> a We estimated the percentage weight as ⁄∑ ) × 100. Note that . We assume mm Grade A bricks are produced only by FCBTK, ZZ FCBTK, HK, and TK; Grade B bricks are produced by CK, FCBTK, jj jj jj jj ww = (NN NN ∀jj iiEEwwee eeEEtt bbwwccEEe ttEE JJ and VSBK; Grade C bricks are produced only by CK; and others are produced by HK and TK. For example, the percentage weight (i.e., share) of FCBTK technology that produces Grade A bricks is 75%. That is, 75% = [899⁄(899 + 289 + 8 + 3)] × 100. Note that only four technologies (FCBTK, ZZ FCBTK, HK, and TK) produce Grade A bricks.

> b Data for the year 2018 taken from (ICIMOD, 2019a). Note that 7 MC BTK listed in (ICIMOD, 2019a) are not accounted for in our study. We assume all MC BTK is not in operation due to the government ban. We also assume that these weights (share) are the same for all provinces ( _r_ ).

_The average mass of clay-fired bricks_ [ ] rr MM (tt)

**Table A2.3** : Physical and mechanical characteristics of clay-fired bricks<sup>*</sup> in Nepal

|Data source|Location|Size<br>(cm3)|DB<br>(g/cm^3)|WAC<br>(%)|SC<br>(MPa)||_M_<br>(kg)|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|(Bhattarai et al., 2018)<sup>a</sup>|Kathmandu<br>Valley||1.20<br>–<br>1.80|10.0 – 18.0|5.00<br>23.00|–||
|(Shrestha, 2019)|Kathmandu<br>Valley|1,255|1.55<br>–<br>2.82|8.80<br>–<br>23.93|7.83<br>22.10|–|2.20<sup>b</sup>|
|(Subedi, 2020)|Kathmandu|1,315|1.34<br>–|4.00<br>–|3.72|–|2.03<sup>c</sup>|
||Valley||1.90|12.00|20.16|||
|(Budhathoki et al., 2018)<sup>d</sup>|Kathmandu||1.53<br>–|4.20<br>–|4.27|–||
||Valley||2.15|27.26|28.76|||
|(Chapagain et al., 2020)|Nepal||1.10<br>–<br>2.15|5 – 30|3.35<br>10.53|–||
|(Eil et al., 2020)<br>|Nepal<br>||||||2.00<sup>e</sup>|
|(Thygerson et al., 2016)|Kathmandu<br>Valley||||||1.50 – 2.00|
|(MinErgy<br>and<br>FNBI,<br>2015)|Kathmandu<br>Valley||||||2.10<br>|
|(CEN, 2009)|Nepal||||||2.03 (2.76)<sup>f</sup>|
|Gorkha<br>Chinese<br>Itta<br>(2023)|Nepal|1,573|||8.50||2.50 (2.00)<sup>g</sup><br>|
|Timilsina<br>and<br>Malla<br>(2023)|Nepal||||||2.40 – 4.00<sup>h</sup>|

Notes:

* Based on the NS 1 2035 IS code guidelines, the machine-made standard clay-fired brick size in Nepal is 240 mm x 112 mm x 57 mm (=1,532 cm<sup>3</sup> ), and the chimney-made standard clay-fired brick size is 229 mm x 112 mm x 55 mm (1,411 cm<sup>3</sup> ), with a tolerance of ±3mm in each direction and the compressive strength of 3.5 N/mm<sup>2</sup> for both bricks (DUDBC, 2023) (see pp 59). However, based on available studies, there is no uniformity of brick size in Nepal as the size of bricks is different in various places inside and outside of the Valley. In general, bricks in Tarai are bigger in size whereas those within the Kathmandu Valley and in hill regions are smaller in size.

a Values reported are based on ancient bricks used in temples and historical monuments.

b The size of the average sample brick is 1,255 cm3 and the density of the majority of sample bricks is between 1.5 to 2.0 g/cm<sup>3</sup> . Assuming an average size is 1,255 cm<sup>3</sup> and a density value is 1.75 g/cm<sup>3</sup> , the estimated weight of each brick is 2.2 kg (=1.75*1255/1000).

c The average weight of each clay-fired standard dry brick is 2.025 kg (~2.03 kg) for Bagmati province. This is the average value of 6 sample brick weights produced by FCBTK in Kathmandu Valley (i.e., 1.95; 2.18; 2; 2.21; 1.71; 2.1 kg).

d Values reported are based on tiles. Tiles are generally used as coverings for floors, walls, facades, or roofs and can range from simple square tiles to complex mosaics.

e Based on first-class (high quality) brick with great variation in height of the bricks.

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