With its long history, brick masonry has been used in the construction of buildings for thousands of years. Despite the numerous variations and changes that occurred during this time period, brick masonry remains one of the most adaptable and long-lasting construction techniques till today.
Brick masonry offers durability, fire protection and ease of construction while maintaining a warm, decorative appearance. Discover the fundamentals of brick masonry and the many ways in which it may be utilised to adorn your house or place of business.
What is brick masonry?
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Brick masonry is one of the most long-lasting building methods available. To create a solid mass that can resist applied forces, bricks are set in mortar in a structured way. Brick masonry may be built using a variety of different bricks and mortars, each of which has its own distinct characteristics and applications.
In brick masonry, the bond that holds the bricks together is generated by filling the spaces between the bricks with mortar that is appropriate for the purpose. Because it has such a significant impact on the functionality and longevity of masonry structures, the mixing and placement of mortar require particular attention to safety precautions.
See also: Stone masonry: A complete guide
Why is brick masonry important?
Masonry is a construction technique, which ensures the structure remains safe and durable. Further, the use of quality materials will ensure fire and weather resistance, longer lifespan, and aesthetic appeal, and ultimately contribute to the overall value the property. Understanding the time and labour costs involved in masonry construction can help you prepare to complete projects on time.
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Brick masonry: Types
Cement brickwork
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Bricks are often laid in a cement mortar while doing cement brickwork. There are three different categories of brickwork that may be done in cement, and they are as follows:
First class
The mortar is lime-based cement and joints are no more than 10 millimetres thick, and the bricks themselves have jagged corners and surfaces.
Second class
Bricks that have a rough and uneven form are employed, and the mortar joints have a thickness of 12 millimetres each.
Third class
Bricks are of a softer consistency, their surfaces are rough, and their shapes are deformed. Bricks of the third class are often used in the construction of temporary projects and in arid climates.
Mud brickwork
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When it comes to filling up different seams in masonry construction, mud is often employed rather than cement mortar. The standard measurement for the width of the mud construction joints is 12 millimetres. This is the least expensive method for installing brick masonry, however, it can only be used for structures that are up to four metres high.
know about: brick sizes
Brick masonry: Bond types
Stretcher bond
The stretcher is the term used to describe the long section of the brick. With a stretcher bond, just the portion of the bricks that will be used to extend the wall outward is exposed to the mortar. Due to the fact that it has a constant running pattern, the Stretcher bond is also often known as the running bond. Garden facades, retaining walls, dividing walls, chimney stacks, etc., are often built using stretcher bonds as a foundation for the underlying masonry structure. For reinforced concrete framed buildings, it may be utilised for outside walls as well.
Stretcher bond: Pros
- It is simple and uncomplicated to put together.
- It is not necessary to use labourers with certain skills in order to create a stretcher bond.
Stretcher bond: Cons
- Stretcher bond is only appropriate for walls that are one-half the thickness of a brick, for example, the partition walls, thus it cannot be applied in the event of full-width brick walls that are thick.
- It is not possible to build masonry walls by using a stretcher bond when the building has a long span or a high height since this kind of bond cannot handle the loads that are applied.
- Stretcher bond is not acceptable for use in landscape masonry construction or architectural masonry building.
Header bond
To create a header bond, the brick’s header face is used, as the name suggests. When looking at a brick from above, the smaller square face is the header. Unlike the stretcher bond, in which the header portions of the bricks remain hidden, the header bond displays the bricks’ header faces. Header bond, as opposed to stretcher bond, is used for walls of full brick thickness.
The term “header bond” is also sometimes used interchangeably with “heading bond.” The bricks are laid out in such a way that the overlapping is approximately half of the brick’s breadth. This is achieved by employing three-quarter brickbats for structural features, which means that the offsets are created by utilising half a brick.
Header bond: Pros
- It is quick and straightforward to put together.
- It is not necessary to use skilled labour to complete the structure as you would with a stretcher bond.
Header bond: Cons
- It lacks substantial power when pointed towards the wall.
- It’s not something you want to use while building visually significant masonry structures.
English bond
Bricks in English bonds are laid in a pattern with alternating header and stretcher courses. The English bond crossover is made by placing a queen closer adjacent to a quoin heading. In comparison to the traditional header and stretcher bond, this one is much more sturdy and long-lasting.
English bond: Pros
- It has a high degree of tensile and shear strength.
- It is suitable for use in the building of masonry walls, including almost any thickness.
- The building of this type of bond does not need labour performed by someone with a particularly high level of expertise.
English bond: Cons
- It does not have a very attractive visual appearance.
- A rather high cost is associated with the development of these types of bonds.
- There is a greater chance of moisture getting in via the traverse joints because of this.
Flemish bond
Flemish bond is a kind of brick bond in which the headers and stretchers of each course are swapped. Consequently, the bond is established by alternating the placing of the header face and also the stretcher face in mortar, with the quoin header starting each alternate course. Quoin closer is positioned in opposite directions from the quoin header to create a face lap. Using central support, the header face of a Flemish bond is held up above the stretcher.
Flemish bond: Pros
- It is quite cost-effective.
- In terms of its visual attractiveness, it is of the highest calibre.
Flemish bond: Cons
- The building process calls for labourers with a high level of expertise.
- It doesn’t have the same strength as the English bond.
Brick masonry: Types of bricks
There are many different types of bricks used in brick masonry. These include:
- Common burnt clay bricks
- Sand lime bricks
- Concrete bricks
- Engineering bricks
- Fly ash clay bricks
- Bullnose bricks
- Channel bricks
- Coping bricks
- Cownose bricks
- Hollow bricks
Brick masonry: Characteristics of good quality bricks
Some of the major properties of good quality bricks include:
- Good bricks are sound, hard, and well burnt.
- They have a fine compact texture and a uniform colour.
- They have a metallic ringing sound when struck with a hammer or another brick.
- They should not absorb more water than 20% of their own weight.
- When dropped on another brick from a height of one metre, they should not break.
- They should not contain any water-soluble sulphates or chlorides.
Brick masonry: Materials and equipment required for brick construction
Some of the major equipment and material required for brickwork include:
- Mason mix bricks or mortar mix
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Hose, level, or theodolite
- Wheelbarrow
- Trowel Level
- Jointer
- Goggles
Brick masonry: Common defects in brick work
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Masonry has a very old heritage of being erected by artisans as opposed to reinforced concrete construction, which utilises engineering oversight throughout the building process. Despite this, mistakes may and will be made, as well as problems discovered, if correct operating procedures are not adhered to. As a consequence of faults in craftsmanship, brick masonry often suffers from the following typical flaws:
Incorrectly blended mortar
There is a one-to-one correlation between mortar and brick strength. The strength of the masonry will suffer if the correct cement-to-water ratio is not used while mixing mortar, making the bricks more porous and susceptible to water damage.
Unacceptably thick bed joints
Bed joints are a horizontal mortar layer used for laying bricks. Due to the increased transverse tensile stresses caused by their increased thickness, excessively thick walls impair the strength of the brickwork. The compressive strength of a bed joint which is 16-19 mm thick is 30% lower than that of a bed joint with only 10 mm thickness. Too much thickness in a joint might cause it to fail altogether while being worked on.
Inappropriately filled bed joints
In brickwork, it is very necessary to check and make sure that all of the bed joints have been thoroughly filled. The brickwork’s strength might be reduced by up to 33 per cent if the seams are not entirely filled in.
Putting newly-laid bricks at risk of bad weather
It’s important to keep newly placed bricks out of the elements (especially excessive heat and cold) till the mortar has fully set. Extreme heat may decrease the durability of mortar because moisture is evaporated from the bricks before the cement can fully hydrate. When the temperature drops, the wall may shift out of its vertical position, resulting in a weaker structure. Placing polythene sheets over the whole area allows the mortar to cure properly. If bricklaying must be done in freezing temperatures, it may be required to heat the materials.
Lack of brick suction adjustment
There’s a chance that the mortar is too dry to return to its former flat shape after being sucked dry by the bricks. When using dry bricks, the mortar will dry up and lose its strength since the bricks will absorb the water. As a consequence, the wall will be less strong and sturdy.
Water should be allowed to seep into bricks for long enough so that they are completely saturated. Be careful not to oversaturate them, too, or the bricks won’t adhere to the mortar. In order to lay bricks properly, they need to be immersed for 8-12 hours.
Efflorescence
Efflorescence is the name given to the flaw caused when an excessive amount of salts in the brick crystallises. Bricks with high concentrations of soluble salts get discoloured when exposed to water, which causes the salts to dissolve and emerge as yellowish dust on the brick’s surface. This may be removed by scrubbing and cleaning the bricks frequently.
Shrinkage
Since bricks are a porous medium, they will inflate when wet and contract when dry. Due to this shrinking, fissures appear in the mortar between bricks. Despite the fact that this has no effect on the brick’s structural integrity, it does diminish the brick’s aesthetic value.
Frost damage
Frost damage in modern buildings is usually limited to highly exposed spots or the result of poorly designed masonry frost resistance. Extremely damp brickwork combined with sub-freezing temps causes this problem.
Bricks with debris, dirt, or mould
Bricks will get grimy and may develop moss or mould over time. This is often caused by pollutants and other contaminants being embedded in the brickwork. Keep the surface clean as carefully as possible if you sense the moss, mould, or staining on your brickwork is excessive or unnatural; otherwise, it is not harmful and may even be protective.
Common problems in brick masonry and solutions
Algae
If algae growth is observe on the structure, you can clean the surface with water, suitable cleaner and a brush or pressure-washer. Apply a hydrophobic sealant based on the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure long-term protection against moisture and dirt.
Sandstone erosion
Additional mortar is usually applied to tackle sandstone erosion but one must ensure tucking it properly. Otherwise, increased moisture can lead to further damage. Remove damaged stones and replace them and surrounding mortar. Use a hydrophobic sealer to seal the surface. If the sandstones are huge or there is extensive damage, consult an engineer to determine possible solutions.
Brick masonry: Useful tips for quality brick work
When it comes to producing quality brickwork, there are a number of factors to take into consideration. The following are some of the most important things that should be kept in mind:
- Cement masonry necessitates the usage of bricks, which should be immersed in clear water for at least an hour before they are used.
- The bricks shouldn’t be too damp while they’re being laid.
- It’s imperative that all of the walls be measured at a perfect 90-degree angle. Vertical junctions between neighbouring courses should be avoided, and the courses themselves should be set out horizontally.
- When laying frog-patterned bricks, the frogs should face up.
- A trowel full of mortar should be forced into each of the vertical joints. Joints are the most common entry points for water, thus it is imperative that they be properly filled to maintain optimum durability and resistance to moisture penetration.
- It is recommended to dampen the surface to which new bricks will be laid with a little amount of water before beginning.
- In order to provide an appropriate key for plastering, the surface of the brickwork should be scraped to a depth of 12 to 15 millimetres prior to the application of the plaster.
- A mortar joint shouldn’t be any thicker than 12 millimetres at its widest point.
- Damaged bricks must not be utilised unless it can be shown that their usage will not compromise the quality of the bond.
- When using brick masonry, the structure should be built at a rate of no more than one metre per day until it reaches the desired height.
- A minimum of seven days must pass before the brickwork may be considered completed.
- It is important to verify the straightness of the walls and the squareness of the courses on a regular basis using a plumb bob and a spirit level, respectively.
Benefits of brick masonry
- Due to the relatively regular shape and size of the bricks, the construction process is not a particularly difficult one. Consequently, there is no requirement for expert workers for the building job.
- Brick masonry often makes use of lightweight bricks because of the nature of the material. In contrast to bricks made of clay, there are numerous types of bricks that may be purchased on the market that have a low overall weight. They are constructed using a variety of components, including fly ash, powdered aluminium, quartz sand, and so on. Because of this, working with bricks on a building site is a lot less difficult than working with stone when it comes to masonry.
- Brick masonry has a lower dead load when contrasted with stone masonry and masonry constructed from aerated concrete blocks.
- In contrast to stone masonry, brick masonry makes it possible to create brick walls that are far thinner.
- Brick is among the most valuable assets that can be used in the building industry. Bricks are often the material of choice in any kind of building activity. As a result, you shouldn’t have any trouble tracking down the bricks in any part of the city. When compared to stone masonry, they are only accessible in locations that have stone quarries.
- In comparison to other types of masonry construction, brick masonry often has fewer mortar joints. As a result, the total cost is cut down by a significant amount. In addition to this, they have a high resistance to both fire and severe weather. They are suitable for use in any wall construction, including those that prohibit the use of stones and concrete block masonry.
- In a structure that is being constructed out of brick masonry, it is simple to cut apertures for doorways and window openings throughout the construction process.
- In order to create this masonry, many kinds of mortar may be used for the joints. When it comes to more temporary building activities, such as modest construction works, we may utilise mud mortar.
Disadvantages of brick masonry
- Masonry that is made of brick is not earthquake-resistant. It is vulnerable to the destruction that an earthquake might wreak.
- The building procedure is one that takes a lot of time. Bricks have been replaced by AAC blocks as the material of choice in situations when quick building is required.
- In contrast to stone masonry, it does not possess the same levels of strength and durability.
- Plastering is required in the context of brick masonry buildings in order to achieve a smooth finish, which may lead to a rise in the amount of construction.
- Bricks have a natural ability to absorb water; as a result, there is a chance of moisture inside brick walls. Plaster and paint are vulnerable to deterioration as a result of this factor.
FAQs
Which brick masonry bond is the strongest?
The header brick bond is the most durable method for building a single-brick wall because it alternates the stretcher and header courses. The impending load is transferred to neighbouring bricks due to the uniform distribution of the weights and the full placement of the bricks on top of each other.
Which brick quality is the best?
When it comes to burned clay bricks, first class is the cream of the crop. These premium bricks are uniform in size and texture, with a smooth finish and greater durability and strength. Burned clay bricks are perhaps the most flexible brick in use today because of their adaptability to many uses.
What ratio of mortar is not employed in brickwork?
Since the increased strength of mortar does not translate to a corresponding increase in the strength of the masonry, a mix ratio of more than 1:3 is rarely employed in brickwork masonry due to significant shrinkage.
How resilient is a brick wall?
The minimum compressive strength for concrete blocks is typically about 1900 psi. This, however, is no match for the strength of several solid blocks. This is due to the fact that a typical brick should endure about 3000 psi, and a concrete block can survive 3500 psi.