BRICK BAT

COBA
Low Density Filler

Introduction
Brick Bat Coba is a method of filling
sunken slab with materials of low density
in a desired slope.
Being used as a filler in sunken slab, it is
also used as a layer for incorporating
plumbing work, fixing commode and other
utilities.
It also act as a layer which absorbs water
coming onto the slab thus preventing the
ingression of water into the concrete
surface

Methodology /
Application

Clean the surface by sand blasting or water blasting

method.
Fill all the undulations and honey comb structures
with an integral waterproofing compound.
Provide a Waterproofing base coat over the clean
surface and also at the ends of the wall.
Provide a layer of brick bat over the dried
waterproof base coat and fill the gaps with cement
mortar or lime in required mix.
After providing the Brick Bat layer provide another
layer of waterproofing coat over the surface and also
at the ends of the wall by providing vatta and raising
it to a height of 300 mm to 400 mm on the wall.
After about 24 hrs. pond the whole area to check for
the surface leaks.

Substrate Preparation

Sand Blasting
Water Blasting

SAND BLASTING

WATER BLASTING

Waterproof base coat

Laying of Brick
Bats and filling the
voids with mortar

Waterproof Surface Coat

Merits

Density of Brick is low when compared to

concrete and hence Brick Bat Coba is
used to fill the sunken slab and not the
concrete.
If the WP coat and Brick Bat is done
properly, to some extent it helps in
preventing leakages and seepage of
water.
Bricks are cheap and easily available
To some extent brick bat coba absorbs
water coming on to the surface

Demerits

Develop cracks due to temperature variation

An extra load of about 15KN/m, adds up to the total dead weight
of the structure.
As the building grows older, brick bat coba is not found to be
useful / successful.
As crack develops on the brick bat coba it becomes practically
impossible to remove / repair those cracks.
Some parts of the coba stick so well to the concrete that at times
of dismantling while repairs the slab gets damage too.
Though being cheaply available, skilled masons are required to do
the Brick Bat Work. Hence its low cost of material is justified over
higher labour cost.
Extra care is required to be made while doing Brick Bat Coba i.e.
filling the honey combs, undulations if any with a proper / rich mix
or mortar and waterproofing chemicals, as if these things are not
looked upon it would ultimately lead to leakages.
Though considered as a waterproof layer, practically it is not the
brick bat coba which prevents the water seepage, it is the
waterproof base and surface coat which does the work.