IntroductionStudent are assign to write a report and this report is intergraded among construction

technology, building material and measurement. For this report student will have to

study on brick wall and write a report on brick wall. This report will content how brick

wall is constructed, included bonding type for the brick wall, material used for the

brick, the method of construction, the machineries and plants and tools are used in

constructing a brick wall.

For this report I am suppose to visit a construction site. Our lecturer planned

to bring students to the construction site Dk Twists and it is very near to Taylor’s

University. However it is cancelled. In order to help us our lecturer posted 3 videos

about constructing a brick wall.

Walls are the vertical elements of a building which close the space within it

and which may also divide that space. The function of wall is to provide privacy,

safety and shelter. Brick wall is a wall made out of bricks. Wall included exterior and

interior type. The structural type of the wall divided in to 2 categories load bearing

wall and non-load bearing wall.

1

Bonding typeIt is important to lay the bricks to some perceived pattern or bond to guarantee

stability of the wall and to deliver a satisfying appearance. Bricks might be arranged

in an assortment of approaches to create an agreeable bond and each arrangement

is distinguished by the pattern of headers and stretchers on the substance of the

wall. There is three type bonding of bricks Stretcher bond, English bond and Flemish

bond.

1. Stretcher Bond

Stretcher bond is one of the simplest brickwork bonding consisting entirely of

stretchers throughout, with exception of a half bat which must be placed at the

stopped end at each alternate course. The center line of each stretcher is directly

over the center line of the cross joint in the course below. Stretcher bond is used for

half-brick walls only, such as partition and the leaves of the cavity walls. Half-bat is

used to commence or finish alternate courses. ¾ bat is needed at junction of cross-

wall

2

2. Flemish Bond

-Double Flemish

Double Flemish requires fewer facing bricks compared to English bond, needing only

79 bricks per square meter compared to 89 for English bond. Double Flemish not as

strong because of the large number of sort continuous vertical joints. Its appearance

is considered to be better than English bond and is more economical.

-Single Flemish

Single Flemish is a combination of English and Flemish bond, with Flemish bond on

the front face and a backing of English bond. Used to economise in expensive facing

bricks where the expensive facing bricks are used to give characteristic appearance

of Flemish bond and cheaper bricks are used as a backing. It is slightly stronger than

Double Flemish bond. It can’t be apply to walls less than one-and –a-half bricks.

3

3. English Bond

English bond is a very strong bond consisting of alternate course of headers and

stretchers. Stretchers throughout the length of one course and headers throughout

the next course. In each headers course, a queen closer is placed next to a quoin

header. It is stronger than Flemish bond due to its continuous vertical joint. It is

suitable for retaining walls and manholes.

4

MaterialsBricksBricks are the most popular form of walling unit. There is 2 types of bricks solid bricks

and bricks with holes. Solid bricks is used where holes maybe unsightly. Bricks with

holes is to help units fire properly and promote the bonding between mortar. It also

reduce overall weight and make units easier to handle. The material use to produce

bricks are clay, concrete and many other mixture.

1. Clay Bricks

Clay Brick are usually 215 x 102.5 x 65mm ; plus 10mm joint, nominal size of 200 x

112.5 x 75mm. Clay Bricks included Common Clay Bricks, Face Bricks, Glazed Face

Bricks, Fire Bricks.

- Common Clay Bricks is suitable for general building work without any special

characteristic for an attractive appearance. Dark orange to deep red color.

Many available

finishes and size.

- Face Bricks is specially made or selected to have an attractive appearance

when used without rendering or plaster. It is made from clay, shale, fire clay,

or a mixture, under controlled conditions. FBS is general use in exposed and

interior walls where wide color ranges and variation in sizes are permitted.

FBX is used in exterior and interior walls where a high degree of mechanical

perfection, narrow color range and little variation of size is required. FBA is

nonconformity in size, color, and texture.

5

- Glazed Face Bricks is bricks sprayed with a ceramic glaze and fired at high

temperature to fuse glaze to the brick. Finishes may appear dull, glossy and

satin.

- Fire Bricks is made of clay with a large amount of alumina, silica, flint, and

feldspar. These bricks are used in fireplaces, chimney stacks, incinerators,

and many industrial settings.

2. Concrete Bricks

Concrete bricks are mixtures of cement, sand and aggregates vibrated in moulds and

steam cured.

3. Mortar

Mortar is used to sticks 2 masonry units together. Mortar have a tendency to shrink

very little. High degree of resistance to moisture penetration. Mortar possess

adequate strength to resist forces applied to it. Provide aesthetic qualities to the

structure through the use of color and type of joint.

Type Avg compressive strength Use

6

M 2500 psi Masonry below grade and in contact with earth

S 1800 psi Where maximum flexural strength is required ( winds >80 mph)

N 750 psi General use in exposed masonry above grade ;

parapets, chimneys, and ext. walls subjected to

severe weathering.O 350 psi Solid unit load-bearing

walls where compressive strength < 100psi

7

4. Plaster Mix

Plaster is a building material used for the protective or decorative or both. The most

common types of plaster mainly contain etither gypsum, lime, or cement.

- Gypsum plaster often use gypsum to simulate the appearance of surfaces of

wood, stone, or metal, on movie and theatrical sets. Plaster of Paris can be

used to impregnate gauze bandages to make a sculpting material

called modroc. It is used similarly to clay, as it is easily shaped when wet, yet

sets into a resilient and lightweight structure.

- Lime plaster is a mixture of calcium hydroxide and sand (or other inert fillers).

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes the plaster to set by transforming

the calcium hydroxide into calcium carbonate (limestone). Lime plaster was a

common building material for wall surfaces in a process known as lath and

plaster, whereby a series of wooden strips on a studwork frame was covered

with a semi-dry plaster that hardened into a surface.

- Cement plaster is a mixture of suitable plaster, sand, Portland cement and

water which is normally applied to masonry interiors and exteriors to achieve

a smooth surface. Interior surfaces sometimes receive a final layer of gypsum

plaster. Walls constructed with stock bricks are normally plastered while face

brick walls are not plastered. Various cement-based plasters are also used as

proprietary spray fireproofing product products. 

8

Method of constructingPreparing the wall

Step 1 : Purchase the right amount of bricks. Adjustment of the bricks size are very

important. Mortar measurement must be added when planning the wall.

Step 2 : Dig trench for bricks wall foundation. Dig must be able to seat the wall in, lay

a layer of concrete in the foundation.

Step 3 : Make a guideposts to ensure wall is level. Take 2 long wooden board or

posts and measure out each row of the brick wall. Mark the board where each brick

should be, including the mortar lines. Drive the post into the ground to make them

freestanding. They should be as tall as the bricks wall.

Building The First Row

Step 4 : Lay first row of the bricks in the foundation for a dry run. Space them out

appropriately, including for the mortar. Use measuring tape measure to make sure

that they are the correct distance apart, and make sure that they fit in the trench

snugly.

Step 5 : Clamp a string on the first lay of bricks as guideline. This is going to be for

the second layer of bricks, as the first one will be buried in the trench. Run the string

from one gauging rod to the other to obtain a straight level line to work on.

Step 5 : Lay the first ½ inch of mortar along the base of the foundation. When in

doubt, add a little bit extra mortar, push the brick down slightly. Press the mortar

along the center line by using trowel, leaving little intents.

Step 6 : Press the first brick into the mortar. Push down slightly, then use level to

check that the brick even with the ground. To do so, press the level up against the

side of the brick and then check it with string sting line.

Step 7 : Lay mortar down for the next 2-3 bricks. Once the first brick is set, lay down

some mortar for the next few.

Step 8 : Butter the end of the next brick with mortar and press it into place. Take a

slab of mortar and coat the end of the brick that will be pushed up against the first

bricks. Press it into place against to the first brick and use measuring tape to make

sure they are ½ apart and joined by mortar.

Step 9 : Press the brick lightly into ½ of mortar so that it is level with the first brick.

Use the level to ensure that bricks are flush and at an even height, pushing on them

lightly to make sure that they are perfect.

Step 10 : Scrape away any extra mortar away and down the trench by using trowel.

9

Step 11 : Keep adding bricks until the row is finished. Continue laying bricks down in

this pattern.

Building Additional Rows

Step 12 : Move your guideline up the next marker. It should be the ½ mortar marker

that joins first and second rows. For the second row it should already be in place.

Each time moving up a row remember to move the line together.

Step 13 : Cut the brick into half by using firm tap from the pointed end of a hammer.

Step 14 : Start the second row with the ½ brick on both ends. Mortar and place the

half brick, then place a full brick next it like normal. Do this on both ends of the wall,

so that each side has a half brick and a full brick in place.

Step 15 : Mortar and place one full brick on top of your ends. To maintain the level,

build the ends of the wall u a course higher than the present brick, making it appear

like there are staircases on the ends of the wall. Fill in the bottom row, build the sides

up a little higher then continue until the end.

Step 16 : Fill on the entire bottom row. Place roughly ½ of mortar down, press the

brick into place, check the straightness with guideline and level, and wipe up any

excess mortar. Repeat until the second row is done.

Step 17 : Continue building the wall from the ends inward. The wall one course

should be higher than the present brick. This important if the wall has pillar on either

end. With each row, the process is the same. However, remember to use half-bricks

every other row to ensure that the joints in each row are not perfectly line up.

Finishing the wall

Step 18 : Fill in any missing patches of mortar along the wall. Fill in any patches or

gaps in the joints by using trowel, making sure there is a nice, even amount of mortar

holding your wall together. Wait roughly 45-60 minutes before continuing. Before

moving on let the mortar turn slightly hardened.

Step 19 : Plaster mix in the bucket.

Step 20 : Apply the plaster on the wall by using trowel. Remember must the plaster

must be distribute evenly on the wall.

10

Machineries and plants Concrete mixer

A concrete mixer is a device that homogeneously combines cement, aggregate and

water into concrete. It is portable and only for smaller volume works. It can produce

concrete on the spot in site. It also giving the worker ample time to use the concrete

before it hardens.

Tools1. String

String work as a guideline when building the bricks wall.

11

2. Mixing bucket

Mixing bucket is used to carry mortar, concrete or plaster. It also can work as a

bucket for mixing purpose.

3. Level

Level is a tools that used to measure the stability.

4. Measuring tape

Measuring tape is a ruler that is portable and is long enough for construction

purpose. It can reach a point where normal ruler can’t.

5. Trowel

12

Trowel is a hand tools used for digging, smoothing, moving around small amounts of

viscous or mixing purpose.

6. Claw hammer

Claw hammer is a tool primarily used for pounding nails into or extracting nail. It can

also use to split the bricks in to half.

7. Wheelbarrow

Wheelbarrow is a small hand-propelled vehicle, it use to carry an amount of viscous.

It carry a larger amount compare to trowel.

8. Shovel

13

Shovel is a tool for digging, lifting, moving bulk material and mixing purpose.

Observation of the videoVideo 1 : The worker is using trowel to distribute the mortar on the bricks. It also used

string as guideline. The brick it used in the video is common clay brick and it is a

solid bricks.

Video 2 : The worker is using shovel to carry the cement into the wheelbarrow. The

concrete mixer is in the progress of mixing concrete.

Video 3 : The worker is using the trowel for wall finishes.

14

Conclusion Throughout this report I am now better understanding in the basics of

construction process. I also withness the usage of construction equipment on site

including mechanical plants. I am able to understand the scientific principles that

underpin the design and construction. Identify various types of building materials and

technology on site. Lastly I am also able to identify the usage of tools, mechanical

plants and materials in suitable circumstances.

15