What is Brick masonry ?
Brick masonry is a highly durable form of construction. It is built by placing bricks in mortar in a systematic manner to construct solid mass that withstand exerted loads. There are several types of bricks and number of mortars which can be used to construct brick masonry.
The bond in brick masonry, which adheres bricks together, is produced by filling joints between bricks with suitable mortar. Special cautions shall be practiced while mortar is mixed and placed since it greatly affect the performance and durability of masonry structure.
Size of brick:
Standard Size of Brick: 19cm × 9cm × 9cm
With cement mortar, size of brick: 20cm × 10cm × 10cm
Types of brick masonry work:
1. Mud mortar brick masonry
2. Cement mortar brick masonry
Types of Bricks:
1. Common clay Red burn brick
2. Cement brick
3. fly ash brick
4. Concrete brick
5. Sand lime brick
6. Engineering brick
Classification of Bricks:
1. First class brick
2. Second class brick
3. Third class brick
Test of brick:
1. Compressive strength test
2. Water Absorption test
3. Sound test
Advantages of Bricks
1. Economical (Raw material is easily available)
2. Hard and durable
3. Compressive strength is good enough for ordinary construction
4. Different orientations and sizes give different surface textures
5. Very low maintenance cost is required
6. Demolishing of brick structures is very easy, less time consuming and hence economic
Reusable and Recyclable.
7. Highly fire resistant
8. Produces less environmental pollution during manufacturing process
Disadvantages of Bricks
1. Time consuming construction
2. Cannot be used in high seismic zones
3. Since bricks absorb water easily, therefore, it causes fluorescence when not exposed to air.
4. Very Less tensile strength
5. Rough surfaces of bricks may cause mold growth if not properly cleaned
6. Cleaning brick surfaces is a hard job
7. Color of low quality brick changes when exposed to sun for a long period of time
