Common or Stock Bricks
These are available in two categories and have no claim to colour or fine texture finish.
These are clay bricks that are suitable for general building work which is then plastered or rendered
These are bricks suitable for plastered or unplastered work for general building work below the damp proof course
or under damp conditions or below ground level where durability rather than aesthetics is the criterion for selection.
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF BRICKS
TABLE1 – COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF BRICKS
| Class of bricks | Average compressive strength, minimum | Individual compressive strength, minimum |
| MPA | MPA | |
| Common | 7 | 5 |
| Industrial | 15 | 12 |
| Facing | 15 | 12 |
| Engineering | 25 | 20 |
DIMENSIONS
The formats of bricks and blocks shall be designated in terms of their norminal dimmensions which, with the exception of
the width of the blocks, include the thickness of the mortar joint.For the purpose of this specification, this is taken to be equal to 10mm.
The standard brick format are given in Table 3 and the block formats in Table 4.
Other Dimensions shall be as agreed between manufacturer and Purchaser.
TABLE 2 – DIMENSIONS OF BRICKS
| Designation (mm) | Actual dimensions | ||
| Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | |
| 235 – 110 – 83 | 225 | 108 | 73 |
EFFLORESCENCE
TABLE 3 – EFFLORESCENCE
| Class of brick | Efflorescence |
| Common | Moderate |
| Industrial | Moderate |
| Facing | Slight |
| Engineering | Slight |
MOISTURE ABSORPTION
No limiting values are given as provision against thawing and freezing is not generally required in Zimbabwe and the fact that water absorption is not an index of durability of a brick. If required by the purchaser, a limit of water absorption shall be agreed upon between purchaser and Willdale Bricks.
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF BRICKS PER SQUARE METER = 54, INCLUDING 10MM JOINT.
NOTE:
All products are manufactured in accordance with SAZS 221 : 1996 Zimbabwe Standard Specification for Burnt Clay Building Bricks and Blocks