The handmade brick of Cuenca (Ecuador): an initial characterisation within the heritage framework

Ceramic brick as a building material is used in many civilizations worldwide. In the case of the Historic Center of Cuenca (Ecuador), it dates back to colonial times and remains as a determining factor in local identity. However, beyond the productive tradition, its technical conditions of knowledge, use, and conservation are limited. In this context, the present research resorts to analytical techniques to characterize the raw material and solid brick from historical production and historical supply sites. It is determined that there are significant variations in composition, physical and mechanical behavior and durability. Thus, the low compressive strength (x̄ = 5,87 MPa) and low bending strength (x̄ = 0,13 MPa), high open porosity (36–37 %) and water absorption (17–20 %), open an important discussion on the conservation conditions of the numerous heritage buildings built in brick, as well as on the implications for the artisanal production process.