AITC-H - Compression Strength of Individual Bricks (15!09!14)

Laboratory Test Report of the Compressive
Strength of Individual Interlocking Bricks

Laboratory Test Report
This document presents the results of compressive strength test of individual soil-cement
interlocking bricks performed last 20 August 2014.
15 September 2014
Report for:
Prashak Techno Enterprises

India
Laboratory Test Report- Compressive Strength

of Individual Bricks

This document presents the results of compressive strength test of individual soilcement interlocking brick performed last 20 August 2014.
15 September 2014
Report for:
Prashak Techno Enterprises

India

Compressive Strength of the Soil-Cement Interlocking Bricks
Structural Design Review of Buddha Image Super Hall at Wat Buddhasaengdham, Saraburi, Thauland
Structural Design Peer Review and Performance Based Evaluation of52-Story Residential Building
Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Objective of the Laboratory Test .......................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Purpose and Discussion ...................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.1 Purpose ..........................................................................................................................................4
1.2.2 Compressive Strength ....................................................................................................................4
1.2.3 Significance of the Compressive Strength .....................................................................................4
1.2.4 Factors Affecting Compressive Strength ........................................................................................4
1.2.5 Test Specimens .............................................................................................................................5
Chapter 2. Apparatus and Materials ........................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Loaded Area ........................................................................................................................................ 6
2.2 Procedure ............................................................................................................................................ 7
2.2.1 Placing Specimens in Testing Machine ..........................................................................................7
2.2.2 Loading ..........................................................................................................................................7
Chapter 3. Results, Observations, and Conclusion .................................................................................... 8
3.1 Observations........................................................................................................................................ 8
3.2 Test Results and Calculations ............................................................................................................. 8
3.3 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 8
AIT CONSULTING
page 3 of 9

Introduction
Objective of Laboratory Test

To determine the compressive strength of individual bricks at dry condition.
Purpose and Discussion

1.2.1 Purpose
The purpose of the test is to determine the crushing strength of hardened soil-cement interlocking
bricks at dry state.
1.2.2 Compressive Strength

Compressive strength is the maximum force per unit area, in compression, which a material can
withstand before breaking.
1.2.3 Significance of Compressive Strength

Compressive strength is the most useful and important property of the interlocking brick. Many
other properties of the brick such as durability, resistance to shrinkage, Youngs modulus,
imperviousness and so forth are dependent on the compressive strength of the brick. Thus
compressive strength reflects the overall quality of the soil-cement interlocking brick.
1.2.4 Factors Affecting Compressive Strength

The compressive strength of interlocking bricks is affected by various factors such as:
i.
Soil cement ratio: Lesser the quantity of the cement equates to lower compressive
strength of the brick, and vice versa.
ii.
Water cement ratio: Smaller w/c ratio means higher strength, and vice versa.
iii.
Grading of the soil: Well-graded soil gives a good mix with higher strength.
iv.
Quality of soil: Well-graded laterite soil gives good mix with higher strength.
v.
Method employed in mixing: Well-mixed soil cement producing homogeneous mass

results in higher strength.
vi.
Compaction: Higher compaction while manufacturing links to higher strength.
vii.
Curing: The brick must not be allowed to dry for a certain period. Good curing keeps the
brick wet and results in optimum strength.
AIT CONSULTING
page 4 of 9

1.2.5
TestDesign
Specimens
Structural
Peer Review and Performance Based Evaluation of52-Story Residential Building
Rectangular test specimens, each with dimensions measuring 300x150x100 mm, were prepared
and cured for 21 days.
Specimens were tested in the compression testing machine, by applying load gradually till the
specimens were crushed.
Figure 1-1: Specimen of the compressed earth block
AIT CONSULTING
page 5 of 9

Apparatus and Materials
Several apparatus and materials were used during the test.

Testing Machine: The compression testing machine has adequate capacity to crush all the test
specimens but as per BS EN 772-1, the scale used was set such that the failure load on the
specimen exceeds one-fifth of the full scale loading.
Hence, the full scale loading was set to be 10 Ton. The testing machine is shown in Figure 2-1.
Two steel plates, as shown in Figure 2-2, were prepared, that perfectly sat on top and bottom of
the interlocking brick. One surface of the plate as smooth while the other surface perfectly
matches with brick top or bottom shape. For ease, the plate that fits with the brick top surface
was assigned plate-a, and the plate that fits with the brick bottom surface was named plateb.
Figure 2-1: Universal testing machine of 200 ton capacity
Plate a
Plate b
Figure 2-2: Plate-a and plate-b
Loaded Area
The gross area of the interlocking brick was calculated in square millimeters by multiplying the
length by the width of each specimen. The net area of the brick was calculated by subtracting
the area of opening by the gross area of the brick.
The average net area of the brick was found to be 39317.05 2
AIT CONSULTING
page 6 of 9

Procedure
Structural
Design Peer Review and Performance Based Evaluation of52-Story Residential Building
2.2.1 Placing Specimens in Testing Machine
The bearing surface of the testing machine was cleaned. First, plate-b as placed on the machine
surface, on top of which the interlocking brick was placed. Then, plate-b was placed on top of
the brick surface.
The specimen was aligned carefully so that a uniform seating was obtained.
2.2.2 Loading
Initially the load was applied at the rate of 5000 N/s. After half the expected maximum load was
applied, i.e. 30 KN, the load was then applied at the rate of 2000 N/sec.
Figure 2-3: Loading of the interlocking bricks for compression strength test
AIT CONSULTING
page 7 of 9

Results, Observations, and Conclusion
Observations
The brick developed the first crack at around 190 KN and the material on the vertical face began
to spall after 200 KN. The brick specimen was crushed at an average loading of 298 KN.
Spalling of the
material
Figure 3-1: Block loading and support compressive strength test
Test Results and Calculations

Table 3-1 below summarizes the test result of the 6 specimens. The average maximum loading
was determined to be 346 KN as applied in the test specimen 2.
Table 3-1: Test result summary

Specimen
No.
Effective
Cross-sectional
Area (mm2)
Maximum
Load (N)
Compressive
Strength (MPa)
39310.77
203,927.3
5.18
39156.53
346,802.1
8.85
39382.49
265,442.9
6.74
39376.41
336,880.3
8.55
39346.81
302,153.9
7.67
39329.26
332,911.2
8.46
Average
39317.05
298019.6
7.58
Conclusion
The average compressive strength of the interlocking brick was determined to be 7.58 MPa.
AIT CONSULTING
page 8 of 9
Postal Address:
AIT CONSULTING, P.O. Box 4 , KlongLuang
Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Street Address:
AIT CONSULTING, K.M. 58,Moo9, Paholyothin Highway, Klongnueng,
KlongLuang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Tel
Asian Institute of Technology
Fax
: +(662) 524 6388

+(662) 524 5533 E-mail : aitconsulting@ait.asia
: +(662) 524 6655 Website : http://www.consulting.ait.asia

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Laboratory Test Report of the Compressive

Strength of Individual Interlocking Bricks

Prashak Techno Enterprises

Laboratory Test Report- Compressive Strength

Laboratory Test Report

Prashak Techno Enterprises

Laboratory Test Report

Laboratory Test Report

Objective of Laboratory Test

Purpose and Discussion

1.2.2 Compressive Strength

1.2.3 Significance of Compressive Strength

1.2.4 Factors Affecting Compressive Strength

Method employed in mixing: Well-mixed soil cement producing homogeneous mass

Compaction: Higher compaction while manufacturing links to higher strength.

Laboratory Test Report

Figure 1-1: Specimen of the compressed earth block

Laboratory Test Report

Apparatus and Materials

Several apparatus and materials were used during the test.

Figure 2-1: Universal testing machine of 200 ton capacity

Figure 2-2: Plate-a and plate-b

Laboratory Test Report

Laboratory Test Report

Results, Observations, and Conclusion

Figure 3-1: Block loading and support compressive strength test

Test Results and Calculations

Table 3-1: Test result summary

Asian Institute of Technology

: +(662) 524 6388

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