BRICK MASONRY

Brick

Brick is a basic building unit which is in the form of

rectangular block in which length to breadth ratio is
2 but height can be different.
Normal size (nominal size)
9''4" 3"
Architectural size (Working size)
8116" x 4" x 2116"
 Brick Masonry
The art of laying bricks in mortar in a proper
systematic manner gives homogeneous mass which
can withstand forces without disintegration, called
brick masonry.
Terminology:

The surfaces of a brick have names:

Top and bottom surfaces are beds.
Ends are headers and header faces.
Sides are stretchers or stretcher faces.

Bricks are the subject of British Standard BS 3921.

Brick Sizes
 BRICK WORK IN CEMENT
1 st Class
Cement of lime mortar is used.
The surface and edges of bricks are sharp.
The thickness of mortar joints doesnt exceed 10mm
2 nd Class
Ground moulded bricks are used.
Bricks are rough and shape is slightly irregular.
The thickness of mortar joint is 12 mm.
3 rd Class
Bricks are not hard ,rough surface with distorted shape.
Used for temporary structures.
Used in places where rainfall is not heavy.
 TOOLS USED IN BRICK MASONRY

Trowel
Plumb bob
Hammer
Spirit level
Mason square
Steel tape
 Bonds in brick work
It is the process of arranging bricks in courses to
ensure that vertical joints do not come over the other.
A wall without any continuous vertical joint shall
distribute the load properly and also shall be more
strong, stable and durable.
Common types of bond in bricks are as follows:
i. Stretcher Bond
ii. Header Bond
iii. English Bond
iv. Flemish Bond
STRETCHER BOND:
In this type of bond, all courses are laid as
stretchers.
As only stretchers are visible in elevation this bond is
referred to as stretcher bond.
This is used for one brick and curved walls.
To break the vertical continuity brick bat is
provided in alternating courses.
HEADER BOND:
In this type of bond, all courses are laid as headers.
As only headers are visible in elevation this bond is
referred to as header bond.
This is used for one brick and curved walls.
It is composed of header bricks, set in rows that are
offset of a brick as a quoin brick in alternating
courses, which produces a solid easy to lay bond.
ENGLISH BOND:
This bond is produced by laying alternate courses of
stretchers and headers.
In order to break the joints vertically, it is essential to
use a closer after the header quoin in the heading
course.
This is the most commonly used bond which is also
the strongest.
this type of bond is used for carrying heavy loads.
FLEMISH BOND:
This bond is produced by laying alternate stretchers
and headers in each.
The headers and stretchers appear in the same
course alternately on the front and the back faces.
The queen close is used next to the quoin header in
alternate courses in order to break the continuity of
the vertical joints.
A header in any course is in the centre of a stretcher
in the course above or below it.
This bond is also used for walls to carry moderate
loads.
Construction of brick masonry
Bricks soaked in water are placed over the mortar and
pressed to ensure proper adhesion.
Both longitudinal and cross joints are packed well with
mortar.
After construction, brick work should be kept wet for two
weeks.
The following points should be observed while
supervising the construction of brick masonry.
1. Bricks should conform to the specifications and to the
requirements of the work.
2. Bricks should be saturated well with water before use.
 Bricks should be laid with frog upwards with mortar
completely covering the bed.
A suitable bond has to be used to avoid continuous
vertical joints anywhere in the work.
A good quality mortar has to be used and the
thickness of mortar should not be more than 10mm
The brickwork should be raised uniformly.
Brick bats should be minimized and to be used only
in the required places.
In no case the height of masonry to be greater than 1
m in a days work.
 Reinforced brick masonry
Ordinary bricks do not take tensile stresses in order to
increase the load carrying capacity particularly tensile
stresses, steel rfmt is provided in the mortar joints.
It is recommended in the following cases
1. When excessive compressive loads are to be supported.
2. To withstand tensile and shear stresses.
3. when the soil is subjected to differential settlement
4. When it is to be provided over opening of doors, windows
and passages.
5. When it has to sustain lateral loads
6. When construction in earthquake prone areas are to be
made.
Typical reinforced brick masonry are discussed.
Reinforced brick masonry walls
Expanded metal mesh or iron bars are provided at
every third or fourth course
Loop iron rfmt 25mm x 2mm flat bars
To increase resistance they are dipped in tar and
sanded immediately
Vertical rfmt is provided by special bricks or blocks
Mild steel bars of 6 mm dia may also be used as
longitudinal rfmt in walls
Reinforced brick masonry columns:
Made with spl purpose bricks and vertical bars
running through them
In order to keep the bars in position and to
strengthen steel plates of 6 mm thick are introduced
Bent bars of small diameters of about 12mm thick
can be used in the horizontal joints.
Reinforced brick masonry lintel:
Reinforced Brick Masonry Slab:
The rfmt is placed in position and the bricks are
placed in one or two directions.
Then the joints are filled with mortar.
Cracking in brick masonry walls

It behaves differently when constructed in conjunction

with concrete foundation and concrete framing
Combination of brick masonry with other members
having greater deflection and strains
Effect of deflection and shrinkage of concrete slabs
resting on walls
Due to introduction of new types of construction
Restraint of stresses developed inside the brick masonry
due to moisture absorption , temp variations etc.
 Foundation design
Depending on the type of soil the foundation has to
be designed and the supporting masonry walls
should be designed with adequate stiffness.
It helps to control excessive shear or flexural stresses
in the masonry.