--- title: "Brick masonry construction techniques" subject: "Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure" chapter: 7 key: "semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure:masonry-construction-techniques" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/masonry-construction-techniques site: BCT Engineering --- # Brick masonry construction techniques Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure · Chapter 7: Introduction to masonry structures - Asked in: 2079 Baisakh, 4 marks - Video: [Introduction to masonry construction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1PnSKB3wec) — Mohamed Darwish - Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5 on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/masonry-construction-techniques - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/concrete_technology_and_masonry_structure/chapter-7 ## Question Write down the construction techniques to be considered while constructing brick masonry. ## Short answer Soak bricks before use, use correct mortar mix, employ English or Flemish bond with full joints about 10 mm thick and queen closers. Keep courses level and plumb, limit daily height to 1–1.5 m, tooth unfinished work, install DPC and lintels, and cure for at least 7 days. ## Answer Good brick masonry depends on workmanship as much as on material. The main points to be followed are: 1. **Quality of bricks:** use well-burnt, uniform bricks of specified strength (not less than 3.5 N/mm$^2$ for load-bearing work). Soak the bricks in clean water for at least 2 to 3 hours before laying so that they do not absorb water from the mortar. 2. **Mortar:** proportion and mix as designed (e.g. 1:4 or 1:6 cement:sand); the sand should be clean and well graded. Use cement mortar within 30 minutes of mixing; do not re-temper stiff mortar. 3. **Bond:** use English or Flemish bond so that the vertical joints (perpends) of successive courses do not coincide; use closers at the end of each course; lay bricks with the frog up and with full header or stretcher faces. 4. **Joints:** bed and cross joints fully filled with mortar; joint thickness about 10 mm; joints struck, flush or raked for plastering, with a raking depth of about 12 mm. 5. **Line, level and plumb:** check with a plumb bob, spirit level and string line; keep each course horizontal. Raise the corners first. 6. **Rate of rise:** do not raise the work more than about 1.0 to 1.5 m in one day, so that the lower courses are not crushed or displaced. Where work stops, leave **toothing** (not a steep rake) for later joining. 7. **Damp-proof course** (DPC) at plinth level; lintels over openings with at least 200 mm bearing. 8. **Curing:** keep the wall wet for at least 7 days; protect it from rain, sun and frost. 9. **Scaffolding and safety:** use independent scaffolding; keep holes for scaffolds to a minimum and fill them properly. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Why are bricks soaked in water for 2 to 3 hours before laying? A. To make them lighter B. So they do not absorb water from the mortar C. To burn them more D. To raise their tensile strength Answer: B. Dry bricks would suck water from the mortar and weaken the joint. (Key point: Soaking bricks) 2. What is the recommended maximum rise of brickwork in one day? A. About 1.0 to 1.5 m B. About 3 to 4 m C. About 0.1 m D. No limit Answer: A. A limited rise prevents lower courses being crushed or displaced. (Key point: Rate of rise) 3. How should work be left where it stops for later joining? A. With a steep rake B. With a smooth vertical face C. With loose bricks D. With toothing, not a steep rake Answer: D. Toothing allows bonding of the new work to the old. (Key point: Toothing) 4. Which is correct about joints and curing? A. Joints about 25 mm and left partly empty B. No curing is needed C. Joints about 10 mm, fully filled, and wall kept wet for at least 7 days D. Cure for one day only Answer: C. Bed and cross joints must be full at about 10 mm, with curing for at least 7 days (10 days for cement mortar). 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