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BULLETIN OF THE 
No. 23 
Contribution from the Office of Public Roads, Logan Waller Page, Direct 
September 17, 1913. 
VITRIFIED BRICK AS A PAVING MATERIAL FOR 
COUNTRY ROADS. 
By Vernon M. Peirce, Chief Engineer, and Charles H. Moorefield, Senior 
Highway Engineer, Office of Public Roads. 
INTRODUCTION. 
A clay product closely resembling our present-day brick was among 
the earliest materials used for paving streets and roads. The first 
brick pavement constructed in this country, however, dates back no 
further than 1872; and to Charleston, W. Va., belongs the distinction 
of having been the first American city to employ brick for paving. 
For a number of years after being introduced into this country 
the use of paving brick was principally confined to city streets, and, 
owing to frequent inferiority in the quality of the brick and lack of 
care in construction, very few of the early pavements proved satis- 
factory. Even now, after the experience of 40 years has demon- 
strated that it is entirely practicable to construct satisfactory brick 
pavements when proper care is exercised, and that much waste 
results from the use of poor materials or faulty construction, instances 
can frequently be found where brick pavements have wholly or par- 
tially failed from causes which might easily have been prevented. 
Country roads paved with vitrified brick are becoming quite com- 
mon in many of our States, and, owing to the general satisfaction 
which these roads are giving when properly constructed, it is probable 
that their mileage will continue to increase rapidly. The principal 
advantages which brick roads possess may be stated briefly as follows : 
(1) They are durable under heavy traffic conditions; (2) they afford 
easy traction and good foothold for horses; (3) they are easily main- 
tained and kept clean; and (4) they present a very pleasing appear- 
ance. 
The principal disadvantage is the high first cost. The defects which 
frequently result from lack of uniformity in the quality of the brick 
or from poor construction are usually to be traced indirectly to an 
effort to reduce the first cost or to a popular feeling that local mate- 
rials should be used, even when of inferior quality. 
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