Construction 1

Bricks and Blocks

By
Roderick Nairn

rod@woodpeckerdesigns.co.uk

Bricks
Why do I need to know about them?
Your design needs to be in context
Bricks can create unity and mood
Bricks are multifunctional

BRICK TYPES

BRICK TYPES

Anatomy Of A Brick

Brick Dimensions

Nominal or Co-ordinating Size

Brickwork Bonds
Common Types
Stretcher Bond
Header Bond
English Bond
Flemish Bond

Stretcher Bond

Stretcher Bond - Section

Header Bond

English Bond

English Bond - Section

Flemish Bond

Flemish Bond - Section

Garden Wall Bonds

Mortar

Mix

OPC : Lime : Soft Sand

OPC : Soft Sand + Plasticiser

Average Bricklaying Mix

1:1:8

1:4

Strong Mix

1:1:6

1:3

Frost Resistance and Efflorescence

Frost Resistance and Efflorescence

Frost Resistance and Efflorescence

Brick Durability Designation
F 0 no exposure

S 0 Dry only

F 1 moderate exposure

S1 normal exposure

F2 severe exposure

S2 prolonged
saturation is ok

Frost Resistance and Efflorescence

A Simple Wall

Capping and Coping

(These terms are often interchangeable)

To prevent rain from entering the top of the wall

To shed water away from the wall
Aesthetic reasons

Capping
(The same depth as the wall)

Creasing Tiles

Why Bother with Creasing Tiles?

Coping
(Projects out further than the wall)

Coping

Coping

Coping

Jointing and Pointing

Jointing The jointing is carried out as the bricks are
being laid
Pointing Carried out when the wall is complete.

Pointing Profiles

Blocks
Dense Concrete Block

Blocks
Dense Concrete Block

Blocks

Blocks

Blocks

Cellular Concrete
Block

Using Cellular Blocks

Blocks

Pitch Faced Blocks

Piers
Attached Piers Strengthen the wall and are
bonded to it
Gate Piers are often a two brick hollow pier
filled with concrete built around steel rods
Freestanding Piers for pergolas, plinths and
other garden features

Attached
Pier

Gate Pier

Gate Pier

Capping Detail

Gate Pier

Serpentine Wall

Serpentine Wall

Serpentine Wall

Foundations
Foundations will :Distribute the weight of the structure
Protect from frost damage
Stabilise against the wind

Concrete
Mix

Type of Concrete Work

Ratio

C7.5

Weak mix for light foundations, haunching and slab laying

1:3:6

C20

Concrete Foundations, sub bases, general reinforced concrete

1:2:4

C30

Heavy reinforced work, cast steps, waterproof floors and tanks

1:1:3

Foundations

Foundations

Retaining Walls
Always consult a structural engineer for advice
about walls above 900mm before specifying.

These are required if :You are creating level ground in a limited space
You are creating steps, ramps and terracing
You are creating raised beds, planters or pools

Retaining Walls
A Stone Gravity Wall

Block Retaining Wall

Low Brick Retaining Wall

Brick Retaining Wall

Brick Retaining Wall Section

Sleeper Retaining Walls

Sleeper Retaining Walls

Sleeper Retaining Walls

Sleeper Retaining Walls

Gabion Retaining Walls - Stepped

Gabion Retaining Walls - Stepped

Gabion Retaining Walls - Battered

Gabion Retaining Walls - Battered

Gabion Retaining Walls

Gabion Wall

Gabion Wall

Gabion Wall

Gabion Wall

Cantilevered Walls