Influence of Pore-Size Distribution on the Resistance of Clay Brick to Freeze–Thaw Cycles

This study examines the influence of raw material characteristics, methods of shaping and of parameters of firing process of clay bricks, on pore-size distribution and on resistance to freeze–thaw cycles (with particular emphasis on the retention time of the specimens at the maximum achieved temperature). Pore-size distribution was measured by mercury-intrusion porosimetry, while the resistance to freeze–thaw cycles was assessed by exposing the bricks to freeze–thaw cycles (HRN B.D8.011 standard) monitoring the appearance of surface changes, decrease of compressive strength as well as the Maage factor. A correlation was set up between the Maage factor and the ratio of the compressive strength before and after freezing as a quantitative indicator of bricks resistance to frost. By using this correlation for all the examined bricks, regardless of their raw material and shaping procedure, a low coefficient of correlation (R(2) = 0.26) was obtained. When processed separately, machine-made bricks had a significantly higher correlation coefficient value (R(2) = 0.60) than the hand-made bricks (R(2) = 0.28).