Introduction

¨ The term “Masonry” is used to indicated the art of building the

structures in either Stones or Bricks.
¤ The former type is called “Stone Masonry”
¤ The later type is called “Brick Masonry”
¨ The basic advantage of the masonry for the load bearing
structures is that it performs a variety of functions like:
¤ Affording architectural effect,
¤ Granting fire and weather protection,
¤ Providing acoustic and thermal insulation,
¤ Subdividing space,
¤ Supporting loads, etc.
 Building Elements:
Brick Masonry walls
¨ Brick masonry is made up of bricks bonded together with mortar.
Therefore two essential requirements of brick masonry is:
¤ Bricks:
n Bricks used in masonry can be of two types
n Traditional / Country bricks (23 x 11.4 x 7.5 cm)
n Standard size (19 x 9 x 9 cm)
Some times bricks are also manufactured into special shapes and sizes
for architectural purposes e.g. copings, cornices, sting courses, sloping
walls etc.
¤ Mortar:
n It is a mixture containing a binding agent (cement / lime), aggregate
and water thus acquiring stone like properties as a result of
hardening.
n Mortars are used for filling joints as a binder in stone and brick
masonry, for preparation of decorative and protective plasters.
 Basic definitions
¨ Course:
¤ A course is a horizontal layer of bricks or stones.
¨ Stretcher:
¤ Stretcher is the longer face of the brick (19 cm x 9cm)
¤ A course of bricks in which all the bricks are laid as stretches on facing is
known as a stretcher course or stretching course.
¨ Header:
¤ Header is the shorter face of the brick (9cm x 9cm)
¤ A course of bricks in which all the bricks are laid as headers on the facing
is known as header course or heading course.
¨ Bed:
¤ It is the lower surface of bricks when laid flat and thus it is perpendicular to
the line of pressure. It indicates the lower surface of bricks or stones in each
course.
¨ Arrises:
¤ Arrises are the edges formed by the intersection of plane surfaces of a brick.
They should be sharp, square and free from damage.
Pictorial definition of various
terminology
 Basic definitions
¨ Lap:
¤ It is the horizontal distance between the vertical joints of successive brick
courses.
¨ Perpend:
¤ Perpend is an imaginary vertical line which includes the vertical joint
separating two adjoining bricks.
¨ Quoin:
¤ Quoin is a corner or their external angle on the face side of a wall.
Generally quoin’s are at right angles, but in some cases their angles can
be greater than 90o also.
¨ Bed joints:
¤ Bed joints are horizontal layer of mortar upon which bricks are laid.
¨ Racking back:
¤ It is the termination of a wall in a stepped fashion.
¨ Tooting:
¤ It is the termination of the wall in such a fashion that each alternate
course at the end projects, in order to provide adequate bond if the
wall is continued horizontally at a later stage.
 Basic definitions
¨ Quoin brick:
¤ The brick, which forms the external corner of a wall is known as
“Quoin brick”.
¨ Quoin header:
¤ A corner header, in the face of wall, which is a stretcher in the
side wall is known as “Quoin header”.
¨ Quoin stretcher:
¤ A corner stretcher in the face of a wall, which is header in the
side wall is known as “Quoin stretcher”
Lap forms [CONCEPT CLARITY]
 Basic definitions
¨ Bat:
¤ It is the portion of brick cut across the width and hence a
bat is smaller in length than the full brick.
¤ The following are SOME OF the types of bats used in brick
masonry, which are defined by considering its relation to the
length of a brick
n Half bat: If the length of brick is equal to half the length of the
original brick, it is known as half bat.
n Three-quarters bat: If the length of the brick is equal to three
quarters of the length.
n Bevelled bat: If the bat has its width bevelled then it is called
bevelled bat.
n Bullnose: A brick with a rounded angle is termed as bull nose.
Picture of various types of Bat

Quarter bat
 Basic definitions
¨ Closer: A piece of brick which is used to close up the bond at
the end of brick courses, is known as closer and helps in
preventing the joints of successive courses to come in a vertical
line. Generally the closer is not specially moulded. But it is
prepared by the mason with the edge of trowel.
¨ The following are some of the types of closure
¤ Queen closer: This is obtained by cutting the brick longitudinally in
two equal parts. It can also be made from two quarter bricks, known
as the quarter closers, to minimize the wastage of bricks. A queen
closure is placed near the quoin header to obtain the necessary lap.
¤ King closer: This is obtained by cutting a triangular portion of the
brick such that half of header and half of stretcher are obtained on
the adjoining cut faces. A king closure is used near the door and
window openings to get satisfactory arrangement of mortar joints.
¤ BEVELED CLOSER
It is a form of king closer in which the whole length of the
brick (i.e. stretcher face) is chamfered or beveled in such
a way that half width is maintained at one end and full
width is maintained at the other end.
¤ MITRED CLOSER
It is a portion of a brick whose one end is cut splayed or
mitred for full width. The angle of splay may vary from
450 to 600. Thus one longer face of the mitred closer is of
full length of the brick while the other longer face is
smaller in length.
Picture of various types of Closures
Elevation of wall showing various
terminology
 BONDS
IN
BRICKWALLS
 Bonds
¨ Since masonry consists of a large number of individual
units jointed together with mortar so as to form one mass,
it is necessary to lay the units in such a way that, under
load, the units act jointly.
¨ The most important rule to be observed in this connection
is that vertical cross-joints in any course should be
staggered and these should not be nearer than a quarter
of brick length from those in the course below or above
that course.
 Types of Bonds in Brick masonry
¨ There are a number of brick laying arrangements in vogue-called
‘bonds’, of which those commonly used are:
¤ ‘Stretcher bond’,
¤ ‘Header bond’,
¤ ‘English bond’,
¤ ‘Double & Single Flemish bond’,
¤ Garden-wall bond,
n English garden wall bond
n Flemish garden wall bond
¤ Raking bond,
n Herring bone bond
n Diagonal bond
¤ English cross bond and
¤ Dutch bond.
STRETCHER
BOND
 Stretcher bond
¨ In this type of bond, all the bricks are arranged in the stretcher
courses.
¨ The stretcher bond is useful for one-brick partition walls; cavity
walls as there are no headers in such walls.
¨ As this bond does not develop proper internal bond, it should
not be used for walls having thickness greater than one-brick
wall.
¨ Stretcher bond in the brick is the simplest repeating pattern.
Isometric view, Elevation and plan of
Stretcher bond
HEADER
BOND
 Header bond
¨ In this type of bond, all the bricks are arranged in header
courses.
¨ The overlap is usually kept equal to half the width of brick and
it is achieved by using three-quarters brickbats in each
alternate courses as quoins.
¨ This bond does not have strength to transmit in the direction of
length of wall. Hence it is not suitable for load bearing walls.
¨ However this bond is used for curved surfaces in brickwork
because stretchers, if used for curved surfaces, would project
beyond the face of wall.
Isometric view, Elevation and plan of
Header bond
ENGLISH
BOND
 English Bond
¨ In this bond, bricks in the facing are laid as alternate header
and stretcher courses.
¨ The header course is commenced with a quoin header followed
by a queen closer and continued with successive headers. The
stretcher course is formed of stretchers, having a minimum lap
of one quarter brick length.
¨ This bond is considered to give the best strength in masonry
and is mostly adopted in all load bearing masonry that is to be
plastered over.
¨ In this bond when the wall is only one brick thick, one face is
fair and even, while the other face may be uneven due to
slight variations in length and breadth of units.
 Contd…
¨ If the wall thickness is an even multiple of half-brick, the same
course shows headers or stretchers in both front and back
elevations. But if the wall thickness is an uneven multiple of half-
brick, a course showing stretcher on the face elevation and
header on the back elevation and vice versa is seen.
¨ A header course should never stat with a queen closer as it is
liable to get displaced in this position.
¨ The queen closers are not required in the stretcher courses.
¨ In the stretcher course, the stretchers have a minimum lap of one-
fourth of their length over the headers.
¨ For walls having thickness of two bricks or more, the bricks are
laid as stretchers or headers only on the face courses of the wall.
The interior filling is done entirely with the headers.
 Isometric view of English Bond
1 brick thick wall
Header
Queen Course
Closer
Stretcher
Course
Stretcher
Course

Header
Course

Direction of
Elevation view
Elevation of 1 Brick thick
English bond
Plan for 1 brick thick wall (English Bond)

Back Back

Face Face

¤ H = Header
¤ S = Stretcher
¤ Q = Queen closer
Isometric view of English Bond
1 thick brick wall
૚

Header
૛

Course
Quarter
Queen closer Stretcher
Course

Three
quarter
bat for
stopped
end

Direction of
Elevation view
 1
Elevation of Brick thick
૚

English bond
૛
 Plan of 1 Brick thick
૚

English bond
૛

Header

Queen
closer
Quarter Queen
closer (or)
Quarter Bat Stretcher
SIMILARLY
 2
Elevation of 2 & Brick thick
૚

English bond
૛

Stopped
end
 Plan of 2 Brick thick
English bond [Stretcher Course]

Queen
closer
 Plan of 2 Brick thick
English bond [Header Course]

Queen
closer
 2
Isometric view of Brick thick
૚

English bond
૛
 2
Plan of Brick thick
૚

English bond [Stretcher course]

૛

Quarter
Queen closer

Queen
closer

H H H H

S S S
 2
Plan of Brick thick
૚

English bond [Header course]

૛

Quarter
Queen closer

Queen
closer S S S

H H H H
DOUBLE
FLEMISH
BOND
 Introduction
¨ In every course, headers and stretchers are placed
alternatively.
¨ The queen closer is put next to the quoin header in
alternate courses to develop the face lap.
¨ Every header is centrally supported over a stretcher
below it.
¨ The Flemish bond may be divided into two groups:
¤ Double Flemish bond
¤ Single Flemish bond
 Double Flemish bond
¨ In double Flemish bond, the headers and stretchers are placed
alternatively in front as well as the back elevations.
¨ For this type of bond, the half bats and three-quarter bats will
have to be used for wall thickness equal to odd number of half
bricks.
¨ For wall thickness equalqualal to even number
numb
num
mbeer of half
half bricks,
hal bricks, no
bri o bat
bats
b ts
will be required
re
equire
equ u ed and
annd sstretcher
d a stre etche
herr orr hea
hheader
a err will
ade w l co
ccome
ome
mee out
o t as
a
stretcherr orr a headerr inn thee samee coursee inn front
nt ass wellll ass back
elevations
ns.
ns
¨ This bond gives better appearance than the English bond. But
it is not so o strong
ng
g a as the English bond as it contains more
number of stretchers.
Elevation of Double Flemish Bond

Stopped
end
 Plan of 1 Brick thick
Double Flemish bond
 1
Isometric view of Brick thick
૚

Double Flemish bond

૛
 1
Plan of Brick thick
૚

Double Flemish bond

૛
 Plan of 2 Brick thick
Double Flemish bond

Stopped
end
SINGLE
FLEMISH
BOND
 Single Flemish bond
¨ In Single Flemish bond, the face elevation is of Flemish bond
and the filling as well as backing are of English bond.
¨ Thus, in this type of bond, an attempt is made to combine the
strength of the English bond with the appearance of the
Flemish bond. This type of bond is used when expensive bricks
are used for the face work.
¨ But in order to construct this bond, a wall of minimum
thickness 1 bricks is required.
૚
૛
 Front / Face elevation
(i.e. it resembles Double Flemish bond)

Stopped
end
Back Elevation [Pictorial representation only]
(i.e. it resembles English bond)

Stopped
end
 Plan showing Flemish bond, English
bond appearance in Single Flemish bond
 1
Isometric view of Brick thick
૚

Single Flemish Bond

૛
 1
Plan of Brick thick
૚

Single Flemish bond

૛

Stopped
end
Plan of 2 Brick thick
Single Flemish bond
 Recap of Basic definitions
¨ Quoin:
¤ It is the connection formed when two external walls meet.
Alternatively Quoin is the connection which is formed when the
wall takes a turn (generally 90o)
¨ Quoin brick:
¤ The brick, which forms the external corner of a wall is known as
“Quoin brick”.
¨ Quoin header:
¤ A corner header, in the face of wall, which is a stretcher in the
side wall is known as “Quoin header”.
¨ Quoin stretcher:
¤ A corner stretcher, in the face of a wall, which is header in the
side wall is known as “Quoin stretcher”
Comparison of English bond vs Flemish bond
English bond Flemish bond
Compact and stronger for walls Less Stronger & compact than
especially of thickness more than English bond.
1½ bricks.
Less pleasing appearance More attractive & pleasing

Cost is more Slightly Economical. (as it uses

broken brick bats, although it
requires some extra mortar for
additional joints)
No strict supervision required. Good Workmanship and careful
supervision required.
GARDEN-WALL
BOND
 Garden-wall bond
¨ This type of bond, as the name suggests, is used for the
construction of the boundary walls, compound walls, garden
walls, etc.
¨ The wall is one-brick wall thick and its height does not exceed
two meters.
¨ The wall may be constructed either in English bond or Flemish
bond.
English garden-wall bond
¤ In English garden-wall bond, one header course is provided to
three or five stretcher courses.
¤ The quoin headers are placed in alternate courses and a queen
closer is placed next to the quoin header in a header course to
develop necessary lap.
 Garden-wall English bond elevation
Queen
closer

H
S

H
Flemish garden-wall bond
¤ In Flemish garden-wall bond, each course contains one header to
three or five stretchers.
¤ A 3/4th brick bat is placed next to quoin header in every
alternate course to develop the necessary lap.
 Garden-wall Flemish bond elevation

S S S

H
3/4th
Bat

H
Pictures of Garden wall bond
DUTCH
BOND
 Dutch bond
¨ This is a modified form of the English bond and by this bond,
the corner of the wall is strengthened.
¨ The alternate courses are of headers and stretchers.
¨ The quoin of a stretcher course is a 3/4th bat.
¨ A header is introduced next to 3/4th bat in every alternate
stretcher course.
 Dutch bond elevation

H S

S S S

H S

H H H H H
ENGLISH
CROSS
BOND
 English Cross bond
¨ This is another modified form of English bond and it is used
to add beauty in the appearance of the wall.
¨ The alternate courses are of headers and stretchers.
¨ The queen closers are placed next to quoin headers.
¨ A header is introduced next to the quoin stretcher in every
alternate stretcher course.
 English cross bond elevation

Queen
closer

H H

S H S
Pictures of Various types of bonds

English bond
Pictures of Various types of bonds

Flemish bond with header bond on top of window

Pictures of Various types of bonds

Stretcher bond
 BONDS
AT
CONNECTIONS
 Introduction
¨ The walls in different directions are to be united at
certain places. These places are known as connections.
¨ The three requirements to be satisfied by bond at a
connection are:
¤ The vertical joints should not be continuous.
¤ The number of broken bricks to be used should be reduced
to a minimum.
¤ The connection should be structurally strong enough to
resist the differential settlement, if any.
¨ There are two forms of such connections:
¤ Junctions
¤ Quoins (Connection when two external walls meet, e.g.:
English bond, stretcher bond etc.,.)
 Junctions
¨ The connection between a main wall and a partition wall is
termed as a junction.
¨ Following are the points should be kept in view while providing
a junction:
¤ The header course of the e crosss wall enters the stretcher course of
the main wall.
¤ The alternate courses of the cross wall are simply abutting
[i.e. just touching] the mains wall.
¨ A junction is classified in two categories
¤ Right-angle junction
¤ Squint junction
 Right Angled Junction
¨ This type of junction has two forms:
¤ Tee-Junction:
n This type of right-angled junction forms the shape of the English
Letter T in Plan. It is formed when an internal wall at its end meets
the external wall some where in its mid position.
¤ Cross-Junction or intersection:
n When two continuous internal walls cross or intersect each other, a
cross junction is formed. One of the wall may be called a Main wall
and the lesser thick wall is called cross-wall.
¨ Following are the SOME OTHER points should be kept in view while
providing a cross- junction:
¤ The alternate courses of main walls which are nott continuous are
provided with tie bricks in the form of headers (from the cross walls) to
create the necessary bond and lap.
 T
JUNCTIONS
English Bond
(External walls)
Tee Junction of one brick thick external wall
and brick thick internal wall [PLAN]
૚
૛

Brick which goes inside

main wall, creating lap of
half brick

1st Course 2nd Course

English bond External wall (with plans of alternate courses) &

Stretcher bond Internal wall
 Tee Junction of 1
brick thick external wall
૚
૛
and ૚ brick thick internal wall [PLAN]

Brick which goes

inside main wall

1st Course 2nd Course

English bond External wall (with plans of alternate courses) &

English bond Internal wall
 Tee Junction of 1 brick thick external wall
૚

and 1 brick thick internal wall [PLAN]

૛
૚
૛

Brick which goes

inside main wall

1st Course 2nd Course

English bond External wall (with plans of alternate courses) &

English bond Internal wall
Double Flemish Bond
(External walls)
 Tee Junction of one brick thick external wall
and brick thick internal wall [PLAN]
૚
૛

Brick which goes

inside main wall

1st Course 2nd Course

Double Flemish bond External wall (with plans of alternate courses) &
Stretcher bond Internal wall
 Tee Junction of 1
brick thick external wall and 1
૚

brick thick internal wall [PLAN]

૛

Brick which goes

inside main wall

1st Course 2nd Course

Double Flemish bond External wall (with plans of alternate courses) &
English bond Internal wall
 Tee Junction of 1
brick thick external wall and 1
૚

brick thick internal wall [PLAN]

૛

Brick which goes

inside main wall

1st Course 2nd Course

Double Flemish bond External wall (with plans of alternate courses) &
Double Flemish bond Internal wall
Isometric views of T-Junctions
 CROSS
JUNCTIONS
Cross Junction of 1
brick thick Main wall and
૚

1 brick thick Cross wall [PLAN]

૛

1st Course 2nd Course

English bond Main wall (with plans of alternate courses) &

English bond Cross wall
Cross Junction of 1 brick thick Main wall and
૚

1 brick thick Cross wall [PLAN]

૛
૚
૛

1st Course 2nd Course

English bond Main wall (with plans of alternate courses) &

English bond Cross wall
Cross Junction of 2 brick thick Main wall and
1 brick thick Cross wall [PLAN]
૚
૛

1st Course 2nd Course

English bond Main wall (with plans of alternate courses) &

English bond Cross wall
 SQUINT
JUNCTIONS
 Squint Junctions
¨ A squint junction is formed when an internal wall
meets an external continuous wall at an angle other
than 90o.
¨ Usually the angle of squint is maintained as 45o.
¨ Also squint junctions are not very common in brick
masonry
English Bond
(External walls)
Squint Junction of 1
brick thick External wall
૚

and 1 brick thick Internal wall [PLAN]

૛

1st Course 2nd Course

English bond Main wall (with plans of alternate courses) &

English bond Cross wall
Squint Junction of 1 brick thick External wall
૚

and 1 brick thick Internal wall [PLAN]

૛
૚
૛

1st Course 2nd Course

English bond Main wall (with plans of alternate courses) &

English bond Cross wall
Double Flemish Bond
(External walls)
Squint Junction of 1
brick thick external wall
૚

and 1 brick thick internal wall [PLAN]

૛

1st Course 2nd Course

Double Flemish bond Main wall (with plans of alternate courses) &
Double Flemish bond Cross wall
Squint Junction of 1 brick thick external wall
૚

and 1 brick thick internal wall [PLAN]

૛
૚
૛

1st Course 2nd Course

Double Flemish bond Main wall (with plans of alternate courses) &
Double Flemish bond Cross wall
 Building Elements:
Stone Masonry walls
 Building Elements:
Stone Masonry walls
¨ Stone masonry is the made of stone units bonded with
mortar.
¨ For stone masonry, the following two materials are required:
¤ Stones: Depending upon the availability, the stones are
selected. The stones to be used in the work should be hard,
durable, tough and free from any defects. Common stones
used in India are Basalt and Trap, Gneiss, Granite, Marble,
Quartzite, Slate, Sandstone etc.,.
¤ Mortar: The mortar is required to keep the stones in position. It
is prepared by mixing lime or cement (binder) with sand and
after adding water, it is placed in the joints.
The type of mortar to be used will depend on the strength
required, load coming on the structure, resistance desired for
weathering agencies, etc.
 Dressing of stones
[CONCEPT CLARITY]
¨ Hammer faced: This type of dressing is done just by knocking
out the sharp edges on the face of the block.
¨ Chisel drafted: Depending upon the size of the block, a 30 –
50 mm wide margin is worked around the face of the stone
with a chisel. Only the central portion of the block remains
hammer faced.
¨ Boasted finish: Boaster is a chisel having edge of about 60
mm. Using the boaster, non-continuous parallel marks are
made on the surface of the stone. The lines may be vertical,
horizontal or in any other direction.
¨ Reticulated finish: In this type of finish, a 20 mm wide margin
is made along the edges of the stone and irregular sinking's
about 10 mm wide and 5 mm deep are marked in the interior
portion.
 Contd…
¨ Rubbed finish: This type of finish is obtained by rubbing the
face of stone with help of a rotating steel disc. Water and
sand are used to accelerate the process of rubbing.
¨ Plain finish: The surface of stone is made more or less smooth
using a saw or a chisel.
¨ Polished finish: Marbles and granites are polished with hand
or with machines to get shining surfaces.
¨ Tooled Finish: This type of finish is obtained with the help of
chisels. The finish consists of continuous parallel chisel marks in
vertical, horizontal or in any other direction.
 Contd…
¨ Sand Blasting: Sand blasting is the process of making carvings
on the surface of stone. In this process, the surface is first
covered with a molten glue-like compound. After it hardens,
designs are printed and the glue coating is removed from the
portion to be cut. Then a stream of powdered carborundum is
blown with the help of compressed air. It cuts the exposed
surface of the stone, while the coated surface is unaffected.
The coating is then removed to get the surface with carving.
Representation of various types of stone finishes

Hammer Finished Chisel drafted

Tooled finish surface

Pictures of Chisel Dressing
Pictures of Hammer dressing of Stones
 TERMINOLOGY
[CONCPET CLARITY]
¨ Facing: The material used in the face of the wall is known as
facing.
¨ Backing: The material used in the back portion of the wall is
known as backing.
¨ Hearting: The portion of the wall between the facing and
backing is known as hearting.
¨ Through stone: Some stones at regular interval are provided
right across the wall. Such stones are known as through stones.
¤ If wall is considerably thick, two through stones with an overlap may
be provided.
¨ Dressing: The Dressing of stone is defined as “The process of
giving a proper size, shape and finish to the roughly
broken stones as obtained from the quarry.”
Issues of continuous long vertical joints
Figure of “Through stones”
Picture showing various terminology
Various Stones used in Masonry
 Classification of Stone Masonry
¨ There are two types of stone masonry –
¤ Rubble masonry and
¤ Ashlar masonry

¨ Ashlarr masonry consists of prepared stone work, i.e. stone is

dressed or cut in regular shapes. The stones are usually laid in
parallel courses.
¨ On the other hand, maso
hannd,, masonry
sonnry laid
id uus
using irregular shaped stones is
known as random rubble masonry.
 Classification of Stone Masonry
¨ The stone masonry in the above two categories can be further
classified as shown below
 RUBBLE
MASONRY
 Rubble masonry
¨ Rubble Masonry: In this type of construction, the stones of
irregular sizes are used. The stones, as obtained from quarry, are
taken in use in the same form ey ma
m or they may
m ayy bee br
broken
rokken andd shaped
shaa
in suitable sizes by means of hammerer ass thee workk proceedsds.
¨ As far as possible the stones used for rubble masonry should be
angular
g arar.
¨ The strength of the rubble masonry mainly depends on three
factors:
¤ the quality of mortar,
¤ the use of long through stones at frequent intervals, and
¤ the proper filling of the mortar between the spaces of stones.
¨ The different types of the rubble masonry are described as
follows.
 Uncoursed Rubble Masonry /
Random Rubble Masonry (RR)
¨ In this type of rubble masonry, the stones of irregular sizes and
shapes are used, except knocking out some corners.
¨ The stones are arranged so as to have a good appearance.
¨ It is to be noted that more skill is required to make this masonry
structurally stable.
¨ Further it is categorized into two types:
¤ If the face stones are chisel-dressed and the thickness of mortar
joints does not exceed 6 mm, it is known as random rubble
masonry I sort.
¤ If the face stones are hammer dressed and thickness of mortar joints
does not exceed 12 mm, it is known as random rubble masonry II
sort.
 Contd…
¨ Also, it is necessary to use long through stones at frequent
intervals. Care should be taken to break the long continuous
vertical joints.
Laying of the RR masonry:
¨ The er stoness aree laid
e larger d first
st and
d thee spacess between them
are then filled up by means of spalls or snecks (smaller
irregular pieces).
¨ The brought to a level every 300 mm to 500 mm.

¨ This is the roughest and one of the cheapest form of stone

walling.
¨ This type of rubble masonry being cheaper, is used for

construction of compound walls, godowns, garages, labour

quarters etc.,.
Elevation and section of Uncoursed rubble
masonry / Random Rubble Masonry (RR)
Plan of Uncoursed rubble masonry / Random
Rubble Masonry (RR)

(c) Plan
 Coursed Rubble Stone Masonry (CRS) /
Random Rubble Masonry Built to Courses
¨ In this type of Masonry, the heights of stones in courses are roughly
levelled and thus vary from 150 mm to 300 mm (Some text books also
mention of 300 to 450 mm).
¨ The stoneses are sorted
sor
orte
ed out before
b the work commences. Face stones
should bee hammerr dressed on all beds and joints so as to give them
approximate rectangular shape and also the bushings do not project
by more than 40 mm, and face joints are truly vertical / horizontal.
¨ The masonry work is then carried out in courses such that the stones in
particular course are of equal heights.
¨ Stones should be laid as headers and stretchers alternatively.
¨ This type of masonry is used for construction of public buildings,
residential buildings, etc.
¨ The coursed rubble masonry is further divided into three categories.
¤ Coursed rubble masonry I sort (CRS I)
Only these two
¤ Coursed rubble masonry II sort (CRS II) are in syllabus
¤ Coursed rubble masonry III sort (CRS III)
 Comparison of Sort I and Sort II
¨ In masonry of first sort, height of all courses should be same
while in masonry of second sort,, heightt off coursess mayy vary
but height of any course should not be greater than that of a
course below it and difference in height of 2 adjacent courses
should not exceed 2.5 cm.
¨ In the latter variety (Sort II) of masonry, at places 2 stones
could be used in the face to make up height of a course.
¨ In Sort I, the thickness of mortar joint does not exceed 10 mm,
whereas in Sort II, the thickness of mortar joints is 20 mm.
¨ Volume of chips used for filling interstices (Void spaces) in the
hearting should not exceed 10 percent in case of this masonry
of first sort and 15 percent in case of masonry of second sort.
Elevation, Plan & Section of CRS I
X

T Through Stone

Mortar joints not

greater than 10mm

Through Stone

Through Stone

Face bushings not X-X

greater than 40mm
Elevation, Plan & Section of CRS II
X
T Through Stone

Mortar joints not

greater than 20mm

Through Stone

Through Stone

X-X
 CRS III sort
(Coursed rubble masonry III sort )
¨ It is similar to sort I except the following:
1) The stones to be used are of different heights, the minimum being
50 mm.
2) The courses need not be of equal heights.
3) Only three stones are to be used to make up the height of one
course.
4) The thickness of mortar joints is 20 mm.
 Dry Rubble Masonry
¨ This is just similar in construction to the coursed rubble
masonry. However, walls are built in courses, but without mortar.
¨ This type of masonry is extensively used for the construction of
compound walls, pitching on bridge approaches, retaining walls,
etc.
¨ It is the cheapest type of construction, but it requires skilled
masons.
¨ In order to prevent displacement of stones and to make work
more stable, the two courses at top and about 500 mm
length at ends are sometimes built in mortar.
Elevation of Dry rubble Masonry
Picture of Dry rubble Masonry
 Miscellaneous types of Masonry
¨ Polygonal rubble masonry: In this case, hammer finished
stones are arranged ppolygonal
d too givee polygoona
aall sh
shape
hapee onn thee face. Such
work can be carried out by a skilled d mason.
¨ Flint rubble masonry: In flint rubble masonry, flints of varying
thickness, from 50 – 75 mm and length 150 – 300 mm are
used.. Thee stoness aree extremelyy hard d but
ut brittle. The strength of
the wall may be increased by providing tacking courses of
bricks or tiles. In this case also, the construction may be coursed
or uncoursed.
¤ Flint is a hard, tough chemical or biochemical sedimentary rock
that breaks with a conchoidal fracture. It is a form
of microcrystalline quartz that is typically called “chert” by
geologists.
Elevation of Polygonal Rubble Masonry
Picture of Polygonal Rubble Masonry
Flint Rubble Masonry
X

X
X -X
Picture of Flint Rubble Masonry
 ASHLAR
MASONRY
 Ashlar Masonry
¨ In this type of masonry, stones are cut neatly in regular shapes.
The height of stones is 250 – 300 mm.
¨ They are either square or rectangular in shape.
¨ All the stones in a course have the same height, but the height
need not be same for all courses. The length of the stone should
not be more than three times the height and it should not be less
than half the height.
¨ The different types of the Ashlar masonry are described as
follows.
 Contd…
¨ Ashlar Fine tooled masonry: In this type of masonry, blocks
are chisel dressed on all the faces. They are built in regular
courses of not less than 300 mm. The mortar joints do not
exceed 3 mm. This is the finest type of stone masonry and also
the costliest.
¨ Ashlar rough tooled masonry: In this case, the bed and sides
are fine chiselled. On the facing side, only a strip of 25 mm
wide around the perimeter is chisel finished. The inside facing
remains rough dressed. The thickness of the mortar joints may
be upto 6 mm.
 Contd…
¨ Ashlar rock or quarry faced: In this case, blocks have straight
bases and edges. On the facing side a strip of 25 mm is chisel
finished along the perimeter. But the interior of the face
remains quarry finished only. However, large projections
exceeding 80 mm are removed by hammering. The thickness of
mortar joints may be upto 10mm.
¨ Ashlar chamfered: In this type of facing, the strip around the
periphery is chamfered at an angle of 45o. Then another strip
of 12 mm width is provided. The interior remains quarry
finished only. However, if the projections are more than 80 mm,
they are removed by hammering.
 Contd…
¨ Ashlar Block in course: This type is intermediate between
rubble and ashlar masonry. The height of blocks in each course
is same, but it need not be the same in all courses. The height in
each course may vary from 150 to 300 mm. The faces are
hammer dressed only. The vertical joints are not as straight and
fine as in other ashlar masonry.
¨ This type of construction is adopted in heavy works like
retaining walls, piers of bridges etc.,.
Ashlar Fine Tooled Masonry

Through
Mortar joints not stone
greater than 3mm

SECTION
Ashlar Chamfered Masonry

Chamfered
Edge
Ashlar Block-In-Course Masonry
X

Through
stone

X
ELEVATION
Pictures of Ashlar Fine and Rough Masonry
Pictures of Ashlar Chamfered
 Comparison of Stone Masonry and
Brick Masonry
Description Stone Masonry Brick Masonry
Uses Construction of Piers, Residential buildings
dams, docks, marine
structures, residential and
Monumental buildings
Strength High crushing strength Much less
Durability Excellent Excellent
Appearance No treatment necessary Flimsy and requires
plastering
Source Natural Artificial product
Danger from No such danger Causes disintegration
Dampness
Handling Requires lifting devices Easy to handle
Fire resistance Less More
 Comparison of Stone Masonry and
Brick Masonry
Description Stone Masonry Brick Masonry
Cost High cost usage. It is Much less cost and
restricted to hilly areas or easily available
stone regions
Bond It requires a great deal of Regular shape and size
time and extra labour in results in quick
maintain proper bond construction of bond
Construction High skilled labour Ordinary skilled labour
required required
Moulding into Not convenient Convenient
desired shape
 THANK YOU
&
ALL THE VERY
BEST
 Conventional questions
¨ Define header and stretcher with figure.
¨ Differentiate Rubble Masonry and Ashlar Masonry. Mention
further classification of Rubble masonry.
¨ Mention the different types of bonds used in brick masonry
and discuss in detail any two of them with figures.
¨ Draw the plan section and elevation of Coursed rubble
masonry sort 1 (CRS I); sort 2 (CRS II)
¨ Compare English bond and Flemish bond
¨ Differentiate between stone masonry and brick masonry
¨ Sketch elevation and section of
¤ Dry rubble masonry
¤ Ashlar masonry
¤ Random rubble masonry
 Conventional questions
¨ Mention the different types of bonds used in brick masonry and
discuss in detail any two of them with figures.
¨ State the different classifications in detail of stone masonry.
¨ Compare brick masonry and stone masonry on the basis of cost,
strength , durability and appearance.
¨ Define the following terms with neat sketches where ever necessary:
¤ Arises, Perpends, Header, Stretcher, Lap, Bat, Bullnose, Bevelled closer,
Queen closer.
¨ Differentiate between
¤ Queen closer and King closer
¤ Double Flemish bond and Single Flemish bond
¤ Tee-Junction and Cross-junction
¤ Bevelled closer and mitred closer
¤ Traditional bricks and Modular bricks
 Conventional questions
¨ Give sketches of the following
¤ English bond
¤ Garden-wall bond
¤ Dutch bond
¤ English Cross bond
¤ Header bond
¤ Stretcher bond
¨ Give the details of 1 brick wall; 1 ½ brick wall and 2 brick
wall constructed in
¤ EnglishBond
¤ Flemish Bond