Experiment

Determination of Water Absorption

and
Density of Bricks

Experiment 3

Student Name: xxxxxx xxxxxxx

Table of Contents
Objective ................................................................................................................................................. 3
APPARATUS ......................................................................................................................................... 3
DESIGNATION ..................................................................................................................................... 3
SPECIFICATION ................................................................................................................................... 3
PROCEDURE ......................................................................................................................................... 3
BSERVATION ....................................................................................................................................... 4
CALCULATIONS .................................................................................................................................. 4
DISCUSSIONS/OBSERVATIONS ....................................................................................................... 6
CONCLUSIONS..................................................................................................................................... 6
REFERENCES: ...................................................................................................................................... 7

Experiment 3

Student Name: xxxxxx xxxxxxx

Objective
Experiment was to calculate the density and water absorption of a sample of bricks to
determine their suitability in construction. They are important factors in influencing a
bricks properties, such as the bond with the mortar, resistance to freezing and thawing,
and chemical stability. They will allow us to see whether a higher density goes with a
higher absorption value, and to determine the type of brick.
APPARATUS
1. Ten dry bricks 2. Two sets of 5 wet bricks 3. An electric scale 4. Transparent
plastic ruler.
DESIGNATION
The standards referred to are BS EN 771 1: Specification for Clay Masonry Units
and Test Method: IS: 3495 (P - 2) 1992: water absorption and BS 772 16:
Methods of Tests for Masonry Units.
SPECIFICATION
When tested the average water absorption shall not be more than 20% by weight up to
class 125 and 15% by weight for higher class.
PROCEDURE
1. Measure the dimensions of ten bricks using a plastic ruler to the nearest
millimetre.
2. Weight each brick to the nearest gram using balance.
3. Take out the bricks from cold water and dry them with towel.
4. Weight dried bricks to the nearest gram.
5. Perform density and absorption calculations

Experiment 3

Student Name: xxxxxx xxxxxxx

BSERVATION
The measured and average dimensions of the 10 dry bricks are shown below:
Table 1 Dry Bricks Dimensions

Sr. Number
No.
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
Mean
12
BS
Value
13
Mean
Diff.
14
Range
Diff.

Length
(mm)
217
213
215
214
214
215
214
213
214
213
214
215

Width
(mm)
102
101
103
103
102
97
102
101
104
95
101
102

Depth
(mm)
64
64
63
63
63
62
62
62
65
62
63
65

CALCULATIONS
The water absorption for each of the wet bricks is shown in Table 2, calculated using the
equation:

Absorption =

Experiment 3

Student Name: xxxxxx xxxxxxx

Table 2: Weights and Absorption of 2 Sets of 5 Wet Bricks

Number
1
2
3
4
5

Dry Weight
(kg)
2.128
2.108
2.127
2.127
2.129

Wet Weight
(kg)
2.320
2.348
2.319
2.325
2.341

6
7
8
9
10

2.224
2.269
2.240
2.234
2.237

2.388
2.480
2.330
2.395
2.354

Difference
(kg)
0.192
0.24
0.192
0.198
0.212
Average =
0.164
0.211
0.090
0.161
0.117
Average =

Absorption
(%)
9.0
11.4
9.0
9.3
10.0
9.7
7.4
9.3
4.0
7.2
5.2
6.6

The densities of each of the wet bricks are shown in Table 3 and were calculated using
the following formula:
Density =
Table 3: Weights, Dimensions and Densities of 2 sets of 5 wet Bricks

Number
1
2
3
4
5

Dry weight
(kg)
2.128
2.108
2.127
2.127
2.129

6
7
8
9
10

2.224
2.269
2.240
2.234
2.237

Dimensions
(m)
0.213 0.100 0.063
0.213 0.100 0.065
0.213 0.100 0.063
0.212 0.100 0.065
0.214 0.100 0.064
Average. Density =
0.214 0.099 0.063
0.218 0.100 0.064
0.210 0.098 0.062
0.215 0.098 0.062
0.214 0.097 0.062
Average Density =

Density
(kg/m)
1586
1523
1585
1544
1554
1558
1666
1626
1756
1710
1738
1699

Experiment 3

Student Name: xxxxxx xxxxxxx

DISCUSSIONS/OBSERVATIONS
1. The absorption results of bricks numbered 1 - 5 are relatively close together,
showing a fairly uniform set of bricks. There is a larger variable in bricks 6 10 of
5.3% however; showing an inconsistent absorption value.
2. Bricks 6 - 10 show an average density of 1699kg/m, with an average absorption
of 6.6%. Bricks 1 5 however show an absorption value of 9.7%, with a lower
density of 1558kg/m; illustrating that a lower absorption correlates with an
increase in density.
3. In BS-3921, Engineering bricks are classed as having maximum water absorption
of 7%. Bricks 6 10 show an average absorption of < 7%; thus are engineering
bricks. Bricks numbered 1 - 5 do not fall below 7%, but are under 13.7% and are
therefore common.
4. Although the widths of dry bricks number 6 and 10 are 97mm and 95mm,
respectively, the bricks are in accordance with British Standards BS EN 771-1. T1
states that they are in accordance if: the mean of the 10 bricks falls between a
minimum of 209mm and a maximum of 221mm. Furthermore, the range falls with
R1 and R2, since the length does not exceed 9 and 4mm, respectively.
5. Regarding the procedure, we did not use nose callipers along the midpoint when
measuring length, width and height, to comply with Standards BS EN 771 1 for
bricks less than 250 x 125 x 100mm; instead, we relied on a plastic rule.
6. Furthermore, we did not take the height of each brick from 2 points, and calculate
the mean, as per the requirements of BS EN 771 1.
7. Lastly, we did not adopt the standard when measuring using a rule as specified in
BS EN 722 16 (measuring along the centre), until prompted by the tutor. This
could have resulted in inaccuracies in measurement of as much as a 2 millimetres,
which would have subsequently altered the final density calculations.
CONCLUSIONS
From the calculations, it appears that an increase in the density of a clay brick results in a
lower water absorption; this would make sense since engineering bricks are dense
materials and are used in areas needed to withstand much water.
8.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to xxxx xxxxx for reviewing this report and his subsequent suggestions.

Experiment 3

Student Name: xxxxxx xxxxxxx

REFERENCES:
1. British Standards BS EN 771 1 European Standard Specification for Clay
Masonry Units;
2. British Standards BS 772 16: Methods of Tests for Masonry Units;
3. British Standards BS3921 Specification for Clay Bricks;
4. Test Method: IS: 3495 (P-2) 1992: Water Absorption.