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IS 2222:1991 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for burnt clay perforated building bricks. This standard lays down the specifications for dimensions, quality requirements, and testing of burnt clay perforated building bricks. It covers parameters like compressive strength, water absorption, efflorescence, and the specific geometry of perforations to ensure structural adequacy and thermal efficiency.
Specification for burnt clay perforated building bricks
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Clay and Stabilized Soil Products
BS EN 771-1:2011+A1:2015BSI / CEN (United Kingdom / European Union)
HighCurrent
Specification for masonry units - Part 1: Clay masonry units
Specifies requirements for fired clay masonry units, including perforated types, for use in masonry construction.
ASTM C652-21ASTM International (USA)
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Hollow Brick (Hollow Masonry Units Made From Clay or Shale)
Covers requirements for hollow brick (equivalent to perforated brick) made from fired clay or shale for general masonry.
AS/NZS 4455.1:2008Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand
MediumCurrent
Masonry units, pavers, flags and segmental retaining wall units - Part 1: Masonry units
Provides a framework for all masonry units, with specific provisions applicable to perforated clay bricks.
SANS 227:2007SABS (South African Bureau of Standards)
HighCurrent
Burnt clay masonry units
Specifies requirements for solid, perforated, and hollow burnt clay masonry units for general building purposes.
Key Differences
≠IS 2222 classifies bricks into predefined strength classes (e.g., Class 10 for 10 N/mm²), whereas EN 771-1 uses a declarative system where the manufacturer states the compressive strength, which is not tied to fixed classes.
≠IS 2222 specifies a single maximum water absorption limit of 20% by weight. ASTM C652 has different limits based on weathering grades (e.g., Grade SW avg. 17%, Grade MW avg. 22%) determined by a 5-hour boil test, which is more severe than the 24-hour cold soak in IS 2222.
≠IS 2222 provides prescriptive limits for perforation geometry, requiring a minimum shell thickness of 15 mm and web thickness of 10 mm. In contrast, EN 771-1 and ASTM C652 focus on the overall percentage of voids to classify the brick (e.g., ASTM defines hollow brick as >25% voids).
≠The approach to efflorescence differs; IS 2222 uses a subjective visual assessment ('Slight', 'Moderate'). EN 771-1 provides a more quantitative approach by categorizing units based on their active soluble salt content (S0, S1, S2).
Key Similarities
≈All standards specify units made from the same fundamental material: fired clay, shale, or similar earthen materials.
≈The primary intended use across all standards is for the construction of load-bearing or non-load-bearing masonry walls.
≈All standards identify compressive strength, water absorption, and dimensional tolerances as critical performance characteristics for quality control.
≈The fundamental methodology for determining compressive strength—applying a uniaxial compressive load to a brick specimen until failure—is consistent across all standards, though test conditions may vary.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Compressive Strength (Typical Class)
Class 10: Average strength ≥ 10.0 N/mm²
Declared mean compressive strength (e.g., 10 N/mm²). Not based on predefined classes.
BS EN 771-1
Water Absorption (24h Cold Soak)
≤ 20% by weight
No absolute limit specified; manufacturer must declare the value for design consideration.
BS EN 771-1
Perforation Area
15% to 50% of the gross area
Defined as a 'Hollow Brick' if voids are > 25% of the gross area.
ASTM C652
Minimum Shell Thickness
15 mm
Grade SW: 19 mm (3/4 in); Grade MW: 13 mm (1/2 in) for cells > 6.5 cm² (1 in²).
ASTM C652
Efflorescence Test
Visual rating: 'Slight' or 'Moderate' acceptable
Categorized by soluble salt content (e.g., S1, S2), a quantitative measurement.
BS EN 771-1
Dimensional Tolerance (on 190 mm length)
± 6 mm
Tolerance Category 'Tm' (mean deviation from work size): ±2.5 mm for a 190mm brick.
BS EN 771-1
Warpage
Maximum 3% of length (e.g., 5.7 mm on a 190 mm brick)
Type HBX: Max 1.6 mm (1/16 in.) on a nominal 200 mm (8 in.) brick.
ASTM C652
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use