Bricks in construction
Bricks have been a fundamental building material throughout history, valued for their durability, fire resistance, and aesthetic appeal. Made primarily from clay, they provide excellent insulation against heat and sound. The process of brick-making begins with the extraction of clay, which is typically gathered through open-pit or strip mining. This raw clay must then undergo preparation, which includes crushing and refining to remove impurities like stones or roots.
Once prepared, the clay is molded into bricks, either by hand or through extrusion, and subsequently dried to reduce moisture content. After drying, the bricks are fired in kilns or open fires, solidifying their structure and enhancing their weather resistance. This firing process is crucial, as it transforms the bricks into stable units ready for construction. Overall, the widespread availability of suitable clay and the straightforward manufacturing process have made bricks a popular and enduring choice in construction across diverse cultures.
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Bricks in construction
Brick as a building material has a long history. Its qualities of durability and ease of manufacture—as well as the fact that suitable clay is widely available—have made it desirable.
Definition
Brick has been used as a building material since before the advent of written history. Bricks are durable, fireproof, and decorative. They also have high heat- and sound-insulating qualities. The clay from which bricks may be made is widespread on the Earth’s surface. can be used directly if it is relatively free of impurities. In such cases the clay is formed, dried, and fired. Clays that are suitable but contain some undesirable elements, such as roots or pebbles, can be refined through removal of the unwanted material.
Overview
Clay resources for brick making are usually mined by open-pit or strip mining. In small mining operations, hand labor may serve to remove the overlying earth material (overburden). In larger operations, a combination of mechanical devices is used. Graders and drag lines may be used to remove the and expose the clay. Once the clay has been removed, it is ready for preparation.
The complexity of clay preparation depends on the quality of the clay. Primary preparation involves crushing the raw material, removing stones, and blending different clays if desired. Secondary preparation grinds the crushed lumps to the desired fineness. At this stage, more blending may occur; storage of the milled clay follows.
The manufacture of bricks begins when the processed clay is moistened enough to permit formation of bricks. In some instances hand molding is used; in other cases the brick material may be extruded and cut into lengths of the desired size. Once the bricks have been produced, they must be dried prior to firing. The preliminary drying is necessary to reduce the water content, because too much water could cause problems resulting from expansion during the firing process. Drying is done by placing the bricks either in a protected place to allow natural drying or in an artificially heated dryer.
Following the drying process, the bricks are ready for firing. Firing removes the remaining moisture from the bricks and, as the intensity of the heating increases, renders the brick stable and able to resist weathering. The firing itself can be done in the open, with the fuel and prepared bricks intermixed. More controlled firing takes place with the use of kilns, in which the firing occurs under closed, controlled conditions. Following firing, the bricks are allowed to cool slowly to prevent damage and are then ready for use.
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"Types of Bricks Used in Construction and Civil Engineering." Thomas Publishing, 23 Oct. 2024, www.thomasnet.com/articles/plant-facility-equipment/types-of-bricks-used-in-construction-and-civil-engineering/. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
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