Pillars and Piers

PILLARS AND PIERS

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SECTION

MODULE 1 SHEET 2

Bonding of the brickwork

When constructing pillars and piers the bonding of the brickwork together with the correct mortar mix will ensure that the pillar or pier will have sufcient strength to do the job intended. If there are occasions where bonding is not possible, the pillar or pier must be tied into the adjacent brickwork by using stainless steel reinforcement to achieve a satisfactory performance. The mortar mixes shown in the table below indicate mixes (by volume) normally suited for all levels of brickwork. Mix 1
1 part Portland cement part lime 3 parts sand

Mix 2
1 part Portland cement part lime 4 parts sand

The mortar mix in mix 2 is normally suitable for all levels of brickwork. In very wet locations mix 1 may be more suitable for work below ground level DPC and for copings or cappings to brick walls, piers or pillars. It is essential that all bed joints and cross joints are fully lled, and any frogged bricks must be laid with the frog uppermost.

MODULE 1 SHEET 3

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SECTION

Pillars and Piers

PILLARS AND PIERS

Single attached piers

The diagrams below show alternate course plans for different bonding arrangements for walls with attached piers in Stretcher bond.

Bonding for a one-brick pier to a half-brick thick wall

Bonding for a one-and-a-half-brick pier to a half-brick thick wall

Pillars and Piers

PILLARS AND PIERS

1 14
SECTION

MODULE 1 SHEET 4

Single attached piers in Stretcher bond

Bonding for a one-and-a-half-brick pier to a double-skin stretcher bond wall

Single attached piers in English bond The diagrams below show alternate course plans for different bonding arrangements for walls with attached piers in English bond.

Bonding for a one-and-a-half-brick pier to a one-brick thick wall

MODULE 1 SHEET 5

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SECTION

Pillars and Piers

PILLARS AND PIERS

Single attached piers in English bond

Bonding for a two-brick pier to a one-brick thick wall

Piers double attached The diagram below shows a double attached pier in English bond to a one-brick wall. A correctly bonded pier of this construction will equally thicken the pier on both sides and will provide additional strength. A pier of this type of construction will require a wider foundation of the shape and size to carry the brickwork.

Double attached pier in English bond

Pillars and Piers

PILLARS AND PIERS

1 14
SECTION

MODULE 1 SHEET 6

Pillars Pillars are usually constructed at the ends of a brick wall as: A decorative feature. To strengthen the end of a length of walling. To support a lintel over an opening. To carry a gate or a set of gates. To following diagrams show examples of the different bonding congurations that can be used to construct a pillar.

1 Brick pier

One brick by one brick pillar to a half-brick thick wall in stretcher bond

One and a half by one brick pillar to a half-brick thick wall in stretcher bond

MODULE 1 SHEET 7

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SECTION

Pillars and Piers

PILLARS AND PIERS

Pillars

A one-and-a-half by one-and-a-half-brick pillar to a one-brick thick wall in stretcher bond

Gate-carrying pillars When the construction of the wall incorporates a gate opening, the gate will require a rigid support as the cantilever method of hanging will increase the forces acting through the hinges or hangers of the gate. Timber gates will generally be heavier than open lattice metal gates. The drawings below show how extra strength and rigidity can be obtained in a pillar by lling in the void in the middle of the pillar with mortar. Extra strength can be obtained by adding reinforcement bars.

Reinforced gate pillar

Pillars and Piers

PILLARS AND PIERS

1 14
SECTION

MODULE 1 SHEET 8

Gate carrying pillars

For larger gates the pillars will also be larger and stronger. To obtain this extra strength the void in the pillar is reinforced with a reinforced metal cage encase in concrete. To avoid cement staining the void should be treated with a liquid waterproong agent before lling it with concrete. The gate hangers are built in position as the work progresses.

Reinforced gate pillar

Cappings to piers and pillars The top of a wall is very vulnerable to penetration of water and some provision must be included in the construction to prevent this. Usually free standing exterior walls, pillars and piers are capped with some form of protective capping to prevent the ingress of water. Note: Cappings to piers and pillars are covered in more detail in the Section 2: Copings and Cappings.