Purpose and dimensions of single bricks

For several millennia, clay has been the main building material. During this time, mankind has made many discoveries, developed unique technologies. However, ceramic brick remains a classic material for construction. Its performance can be safely called unique.

A single brick has several names, which determine its further use:

• worker;
• normal;
• standard.

The product has a smooth surface. For individual construction, brick with a corrugated surface is sometimes used. Manufacturers produce these beautiful products with a hollowness of up to 70%.

The volume of 52 items takes up one square meter. To fill a cubic meter, you need 512 pieces. Single material is divided into several groups:

• corpulent;
• with technological holes.

The product is produced in several brands: M75, M200. The number indicates the strength of the material. The higher it is, the stronger the product. For the construction of a small one-story building, the M75 and M100 brands are suitable. When multi-storey buildings are being built, products of higher strength are used. Only grades from M125 and above are able to withstand heavy loads.

Builders use ceramic products for a variety of purposes. They are classified into several types:

• hollow
• facing
• curly
• corpulent

The most economical is a hollow product. The block is much more economical than the solid version. The product is distinguished by its low weight and low frost resistance. Moreover, thermal insulation increases several times due to the presence of several holes in a single brick.

There are no pores in a full-bodied product, therefore such a building material has several technological parameters:

• high strength;
• frost resistance;
• resistance to mechanical stress.

One of the disadvantages of single ceramic bricks is considered to be poor thermal insulation, since the material has low porosity.

Facing (shaped bricks) are mainly used for decorative purposes. Curly facades are made of this material, and round arches are decorated. For these purposes, both types of bricks are used simultaneously: hollow, corpulent.

Single ceramic building bricks are subdivided into several groups.

1. Standard. Walls, partitions and other similar products are made from it. For processing, it is necessary to cement the walls with subsequent plastering.
2. Facial. It is used for finishing the front side of the facade.
3. High strength. Differs from other products in high strength. Possesses increased density, has excellent waterproof properties.

The main distinguishing quality of a single brown (red) brick is considered to be increased strength. This building material is highly resistant to internal loads that tend to destroy the structure of the product.The product is designated by the letter "M", indicating the value of strength. For example, M100 means that with strong compression, the brick is able to withstand a pressure of 100 kg per 1 sq. centimeter.

Another important parameter is flexural strength. A solid block of the M100 brand, according to the current standard, must freely withstand a fracture pressure of 22 kg per square meter. centimeter. Hollow brick can only support 16 kg.

With such a difference in the strength index, products of the same brand have the same characteristics. When designing a building, not only tensile strength is taken into account. Several additional parameters are taken into account:

• type of solution;
• brick grade:
• solidification conditions;
• seam quality.

For the construction of a building, a brick is selected that has certain moisture absorption properties. This building material is not afraid of temperature changes. Brick freely withstands sub-zero temperatures, is not afraid of heat. Moreover, its technological characteristics retain their original value for a long time.

A single ceramic brick, if hit, should ring loudly. This is a sign of good firing. A brick that has melted edges with a prominent black core is fired. This material is used only to create a foundation for low buildings. It is completely unsuitable for masonry walls.

The mass of a solid standard single brick does not exceed 4 kg. Its density determines the degree of pressure that one cubic meter of the product can withstand under strong compression.

The single ceramic block is considered a classic building material used for the construction of various living spaces.

The reliability of the product, its high performance has been proven for centuries. For so many years, single brick has become a recognized leader in the construction of various structures.

Environmentally friendly substances are used for the production of ceramic products:

• sand;
• clay.

High strength distinguishes this building material. Its value reaches the level of natural granite. It will not be difficult to build a building with a height of about 1 thousand meters from solid ceramic bricks.

This material is distinguished by its durability. Buildings built of brick hundreds of years ago still stand today. They are so durable that they can be used freely. Brick buildings have a huge warranty period - about 100-150 years.

Single brick easily tolerates high humidity. It dries quickly. Thanks to its "breathability", the room always maintains a favorable climate.

Brick has a low moisture absorption value. It does not exceed 6%. This building material is highly resistant to aggressive environments. He is not afraid of acids and alkalis.

Brick is considered a fireproof material. It doesn't burn. Even in very severe frost, the properties of the brick remain unchanged. Buildings made of this material boast excellent sound insulation.

Walls lined with single ceramic bricks do not require additional insulation. They are so warm that they do not need to be covered with mineral wool or other insulating materials. A favorable microclimate is always created in the building. Thanks to the capillary structure, the room is naturally conditioned.

Due to their high strength and reliability, red brick buildings do not need major repairs for a long time.

This building material has found wide application in the construction and decoration of a wide variety of structures:

• foundation construction;
• installation of interior partitions;
• installation of supporting structures;
• exterior cladding of buildings;
• construction of fireplaces with subsequent finishing;
• oven masonry;
• interior decoration.

In practice, the walls of the building are erected from single bricks, various partitions are mounted. Large construction organizations prefer to work with such material. The result is reliable and beautiful buildings that will probably stand for a hundred years without repair.

When conveyor production appeared, it became necessary to standardize the dimensions of bricks. In the last century, a mandatory size was established in the USSR: 250x120x65 mm. The weight of the product should not be higher than 4.3 kg. Today, standard dimensions are set by GOST.

In European countries, Russian bricks are designated RF. The most demanded brick sizes in Europe are:

• NF is normal.
• DF is thin.

Their dimensions are somewhat smaller than those of a classic Russian product. Several standard sizes are produced in the West:

• 240x115x71 mm;
• 240x115x52 mm;
• 200x100x50 (65) mm;
• 250x85x65 mm.

In the last decade, a single ceramic block with a length of about 500 mm can be found on the market. Therefore, before starting construction, it is necessary to foresee in advance what standard sizes of the product must be used, so that a situation of "unsuitable size" does not arise in the masonry.

In European countries, the optimal size for building a building is the DF brand. The masonry of such a product meets the architectural classics. However, the size of the NF makes it possible to save the solution. This size allows you to quickly erect walls over a large area. One square meter accommodates 60 "thin" and 50 "normal" products.

For the USSR, the acceleration of the pace of construction, the simultaneous saving of material, was considered the most important task. Therefore, starting from the 30s, buildings began to be erected from blocks with dimensions of 250x120x88 mm. A little later, a double brick appeared. Its dimensions reached 250x120x138 mm.

These products were made hollow. This made it possible to reduce the mass of brick walls. For multi-storey buildings that do not have a concrete frame, this reduction is of great importance.

In order to give the building a decorative look, quite often the brickwork was created from two types of blocks. Standard products were used together with bricks with increased dimensions.

Currently, the block 250x85x65mm (0.7NF) has become widespread. The fact is that the facing ceramic product can be used without additional thermal insulation. But the fundamental requirement is to reduce the pressure on the foundation, especially when it comes to restoration work in the old building. Custom sizes help solve this problem.

Builders consider ceramic products to be the most suitable material for cladding work. For the implementation of an architectural concept, it is necessary to have products of different shades, all kinds of shapes and types. For these purposes, the industry produces several types of building blocks:

• glazed
• artificially aged
• textural
• variegated

These beautiful products are perfectly combined in the masonry. They do not diminish the durability of the building with the obligatory observance of a uniform size.

The use of one standard size makes it possible to accurately calculate the required amount of material for the construction of a building. Moreover, the error will be minimal. A house built from a ceramic block will be warm, reliable and durable.

For the types of bricks, their characteristics, brands and methods of application, see the video below.