Collected Material File #03

BRICK RUBBLE

Collection Details

118 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, 3065, Victoria

Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country

Courtesy of B.F.C. Built

January 2023

Collection Type

Construction and demolition rubble/byproduct from a residential renovation

Previous Use

Double brick and brick cavity walls in residential home

The story of collection

These bricks were collected from a residential renovation in Fitzroy, just off Brunswick Street. They are beautifully mottled and speckled with a variety of colours ranging from beige to a deep brown-orange. Some are dull with a grey tone and others are bright, indicating variation in firing temperatures or different areas in the brick kiln receiving different levels of heat. It is assumed these were made close to the site with local materials because of their handmade and rustic appearance.

Thank you to B.F.C. Built for allowing me to access the site immediately after demolition had taken place to collect materials.


Extended Material Data

Coordinates

-37.79929726172641, 144.97918198942432

Council / Zoning

Yarra, NRZ (Neighbourhood Residential)

Material Origin

Assuming local small-scale manufacturer from quality of brick

Composition

Clay (alumina and silica)

Grog (fired crushed clay for workability, strength, and low shrinkage)

Measurements (mm)

Standard brick assumed

110(w) x 230(l) x 76(h)

Absorption

Approx. 9.9%

Appearance

Mostly orange-red with mottled grog inside. Grog is a mix of light orange, red, brown and beige coarse pieces. Exterior is rough with some cosmetic cracks

Characteristics & Crushing Notes

Easily crushed. Crumbles, especially along crack lines

Post-firing Characteristics (Cone 6)

Retains form, does not melt. Colour stays somewhat true. Very stable and non-reactive

Potential Applications in Ceramics

Use grog in clay body to reduce shrinkage rates, for colour, for texture. Use powder in glaze for colour. For a smooth surface at Cone 6, fluxing agent needs to be added to lower the melting temperature