Quality evaluation of bricks of different brick kilns in Punjab Province (Pakistan)

Clay bricks are commonly used for construction of buildings in Pakistan. This study evaluated the quality of clay bricks prepared in different brick kilns in Punjab province. Sample specimens were collected and tested for water absorption rate and compressive strength in the laboratory. The compressive strength is also tested in simulation by making 3D model of single brick in ANSYS and in the laboratory. Very high water absorption rate was found to be by bricks collected from brick kilns of Vehari (23.6%), Pakpatan (21.9%), Gujrat (21.6%) and Rawalpindi (20.2%). Water absorption rates for brick specimens collected from Lahore, Hafizabad and Sargodha were 10.7%, 11.7% and 12.8%, respectively. Compressive strength for samples collected from brick kilns located in Vehari, Pakpatan, Gujrat and Rawalpindi was found to be 1045.3, 908.0, 1113.3 and 1162.7 PSI, respectively. Very high compressive strength was found for samples collected from Lahore, Hafizabad and Sargodha, i.e. 2812.7, 2002.7 and 1833.0 PSI, respectively. There was a good correlation (R 2 = 0.77) between water absorption and compressive strength of the bricks.