 General 38

4.2 Tests on Bricks 38

4.2.1 Measurement of Dimensions of Bricks 38

4.2.2 Compressive Strength Tests on Bricks 39

4.3 Tests on Mortar 42

4.3.1 Sieve Analysis for Sand 42

4.3.2 Compressive Strength Tests on Mortar Cubes 43

4.4 Tests on Wallete Specimens 44

4.4 1 Compressive Strength Tests on 5-bricks Prism

Specimens 44

4.4.2 Compressive Strength Tests on Stretcher Bond

Wallete Specimens 48

4.5 Theoretical Analysis 50

4.6 Discussions and Comments 53

4.6.1 Tests on Bricks 53

4.6.2 Tests on Mortar 54

4.6.2.1 Sieve Analysis for Sand 54

4.6.2.2 Compressive Strength Tests on Mortar

Cubes 54
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4.6.3 Tests on Wallete Specimens 55

4.6.3.1 Tests on 5-bricks Prism Specimens 55

4.6.3.2 Tests on Stretcher Bond Wallete

Specimens 57

4.6.4 Theoretical Compressive Strength of Wallete

Specimens 59

4.6.5 Computerised Analysis on Wallete Specimens 62

5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 67

5.1 General 67

5.2 Conclusion 67

5.3 Recommendations 68

REFERENCES 70
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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE

2.1 Sizes of Bricks, BS 3921: 1985 7

2.2 Classification of bricks by compressive strength and water

absorption, BS 3921: 1985 9

2.3 Classes of calcium silicate bricks 10

2.4 Requirements for mortar, BS 5628 16

3.1 Limits of bricks dimensions recommended by BS 3921:

1985 27

3.2 Percentage by mass passing BS sieve, BS 882: 1992. 30

3.3 Total of 18 specimens according to bonding type and

mortar thickness 34

4.1 Dimensions of 24 bricks measured 39

4.2 Compressive strength of tested clay bricks 39

4.3 Characteristic compressive strength calculation for bricks 41

4.4 Sieve analysis for sand 42

4.5 Results of compressive strength test on mortar grade III 43

4.6 Dimensions of the 5-bricks prism specimens 44

4.7 Results of the 5-bricks prism specimens’ compressive

strength test 45

4.8 Vertical displacement for each specimen 46

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4.9 Results of the stretcher bond wallete specimens’

dimensions measurement 49

4.10 Results of stretcher bond wallete specimens’ compressive

strength test 49

4.11 Comparison between experimental results and theoretical

values 60
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LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO. TITLE PAGE

2.1 Clay bricks 7

2.2 Sand-lime bricks 10

2.3 Concrete bricks 11

2.4 Mean compressive strength of walls against brick strength

for 102mm thick brickwork in various mortars (Hendry,
1990) 17

2.5 Brick strength against brickwork cube strength (David

Lenczner, 1972) 19

2.6 Mortar strength against brickwork cube strength (David

Lenczner, 1972) 19

2.7 Stress-strain curves for full scale models (Jahangir

Bakhteri, Shamala Sambasivam) 20

2.8 Effect of mortar joint thickness on masonry compression

strength in full scale models (Jahangir Bakhteri, Shamala
Sambasivam) 21

2.9 Variation in the wet compressive strength of masonry

prism with mortar joint thickness (B. V. Venkatarama
Reddy, Richardson Lal, K. S. Nanjunda Rao) 21

2.10 Stress-strain relationships for SCB masonry prisms with

different joint thicknesses (B. V. Venkatarama Reddy,
Richardson Lal, K. S. Nanjunda Rao) 22

2.11 Typical failure patterns in a brickwork wall 23

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3.1 Bricks to be used in constructing wallete specimens 25

3.2 Ordinary Portland cement to be used in mortar mixture 25

3.3 Lime to be used in mortar mixture 25

3.4 Sand to be used in mortar mixture 26

3.5 Arrangement of bricks for measurement of (a) length, (b)

width, and (c) height 27

3.6 Testing of brick specimens 29

3.7 Sieving process for the sand 30

3.8 Hardened mortar cubes for further curing 32

3.9 Compressive strength testing for mortar cubes 33

3.10 Model of 5-bricks prism specimens 34

3.11 Model of stretcher bond wallete specimens 34

3.12 Completed 5-bricks prism specimens 35

3.13 Completed stretcher bond wallete specimens 36

3.14 Compressive strength tests on 5-bricks prism specimens 37

3.15 Compressive strength tests on stretcher bond wallete

specimens 37

4.1 Chart of percentage passing against sieve size for sand

grading sieve analysis 42

4.2 Graph of compressive strength against number of curing

daysfor mortar cubes 43

4.3 Chart of compressive strength for each specimen

according to mortar joint thickness 45

4.4 Chart of compressive load against vertical displacement

for each specimen 47

4.5 Chart of compressive strength of specimens against mortar

joint thickness for 5-bricks prism specimens 48
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4.6 Chart of compressive strength of specimens against mortar

joint thickness for stretcher bond wallete specimens 50

4.7 Shape of the bricks after being tested 54

4.8 Shape of the 100 mm x 100 mm mortar cubes after being

tested 55

4.9 Failure of 5-bricks prism specimen with mortar joint 7.5

mm, 3rd model 56

4.10 Failure of 5-bricks prism specimen with mortar joint 10.0

mm, 3rd model 56

4.11 Failure of 5-bricks prism specimen with mortar joint 15.0

mm, 3rd model 56

4.12 Failure of stretcher bond wallete specimen with mortar

joint 7.5 mm, 1st model 58

4.13 Failure of stretcher bond wallete specimen with mortar

joint 10.0 mm, 1st model 58

4.14 Failure of stretcher bond wallete specimen with mortar

joint 15.0 mm, 1st model 58

4.15 Chart of comparison between experimental results and

theoretical values for stretcher bond wallete specimens 61

4.16 Dimensions of a typical 5-bricks prism specimen 62

4.17 Prism divided into 8-noded brick elements along with

applied load and boundary conditions 63

4.18 Vertical stress contour of the specimen with 7.5 mm

mortar joint 64

4.19 Vertical stress contour of the specimen with 10.0 mm

mortar joint 64

4.20 Vertical stress contour of the specimen with 15.0 mm

mortar joint 65

4.21 Horizontal strain contour of the specimen with 7.5 mm

mortar joint 66
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LIST OF SYMBOLS

L - Length of specimen

W - Width of specimen

H - Height of specimen

A - Area

N - Maximum loading supported by specimen

P - Compressive strength

x - Specimens data

n - Number of specimen tested

xo - Average of specimens data

w - Width of the class interval

Fi - Number of observation falling in the ith class interval

Di - Deviation

𝑥 - Mean

σ - Standard deviation

fk - Characteristic compressive strength of specimen

t - Thickness

Mb - Mass density of brick

Mm - Mass density of mortar

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

In the history of civil construction, brick masonry has always been the vital
material used in building up a structure. At the early ages of construction, brick
masonry was the most used material compared to other type of materials such as
timber, steel, concrete and others. Now in this advanced era, brick masonry still
widely used material along with other materials even in Malaysia.

The brick masonry is widely used until this second due to its undeniable
advantages. Buildings that constructed using bricks have high compressive strength
and durability against foreign disturbances. Structure components of the buildings
that built out of bricks also have multiple resistances such as resistance against heat
and sound. Due to those resistances, those components can also act as insulator
within certain part of the building. Bricks also provide aesthetic surfacing to the
brickwork. In term of workability and economy, the usage of bricks masonry makes
the whole building construction easier, faster and cheaper. For that, it is not odd that
everyone preferred usage of bricks in their construction.

Bricks are usually used in the making of structural components such as

partitions, building walls and retaining walls. These structural components are made
of two elements, which are bricks and mortar. Brick is actually a block unit made of
ceramic material such as clay, sand and others which is used in masonry construction.
Mortar is a mixture used as binder to construct structural components. The mortar
mixture usually consists of cement, sand and water.
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The composition of bricks and mortar can make up a structural component

with high compressive strength and durability. So, the properties of each element,
bricks and mortar, can greatly affect the properties of the end product which means
the completed structural component. Some of the properties of bricks to be
considered are: types, compressive strength and water absorption. According to BS
5628: Part 3, the preferred mortar joint thickness is 10.0 mm or less. For Eurocode 6:
Part 1, it mentioned that the thickness of the mortar joint should between 8.0 mm and
15.0 mm. The variation to the mortar joint thickness will give variation to the
compressive strength of the entire structural component.

The present research included a study on compressive strength of brick

masonry subjected to axial loading with reference to the Malaysian conditions. The
study focuses on the effect of mortar joint thickness variation on the compressive
strength of the masonry components. Components with different types of bonding
are also included in this research. From this study, it is expected that a better
understanding of the effect of the mortar joint thickness on the characteristic
compressive strength of masonry structures would be obtained.

1.2 Statement of the Problems

In the construction industry, many people overlook the importance of mortar

joint thickness toward the overall strength characteristic of the masonry construction.
In their eyes, they see mortar as merely a binder mix to join the bricks together and
to form a structural component. They believed that the strength and durability of the
structure mostly depend on the quality of bricks. The better the quality of the bricks
used, the higher the strength and durability of the structure. They did not realize that
the role of the mortar joint is as important as the bricks. The quality and the thickness
of the mortar joint will also contribute great effect on the compressive strength and
durability of the entire structure.

For the above mentioned reasons, present research will be carried out to
determine and understand the effect of mortar joint thickness on the compressive
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strength of the masonry structure. Modification also made during the research to
simulate the actual brickwork in the construction industry.

1.3 Objectives of the Research

For the present research, the following objectives have been set.

1. To determine the design strength and properties of mortar.

2. To determine the compressive strength of wallete specimens (brick masonry
models) using different mortar joint thicknesses such as 7.0 mm, 10.0 mm and
15.0 mm.
3. To study the compressive strength of wallete specimens with different bonding
types using mortar joint thicknesses of 7.0 mm, 10.0 mm and 15.0 mm.

1.4 Statement of Hypothesis

By referring to BS 5628: Part 3, it stated that the recommended thickness of

mortar bed joint for brickwork is 10.0 mm, unless specified by the designer. In
Eurocode 6: Part 1, it stated that bed joint should not be less than 8.0 mm or more
than 15.0 mm thick. This also implies that the thinner mortar joint is preferred. It is
believed that thinner mortar joint can produces brickwork with higher compressive
strength. In other words, by increasing the thickness of mortar joint, the compressive
strength of the brickwork will be reduced.

In this research, the joint thicknesses to be tested are 7.0 mm, 10.0 mm and
15.0 mm. With the above mentioned recommendations by BS 5628: Part 3 and
Eurocode 6: Part 1, it is expected that the brickwork with mortar joint thickness 7.0
mm will have higher compressive strength compared to brickwork with joint of
thickness 10.0 mm. Brickwork with mortar joint thickness 15.0 mm will have the
lowest compressive strength among the three joint thicknesses. However, other
factors such as types and properties of materials and method of construction may also
affect the results of the research.
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1.5 Scope of Research

This research includes the determination of the dimensions of the clay brick
units and their testing, mortar testing and compressive strength study of the wallete
specimens.

In this research, the type of clay brick units to be used is normal backed or
burnt clay bricks. The bricks will be measured to obtain the average dimensions of
the units. Each selected brick unit will be tested using a compression testing machine
to obtain the average compressive strength of the brick units.

In Malaysia’s construction industry, mortar grade III with cement, lime and
sand as materials is commonly used. So, mortar grade III will be used in the
construction of the models. The materials for the mortar will be tested to obtain their
properties. Based on the design guide and materials’ properties obtained, the required
mix design for the mortar will be established. Cubes or samples will be prepared
from the mortar and to be tested to obtain the ultimate compressive strength of the
harden mortar.

The bricks will be bonded together using mortar grade III producing walletes
with different mortar joint thicknesses of 7.0 mm, 10.0 mm and 15.0 mm. Three sets
of walletes of different bonding types (5-bricks prism and stretcher bond wallete)
will be produced. Each wallete will be tested under compression testing machine to
obtain the ultimate compressive strength of the walletes. Based on the obtained
experimental results, relationship between mortar joint thickness and compressive
strength of brickwork will be established.

1.6 Importance of Research

The research will be carried out with the aims for better understanding of the
effects of different mortar joint thicknesses on the compressive strength of brickwork.
As the research involves components of brick units and mortar, better understanding
of these components will also be obtained. This research can be used as a reference
for other researchers in related field in the future.
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CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 General

Definition of masonry is actually building of structure from individual units

laid in and bound together by bonding mixture known as mortar. The commonly
used masonry unit in structure construction is brick. Other types of masonry units are
blocks and tiles. Mortar and bricks had long been used in building structures.
However, to mastering the art of masonry construction, the road is still far ahead. For
that reason, research and investigations are done to understand more in the field of
masonry construction.

2.2 Bricks

A brick is a walling unit whose form may be generally defined as a

rectangular prism of a size that can be handled conveniently with one hand (G.C.J.
Lynch, 1994). Bricks are widely used since in the past centuries due to its values and
advantages. Bricks also possess properties which are not commonly found in other
materials.
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2.2.1 Type of Bricks

In the market, there are several types of bricks that can be found and being
used in the construction industry. The classification of the bricks depended on the
materials and method used in making those different types of bricks. The commonly
used bricks types are clay bricks, sand-lime bricks and concrete bricks. These types
of bricks had been standardized for its usage. In this research, the type of bricks that
to be used is clay bricks. So, attention was paid more to explore the usage of the clay
bricks.

2.2.1.1 Clay Bricks

Clay brick is most commonly used brick in today’s construction. The main
material used in making this type of brick is clay. In Malaysia, the usage of clay
brick in construction has to refer to BS 3921: 1985 (Specification for Clay Brick). By
referring to BS 3921: 1985, the work size of clay brick had been set to 215 mm x
102.5 mm x 65 mm while the coordination size of clay brick had been set to 225 mm
x 112.5 mm x 75 mm. Work size means the actual size of the bricks that should
conform within specified permissible deviation while coordinating size means the
size of a coordinating space allocated to a brick including allowances for joints and
tolerances. Table 2.1 which is extracted from BS 3921: 1985 shows the size of the
clay brick. Clay brick can further classified into three categories; common bricks,
facing bricks and engineering bricks.
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Table 2.1 Sizes of Bricks, BS 3921: 1985

Coordinating size Work size

Length Width Height Length Width Height

mm mm mm mm mm mm

225 112.5 75 215 102.5 65

NOTE The work sizes are derived from the corresponding

coordinating sizes by the subtraction of a nominal thickness
of 10 mm for the mortar joint.

Figure 2.1 Clay bricks

2.2.1.1.1 Common Bricks

This category of bricks is not designed to have either aesthetic value or very
high compressive strength. These bricks are suitable for general building work which
does not involve extreme loading. These bricks are commonly used to construct
partitions separating spaces within a building. Plastering is done onto the bricks to
cover the unpleasant surfaces and to enforce the partitions.
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2.2.1.1.2 Facing Bricks

This category of bricks is specially made or selected to give an attractive

appearance when used without rendering or plaster or other surface treatment of the
wall. These bricks can be used for exterior and interior walls of a structure. Facing
bricks are available in a wide range of colours and textures. The various colours to
the facing bricks depended on the mineral contents of the raw clay used for the bricks
production. The surfaces of the bricks have high durability as they can resist the
extreme weather condition. However, facing bricks have lower compressive strength
compared to common bricks and engineering bricks.

2.2.1.1.3 Engineering Bricks

Engineering bricks are dense and strong compared to the previous two
categories. Engineering bricks is further sub-divided into two classes, Engineering A
and Engineering B, based on their compressive strength. These semi-vitreous bricks
should possess both the required compressive strength and water absorption
properties as stated in BS 3921: 1985. Table 2.2 shows the classification of bricks by
compressive strength and water absorption. These bricks are used in construction of
bridges, sewers and retaining wall.
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Table 2.2 Classification of bricks by compressive strength and water absorption,

BS 3921: 1985

Class Compressive strength, Water absorption,

N/mm2 % by mass
Engineering A ≥ 70 ≤ 4.5
Engineering B ≥ 50 ≤ 7.0
Damp-proof course 1 ≥5 ≤ 4.5
Damp-proof course 2 ≥5 ≤ 7.0
All others ≥5 No limit
NOTE 1 There is no direct relationship between compressive strength and water
absorption as given in this table and durability.
NOTE 2 Damp-proof course 1 bricks are recommended for use in buildings
whilst damp-proof course 2 bricks are recommended for use in external works
(see Table 13 of BS 5628-3:1985).

2.2.1.2 Sand-lime Bricks

Sand-lime bricks or also known as calcium silicate bricks are made using
mixture of lime and sand with the proportion of 1:8 added with water. Pressure and
heat are applied for the sand and lime to mix together and react chemically to form
the bricks. After that, the bricks are demoulded and cooled. They are then put into
the autoclave machine and applied with heat and pressure for further hardening. The
compressive strength of the bricks is between 7 N/mm2 to 50 N/mm2. The colour of
the sand-lime bricks is commonly light gray. BS187 included the details of the
minimum specifications for the production of sand-lime bricks.
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Table 2.3 Classes of calcium silicate bricks

Minimum mean compressive Minimum predicted lower limit

Class 2
strength (wet) of ten bricks N/mm of compressive strength N/mm2
7 48.5 40.5
6 41.5 34.5
5 34.5 28.0
4 27.5 21.5
3 20.5 15.5

Figure 2.2 Sand-lime bricks

2.2.1.3 Concrete Bricks

Production of concrete bricks is similar to the sand-lime bricks with sand and
Ordinary Portland Cement as the mixture materials. The concrete is hardened by
conventional water curing process or special compression method. BS 1180 stated
the minimum requirements for the bricks and its classification. Similar to the clay
bricks, concrete bricks also available in three categories: common bricks,
engineering bricks and facing bricks.