Specification for heavy-duty burnt clay building bricks
1988 Edition

This section defines the extent of IS 2180, covering specifications for heavy-duty burnt clay bricks including their dimensions, permissible deviations, and physical attributes to ensure consistent quality and structural suitability.

Standard brick sizes include:

Dimensional tolerances allowed are:

Final measurement values should be rounded off following IS 2:1960 requirements, maintaining the number of significant digits as per the specification. Terminology references IS 2248-1981.

Definitions used in IS 2180 align with IS 2248-1981, covering terms related to burnt clay building bricks. Rounding off of test data must comply with IS 2-1960, preserving the significant figures consistent with the standard. Detailed dimensional tolerances are reiterated for clarity, ensuring precision in brick sizing.

Mermaid diagram summarizes tolerances:

graph LR
A[Brick Dimensions] --> B[Length: 190 mm ±4 mm]
A --> C[Width: 90 mm ±2 mm]
A --> D[Height: 40 mm ±2 mm]

Bricks are classified primarily by their average compressive strength:

Dimensional tolerances must be strictly followed for length, width, and height as specified. Earlier subclassifications (A and B) have been removed in this version.

Mermaid flowchart illustrates classification:

flowchart TD
    A[Heavy-Duty Bricks] --> B[Classified by Compressive Strength]
    B --> C40[Class 40: 40 ≤ f < 45 N/mm²]
    B --> C45[Class 45: f ≥ 45 N/mm²]
    A --> D[Dimensions & Tolerances]
    D --> L190[Length: 190 ± 4 mm]
    D --> W90[Width: 90 ± 2 mm]
    D --> H40[Height: 40 ± 2 mm]

This section emphasizes maintaining dimensional accuracy within specified tolerances, physical property testing, and appropriate rounding of results. Definitions and classification adhere to IS 2248:1981. Consistent quality is ensured by accepting bricks only within tolerance limits and applying IS 2:1960 rounding rules to test results.

Mermaid diagram:

flowchart TD
    A[Check Brick Dimensions]
    B{Within ± Tolerance?}
    A --> B
    B -- Yes --> C[Accept Brick]
    B -- No --> D[Reject Brick]
    C --> E[Conduct Physical Tests]
    E --> F{Round Results per IS 2:1960}
    F --> G[Compare with Specifications]

Standard dimensions for heavy-duty burnt clay bricks are 190 mm length, 90 mm width, and either 90 or 40 mm height. Permissible deviations are ±4 mm for length and ±2 mm for both width and height. Bricks must have smooth, rectangular surfaces with sharp edges and uniform coloration. Dimensions and test results must be rounded as per IS 2-1960.

Compliance formula: For each dimension D:

D_actual ∈ [D_standard - Tolerance, D_standard + Tolerance]

Mermaid diagram:

flowchart LR
    A[Standard Dimension] --> B[Apply ± Tolerance]
    B --> C{Is Actual Dimension Within Range?}
    C -- Yes --> D[Accept Brick]
    C -- No --> E[Reject Brick]

The physical criteria specify standard brick measurements and permissible dimensional tolerances as outlined previously. Test results must be rounded as per IS 2:1960, maintaining the same significant digits. Uniformity in size aids in quality assurance. For performance tests such as compressive strength and water absorption, refer to detailed clauses in IS 2180 and IS 3495.

Mermaid overview:

flowchart LR
    A[Standard Brick Size] --> B{Dimensions}
    B --> C[Length = 190 mm ± 4 mm]
    B --> D[Width = 90 mm ± 2 mm]
    B --> E[Height = 90 or 40 mm ± 2 mm]
    A --> F[Apply IS 2:1960 Rounding]

Sampling follows the procedure detailed in IS 5454-1978, which requires random selection from brick batches to ensure representative testing. Results must be rounded off according to IS 2-1960, matching the significant digits of the standard values. The bricks’ dimensions must fall within allowed tolerances for acceptance.

Mermaid flowchart:

flowchart TD
    A[Brick Batch] --> B[Random Sampling per IS 5454]
    B --> C[Test Physical and Dimensional Properties]
    C --> D{Results Within Tolerance?}
    D -- Yes --> E[Accept Batch]
    D -- No --> F[Reject Batch]

Bricks must carry the manufacturer's identification mark stamped in the frog area when present. Optionally, bricks can bear the BIS Standard Mark, signifying conformity with IS 2180 under BIS’s quality control and inspection framework.

The use of the Standard Mark is governed by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986, ensuring production according to IS 2180 and ongoing BIS surveillance. Licensing details are available from BIS.

Testing references include:

• Compressive Strength: IS 3495 (Part 1)
• Water Absorption: IS 3495 (Part 2)
• Efflorescence: IS 3495 (Part 3)
• Sampling: IS 5454

Marking summary:

Mermaid diagram:

flowchart LR
    A[Brick] --> B[Frog Area]
    B --> C{Marking}
    C -->|Mandatory| D[Manufacturer ID]
    C -->|Optional| E[BIS Standard Mark]