A.
INTRODUCTION TO RAT TRAP BOND MASONRY
(RTB)
A “Rat-Trap Bond” is a type of wall brick masonry bond in which bricks are laid on edge
(i.e. the height of each course in case of a brick size 230x110x75 mm, will be 110 mm
plus mortar thickness) such that the shinner and rowlock are visible on the face of
masonry as shown below.
This gives the wall with an internal cavity bridged by the rowlock. This is the major
reason where virgin materials like brick clay and cement can be considerably saved. This
adds this technology to the list of Green building technologies and sustainability for an
appropriate option as against conventional solid brick wall masonry.
This cavity adds an added advantage as it adds a Green building feature of help maintain
improved thermal comfort and keep the interiors colder than outside and vice versa.
The Rat trap bond construction is a modular type of masonry construction. Due care must
be taken while designing the wall lengths and heights for a structure. The openings and
wall dimensions to be in multiples of the module. Also, the course below sill and lintel to
be a solid course by placing bricks on edge. The masonry on the sides of the openings
also to be solid as will help in fixing of the opening frame.
B. MATERIALS SELECTION AS PER NEED AND DESIGN
Bricks
As far as possible, use of fired clay bricks should be checked with alternative
bricks i.e. fly ash bricks, bricks from construction waste etc as firing of bricks is
in general highly energy consuming and air polluting.
These alternate bricks provide better strength and durability than fired clay bricks
and finishing cost of your wall can be saved with a better quality and aesthetically
soothing environment in the interiors.
Mortar:
Lime should be explored as a material for mortar as it is locally available in many
parts of the country and helps reduce the consumption of cement.
Lime as a binding material along with fly ash can result in to make lime
pozzolana mortar which saves on your cost of cement. It also adds another Green
building feature, use of industrial waste (i.e. fly ash) as a raw material for your
construction.
C. ADVANTAGES OF USING RAT TRAP BOND TECHNOLOGY
By adopting this method of masonry, you can save on approx. 20-35% less bricks
and 30-50% less mortar; also, this reduces the cost of a 9-inch wall by 20-30 %
and productivity of work enhances.
For 1 m3 of Rat trap bond, 470 bricks are required compared to conventional brick
wall where a total of 550 bricks are required.
Rat trap bond wall is a cavity wall construction with added advantage of thermal
comfort. The interiors remain cooler in summer and warmer in winters.
Rat-trap bond when kept exposed, create aesthetically pleasing wall surface and
cost of plastering and painting also may be avoided.
Rat trap bond can be used for load bearing as well as thick partition walls.
All works such as pillars, sill bands, window and tie beams can be concealed.
The walls have approx. 20% less dead weight and hence the foundations and other
supporting structural members can suitably be designed, this gives an added
advantage of cost saving for foundation.
Service’s installations should be planned during the masonry construction if not
exposed.
Virgin materials such as bricks, cement and steel can be considerably saved upon
by adopting this technology. It will also help reduce the Embodied Energy of
virgin materials and save the production of Green House Gases into the
atmosphere.
In case for more structural safety, reinforcement bars can be inserted through the
cavity till the foundation.
D. COST SAVINGS
Material saving per m3: Rat trap bond vs. Conventional Brickwork.
1.11 bags (57% saving) = Rs 288/ m3 saving in cement cost.
80 nos. of bricks (20% saving) = Rs 576 saving in brick cost.
0.18 m3 less sand (61% saving) = Rs 13/ m3 saving.
Summarizing the material cost, an approximate saving of Rs. 478 (20% saving) is
achieved per m3 of Rat trap bond brickwork compared to conventional solid BW.
Assume building a house with 100 sq. m. on each floor, and the periphery walls
are made of Rat trap bond instead of conventional bond, the savings in materials
cost and total brickwork cost that can be achieved are listed below:
E. EMBODIED ENERGY SAVINGS
The Embodied Energy calculations are done for the same amount of brickwork quantity
as above i.e. 70 cu.m. of brickwork. The table below shows the Embodied Energy
savings arriving due to the material saving for a simple house as described in the
chapter D. Cost Savings.
