Masonry refers to construction materials formed by combining masonry units like stone and brick with mortar. It is one of the oldest construction materials found worldwide in structures like the Egyptian pyramids, Great Wall of China, and European cathedrals. Common masonry materials include brick, stone, and concrete block. Important masonry terms include courses, stretchers, headers, soldiers, and sailors. Masonry provides advantages like thermal comfort, reduced costs, and fire resistance but can experience degradation in extreme weather and requires strong foundations due to weight.
2. The term masonry refers to a
construction material formed by
combining masonry units such as stone
and brick with a binding material called
mortar.
DEFINITION
3. It is one of the oldest materials of construction; examples can be found in all
parts of the world such as the:
Pyramids of Egypt Great Wall of China Roman and Greek ruins
Arches and Vaults of Syria Great cathedrals of Europe
4. 1. BRICK – it is a small rectangular block typically made of fired or sun-dried clay,
used in building.
2. STONE – marble, granite, limestone, etc.
3. CONCRETE BLOCK - is a standard-size rectangular block used in building
construction.
COMMON MATERIALS OF MASONRY
CONSTRUCTION
5. 1. COURSE – It is a layer of the same unit running horizontally in a wall. It can also
be defined as a continuous row of any masonry unit such as bricks, concrete
masonry units, stone, shingles, tiles, etc.
2. STRETCHER - A brick, laid with its length horizontal and parallel with the face
of the wall is called a "Stretcher“.
SOME IMPORTANT TERMS USED IN
MASONRY
6. 3. HEADER - A brick laid, so that only its end shows on the face of a wall is called a
"Header“.
4. SOLDIER – It is one in which brick are laid standing on end with the narrow edge
facing out.
7. 5. SAILOR – It is similar to the soldier course but with the wide edge facing out.
6. BULL HEADER AND BULL STRETCHER
8. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. Thermal comfort – brick and stone can
increase comfort in the heat of summer and cold
of winter.
1. Extreme weather can cause degradation of
masonry wall surfaces due to frost damage.
2. Reduce cost – brick will not require painting
because of existing appearance.
2. Masonry tends to be heavy, therefore must be
built on strong foundation to avoid settling and
cracking.
3. Masonry is very heat resistant, thus provides
good fire protection.
4. Masonry walls are more resistant to projectiles
such as hurricanes or tornadoes than walls of
wood.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
