Shri Ettukaiiyamman Interlock Bricks

Mangalam, Tirupur, Tamil Nadu

Advantages of Interlock Bricks

• Cost-savings as cement and sand are not used for constructing the wall.
• Being a less heat-intensive and natural material, laterite retains coolness inside the house.
• Less labor intensive and more time-saving as the Interlocking blocks need only be fitted to each other; instead of conventional cement mortar construction.
• The Interlocking bricks can be salvaged without damage when the house is being dismantled in the future.

Points to consider

• Make sure that every batch of Interlocking bricks arriving from the factory is tested for strength and consistency.
• Have the Bricks laid evenly with the joint of one course being in the middle of the subsequent course, so as to ensure strength of the wall.
• Plastering towards the bottom of the wall above the foundation will prevent moisture from seeping up the wall.
• It is not advisable to have Interlocking walls in areas which are prone to get wet frequently (like bathrooms).

How are Interlocking Bricks made?High quality interlocking bricks are made of cement, sand and Stone dust mixed together in appropriate proportions. The required materials are batched and mixed proportionately. Once the required mix is prepared, it is then compressed to form bricks with desirable interlocking patterns. The compression is achieved by using hydraulic compression system. The bricks are then subjected to curing for about 7 days.

Earthquake ResistantDuring earthquakes, there are various stresses acting on the structure. Conventional bricks are not fully equipped to transfer the seismic loads throughout the structure since the only medium of load transfer is the mortar. If the mortar fails then the whole structure fails under seismic forces. Interlocking bricks are an effective and proven earthquake resistant construction materials. The self locking pattern of the bricks enables the seismic forces to travel across the whole structure equivalently.

Provides cooler interior?High compacted bricks generally result in higher density, which in turn converts itself into high thermal mass. Henceforth, the walls made of high compacted bricks typically furnish warm interiors. Interlocking bricks are less heat intensive. The tests have shown that interlocking bricks provides a much cooler interior (3oC – 5oC). This enables lesser/no use of air conditioners resulting in minimized energy consumption and more cost saving.