Scribd
Upload
166 views9 pages

Understanding Brick Masonry Basics

Brick masonry involves laying bricks together using mortar. There are different types of bricks (e.g. clay, concrete) and mortars (e.g. mud, cement) used. Proper tools and techniques are required to lay bricks in courses and ensure vertical plumb and horizontal levelness. Factors like brick and mortar quality, joint thickness, curing time, and incremental wall heights affect the strength and durability of the brick masonry.

Uploaded by

divi vasa
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
166 views9 pages

Understanding Brick Masonry Basics

Brick masonry involves laying bricks together using mortar. There are different types of bricks (e.g. clay, concrete) and mortars (e.g. mud, cement) used. Proper tools and techniques are required to lay bricks in courses and ensure vertical plumb and horizontal levelness. Factors like brick and mortar quality, joint thickness, curing time, and incremental wall heights affect the strength and durability of the brick masonry.

Uploaded by

divi vasa
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

What is Brick masonry? Types of Bricks.

Definition of Brick Masonry work.


Brick Masonry Definition
Brick Masonry Definition; It is a very highly durable form of construction. It is constructed
by placing a brick in mortar in such systematic way to construct a solid structure, that
withstands applied burdens. There are many different types of bricks and mortars, which is
used in brick masonry work.

The bond between two bricks in brick masonry, which adheres bricks together. The joints
between brick filled with suitable mortar. Precaution to be taken while mixing and placing
mortar in Brick joints. However, it is greatly affected by the quality and durability of the
Brick masonry.

Types of Brick Masonry Work


Brick Masonry work in Mud

In this type of Masonry work mortar is made from Mud and mixed with water.
Mud is used to fill up brick’s joints in masonry work.

Maximum thickness of mortar joint is 12mm in this type of masonry work.

This type of Brick masonry work done for the construction of wall with maximum height of 4
M.

This type of masonry work is very cost effective.

Brick Masonry work in Cement.

This type of Brick masonry work by laying bricks in Cement Mortar rather than in Mud
Mortar.

Cement Mortar is used to fill joints between Bricks in Masonry work.

Thickness of Cement mortar is used Fill Joints in Masonry work is Maximum 12mm

There are three major Classes of brick masonry work in cement, which are
explained in below Table
Types of Bricks
There are several Different types of Bricks used in Building Construction. Types of bricks are
as follow.

1. Common Burnt Clay Bricks


2. Concrete bricks
3. Sand Lime Bricks (Calcium silicate bricks)
4. Fly ash Clay Bricks
5. Engineering bricks
6. There are several different types include bullnose, channel, Coping, Cownose, and
Hollow bricks.
1. Common Burnt Clay Bricks

Clay bricks are formed in a mould (the soft mud method), or more frequently in commercial
mass production by extruding clay through a die and then wire-cutting them to the desired
size (the stiff mud process).

The shaped clay is then dried and fired either by burning in a kiln or sometimes, in warm and
sunny countries, by sun-drying to achieve the final, desired strength.

Read Also: Clay bricks or AAC blocks, which one is better in strength and economy?

Read Also: Why Cracks occurs in Plaster?

The action of heat gives rise to a sintering process that causes the clay particles to fuse and
thus develops extremely strong ceramic bonds in the burnt clay bodies. Such bonds are highly
stable.

As a result, bricks can withstand severe weathering actions and are inert to almost all normal
chemical attacks.

2. Concrete Bricks

Concrete brick is a Form of cement and aggregate, usually sand, formed in molds and cured.
There are Certain mineral colors are added to produce a concrete brick resembling clay.

3. Sand Lime Bricks (Calcium silicate bricks)


Sand Lime Brick is Brick, that uses Lime instead of Cement. It usually looks White brick
made of Lime and Sand, cast in Moulds and Cured.

4. Fly ash Bricks

Fly ash Bricks are well improved high-quality bricks, which are used for the construction of
brick masonry structures. They are also used as a replacement of normal Clay bricks and it
has better properties than it.

5. Engineering Bricks

Engineering bricks are Clay bricks, which fired at a higher temperature than normal clay
brick. It is very much resistant to water and pressure and, it is also used to support lintels
above windows and doorways.

Materials and Equipment used in Brick Masonry Work


Trowels

The use of Trowel is to Mortar from board to place and spread mortar on the set-of bricks. It
comes in Triangular Shape. It comes with a size vary and can reach up to 11 inches in length
and 8 inches in width. Most of the mason prefer using short and wide trowels. So, they do not
have to put excessive stress on the wrist.

Chisel

A Chisel is used to cut bricks into the required size. Chisel comes with the size ranging from
21/2 Inches to 41/2 Inches.

Hammer

The Hammer used in brick masonry, which has a square face on one end for Breaking brick,
on other ends it has a sharp edge for cutting brick. This tool often used to split hard bricks.

Jointer

This Jointer tool is used to make mortar joints in brick masonry work. Jointer comes with
three different shapes; Flat, rounded and pointed.

Squares

The Squares are used for constructing and measuring right angles and corner layout in
Structure. They are usually made up of durable material for durability (Metal)

Mason’s Level

The Mason’s level is used, when establishing vertical or Plumb lines and horizontal or level
lines. They are generally made up of Wood and metal or combination of both. They equipped
with either single or double vials. This tool is preferred by most the masons since they can
use to measure vertical and horizontal measurement.

Straight edge

These tool act as extensor to mason’s level. They are used, when levels are shorter than the
area that needs to be measured. A middle section of the top of the straightedge must be
horizontally parallel to the bottom section. Common Widths of these tool range from 11/8
Inches to 11/2 Inches. These tools can be as long as 16 feet.

Preparation Before Brick Masonry Work


Brick Masonry Procedure
1. At Starting, Mix the Cement Mortar with water and blend it until smooth mortar is

produced.
2. After mixing the mortar thoroughly, using trowel place the mortar evenly on
foundation line (Max 25mm Thickness and 1 brick wide recommended)
3. After that, Lay the first layer of the bricks on the Mortar. Start with second brick,
apply the mortar on the head joint end of each brick, thereafter shove the bricks into
place firmly, so that mortar is squeezed out from all the joints of bricks.
4. Use a level to examine the course for correct height and ensure the bricks are in
plumb and level.

5. Place the second mortar line alongside the first layer of bricks, then begin laying the
second Bricklayer.
6. Use the 2 half bricks to begin the second layer, to ensure that the first to a course are
staggered for structural purpose.
7. To complete the second layer of bricks, lay the three header layer bricks and make
sure that they are in level and Plumb.
8. Then the third and fifth course consists of stretchers similar to the first course. Then
the fourth course begins with a single header followed by stretchers. Make sure you
use the level to ensure the bricks laid is true on each course. Lastly, this procedure of
bricklaying is continued until the target height is reached.

Point to be observed in Supervising Brick Masonry


work
Following points to be observed during the Brick Masonry Work.

 Ensure the quality of Bricks


 Make sure that bricks courses are perfectly horizontal
 Verticality of the wall should be checked frequently using Plum-bob.
 Whenever work is stopped at end of the day, the brick masonry work should be left
with toothed end
 Wall with height of more-than 1.5 m should not be allowed in one day.
 Brick masonry work should be cured continuously for 2 days.
 Add a face joints to a depth of 12 mm to 20 mm, so as to be used as a key for
plastering or pointing.
 The thickness of mortar joint shell be 10 mm to 12 mm both horizontally and
vertically.

Common questions

Powered by AI

Bricks vary in composition and applications. Common burnt clay bricks are produced through high-temperature sintering, creating strong ceramic bonds suitable for general construction due to their durability. Concrete bricks, made from cement and aggregates, can be colored and offer a modern alternative for walls. Sand lime bricks use lime instead of cement, providing a distinct white appearance and are molded and cured, suitable for aesthetic walls. Fly ash bricks are enhanced for quality and replace clay bricks due to improved properties, advantageous in eco-sensitive areas. Engineering bricks, fired at higher temperatures, resist water and pressure, used primarily for load-bearing or protected walls .

One innovative application could involve using fly ash bricks for the entire building's outer walls, leveraging their high quality and reduced environmental impact due to their recycled material origin. Concrete bricks could be used for interior design elements, such as feature walls, adding aesthetic value with their color variations. Engineering bricks would serve as the foundation and potentially in load-bearing areas due to their superior strength and water resistance, ensuring structural integrity and longevity .

A short and wide trowel reduces wrist stress for masons, contributing to ergonomics and work efficiency. The design allows for quicker and more effective mortar transfer from board to bricks, facilitating a faster pace in masonry work. This tool design also allows for spreading a consistent layer of mortar, ensuring uniform adhesion and structural integrity of the masonry .

Sand lime bricks, composed of lime and sand, typically present a white appearance and offer excellent dimensional accuracy and strength. These properties make them suitable for aesthetic constructions and projects requiring precision. Concrete bricks, on the other hand, are formed using cement and aggregates, allowing for various colors and applications needing specific aesthetic features. The choice depends on project needs: sand lime bricks for precision and appearance, and concrete bricks where color and modern looks are prioritized .

Shaping tools are crucial in brick masonry for ensuring the precision and accuracy of brick placement. For example, a chisel is used to cut bricks to the required size, which allows for the customization and fitting of bricks into the desired layout. Hammers are used to break bricks and make clean cuts, which is essential for achieving a uniform construction. Such tools contribute to the structural integrity and aesthetic quality of the masonry work by facilitating precise cuts and adjustments .

Ensuring quality in brick masonry work involves several considerations: checking the quality of the bricks, ensuring perfectly horizontal brick courses, and frequently verifying the wall's verticality using a plumb-bob. Additional considerations include leaving toothed ends when work is stopped, restricting the construction to a height of 1.5 m in one day, and maintaining continuous curing for 2 days. Mortar joints should be 10 mm to 12 mm thick, both horizontally and vertically, with depth for face joints for plastering or pointing .

Mud mortar, used in brick masonry work, involves using mud mixed with water to fill the joints between bricks. This provides a cost-effective solution suitable for wall heights up to 4 meters with a maximum joint thickness of 12 mm. Cement mortar, in contrast, uses cement to fill the joints between bricks, providing greater durability and strength. The thickness of cement mortar joints is also limited to a maximum of 12 mm. The choice between the two depends on the structural requirements and cost considerations .

Engineering bricks possess properties of high resistance to water and pressure due to being fired at temperatures higher than normal clay bricks. These properties make them ideal for structural applications where durability and strength are critical, such as in foundations, load-bearing walls, and supporting lintels above windows and doorways. The enhanced strength and weather resistance also make them suitable for below-ground applications where exposure to harsh conditions is common .

Staggering courses in bricklaying is important for structural stability because it disrupts the line of weakness, spreading loads more evenly across the wall. This is achieved by offsetting the bricks in each course. For example, starting the second layer with two half bricks ensures that the first two courses are staggered. This technique is followed in subsequent courses, with the third and fifth courses fully spreading over stretchers and the fourth commencing with a single header .

Key steps include mixing the cement mortar with water to achieve a smooth consistency and applying it to the foundation line with a maximum thickness of 25 mm. The first layer of bricks is then laid on this mortar bed, ensuring each brick's head joint receives mortar before being placed to allow for mortar squeezing out of the joints. This guarantees that the first course is properly aligned, supporting the entire structure's stability .

You might also like