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IS 5454:1978 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for methods of sampling of clay building bricks. This standard specifies the statistical sampling procedure for burnt clay building bricks to assess conformity to requirements. It covers the scale of sampling for visual, dimensional, and physical tests, and provides criteria for acceptance or rejection of a lot.
Methods of sampling of clay building bricks
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Materials Science — Clay and Stabilized Soil Products
! Ensure that the lot from which samples are drawn consists of bricks from a single source and batch to ensure homogeneity. Do not mix bricks from different suppliers or trucks into one lot.
! The selection of bricks must be truly random. Avoid the common mistake of picking easily accessible bricks from the top or sides of a stack. Follow the procedure in Clause 4.3.
! This standard only covers sampling. The actual tests on the sampled bricks must be conducted as per IS 3495 (Methods of Tests of Burnt Clay Building Bricks).
Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile
Covers both the sampling and testing procedures for clay bricks, whereas IS 5454 only covers sampling.
BS EN 771-1:2011+A1:2015BSI (British Standards Institution), UK / CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
MediumCurrent
Specification for masonry units - Part 1: Clay masonry units
A product specification standard whose Annex A provides procedures for sampling consignments for conformity.
AS/NZS 4456.1:2003Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand
HighCurrent
Masonry units and segmental pavers and flags — Methods of test — Part 1: Sampling for test
Directly addresses the methods for obtaining a representative sample of masonry units from a lot for testing.
SANS 227:2007SABS (South African Bureau of Standards), South Africa
MediumCurrent
Burnt clay masonry units
This specification includes a clause on 'Compliance with this requirement' which dictates the sampling method and rates.
Key Differences
≠IS 5454 is a standalone standard exclusively for sampling procedures, referring to IS 3495 for testing methods. In contrast, ASTM C67 is a comprehensive standard that combines both sampling and all associated test methods in a single document.
≠The scale of sampling differs significantly. IS 5454 uses a tiered approach based on lot size (e.g., 30 bricks for a lot of 10,000), while ASTM C67 uses a proportional rate (10 bricks per 100,000 units), resulting in much smaller sample sizes for common lot quantities.
≠The number of specimens required for dimensional checks is different. IS 5454 requires a sample of 20 bricks for dimensional analysis, whereas ASTM C67 specifies using 10 specimens for this purpose.
≠IS 5454 provides a more prescriptive method for random selection, suggesting the division of the stack into parts and drawing sub-samples. ASTM C67 simply states samples must be taken 'at random' to 'represent the whole lot' without detailing a specific physical procedure.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are fundamentally based on the principle of lot-based sampling, where the sample size is determined by the size of the total consignment or 'lot' of bricks.
≈The core objective across all standards is to obtain a sample that is statistically representative of the entire population (lot) to make a reliable judgment on its conformity to specifications.
≈The principle of random selection is a cornerstone of all equivalent standards to prevent bias in sample collection.
≈The number of specimens required for destructive tests like compressive strength and water absorption is consistent. Both IS 5454 (via IS 3495) and ASTM C67 specify using 5 specimens for these key performance tests.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Standard's Scope
Methods of Sampling only
Methods of Sampling and Testing
ASTM C67/C67M-23
Sample Size for a Lot of 10,000 Bricks
30 bricks
10 bricks
ASTM C67/C67M-23
Sample Size for a Lot of 35,000 Bricks
40 bricks
10 bricks
ASTM C67/C67M-23
Sample Size for a Lot of 10,000 Bricks
30 bricks
8 units (for a lot size of 2,001 to 15,000)
BS EN 771-1:2011+A1:2015
Number of Specimens for Compressive Strength Test
5 bricks (from the main sample)
5 specimens
ASTM C67/C67M-23
Number of Specimens for 24-h Cold Water Absorption Test
5 bricks (from the main sample)
5 specimens
ASTM C67/C67M-23
Number of Specimens for Dimensional Measurement
20 bricks
10 specimens
ASTM C67/C67M-23
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Sample size for visual check (Lot of 2001-10000)20 bricks
Permissible defectives for visual check (Sample of 20)1 brick
Sample size for physical tests (Lot of 10001-35000)15 bricks
Number of bricks for compressive strength test from sample5 bricks
Number of bricks for water absorption test from sample5 bricks
Maximum lot size mentioned in tables50000 bricks
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Scale of Sampling and Permissible Number of Defectives for Visual and Dimensional Characteristics
Table 2 - Scale of Sampling for Physical Properties
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Terminology (Lot, Sample, etc.)
Clause 4 - Scale of Sampling
Clause 4.3 - Selection of Sample Bricks
Clause 5 - Test Samples and Criterion for Conformity
How many bricks should I take from a truckload of 10,000 bricks for testing?+
For visual and dimensional checks, take 20 bricks. For physical tests (like strength and water absorption), take 10 bricks. (Tables 1 & 2)
What is considered a 'lot' of bricks?+
A 'lot' is a collection or consignment of bricks of the same class, size, and from the same source, manufactured under similar conditions. The tables cover lot sizes up to 50,000 bricks. (Clause 3.1)
What happens if a sample fails the visual and dimensional tests?+
If the number of defective bricks in the sample is greater than the permissible number (e.g., more than 1 for a sample of 20), the entire lot is deemed not to conform to the requirements and is liable for rejection. (Table 1)
How many samples are needed for compressive strength test?+
From the overall sample drawn for physical tests (e.g., 10 bricks), a subset of 5 bricks is to be used for the compressive strength test. (Clause 5.2.1 and IS 3495 Part 1)