Are you looking for a building solution that combines strength, durability and aesthetics? Then masonry construction might be the perfect choice for your project. Whether you are building a luxury home, a commercial building, or trying to add a stylish look, masonry works can be the one-stop solution for all. They have been used over thousands of years, and have proved to be a successful construction method. Let’s take a look at masonry construction in detail, to check if this is what you are looking for.
What is Masonry Construction?
Masonry construction is one of the building techniques that employ individual construction materials such as bricks, stones, or concrete blocks. These materials are stacked and bound together using mortar to form a structure possessing the necessary strength and stability. Such construction types are quite commonly adopted to make walls, foundations, columns, and arches for residential or commercial projects.
Types of Masonry Construction
Brick Masonry
Brick masonry is a construction technique that uses burnt clay bricks as the primary construction material. Here, the bricks are set in mortar in a pattern to form structures of high strength and durability with aesthetic appeal. The uniform rectangular shape of the bricks assists the efficient placement and interlocking to give a uniform and consistent appearance, all across the surface members, hence apt for being used in residential and commercial buildings.
Stone Masonry
Stone masonry employs natural stones as the main construction material. The stones used in this masonry are either shaped by the architect or are chiselled into different shapes and sizes to suit the other stones to form a structure together. It gives a timeless, rugged, and natural look combined with exceptional durability and resistance. Hence, it is an ideal option for the construction of historic buildings, castles, and modern luxury homes.
Concrete Block Masonry
Concrete blocks are large, precast units that are made using concrete, either solid or hollow. Concrete block masonry works in a way similar to brick masonry, but here instead of clay bricks, larger concrete blocks are used. This masonry is quite economical, easy to construct with, and provides good insulation; hence very suitable for foundation walls, basement walls, and large commercial constructions.
Composite Masonry
Composite masonry combines the use of bricks, stones and concrete blocks harmoniously to produce a structure. This gives the masonry advantages of each of these materials, maximizing performance and aesthetic appeal. It provides increased strength, durability, and flexibility in terms of design and construction. This kind of masonry will find itself applied in large commercial buildings, multi-story buildings, and garden walls.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Masonry Work
Advantages
- It is much longer lasting than other forms of structure.
- Bricks and stones are some of the masonry materials that provide very high compressive strength for the application and thus have the capacity to hold heavy loads.
- Most of the materials used in the masonry works are fire-resistant or non-combustible for much better resistance to fire.
- The materials used in the construction make it very effective in maintaining the room temperature, hence having lower energy costs.
- Different types of bonding give all structures a slightly different appearance, thus captivating.
Disadvantages
- The major drawback that masonry construction possesses is the requirement of unskilled labour for the installation, thus increasing the labour costs.
- Mason work tends to be relatively slower than other construction on the same project. Thus, more time is expected to be consumed in construction.
- Moisture susceptibility is high, especially if not protected.
- The construction cost is very high due to the high demand for skilled labour, time, and expensive materials.
Materials Used in Masonry Work
The following materials are used for Masonry works according to the type of masonry.
- Bricks
- Stones
- Concrete blocks
- Mortar (Cement and Sand)
- Reinforcement
Methods of Masonry Construction
Traditional Bond Patterns for Brick Masonry
- Running Bond: The bricks are laid with stretchers and each brick is laid with its long side along the running bond.
- Stacking Bond: The bricks are aligned vertically one over the other and have low strength, making them suitable for decorative purposes.
- English Bond: Brick laying pattern that alternates between courses of stretcher and header. This is a strong bond and is commonly used for brick walls.
- Flemish Bond: Alternate between the bricks laid with stretches and headers, creating a distinctive pattern.
Dry Stack Masonry
This method involves the placement of stones without mortar. The technique of this masonry work depends on precise cutting and fitting. This masonry is most commonly used for retaining walls and decorative stonework.
Veneer Masonry
A veneer is a non-structural layer that is applied to a wall to enhance its appearance. It is the process of attaching thin bricks or stones over a structural element, typically over concrete or wood framing.
Step-by-Step Masonry Construction Process
- Prepare the ground surface, and ensure that the structure is properly levelled and graded.
- Prepare the mortar by blending cement, sand, or other adhesives with the appropriate amount of water. Blend all the raw materials into a mixture that is suitable for binding the masonry material together.
- Prepare the bricks/stones/blocks necessary for the construction of the structure.
- Put some cement mortar of the right consistency on the ground surface before placing the first layer of bricks/stones/blocks.
- The bricks/stones/blocks are placed over the cement mortar, based on the type of bond.
- Place all the material in the same alignment throughout the first course with small gaps for mortar. In case of stones, the gap should be thin.
- Use a spirit level or bob level to check whether the angle is accurately 90 degrees.
- Put some mortar over the first layer and start arranging the materials over it and repeat the process, until the desired height is reached.
Conclusion
To sum it up, masonry structures are durable, aesthetically pleasing, and versatile enough for many purposes. It also involves a variety of materials such as bricks, stones, concrete blocks, and veneers to give a durable structure along with distinctive design features. If proper masonry techniques are practised, then its life can be ensured to extend to a lifetime, so considered one of the most authentic construction practices.