The acoustic behaviour of bricks in relation to their mechanical behaviour

Abstract

A number of brick-clay specimens sintered by traditional and fast cycles, was studied by acoustic emission during three-point bending. Acoustic behaviour was connected with structure development. Acoustic emission activity was generally increased with an increase of sintering temperature as a result of the development of a stronger structure. Specimens sintered by the fast sintering programs, remaining for short period of time at 850, 950 and 1050°C maximum temperatures and then furnace cooled to room temperature, were much more acoustically active compared with specimens sintered traditionally at similar temperatures. Examination in repeated loading showed an absence of the Kaiser effect. During the second loading, major acoustic activity was shown from the beginning of the second loading, indicating a low Felicity ratio. The behaviour of brick-clay specimens during acoustic examination under loading could give useful information about the strength, structure and the sintering techniques used during manufacturing of bricks, tiles and similar products.