Engineering tool
Refractory Brick Quantity Calculator
Estimate how many bricks a cylindrical lining takes, from vessel diameter, lining height, lining thickness and brick dimensions, with a waste allowance.
Total bricks —
Bricks per ring —
Number of rings —
Bricks are counted on the ring’s mean circumference, not the shell diameter. Treat the result as a purchasing estimate, not a cutting plan.
Formulas used
- Bricks per ring = π × (D + t) ÷ brick width
- Rings = lining height ÷ brick height
- Total = bricks per ring × rings × (1 + waste %)
Practical notes
- The mean circumference matters: using the shell diameter instead of D + t undercounts every ring, and the error grows with lining thickness.
- Real linings need keys, wedges and closers. A 3–5% waste allowance covers ordinary cutting; complex geometry needs more.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the brick count based on D + t?
Bricks occupy the ring between the shell and the hot face, so their mean circumference runs at the neutral radius — half the lining thickness in from the shell. That gives a mean diameter of D + t.
Does this cover arch or key bricks?
No. It gives a straight quantity estimate for ordering. Shape distribution across keys, wedges and closers depends on the specific ring design.