Comparative Study of Durability Indices for Clay Bricks

Abstract

The potential durability of clay bricks is generally assessed using specifications and test methods mentioned in respective national standards. The current American and Canadian standards for the evaluation of brick durability have, in certain cases, been criticized by researchers as time consuming, unrealistic, and inadequate. These standards cannot be used for comparing the performance level of the bricks. The use of an index for evaluating durability has advantages in that it can be used for comparing brick types and also it will facilitate the designers to specify it as a construction requirement for selecting the proper type of brick. The different durability indices for bricks developed by various researchers are reviewed in this paper. An experimental work carried out to study and compare the performance of these indices is also discussed. The results from the study showed that the existing indices have limitations in assessing durability and that there is a need for a new durability index by taking into account the pore size distribution as well as the water absorption characteristics of bricks.