Strength based classification of brick is made on the basis of
📜 Understanding Indian Standards (IS) for Bricks
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) publishes specific codes to ensure uniformity, quality, and safety in construction materials. For burnt clay bricks, it's crucial to distinguish between the standard for classification and the standard for methods of testing.
- Classification: This standard defines the different classes or grades of bricks (e.g., First Class, Second Class) based on their properties like compressive strength.
- Methods of Test: This standard describes the exact procedures to be followed to measure those properties (e.g., how to conduct a crushing strength test or a water absorption test).
🔬 Detailed Analysis of the Options
B. IS: 3102
This is the correct answer. IS: 3102 is the standard titled "Classification of Burnt Clay Solid Bricks". It lays down the criteria, primarily based on compressive strength, to classify bricks into different grades. (Note: For common bricks, this standard is now largely covered by IS 1077, but IS 3102 remains the specific answer for classification in many exam contexts).
C. IS: 3495
This is a common distractor and is incorrect. IS: 3495 is titled "Methods of Tests of Burnt Clay Building Bricks". This code tells you how to perform the tests to find the strength, but it does not define the strength-based classes themselves. You use the methods in IS: 3495 to get a value, and then use IS: 3102 (or IS 1077) to classify the brick based on that value.
A. IS: 3101
This is incorrect. IS: 3101 is the specification for aluminium collapsible tubes, which is completely unrelated to civil engineering or bricks.
D. IS: 3496
This is incorrect. IS: 3496 is the specification for dobby lags and pegs, which are components used in textile weaving machinery. It has no relation to bricks.
📊 Summary: Relevant and Irrelevant IS Codes
| IS Code | Purpose | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| IS: 3102 | Classification of Burnt Clay Bricks | Correct. Defines strength-based classes. |
| IS: 3495 | Methods of Test for Burnt Clay Bricks | Incorrect. Describes testing procedures, not classification. |
| IS: 3101 | Aluminium Collapsible Tubes | Incorrect. Unrelated material. |
| IS: 3496 | Dobby Lags and Pegs (Textile) | Incorrect. Unrelated industry. |
💡 Study Tips
- Classification vs. Testing: This is the key takeaway. Memorize that IS: 3102 is for Classification and IS: 3495 is for Testing.
- Look for Keywords: The question asks for "classification," which directly points to IS: 3102. If it had asked for the "procedure to find strength," the answer would relate to IS: 3495.
- Eliminate the Obvious: Quickly discard standards that are clearly for different materials or industries. This can often narrow your choices down to two.
