Brick
Brick
Brick
with mortar to form a desired structure which can transmit the super-
imposed load safely to the foundation.
In case of permanant construction lime and cement mortar are used for
brick masonry, but in case of temporary construction mud mortar can
also do the work.
Generally, the cement mortar prepared for brick work is in the ration of
1:3 for cement grade of M7.5. This ratio means for the preparation of
cement mortar one bag of cement is mixed with 3 bags of sand. 70 % of
the water of the weight of the cement is used in mixing
In brick construction we use the 1:6 cement sand ratio -that means 1 cement bag
should be mixed with with 6 bags of sands and the water cement ratio is normally
taken as the half of cement.
• Fire resistance
• Size
• Durability
• Workability
• Economical
The below mentioned terminologies are used to express different forms of cut bricks used
in brick masonry construction.
1. CLOSER
It is the portion of the brick cut along the length in such a way as one long face remains
intact.
2. QUEEN CLOSER
When a brick is cut along its length, making it two equal halves then it is called queen
closer. Thus a queen closer is a broken brick portion whose width is half as wide as the
original brick. This is also called as queen closer half.
4. KING CLOSER
If a brick is cut in such a way that the width of one end becomes half that of a full brick,
while the width at the other end is equal to the full width, then it is called as king closer. It
is obtained by cutting out a triangular portion of the brick between the centre of one end
(width side) and the centre of the other end (lay side). Thus it has half header and half
stretcher face.
5. BEVELED CLOSER
It is a form of king closer in which the whole length of the brick (i.e. stretcher face) is
chamfered or beveled in such a way that half width is maintained at one end and full width
is maintained at the other end.
6. MITRED CLOSER
It is a portion of a brick whose one end is cut splayed or mitred for full width. The angle of
splay may vary from 450 to 600. Thus one longer face of the mitred closer is of full length of
the brick while the other longer face is smaller in length.
King
closer – Beveled closer – Mitred closer
7. BAT
When a brick is cut across the width, the resulting piece is called bat. Thus a bat is smaller
in length than the full brick.
8. HALF BAT
If the length of the bat is equal to half the length of the original brick, it is known as half
bat.
1. Stretcher bond
2. Header bond
3. English bond and
4. Flemish 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-1. However care should be
taken to break vertical joints. This type of construction is useful for the construction half
brick thick partition wall.
Longer narrow face of the brick is called as stretcher as shown in the elevation of figure below.
Stretcher bond, also called as running bond, is created when bricks are laid with only their stretchers
showing, overlapping midway with the courses of bricks below and above.
Stretcher bond in the brick is the simplest repeating pattern. But the limitation of stretcher bond is
that it cannot make effective bonding with adjacent bricks in full width thick brick walls. They are
suitably used only for one-half brick thick walls such as for the construction half brick thick partition
wall.
Walls constructed with stretcher bonds are not stable enough to stand alone in case of longer span
and height. Thus they Then need supporting structure such as brick masonry columns at regular
intervals.
Stretcher bonds are commonly used in the steel or reinforced concrete framed structures as the
outer facing. These are also used as the outer facing of cavity walls. Other common applications of
such walls are the boundary walls, gardens etc.
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-2. This type of bond is useful for the construction of one brick
thick walls.
Fig-2
Header Bond
Header is the shorter square face of the brick which measures 9cm x 9cm. Header bond is also
known as heading bond. In header bonds, all bricks in each course are placed as headers on
the faces of the walls. While Stretcher bond is used for the construction of walls of half brick
thickness whereas header bond is used for the construction of walls with full brick thickness
which measures 18cm. In header bonds, the overlap is kept equal to half width of the brick. To
achieve this, three quarter brick bats are used in alternate courses as quoins
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. (Refer Fig-3).
Fig-3 shows typical one brick and one and half brick thick wall with English bond.
English Bond English bond in brick masonry has one course of stretcher only and a course of header
above it, i.e. it has two alternating courses of stretchers and headers. Headers are laid centered on
the stretchers in course below and each alternate row is vertically aligned. To break the continuity of
vertical joints, quoin closer is used in the beginning and end of a wall after first header. A quoin close
is a brick cut lengthwise into two halves and used at corners in brick walls.
4. FLEMISH BOND
In this type of bond each course comprises of alternate header and stretcher [Fig-4].
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.
Flemish bonds may be further classified as
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-4 (a), (b)].
Flemish Bond For the breaking of vertical joints in the successive courses, closers are inserted in
alternate courses next to the quoin header. In walls having their thickness equal to odd number of
half bricks, bats are essentially used to achieve the bond.
Flemish bond, also known as Dutch bond, is created by laying alternate headers and stretchers in a
single course. The next course of brick is laid such that header lies in the middle of the stretcher in
the course below, i.e. the alternate headers of each course are centered on the stretcher of course
below. Every alternate course of Flemish bond starts with header at the corner.
The thickness of Flemish bond is minimum one full brick. The disadvantage of using Flemish bond is
that construction of Flemish bond is difficult and requires greater skill to lay it properly as all vertical
mortar joints need to be aligned vertically for best effects. For the breaking of vertical joints in the
successive courses, closers are inserted in alternate courses next to the quoin header. In walls having
their thickness equal to odd number of half bricks, bats are used to achieve the bond.
Flemish bonds have better appearance but are weaker than English bonds for load bearing wall
construction. Thus, if the pointing has to be done for brick masonry walls, then Flemish bond may be
used for better aesthetic view. If the walls have to be plastered, then it is better to use English bond.
1. Sulphate Attack
2. Crystallization of Salts from Bricks
3. Corrosion of Embedded Iron or Steel
4. Shrinkage on Drying
1. SULPHATE ATTACK
The common forms of defects due to sulphate attack are
These types of defects happens when sulphate salts present in brick work
This reaction causes increase in the volume of mortar and consequently leads to cracks,
chipping and spalling of brick work.
Spalling of brickwork
These defects are commonly found in following situation;
This type of defects can be prevented by adopting suitable construction detail and good
quality materials that prohibits entry of moisture into the body of brick work.
Efflorescence of Brick
Defect formed due to crystallization of salts from brick are known as efflorescence.
Presence of excessive soluble salts in the brick is the primary cause of this type of defect.
When these brick come in contact with water, the soluble salts present therein gets
dissolved and comes to surface in the form of whitish powder.
Due to this defect the wall looks dull and losses it aesthetic look.
The only way to cure this defect is by repeatedly brushing and washing the wall surface.
The defect due to corrosion of steel or iron can be prevented by encasing the
reinforcement in thick and impermeable cement mortar and providing a cover of 15 to 25
mm around the embedded member.
4. SHRINKAGE ON DRYING
Formation of cracks in masonry joints is one form of defect due to shrinkage.
As brick are porous material it has tendency to absorb water. When it absorbs water it
swells and when this absorbed water evaporates brick starts to shrink. This shrinkage of
brick creates cracks in brick masonry joints.
Shrinkage crack in brick masonry
The formation and type of crack occurs is dependent upon type of mortar used in brick
masonry. Where lean mortar is used in brick masonry crack get distributed over large
number of joints and where thick mortar is used cracks are few but wider.
Shrinkage cracks do not affect the structural strength of brick work and it can be easily
prevented
1. The bricks used were of substandard quality compared to the quality specified in
the contract.
2. No tests were carried out to find out the efflorescence level and water absorption
in the bricks
3. The bricks were not soaked in water properly. Water was only lightly sprinkled on
the stack of bricks. The bricks were dry inside.
4. Joints in the brick masonry were thicker than specified in the contract
specification.
5. Joints in brickwork below ground level were not finished properly as the
contractor assumed that these joints would not be seen once earth is filled back.
6. Vertical joints in brick work were hollow.
7. The mortar had not gained strength. On scratching by a screw driver, the mortar
could be raked out completely with ease.
8. Raking of joints was not done when mortar was green.
9. Brick bats were used as fillers and closers.
10. Mortar was not mixed properly on a platform or in a machine.
11. The brick layers were uneven and not truly horizontal.
12. The brick work was not in plumb.
13. The brick work was done in weaker mortar and not as per structural requirement.
14. The brick courses on edge were not done where needed.
15. Gaps existed between door frames/window frames and masonry.
16. Heavy efflorescence was observed in the brickwork.
17. The brick masonry in long partition walls was not done without reinforcement.
18. The holes in the brick work which were left for supporting scaffolding were filled
with dry bricks without proper mortar around it and superficially plastered which later
became the source of dampness in the building.
1. Absorption test
2. Crushing strength test
3. Hardness test
4. Shape and size
5. Color test
6. Soundness test
7. Structure of brick
8. Presence of soluble salts (Efflorescence Test)
construction purpose.
To perform this test, select 20 bricks randomly from brick group and stack
them along its length , breadth and height and compare. So, if all bricks
similar size then they are qualified for construction work.
5. Color Test of Bricks
A good brick should possess bright and uniform color throughout its body.
7. Structure of Bricks
To know the structure of brick, pick one brick randomly from the group and
break it. Observe the inner portion of brick clearly. It should be free from
To know the presence of soluble salts in a brick, placed it in a water bath for
24 hours and dry it in shade. After drying, observe the brick surface
thoroughly. If there is any white or grey color deposits, then it contains
soluble salts and not useful for construction.
After molding, bricks are subjected to sunlight and dried using heat from
sun. So, they are not that much strong and they also have less water
resistance and less fire resistance. These bricks are not suitable for
permanent structures.
CLASSIFICATION OF BRICKS
FIRST CLASS BRICKS :- This are table moulded. Surface & edges are sharp,
square ,smooth , straight. Well brunt & have uniform texture ,metallic ringing when struck
against each other. Used for superior work.
SECOND CLASS BRICKS :- This are ground moulded brick. Surface are rough.
The quality of this bricks are inferior.
THIRD CLASS BRICKS :- The surface & edges are rough. Does not create any
metallic sound. Used for temporary & unimportant structure.
FOURTH CLASS BRICKS :- This bricks are over brunt. Irregular shape & dark
colour. Used in floor , foundation, roads.
Types of bonds in brick masonry wall construction are classified based on laying and bonding style of
bricks in walls. The bonds in brick masonry is developed by the mortar filling between layers of bricks
and in grooves when bricks are laid adjacent to each other and in layers in walls. Mostly used
material for bonds in brick masonry is cement mortar. Lime mortar and mud mortar are also used.
Types of Bonds in Brick Masonry Wall Construction : The most commonly used types of bonds in
brick masonry are: 1. Stretcher bond 2. Header bond 3. English bond and 4. Flemish bond
1. Stretcher bond
2. Header bond
3.
4.