Masonry

Masonry is used to indicate the art of building a structure in either stones or bricks. The masonry
wall is built of individual blocks of materials such as stones, bricks, concrete, hollow blocks,
cellular concrete and laterite, usually in horizontal courses cemented together with some form of
mortar. The binding strength of mortar is usually disregarded as far as the strength of the wall is
concerned.

Masonry can be classified into the following categories:

1. Stone masonry
2. Brick masonry
3. Hollow block concrete masonry
4. Reinforced masonry
5. Composite masonry

Brick Masonry

Brick masonry is the process of constructing a building from individual bricks laid in a specific
pattern and bound together, usually by mortar. Occasionally, the term is also used to refer to the
brick units themselves. Masonry is considered a durable construction method, and brick is one of
the most common types of masonry used in industrialized nations. The strength of a structure
created with this method depends on the type and uniformity of the individual bricks selected, as
well as the style of masonry used.

Brick masonry can support substantial weight, but does not respond well to shaking, twisting, or
stretching. For this reason, some kind of structural reinforcement, like steel beams, is usually
included, along with rigid insulation boards or fiberglass batts. The most popular type of
masonry is the veneer wall, in which bricks are used to line the surface of a structure made from
another material to make it look like it's made of brick. Solid brickwork is also popular and
features two or more layers of bricks that are bound together in a specific pattern to form a
masonry bond that may be secured with mortar. Other types include the crinkle-crankle wall,

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shaped like a serpentine to resist toppling, and the brick masonry arch, prized for its compressive
strength.

Many attributes make brick a practical and popular construction choice. In addition to the
inherent beauty of brickwork, it is also thought to create the impression of solidity and
permanence, so brick homes often sell for higher prices. Brick is almost maintenance-free, never
needs to be painted or stained, and resists damage from wind, fire, and water. It also offers both
noise and thermal insulation, so structures created from it generally stay cooler in the summer
and warmer in the winter.

Terminologies

BACK FILLING: 1. Rough masonry built behind a facing or between two faces. 2. Filling over
the extrados of an arch. 3. Brickwork in spaces between structural timbers, sometimes called
brick nogging.

BACKUP: That part of a masonry wall behind the exterior facing.

BAT: A piece of brick.

BATTER: Recessing or sloping masonry back in successive courses; the opposite of corbel.

BED JOINT: The horizontal layer of mortar on which a masonry unit is laid.

BELT COURSE: A narrow horizontal course of masonry, sometimes slightly projected such as
window sills which are made continuous. Sometimes called string course or sill course.

BLOCKING: A method of bonding two adjoining or intersecting walls, not built at the same
time, by means of offsets whose vertical dimensions are not less than 8 in.

BOND: 1. Tying various parts of a masonry wall by lapping units one over another or by
connecting with metal ties. 2. Patterns formed by exposed faces of units. 3. Adhesion between
mortar or grout and masonry units or reinforcement.

BOND BEAM: Course or courses of a masonry wall grouted and usually reinforced in the
horizontal direction. Serves as horizontal tie of wall, bearing course for structural members or as
a flexural member itself.

BOND COURSE: The course consisting of units which overlap more than one wythe of
masonry.

BONDER: A bonding unit. See Header.

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BREAKING JOINTS: Any arrangement of masonry units which prevents continuous vertical
joints from occurring in adjacent courses.

BRICK: A solid masonry unit of clay or shale, formed into a rectangular prism while plastic and
burned or fired in a kiln.

CLIP: A portion of a brick cut to length.

CLOSER: The last masonry unit laid in a course. It may be whole or a portion of a unit.

CLOSURE: Supplementary or short length units used at corners or jambs to maintain bond
patterns.

COLLAR JOINT: The vertical, longitudinal joint between wythes of masonry.

CLIP: A portion of a brick cut to length.

CLOSER: The last masonry unit laid in a course. It may be whole or a portion of a unit.

CLOSURE: Supplementary or short length units used at corners or jambs to maintain bond
patterns.

COLLAR JOINT: The vertical, longitudinal joint between wythes of masonry.

COPING: The material or masonry units forming a cap or finish on top of a wall, pier, pilaster,
chimney, etc. It protects masonry below from penetration of water from above.

CORBEL: A shelf or ledge formed by projecting successive courses of masonry out from the
face of the wall.

COURSE: One of the continuous horizontal layers of units, bonded with mortar in masonry.

FACE: 1. The exposed surface of a wall or masonry unit. 2. The surface of a unit designed to be
exposed in the finished masonry.

FACING: Any material, forming a part of a wall, used as a finished surface.

FROG: A depression in the bed surface of a brick. Sometimes called a panel.

HEAD JOINT: The vertical mortar joint between ends of masonry units. Often called cross
joint.

HEADER: A masonry unit which overlaps two or more adjacent wythes of masonry to tie them
together. Often called bonder.

Blind Header: A concealed brick header in the interior of a wall, not showing on the faces.

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Clipped Header: A bat placed to look like a header for purposes of establishing a pattern. Also
called a false header.

Flare Header: A header of darker color than the field of the wall.

HEADING COURSE: A continuous bonding course of header brick. Also called header course.

KING CLOSER: A brick cut diagonally to have one 2 in. end and one full width end.

QUEEN CLOSER: A cut brick having a nominal 2 in. horizontal face dimension.

QUOIN: A projecting right angle masonry corner.

RACKING: A method entailing stepping back successive courses of masonry.

SOLDIER: A stretcher set on end with face showing on the wall surface.

SPALL: A small fragment removed from the face of a masonry unit by a blow or by action of
the elements.

STACK: Any structure or part thereof which contains a flue or flues for the discharge of gases.

STRETCHER: A masonry unit laid with its greatest dimension horizontal and its face parallel
to the wall face.

STRUCK JOINT: Any mortar joint which has been finished with a trowel.

TOOLING: Compressing and shaping the face of a mortar joint with a special tool other than a
trowel.

TOOTHING: Constructing the temporary end of a wall with the end stretcher of every alternate
course projecting. Projecting units are toothers.

VENEER: A single wythe of masonry for facing purposes, not structurally bonded.

Single Wythe Wall: A wall containing only one masonry unit in wall thickness.

WYTHE: 1. each continuous vertical section of masonry one unit in thickness. 2. The thickness
of masonry separating flues in a chimney. Also called withe or tier.

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 Various Brick Positions

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Types of Brick Masonry

The brick work is classified according to the quality of mortar, quality of bricks and thickness of
mortar joints. The types of brickwork as follows

a) Brickwork in Mud: In this type of brickwork, the mud is used to fill up the joints. The
mud is prepared by intimately mixing sand with clay. The thickness of the mortar joints is
12mm. This type of brickwork is adopted in case of the cheaper construction and the
maximum height up to which a wall can be constructed in is type of brickwork is 4m.
b) Brickwork in C.M. or L.M. I class: In this type of brickwork, cement or lime mortar is
used. The bricks are table-molded and of standard shape and they are burnt in kilns. The
surfaces and edges of the bricks are sharp, square, and straight. They comply with all the
requirements of a good standard brick. The thickness of mortar joints does not exceed
10mm.
c) Brickwork in C.M. or L.M. II class: The bricks to be used in this type of brickwork are
molded on ground and they are burnt in kilns. The surface of these bricks is somewhat
rough and shape is also slightly irregular. The bricks may have hair cracks and their
edges may not be sharp and uniform. These bricks are commonly used at places where
brickwork is to be provided with a coat of plaster. The thickness of mortar joints is
12mm.
d) Brickwork in C.M. or L.M. III class: This type of brick work is same as II class except
that bricks to be used are burnt in clamps. These bricks are not hard and they have rough
surfaces with irregular and distorted edges. These bricks give dull sound when struck
together. They are used for unimportant and temporary structures and at places where the
rainfall is not heavy.

Safe Permissible Load

Table gives the safe permissible loads on different types of brick masonry. It is remembered that
the strength of brick masonry primarily depends on the quality of bricks and basic compressive
strength of bricks.

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 S.NO Description of Masonry Safe Permissible Load
t/m2 kN/m2
1. Brickwork in Mud 14 140
2. Brickwork in C.M. I class 88 880
3. Brickwork in L.M. I class 44 to 55 440 to 550
4. Ordinary Brickwork in C.M. 44 to 55 440 to 550
5. Ordinary Brickwork in L.M. 22 to 40 220 to 400

Tools for Brick Lying

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Bond in Brick work
The arrangement of the bricks in successive courses tie the brickwork together both
longitudinally and transversely; ,the arrangement is usually designed to ensure that no vertical
joint of one course is exactly over the one in the next course above or below it, and there is the
greatest possible amount of lap.
Rules for bonding:
 The bricks should be of uniform size. The length of the brick should be twice its width
plus one joint, so that uniform lap is obtained. Good bond is not possible if lap is non-
uniform.
 The amount of lap should be minimum ¼ brick along the length of the wall and ½ brick
across the thickness of the wall.
 Use of brick bats should be discouraged, except in special locations.
 In alternate courses, the Centre line of header should be coinciding with the Centre line of
stretcher, in the course below or above it.
 The vertical joints in the alternate courses should be along the same perpend.
 The stretchers should be used only in the facing. They should not be used in the hearting.
Hearting should be done in headers only.
 It is preferable to provide every sixth course as a header course on the both sides of wall.
The various types of bonds generally used in brick masonry are
1. Stretcher bond
2. Header bond
3. English bond and

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4. Flemish bond
5. Facing bond
6. English cross bond
7. Brick on edge bond
8. Dutch bond
9. Raking bond
10. Zigzag bond
11. Garden wall bond

1. Stretcher Bond

A stretcher is the longer face of the brick as seen in the elevation. In the brick of size 190 mm ×
90 mm × 90 mm, 190 mm × 90 mm face is the stretcher. In stretcher bond masonry all the bricks
are arranged in stretcher courses as shown in Fig. However care should be taken to break vertical
joints. This type of construction is useful for the construction half brick thick partition wall.

2. Header Bond

A header is the shorter face of the brick as seen in the elevation. In a standard brick it is 90 mm ×
90 mm face. In header bond brick masonry all the bricks are arranged in the header courses as
shown in Fig. This type of bond is useful for the construction of one brick thick walls.

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3. English Bond

In this alternate courses consist of headers and stretchers. This is considered to be the strongest
bond. Hence it is commonly used bond for the walls of all thicknesses. To break continuity of
vertical joints a brick is cut lengthwise into two halves and used in the beginning and end of a
wall after first header. This is called queen closer. Fig. shows typical one brick and one and half
brick thick wall with English bond.

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4. Flemish Bond

In this type of bond each course comprises of alternate header and stretcher [Fig.]. Alternate
courses start with stretcher and header. To break the vertical joints queen closers are required, if
a course starts with header. Every header is centrally supported on the stretcher below it.
kFlemish bonds may be further classified as

(a) Double Flemish Bond

(b) Single Flemish Bond.
In case of double Flemish bond, both faces of the wall have Flemish look, i.e. each course
consist of alternate header and stretcher, whereas single Flemish bond outer faces of walls have
Flemish look whereas inner faces have look of English bond [Fig.].
Construction of Flemish bond needs greater skill. It gives more pleasing appearance. But it is not
as strong as English bond. If only pointing is to be used for finished wall, Flemish bond may be
used to get good aesthetic view. If plastering is going to be used, it is better to use English bond.

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5. Facing Bond
This bond is used where bricks of different thickness are to be used in the facing and backing of
wall. In this bond, a header course is provided after several stretcher courses. Since the thickness
of bricks are different in the facing and backing, the vertical distance between the successive
header courses is kept equal to the least common multiple of the thickness of backing and facing
bricks. Thus, if the nominal thickness of facing bricks is 10cm and that of backing bricks is 9 cm,
the header course is provided at a vertical interval of 90cm. this type of bond is not structurally
good and load distribution is not uniform

6. English Cross Bond

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This is modification of English bond, used to improve the appearance of the wall. This bond
combines the requirements of beauty and strength. Special features of the bond are as follows
a) Alternate courses of headers and stretchers are provided in English bond
b) Queen closers are placed next to quoin headers
c) A header is introduced next to the quoin stretcher in every alternate stretcher course.

7. Brick on Edge Bond (Silver lock’s bond or soldiers course)

This type of bond uses stretcher bricks on edges instead of bed. This bond is weak in strength but
is economical. Hence it is used for garden walls, compound walls etc. Bricks are kept standing
vertically on end. The bricks are arranged as headers and stretchers in such a manner that headers
are placed on bed and stretchers are placed in edge thus forming a continuous cavity. Due to this,
the bond consumes less number of bricks.

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8. Dutch Bond
This is another modified form of English bond. In this bond the corners of the wall are
strengthened. Special features of this type of bond are as follows
a) Alternate courses of headers and stretchers are provided as in English bond
b) Every stretcher course starts at the quoin with three-quarter bat.
c) In every alternate stretcher course, a header is placed next to the three-quarter brock
bat provided at the quoin.

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9. Raking Bond

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10. Zig Zag Bond

11. Garden Wall Bonds

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Bonds at Connections

Points to be observed in Supervising Brick Masonry Constructions

The following points should be observed in the construction of brick masonry:
1. Use bricks of good quality with uniform colour, well burnt, with exact shape and size.
2. Before using the bricks in masonry, they should be soaked in water for 2 hours so that bricks
do not absorb water from the mortar.
3. Bricks should be laid with the frog pointing upward.
4. Construction of brick wall should start from the end or corner.
5. Brick courses should be perfectly horizontal.
6. Verticality of the wall should be ensured by frequently checking with plumb-bob.
7. Mortar used should be as per specification.
8. Whenever work is stopped brick masonry should be left with toothed end.

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9. Use of brick bats should be avoided.
10. Walls should be raised uniformly. In no case difference between adjoining walls be more
than 1 m. In a day no wall should be raised by more than 1.5 m.
11. To get proper key for plastering or pointing, the face joints should be raised to a depth of 12
to 20 mm, when the mortar is green. If plastering or pointing is not to be provided, face joints
should be stuck flush and finished neatly.
12. Holdfasts for doors and windows should be embedded in brick masonry with cement mortar
or concrete, at the time of constructing the wall itself.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Brick Masonry over Stone Masonry
Advantages:
1. Since shape and size of bricks are uniform, it do not need skilled labour for the construction.
2. Bricks are light in weight and hence handling them is easy.
3. Bricks are easily available around cities and their transportation cost is less because their
weight is less. Stones are to be brought from quarries which are located only at few places.
4. It is possible to use all types of mortar in brick masonry. For unimportant buildings even mud
mortar can be used.
5. Thinner walls can be constructed with bricks but it is not so with stones.
6. It is easy to form openings for doors and windows.
7. Dead load of brick masonry is less.
8. In brick masonry mortar joints are thin and hence construction cost is reduced considerably.
9. Brick masonry has better fire and weather resistance compared to stone masonry.
Disadvantages:
1. Strength of brick masonry is less than that of stone masonry.
2. Durability of brick masonry is less.
3. Brick masonry needs plastering and plastered surface needs colour washing. Stone masonry
don’t need them and hence maintenance cost is more in brick masonry.
4. Brick masonry absorbs water and there are possibilities of dampness. There is no such
problem in stone masonry.
5. More architectural effects can be given in stone masonry compared to that in brick masonry.
6. Stone masonry gives massive appearance and hence monumental buildings are built in stone
masonry.

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Comparison of Brick and Stone Masonry

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Defects in Brick Masonry

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