---
title: "Compressive strength of Nepali bricks"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:brick-compressive-strength-nepal"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/brick-compressive-strength-nepal
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Compressive strength of Nepali bricks

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 3: Clay Products

- Asked in: 2068 Baisakh, 1 marks
- Video: [How to Perform Compressive Strength of Brick | Brick Test on Site | Compression Test of Bricks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0O8bYTRgIU) — The Institute of Construction Managment 
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/brick-compressive-strength-nepal
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-3

## Question

What is the compressive strength of the common and machine made bricks that are available in Nepal?

## Short answer

In Nepal, common burnt clay bricks have a minimum compressive strength of 3.5 N/mm². Local hand-moulded bricks range from 3.5 to 5 N/mm², while good machine-made bricks reach about 7 to 10 N/mm² or more.

## Answer

In Nepal, as per NBC 109 and the Nepal Standard NS 1, the minimum compressive strength of common burnt clay bricks is about **3.5 N/mm²**. Local hand-moulded bricks are mostly 3.5 to 5 N/mm², while good machine-made bricks (including those fired in Hoffman kilns) and fly-ash bricks reach about 7 to 10 N/mm² or more. Values vary with the kiln and the manufacturer.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Minimum compressive strength of common bricks in Nepal:
   A. About 35 N/mm^2
   B. About 0.5 N/mm^2
   C. About 20 N/mm^2
   D. About 3.5 N/mm^2
   Answer: D. Per NBC 109 and NS 1. (Key point: Common bricks)

2. Good machine-made bricks reach about:
   A. 7 to 10 N/mm^2 or more
   B. 1 N/mm^2
   C. 3.5 N/mm^2 only
   D. 100 N/mm^2
   Answer: A. They are stronger than hand-moulded. (Key point: Machine made)

3. Local hand-moulded bricks are mostly:
   A. 10 to 20 N/mm^2
   B. 3.5 to 5 N/mm^2
   C. 0.5 to 1 N/mm^2
   D. 30 to 40 N/mm^2
   Answer: B. Lower than machine-made. (Key point: Hand moulded)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Compressive strength test of cement](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Acement-compressive-strength-test) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 5, asked 3×
- [Why bricks are widely used](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Awhy-bricks-widely-used) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 3, asked 3×

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