Water absorption test on bricks roofing tile and flooring tiles

Theory

I.S. 1077-1957 gives the specification of common burnt clay brick. The percentage of water absorption should not be more than 20 % fora brick having crushing strength below 125 kg/cm² and 15 % for strength above it. The allowable percentage of water absorption for roofing tiles and floaring tiles should be as per the requirements of I.S. 645-1972 and I.S. 1237-1959 replace.

Application

The roofing and flooring tiles are required to be water repellent to prevent percolation and dampness. Bricks being porous absorb and hold considerable amount of water. If the prosity is beyond the permissible limit it leads to the dampness in the walls.

Items required

1.      Specimen of bricks

2.    Roofing tiles

3.    Flooring tiles

4.    Water tank

5.     Oven

6.    Water cotton

7.     Weighing balance

8.    Standard weights

Procedure

1.    The given specimen of bricks, roofing tiles and flooring tiles were kept in oven at 110⁰ until they attached a constant weight.

2.    They were allowed to cool and weighed.

3.    They were submerged in potable water of temperature 15⁰

4.  After 24 hours they were removed and their surface was wiped out with waste cotton.

5.     Their final weight after immersion was determined.

Precautions

1.  The specimen were selected by random sampling procedure. Sample were taken from the top, sides and from the interior of the stack.

2.    The specimen were well dressed before the test.

3.    The bricks were identified by numbers.

Observation table

For bricks = W₂ – W₁ / W₁ x 100 = X %

Type	Size	Dry wt.	Wt. of brick (w2)	% of water observed
A	22x10x5.5	1870 gms	2870 gms	26.24 %
B	22x10x5.5	1840 gms	2250 gms	22.28 %
C	21.5x9.5x5.5	1755 gms	2370 gms	35.04

For manglore tiles = W₂ – W₁ / W₁ x 100 = X %

Type	Size	Dry wt.	Wt. of brick (w2)	% of water observed
A	3.9x22x2	1780	2020	11.88 %
B	3.9x22x2	1910	2205	13.88 %
C	3.9x12x2	1790	2015	11.17 %

For flooring tile = W₂ – W₁ / W₁ x 100 = X %

Type	Size	Dry wt.	Wt. of brick (w2)	% of water observed
A	25x25x2.2	2836	3130	10.36 %
B	25x24x2.23	2824	3075	8.88 %
C	24x25x2.1	2788	3010	7.96 %

Calculation

Percentage of water absorbed = W₂ – W₁ / W₁ x 100 = X %

Where w₁ = dry weight, w₂ = wet weight

= W₂ – W₁ / W₁ x 100 = X %

= 13.48 %

Result

The percentage of water absorption for flooring tile

1.      Tile no. A = 8.88 %

2.    Tile no. B = 7.96 %

3.    Tile no. C = 10.36 %


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