Module 2- Brick Masonry

 Definition and terms used in masonry.

 Brick masonry
 Characteristics and requirements of good brick masonry
 Bonds in brick work, Header, Stretcher, English, Flemish bond

Definition and terms used in masonry

Masonry may be defined as construction of building units bonded together with mortar. The
building units may be brick, stone or precast blocks of concrete. When stones are used as
the building units or building blocks, we have stone masonry. In brick masonry bricks are
used. Masonry is used in the construction of walls, foundation and other similar structural
components. It performs various functions such as supporting the load, subdividing space,
thermal and acoustic insulation and affording fire and weather protection.

Terms used in Brick masonry

1. Course – Horizontal layer of masonry unit. Thickness of the course is equal to

thickness of brick + Thickness of one mortar joint.
2. Header – Brick when laid parallel to its breadth . In modular bricks, it shows the face
of 90mmX90mm.
3. Stretcher- Brick when laid parallel to its length. In modular bricks, it shows the face
of 190mmX90mm.
4. Bed- lower surface of the brick in each course.
5. Bond- Overlapping of bricks or stones in alternate courses.

6. Quion- Exterior angle or corner of the wall.

7. Joint – junction of adjacent units of bricks and stones
8. Closer – Portion of the brick cut in such a way that one long portion remains uncut.
9. Queen closer – portion of the brick cut length wise
10. King closer – portion of the brick obtained by cutting triangular piece half along its
length and half along its breadth.
11. Bevelled closer – Portion of the brick obtained by cutting half width at one end and
full length at the other end.
12. Mitred closer – Brick whose one end is splayed. The angle of the splay is 45 to 60.
13. Bat – portion of the brick which is cut across its width.
14. Perpend – It is that vertical joint on the face of the wall, which directly lies above the
vertical joints in alternate courses.
15. Frog – Depression on the top surface of the brick made with the object of forming
key for mortar

Characteristics and requirements of good brick masonry

Bonds in Brick Masonry - It is method of arranging the bricks in courses such that
individual units are tied together and vertical joints in alternate courses do not lie in the
same vertical line. Bonding helps in distributing the concentrating the load on larger
area.
 Rules for good bond

1. The bricks should be of uniform size. The length of the brick = width of brick +
one joint , so that uniform lap is obtained.
2. The amount of lap should be ¼ brick length and ½ brick thickness.
3. Use of brick bat should be discouraged.
4. Vertical joints in alternate courses should be along the same perpend.
5. The stretcher should be used only in facing.
6. In alternate courses centreline of header should coincide with the centre of the
stretcher in the course above or below it.
7. It is preferable to provide every sixth course as header course on both sides of
the wall.

Types of brick bonds

1. Stretcher bond

Bricks are laid as stretchers on the wall faces. This pattern is used for half brick thick walls.
eg – Partition walls, Sleeper walls, Chimney stacks. Not possible for wall of more wall
thickness,

2. Header bond

Bricks are laid as a header on the wall faces.It is used when wall thickness is one brick
thick. This bond does not have strength to transmit load along its length. So it is unsuitable
for load bearing walls, but it can be used for curved brickworks. Sometimes ¾ Bats are
used in alternate courses to get sufficient overlap.
3. English bond
a) It is most commonly used type of bonds.
b) It consists of alternate courses of headers and stretchers and it is strongest
bond. Vertical joints of header courses come over each other.
c) Similarly Vertical joints of stretcher courses come over each other.
d) It is essential to place quoin closer after a quoin header in every alternate
course.
e) Every header comes centrally over the joint between two stretchers in course
below.
f) In stretcher course there should be a minimum overlap of 1/4 their length
over headers.
g) A header should never start with the queen closer as there are more chances
of displacement.
h) Since joints in the header course are more than joints in the stretchers, joints
in the header courses are made thinner.
i) walls of even multiple of half bricks show same appearance on both faces.( 1
½ , 2 brick wall)
j) walls of odd multiple of half bricks show stretcher on face and header on
other face.( 1 ½ , 2 brick wall)
4. Flemish bond

a) Double Flemish bond

a) Every course consists of alternate header and stretcher in the same course.
b) The facing and backing has same appearance
c) Quion closers are kept next to quoin headers
d) For walls having even multiples of half bricks no bat are used
e) For walls having odd multiples of half bricks ,half bats and three fourth bats
are used

b) Single Flemish bond

a) It is composed of double Flemish bond facing and English bond backing and
hearting in each course.
b) This bond uses appearance of Flemish and strength of English bond.
c) Construction is done using good quality expensive bricks.
d) Cheaper bricks can be used for backing and hearting.
e) It can be used for 1 ½ brick brick thick wall.
Comparison of Bonds

a) English bond is stronger than Flemish bond for walls thicker than 1 ½ brick .
b) Flemish bond is more pleasing than English bond.
c) Broken Bricks can be used in the form of bats in Flemish bond.
d) Construction with Flemish bond requires greater skill in comparison with English
bond.