Predicting the Durability of Bricks

Abstract

Abstract The pore size distributions of approximately 80 bricks removed from walls of existing buildings were measured using mercury intrusion. These distributions were used to calculate a Durability Factor using the method of Maage. This Durability Factor was then correlated with the observed performance of the bricks on the buildings. It was found that all bricks with a Durability Factor greater than 70 exhibited no freeze/thaw durability problems. Further, with very few exceptions, all bricks with a Durability Factor less than 70 were suffering freeze/thaw failures. This technique is more accurate and faster for selecting potentially durable bricks than the current use of absorption measurements.