New Tests for Porosity and Water Absorption of Fired Clay Bricks

The porosity of bricks, and their permeability and absorption are very important factors in influencing properties of bricks such as the bond between them and mortar, the resistance of bricks to freezing and thawing, and their chemical stability. This paper suggests new tests for calculating the porosity and water absorption values of clay bricks, which involve the testing of 20-mm brick lumps instead of full brick units.