Author

S. K. ARORA* and H. R. HODGKINSON**
*Building Research Establishment **British Ceramic Research Association

Abstract

Durability of brickwork depends on the initial properties of the constituent materials, external atmospheric environment, and design details. The ways these individually affect brickwork chemically and physically are already well known but there is little information on the variation of flexural strength with time. A 12 year long project has been started to determine the flexural strength vs time relationship from brick wallettes built in the laboratory but then weathered in the open. In addition wallettes cut from ‘old’ brickwork are being tested. Four sets of results are reported; one-year-old wallettes, and three 10 year ‘old’ brickwork samples. After up to 10 years exposure, the flexural strength of brick walls built in cement-lime mortar, and exposed to mild to moderate conditions, has not been unduly affected adversely and in some cases has been improved substantially.