Building Construction

2. Masonry
CE 2330
Civil Engineering Materials and Construction

Learning outcomes
List and classify different types of masonry
Describe the construction methodology
and arrangement for stone and brick
masonry
Explain differences between different
types of masonry walls

Introduction
Masonry consists of blocks made out of stone, bricks,
concrete and other materials, joined together by mortar.
Various types of masonry units are used in construction:
1. Concrete blocks could be solid or hollow
2. Clay bricks
3. Stone
4. Structural clay tiles These are larger than clay bricks
and are used for lightweight masonry such as partition
walls and filler panels
5. Glass blocks Used in cold regions, especially when
there is a need for natural light in the interior

Clay Bricks
Clay is composed of silica, alumina, and small
quantities of Fe, Mn, S, and phosphates.
The properties of clay necessary for brickmaking are: (1) plasticity to allow moulding and
shaping when mixed with water, (2) sufficient
tensile strength to retain shape after forming,
and (3) ability of particles to fuse together at high
temperatures.

Clays - Classification
Depending on their composition, clays are
divided into
(a) Calcareous clays approx. 15% CaCO3
and burn to a yellowish colour, and
(b) Non-calcareous clays contains
aluminosilicates with feldspar and iron
oxide (2 10%), colour on burning is
determined by the iron oxide content.

Manufacture of bricks
Bricks are manufactured by grinding or
crushing the clay in mills and mixing with
water to make it plastic.
The plastic clay is then moulded, textured,
dried, and then fired. The firing
temperature is typically between 900 and
1200 oC.
The average density of bricks is 2 g/cc.

Bricks Classification
Functional:

Building bricks
Facing bricks
Floor bricks
Paving bricks

Based on manufacturing process:

1. Unburnt bricks / sun dried bricks: These are very weak, and can
be used only for temporary and cheap structures. These should
not be used in places exposed to heavy rains.
2. Burnt bricks Commonly used.

Brick dimensions
Similar to concrete blocks, nominal dimensions
are used for bricks also. Typically, company
manufactured bricks have a depression on the
top and bottom surfaces with an imprint (usually
of the company name). This depression is called
a frog, and causes and improvement in the
bond between the brick and mortar.
Standard brick measures 19 x 9 x 9 cm (with 1
cm mortar joint 20 x 10 x 10 cm)
Traditional brick measures 23 x 11 x 7 cm

Brick types

Properties of bricks
Durability of bricks depends on their absorption
potential. Bricks with high absorption are prone
to efflorescence.
In general, clay bricks are durable, fire resistant,
poor conductors of heat, and have moderate
insulating properties.
The compressive strength of bricks depends on:
Composition of the clay
Method of brick manufacturing, and
The degree of firing

Efflorescence
Efflorescence on brickwork is commonly observed when
salts dissolved in moisture get deposited on the surface.
It produces ugly damp patches, eats through the surface
coatings, and gradually disintegrates the structure.
The salts are typically sulphates of Mg, Ca, or Na, as
well as certain nitrates, carbonates, and chlorides.
The source of these salts can be groundwater, mortar
used for the masonry, or the brick itself (when it is
porous, underburnt etc.).

Efflorescence

Stone
Similar to the ancient times, large blocks (more
than 1 m on each side) of stones are often used
for architecturally appealing construction. Such
large pieces that are finished and dressed are
known as dimension stone.
The choice of a particular type of tone for
construction depends on many parameters,
such as the mineralogy of the rock, the
mechanical properties of the rock, as well as the
resistance to weathering.

Lime
Lime (CaO) is obtained from limestone (composed of
CaCO3) by calcination.
Hydration of lime:
CaO + H2O Ca(OH)2
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3 + H2O

Setting
Hardening

Grout and Plaster

Grout is highly flowable concrete consisting of
PC, lime, sand, fine gravel, and water. It is used
to fill the cores or voids in hollow masonry.
Plaster, on the other hand, is a mixture of PC,
lime, sand, and water, and is used for providing
an even surface on top of the brick walls. It also
acts as a protective layer to the brick wall.

Other masonry materials

Surkhi
Terra cotta
Earthenware and stoneware
Gypsum

Types

Stone
Brick
Concrete block
Reinforced brick
Composite

Terms associated with masonry

Course: Horizontal layer of masonry unit;
thickness of course???
Header and stretcher
Bed lower surface of brick/stone in a course
Natural bed bedding plane of rocks
Bond arrangement of masonry units
Quoins Exterior angle or corner of wall
Face surface of wall exposed to weather
(opposite: back)

Terms (contd.)

Facing material used in the face

Joint Bed joint, cross joint and vertical joints
Closers and bats cut bricks
Frog depression on top surface of brick
Sill, Lintel, Jamb parts of window opening
Plinth horizontal projecting course of stone or
brick, provided at base of wall above ground
level
Corbel Projecting stone from wall serving as
support

Terms (contd.)
Coping covering of stone, terra cotta,
concrete or brick on top of wall
(weathering and throating)
Arches and gables
Column (W < 4t)
Pier (W > 4t)
Pilaster Pier monolithic with wall and
projecting beyond

Masonry terms - graphically

Section through a wall

Modern
Traditional

Mortars for masonry

Lime (hydraulic or semi-hydraulic) / PC or
Masonry cement / combination of (a) Lime and
pozzolan, or (b) Lime and PC
Clay / mud for low strength
Avoid excess water (generally, max w/(c+l) =
0.65)
Thinner joints more fluidity; joints subjected to
heavy pressure require stiff mortars
Lime mortar above plinth level; cement mortar
below ground

Mortar is used for:

Bonding masonry units together
Serving as seating material for the units
Levelling and seating the units
Providing aesthetic quality to the structure.
The mortar is the weakest part of a masonry
wall. Thus, thin mortar layers produce
stronger walls compared to thick layers.