Study on Brick Wall

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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONOURS)
MARCH INTAKE 2016
SEMESTER 1
[QSB 60104] MEASUREMENT 1
- Sr. Ang Fuey Lin
[BLD 60104] CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY 1
- Pn. Azrina Md Yaakob
CONSTRUCTION OF BRICK WALL REPORT
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
Lily Then (0313973)

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TABLE OF CONTENT
1.0 Introduction 1
2.0 Objective 2
3.0 Content/ Technical Observations 3
4.0 Brick 4-5
4.1 Mortar 6-9
4.2 Bonding of Bricks
4.3 Types of Brick Wall
5.0 Construction of Brick Wall 10-11
6.0 Machineries, Plants and Tools 12-13
7.0 Conclusion / Learning Outcome 14

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1.0 Introduction
In this assignment, we were required to produce a report for combination of 3 subjects which
are Building Materials, Construction Technology 1 and Measurement 1.
On 23rd June 2016, our Construction Technology lecturer Pn Azrina Md Yaakob had
uploaded 3 videos into our Facebook group (QS Sem1-March 2016). The contents of videos
are method of laying brick, the production of concrete using concrete mixture machinery and
method of wall plastering.
The main objective of this site report is to give exposure to students where they will be able
to describe, explain and understand the method and process of construction in accordance to
the sequence of work on site, especially the BRICKWALL.
A brick is regular in shape and of size that can be conveniently handled with one hand. Bricks
may be makes of burnt clay or mixture of sand and lime, or flyash line and sand, or of
Portland cement concrete.
A brick also known as building material used to make walls, pavements and other elements in
masonry construction. Bricks are laid in courses and numerous patterns known as bonds,
collectively known as brickwork and may be laid in various kinds of mortar to hold the bricks
together to make a durable structure.

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2.0 Objective
The objectives of this report are:
 To let us experience the actual working environment and learn more about the life of
being a Quantity Surveyor on site.
 To understand the basics of the construction process.
 To witness the usage of construction equipment on site including mechanical plants.
 To explore and identify various types of building materials and technology on site.
 To explain the construction of buildings and the scientific principles that underpin the
design and construction.
 To gain more construction technology knowledge that new to us.
 To allow us to have a better understanding of the types of the building materials
involved in the construction site.
 To enable us to understand the building structure and the sequence of constructing a
brick wall.
 To make it easier for us to get clearer image of how the structures look like in real life.

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3.0 Content / Technical Observations
In the first video, it shows how the construction workers lay the bricks. The worker uses the
common type of bricks and lays the bricks in a Stretcher Bond type by using the mortar paste.
Mortar is a mixture of sand, a binder such as cement or lime, and water.
In the second video, it shows how the concrete is made. The main materials for concrete are
Cement, Sand, Water and Aggregate (either course or fine).
In the third video, it shows how the construction worker plastering on the wall. The main
materials used for plastering are mortar.
Through all of the videos, I also can see that there are few machineries and tools that
involved at the construction site.

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4.0 Brick
Brick Classifications
Bricks may be classified according their uses as follows, bearing in mind that it is sometimes
possible for a brick to come under more than one heading:
 Facing Bricks
 Common Bricks
 Engineering Bricks
 Special Bricks
Facing Bricks
Facing Bricks are intended to provide an attractive appearance. They are available in a range
of brick types, colours and textures. Some may not be suitable in positions of extreme
exposure. Some facing bricks have engineering properties.
Common Bricks
Common Bricks are suitable for general building work not chosen for its appearance. These
are bricks for ordinary work that is not exposed to view, for example walls that are to be
plastered or built underground.
Engineering Bricks
Engineering Bricks are hard burnt bricks that are very dense. They have a minimum
compressive strength and minimum water absorption. They are not chosen for their
appearance. There is no requirement for colour. These are bricks suitable for ground works,
manholes and sewers, retaining walls or as a ground level damp proof course to free-standing
walls and situations where high strength and low water absorption are the most important
factors.
Special Bricks
A wide variety of bricks are available in special shapes or sizes, to blend or contrast with
most facing bricks. Squints are an example. They are manufactured to special shapes that
enable the bricklayer to build angled corners at 45 degrees or 60 degrees. They are used to
reduce the thickness of a wall and still maintain the face texture of the wall or remove the
sharp corners from a brick wall or pier.

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General Characteristics of Good Bricks
The essential requirement for building bricks are sufficient strength in crushing, regularly in
size, a proper suction rate, and a pleasing appearance when exposed to view.
 Size and Shape: The brick should have uniform size and plan, rectangular surface with
parallel sides and sharp straight edges.
 Colour: The bricks should have a uniform deep red or cheery colour as indicative of
uniformity in chemical composition and thoroughness in the burning of the bricks.
 Texture and Compactness: The surface should not be too smooth to cause slipping of
mortar. The brick should have pre-compact and uniform texture. A fractured surface
should not show fissures, holes grits or lumps of lime.
 Hardness and Soundness: The bricks should be so hard that when scratched by a finger
nail no impression is made. When two bricks are struck together, a metallic sound should
be produces.
 Water Absorption: Should not exceed 20 per cent of its dry weight when kept immersed
in water for 24 hours.
 Crushing Strength: Should not be less than 10N/mm2
 Brick Earth: Should be free from stones, kankars, organic matters, saltpeter, etc.
Advantages of Bricks
 Uniformity is size and shape. Therefore it can be easily laid in masonry.
 Unlike stone brick do not need dressing. Therefore there is reduction time and labour and
moreover skilled labour is not needed.
 Bricks are cheaper than the stones. Though same quantity of brick cost more than same
quantity stone. More expenditure is consumed on processing of stone masonry, such as
breaking of stone into smaller size and dressing.
 Smaller in size and lighter therefore less effort is required while building brick masonry.
Disadvantages of Bricks
 Bricks are less durable than stone.
 Plastering is required.
 Alkalis & salts present in the brick earth have hygroscopic properties. They absorb
moisture from the air and creating a damp and unhygienic condition.

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4.1 Mortar
 Mortar is a workable paste used to bind construction blocks
together and fill the gaps between them. The blocks may be
stone, brick etc. Mortar is a mixture of sand, a binder such as
cement or lime, and water and is applied as a paste which
then set hard. Mortar can also be used to fix, or point
masonry when the original mortar has washed away.
 Masonry mortar is composed of one or more cementitious materials, clean well-graded
masonry sand, and sufficient water to produce a plastic workable mixture.
 Types of mortar used in masonry work-
 Cement Mortar
 Lime Mortar
 Cement-lime Mortar
 Lime-Surkhi Mortar
 Mud Mortar
4.2 Bonding of Bricks
 Bonds in brick-work:
 on account of their uniform size and shape, the bricks can be rise to different types of
bonds.
 Bonding is essential because it
 eliminates continuous vertical joints both in the body as well as in the face of the wall.
 imparts strength to the masonry.
 Defective arrangement of bricks reduces the strength and durability of the structure.
 The choice of the bond is influenced by the situation, function and thickness of the wall:
 English Bond
 Flemish Bond
 Stretcher Bond
English Bond
The strongest English Bond consists of alternating course of stretchers and headers. A quarter
bond is maintained by incorporating queen closers in every second course. English Bond is
generally used in one brick walling.

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Flemish Bond
Flemish bond consist of alternating headers and stretchers along each course with the headers
centred on the stretchers above and below.
Single Flemish Bond:
 Combination of English Bond and Flemish Bond
 In a course, facing is Flemish Bond and backing is English Bond
 Cannot be adopted in walls having thickness less than one and half brick
 Provided for the attractive appearance of the Flemish Bond
 Slightly stronger than Double Flemish Bond
Double Flemish Bond:
 Each course presents the same appearance both in the face and back of the wall
 Every course consists of headers and stretchers alternately
 Best suited for consideration of economy and appearance
 This type of bonding is comparatively weaker than English Bond
Stretcher Bond
Stretcher bond is the commonest bond used today and the least interesting in appearance. It
can be made more interesting by laying a course of different coloured bricks or to lay such
bricks to form a pattern on a wall.
 Stretcher Bond Wall
 Stretcher Bond Wall with Piers
 Strecther Bond Piers

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4.3 Types of Brick Wall
Building to Gauge
It is essential to consider the height of the wall when building. Bricklayers use a gauge rod to
ensure that the beds of mortar between each brick are uniform and to monitor the overall
height of the wall as each course is laid. Gauge rods are generally made by bricklayer using
timber but they can also be bought in stainless steel.
Racking Back and Stopped Ends
It shows a half brick wall with a stop end and racking back. This method of construction is
commonly used by bricklayers to build plumbing which allow them to plumb either end of
the wall and build to a line in the middle of the wall. This process is much quicker than
building the wall one course at a time.

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Return Corners
It shows a half brick wall built with a return corner. This means that the wall turns (usually
90 degrees) and continues in another direction. We should notice that the bond remains
unchanged and that the course height remains constant on the return.
Toothing
It shows a half brick wall which has a stop end and is toothed. The purpose of toothing the
brickwork is to allow for plumbing to be taking higher than a racking would normally allow.
We should try to avoid toothing brickwork to a significant height.

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5.0 Constructionof Brick Wall
Step 1:
Plan out the wall & Purchase the right amount and type of bricks.
Using string, a level and a tape measure, plot out the exact dimensions of our
wall, enclosure and structure.
Bricks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the most important thing to
remember is that we must adjust the size bricks we buy to account for the mortar.
We must add the mortar measurements when planning our wall. The
combination measurement of brick and mortar is called the brick’s nominal size.
Step 2:
Prepare all the materials (bricks, mortar, machineries & tools) that are
needed.
Once we have mixed the mortar and we can start to lay the bricks, we have
to use all the mortar and strike the joints before quitting.
Step 3:
Make Guideposts, or Gauging Rods.
With this method, we can ensure our wall’s level. First, take 2 long
wooden boards or posts and measure out each row of the brick wall, also
known as course. Next, mark the boards where each brick should be,
including the mortar lines. It is important to make sure that we can drive
the posts into the ground so that they can be freestanding.
Step 4:
Clamp a string on first guideline and lay the first row of bricks for a dry run.
Lay a small bed of mortar for the first brick to lie on and use the spirit
level to make sure it’s level. Next, place a small amount of mortar on the
top of the first bricks and place another brick on top of it, at a downwards
angle. Then, lay a bed of mortar on the solid foundation for the wall. We
can use the tape measure to make sure that they are the correct distance
apart and spirit level to make sure it’s flat.

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Step 5:
Laying the next course of bricks.
First, move the string line up to where the top of the next course of bricks will be then lays a
bed mortar on top of the first course of bricks, so that it’s in a triangle shape. Next, take a slab
of mortar and coat the end of the brick that will be pushed up against the first brick. Now, use
the trowel to feather through it to create an air pocket for laying the bricks on. We can use the
spirit level to ensure that the bricks are flush and at an even height then pushing on them
lightly to make sure that they are perfect. Besides that, we also need to scrape away any
excess mortar away. Then place mortar on the side of the bricks and lay them next to each
other. Repeat this step until the wall has reached the height that had been set.
Step 6:
Plastering the wall.
First, we have to ensure the wall is clean and free from dust, and any loose part of mortar
from brick laying process. We can sprinkle water over the surface to ensure better sticking of
the plaster. Then starting at the bottom of the wall, use nice and smooth strokes with trowel
and press the mortar onto the wall and try distribute the plaster on the trowel evenly over a
certain area. We should always keep that trowel as slight angle when applying plaster. Keep
repeating the process with the other area until the wall is fully covered with the plaster. Wall
corner should be the last to be plastered. To allow the plaster to dry, we can increase the air
ventilation if possible, such as opening windows for air to come in.

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Machineries,Plants and Tools
Line and Pins
Two pins with a line wound onto them. Used in the laying of wall bricks. Where the sills
protrude out from the wall the pin is driven into the brickwork each end of the sill and the
line set parallel with the two end sill bricks. Also used as a means to connect the line into an
internal corner where it is impossible to use line blocks.
Brick Hammer
This tool is used for hammering nails and for splitting block or brick with the other end. One
end is square and flat and is used like a hammer. The other end is sharp, like a small chisel.
The sharp chisel-end is used to make a cutting line around the masonry to be split.
Brick Jointer
The brick jointer is used to apply a mortar finish to the beds and joints of a brick wall. It has a
convex curve on either side and produces a “bucket handled” finish.

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Pointing Trowel
Pointing trowel is a bricklayer's tool used for filling and shaping the mortar in between bricks,
a process known as pointing. It has a triangular blade of around five inches (12.7 cm) in
length, joined onto a handle made of either plastic or wood.
Brick Bolster
This tool is used for cutting bricks and stones.
Tape Measure
Tape measure is used in the checking of profiles at the beginning of a job, and frequently
used in the constant checking in the requirements of bricklaying (windows and door heads).
Spirit Levels
These are metal straight edges specially fitted with glass tubes containing a spirit and a
bubble of air. It used for keeping brickwork upright and level.

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6.0 Conclusion/ Learning Outcome
After this meaningful report done by me, there are countless of valuable information of
knowledge gained by me. I have better understanding about how a construction of brick wall
now after this report.
I had seen and explored various materials and tools used from the videos that had provided by
lecturers. This is an eye opener for me as I have never had the chance to see it with my own
eyes.
In conclusion, this report has greatly enhanced my knowledge about construction of brick
wall. I am very grateful to have a chance to do this report as I have gained a lot of knowledge.
I wish that I could have more chances like this in the future as in really benefit me a lot.