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Structural Masonry Elements

• Despite the use of masonry for construction during

many centuries, design techniques based on well-
established scientific principles have only been
developed during the latter part of the 20th century.
• The mechanisation and development of brickmaking
occurred in the mid-19th century. Prior to this time the
firing of bricks had always been in intermittent kilns.
Using this technique, moulded and partially dried
bricks were loaded into a kiln and fired. On completion
of the firing the fire was put out, the kiln opened and
the bricks allowed to cool. This process was then
repeated for the next batch.

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• Modern brickmaking is carried out using a continuous process in

which batches of bricks are loaded, fired, cooled and removed in
permanent rotation. The shaping of clay to produce bricks is carried
out either by extrusion or by moulding/pressing.
• The strength of masonry/brickwork is dependent on a number of
factors, one of which is the unit strength. (Note: the distinction
between brickwork – an assemblage of bricks and mortar − and brick
– the individual structural unit. In this text in general, reference to
bricks and brickwork also implies blockwork, stonework, etc.)
• In civil engineering projects which require high strength
characteristics, high density engineering bricks are frequently used,
whilst in general construction common bricks (commons) are used.
Where appearance is a prime consideration facing bricks are used
combining attractive appearance, colour and good resistance to
exposure. Bricks which are non-standard size and/or shape are
increasingly being used by architects and are known as specials

The design of structural masonry/brickwork in the U.K. is governed

by the requirements of BS 5628 − Code of Prac;ce for the Use of
Masonry Parts 1, 2 and 3.

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Materials
• Masonry can be regarded as an assemblage of
structural units, which are bonded together in
a particular pattern by mortar or grout.
• Structural Units
There are seven types of structural unit referred
to in BS 5628:

• The specification for each of these unit types

is given in the appropriate British Standard as
indicated. The selection of a particular type of
unit for any given structure is dependent on a
number of criteria, e.g. strength, durability,
adhesion, fire resistance, thermal properties,
acoustic properties and aesthetics. The
structural units may be solid, solid with frogs,
perforated, hollow or cellular, as indicated in
Figure

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Dimensions and Sizes

• The sizes of bricks are normally referred to in terms of work sizes and
co-ordinating sizes, as shown in Figure. When using clay or calcium
bricks the standard work sizes for individual units are 215 mm length
× 102.5 mm width × 65 mm height. In most cases the recommended
joint width is 10 mm, resulting in coordination sizes of bricks equal to
225 mm × 112.5 mm × 75 mm.

Mortar
• Mortar is the medium which binds together
the individual structural units to create a
continuous structural form, e.g. brickwork,
stonework, etc. Mortar serves a number of
functions in masonry construction, i.e. to:

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• Present-day mortars are specifically manufactured

to suit the type of construction involved. In most
cases they are mixtures of sand, cement and water.
The workability is often improved by the inclusion
of lime or a mortar plasticiser. Lime is used in
mortar for several reasons:

Bonds
• Walling made from regular-shaped units is
constructed by laying the units in definite, specific
patterns called bonds, according to the orientation
of the long sides (stretchers) or the short sides
(headers). The method of laying structural units is
specified in Section 8 of BS 5628:Part 1 and
detailed in Section 32 of Part 3 of the Code.
Normally all bricks, solid and cellular blocks are laid
on a full bed of mortar with all cross joints and
collar joints filled.

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• It is essential when constructing brickwork walls to

ensure that the individual units are bonding
together in a manner which will distribute the
applied loading throughout the brickwork. This is
normally achieved by laying units such that they
overlap others in the course below. The resulting
pattern of brickwork enables applied loads to be
distributed both in the horizontal and vertical
directions as shown in Figure

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• The final appearance of brickwork is dependent on

the finish of the joints between individual units
(perpend/vertical-cross joints), and the bed joints
between the courses. Various joint finishes can be
created depending upon the desired aesthetic
effect.
The type of joint finish selected will be influenced by a number of
factors such as exposure conditions and aesthetics. The most effective
types to resist rain penetration are weather and keyed finishes. In
situations where wind-driven rain is likely, finishes which produce a
water-retaining edge, e.g. recessed, should be avoided.

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• If the finishes are created during construction then

the process is called jointing; if this is done after
completion of the brickwork it is called pointing.

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