Wall Densities - Austral Bricks: Bricks, Pavers, Retaining walls

You may need to know the wall densities of our products for the energy efficiency section of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The density of a wall can be an indication of the amount of thermal mass in the wall.

Materials with thermal mass have the ability to moderate temperature swings naturally. Thermal mass is a different property to the R-value (or insulation level) of a material. The Building Code of Australia has recognised this through special provisions for external walls that have a wall density greater than 220kg/m². Constructions that have higher thermal mass typically require less added insulation according to the BCA provisions.

Wall Densities

The wall densities (kg/m²) have been determined for the South Australian Clay Brick Product Range and are given in the table below.

Allenby

Elements

Vintage Red	192.1
Vintage Grey	182.4
Beltana Desert	192.1
Beltana Emerald Glow	187.2
Old Cottage Red	192.1
Tuscan	182.4

Blue Onyx	182.4
Zinc	172.7
Graphite	182.4

Governors Range

Hallett

King	196.9
Wakehurst	196.9
Haigh	196.9
Belmore	196.9
Denison	196.9
Duff	196.9
Gipps	196.9
Lindesay	196.9
Darling	196.9
Foveaux	196.9

Colonial Red	192.1
Old Federal Red	192.1
Settlers Grey	182.4
Settlers Cream	182.4

Lonsdale

Peninsula

Ascot Pewter	182.4
Heritage Georgian Red	192.1
Wealdon	192.1

Marino	182.4
Willunga	182.4
Sellicks	182.4

Pressed

Renovator

Pressed Red	226.0
Olde Clinker	226.0
Summerhill Pink	221.2
Pastel Grey	221.2
Pastel Cream	221.2
Coachhouse Grey	221.2
Coachhouse Red	226.0

Sunglo Cream	182.4
Havana	182.4

Somerton

For Applied Finishes

Brighton	182.4
Grange	182.4
Seacliff	182.4

Render Brick	187.2
1.5 Render Brick 110mm	172.8
1.5 Render Brick 90mm	142.6
Render Block 90mm	145.2
Painter Brick	187.2

Note: Wall densities have been determined by calculation from nominal average product weights, nominal sizes and assumed mortar properties. Variations will lead to a different wall densities. The following assumptions about the mortar has been made: mortar density has been estimated as 1900kg/m³, all perpend and bed mortar joints are assumed to be completely filled, perpend and bed mortar joints are assumed to be standard 10mm. In the calculations below, render is assumed to have a density of 1900kg/m³.

Examples

The wall density of a brick veneer construction or a reverse brick veneer is essentially the same as the wall density of the single skin of brickwork. For example, a brick veneer house built with Brighton Bricks would have a wall density of 182.4kg/m². A rendered brick veneer would have a wall density equal to the sum of the brick wall density and the render wall density. For example, a Render Brick veneer would have a wall density of 22.8kg/m² (12mm render) plus 187.2kg/m²(bricks) equalling 210kg/m². The following table can be used to determine the wall density of a rendered brick veneer:

Rendered Brick Veneer:

A. External render (12 mm)	22.8
B. Brickwork
Total wall density:	A + B

The wall density of cavity brick construction is equal to the sum of the parts. For example, a cavity brick house built with Beltana Desert face bricks and internal rendered 1.5 Render 90mm bricks would have a wall density of 192.1kg/m² (external bricks) plus 142.6kg/m²(internal bricks) plus 22.8kg/m²(12mm internal render) equalling 357.5kg/m². The tables below can be used to determine the wall densities for a number of cavity brick construction styles.

Cavity Brick with Face Brickwork:

A. External Brickwork
B. Internal Brickwork
Total wall density:	A + B

Cavity Brick with Internal Render:

A. External Brickwork
B. Internal Brickwork
C. Internal Render (12 mm)	22.8
Total wall density:	A + B + C

Cavity Brick with Internal and External Render:

A. External Render (12 mm)	22.8
B. External Brickwork
C. Internal Brickwork
D. Internal Render (12 mm)	22.8
Total wall density:	A + B + C + D

Contact Austral Bricks' technical department if you require further information on the wall density of different constructions.