Mechanical Properties of Substitution Bricks for Thai Historical Building Preservation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the mechanical properties of the substitution bricks used for Thai historical structures preservation. The mechanical properties of bricks, such as strength, density and porosity were investigated in the laboratory. The compressive strength of brick in flatwise position and the brick cube were presented. The relationship between the compressive strength of brick and density in both flatwise position and in cubic shape were illustrated. The effect of brick shape and size on the compressive strength were evaluated. The compressive strength of the brick prisms were also investigated in comparison with the compressive strength of bricks. The results show that dry density and porosity of the substitution brick are in the range of 1.28 g/cm³ - 1.63 g/cm³ and  30.15 % - 35.14 %, respectively. The compressive strength of brick in the flatwise position is higher than the brick cube. The experimental results also show that the compressive strength of brick depends on the density. Finally, the approximate equations for predicting the compressive strength of brick prism were derived in terms of density and compressive strength of brick.