COMPARISON OF CONTEMPORARY BRICKS WITH THE BRICKS USED DURING THE BRITISH COLONIAL PERIOD
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Date
2015
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Publisher
UMT, Lahore
Abstract
The bricks are frequently used in construction as building material everywhere in the world.
The British colonial buildings in Lahore city were mainly constructed with fair face clay
bricks (Locally available building material).
Major parts of the British Colonial buildings are made of bricks with lime mortar and also
cement mortar (which was used at the end of this era). The different forms and styles of
bricks are frequently used in the building facade. The study is aimed at to highlight the
qualities of a durable brick and proper selection of clay for the manufacturing of a salt free
brick.
This study is focused on the analysis of the contemporary bricks and the bricks used for
construction during the British colonial period with an objective to find out whether the
bricks used in British colonial period are more durable than contemporary bricks, and the
reasons behind the salt deports on contemporary brick masonry.
It further highlights the importance of the clay selection in brick manufacturing and the
factors which matter in producing a better quality of clay brick.
It was considered to assemble data regarding international standard and significance of the
brick, its manufacturing process and use throughout the British period to to-date. It included
manufacturing of brick and to assess general causes of salt appearance on the face of
brickwork.
Proper samples of the British colonial building bricks were taken from various buildings
constructed during different times in British Raj.
These samples were tested in laboratory of Building Research Station Punjab Building
Department C&W Government of the Punjab and Laboratories of the University of
Engineering and Technology, Lahore. The buildings were also physically examined and
various causes of deterioration / appearance of salt were identified.
The data collection included photographic evidence and drawings. After collection of data, it
was analyzed and compared with respect to its chemical composition, clay quality, clay
selection, shapes, strength, manufacturing process, burning process, and uses in the buildings
and then the conclusions were drawn. These valuable results helped in the formulation of
recommendations for brick masonry