Brick Bonding in Masonry
Bonding in brick masonry refers to the systematic interlocking of bricks within each layer (or course), where each brick in a new course overlaps the bricks directly below or above it. This interlacement ensures the continuity and strength of the wall by offsetting the vertical joints in successive courses. Different bonding styles create distinctive patterns on the wall’s face, which are identifiable by their unique alignment.
Proper bonding is critical for the stability and durability of masonry walls. Bricks used in construction are uniform in size, but without proper bonding, continuous vertical joints would weaken the wall, compromising its load-bearing capacity. A well-bonded wall distributes concentrated loads over a broader area, enhancing stability. Given the small, uniform nature of bricks, achieving a strong bond is straightforward when standard rules are applied.
Following are some essential Rules for Effective Brick Bonding:
Uniform Brick Size:
Bricks should be consistent in size, with the length measuring approximately twice the width plus the width of one joint. This proportion ensures a uniform lap across the wall, which is necessary for a strong bond. Uneven laps lead to weak bonds and compromised stability.Minimum Lap Requirement:
- A minimum lap of ¼-brick should be maintained along the wall’s length.
- A minimum lap of ½-brick should be used across the wall’s thickness.
Avoidance of Brick Bats:
The use of brick bats (partial bricks) should be minimized and only applied in specific, necessary locations. Excessive use can weaken the wall’s structural integrity.Alignment of Headers and Stretchers:
In alternate courses, the center line of each header should align with the center line of the stretcher in the course directly below or above it. This alignment enhances structural interlocking and balance.Consistent Vertical Joint Placement:
The vertical joints in every alternate course should align along the same vertical axis (or perpend), creating a balanced load distribution.Proper Use of Stretchers and Headers:
Stretchers should only appear on the wall’s face, while the inner portion, or hearting, should consist exclusively of headers to maximize the wall’s strength.Header Course Integration:
To reinforce stability, incorporate a header course every sixth row on both sides of the wall.
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Types of Brick Bonds in Masonry
In brick masonry, several types of bonds are utilized to create structural integrity and desired patterns. Each bond type has unique characteristics and applications. The main types include:
- Stretcher Bond
- Header Bond
- English Bond
- Flemish Bond
- Facing Bond
- English Cross Bond
- Brick on Edge Bond
- Dutch Bond
- Raking Bond
- Zigzag Bond
- Garden Wall Bond
1. Stretcher Bond
The stretcher bond, or stretching bond, is a common pattern in masonry where all bricks are laid with their long faces, or stretchers, visible on the outer surface of the wall. In this bond, each brick’s length aligns with the wall’s direction, creating a smooth and uniform appearance. The stretcher bond is primarily used for walls with a thickness of half a brick (about 9 cm), which makes it ideal for partition walls, sleeper walls, division walls, and chimney stacks. However, this bond is unsuitable for walls thicker than half a brick, as it lacks the structural interlocking strength needed to support heavier loads in thicker walls.
2. Header Bond
The header bond, also known as the heading bond, is a masonry pattern in which all bricks are laid with their short sides, or headers, facing outward. This arrangement positions the width of each brick along the wall’s direction, and it is typically used in walls with a thickness of one full brick (18 cm). In this bond, bricks are overlapped by half their width (approximately 4.5 cm), achieved by placing three-quarter brick bats as quoins (corner bricks) in every alternate course.
Strength and Application: While the header bond is not structurally strong enough to bear loads along the wall’s length, it offers a unique advantage for curved brickwork. In curved structures, stretchers may extend beyond the face of the wall, requiring awkward cuts; the header bond eliminates this issue. This bond is also commonly used in footing construction, where its layout contributes to stability without needing to support heavy vertical loads.
3. English Bond
The English bond is one of the strongest and most widely used brick bonding patterns, suitable for walls of all thicknesses. This bond is characterized by alternate courses of headers and stretchers: each course either displays headers (short faces of bricks) or stretchers (long faces of bricks) in a repeated, structured pattern. In the English bond, vertical joints in the header courses align with one another, and similarly, the vertical joints in the stretcher courses also line up.
To ensure the stability of the wall by breaking vertical joints between successive courses, a queen closer is positioned next to the first header (or quoin header) in each header course. For thicker walls, only headers are used for the hearting (central portion), strengthening the structure further.
Essential Features of the English Bond:
- Alternate Courses: Each course consists entirely of either headers or stretchers.
- Alignment: Every header aligns centrally over the joint between two stretchers in the course below, providing stability.
- Minimum Lap: Stretchers in each course overlap the headers below by at least ¼ of their length.
- No Continuous Vertical Joints: Vertical joints do not run continuously through the courses, enhancing the bond’s strength.
- Wall Appearance:
- For walls with an even number of half-bricks (e.g., 1-brick, 2-brick thick walls), both front and back faces show the same bond pattern (headers or stretchers).
- For walls with an odd number of half-bricks (e.g., 1.5-brick, 2.5-brick thick walls), one face displays stretchers, while the other shows headers.
- Hearting Composition: The middle portion of thicker walls consists only of headers for added stability.
- Transverse Joints: At least every alternate transverse joint runs continuously across the wall from one face to the other.
- Placement of Queen’s Closers: A header course should not begin with a queen closer, as it may shift. Instead, the queen closer is placed immediately after the quoin header, and it is not used in stretcher courses.
- Joint Thickness: Since header courses have twice the number of vertical joints compared to stretcher courses, the joints in the header courses are typically made thinner to maintain structural balance.
4. Flemish bond
The Flemish bond is a type of brickwork pattern where each course is composed of alternating headers and stretchers. This bond is unique in that it alternates the placement of headers and stretchers in every course, creating a visually appealing, interlocking pattern. To ensure a consistent lap, quoin closers are positioned next to the quoin headers in alternating courses. Flemish bonds provide a balanced appearance and include two main types:
- Double Flemish Bond
- Single Flemish Bond
i. Double Flemish Bond
In the double Flemish bond, each course presents the same appearance on both the front and back faces of the wall, with alternating headers and stretchers laid in each course. This pattern creates a more decorative finish than the English bond, making it preferred for structures where aesthetics are important.
Following are Special Features of the Double Flemish Bond:
- Each course contains headers and stretchers placed alternately.
- Both the front and back faces of the wall have the same alternating appearance, adding symmetry.
- Quoin closers are used next to quoin headers in every alternate course to maintain the lap.
- For walls with thickness equal to an odd multiple of half bricks (e.g., 1.5-brick thickness), half-bats and three-quarter bats are commonly used.
- For walls with thickness equal to an even multiple of half bricks (e.g., 1-brick or 2-brick thick walls), no bats are needed. Headers and stretchers will appear uniformly on both faces.
This pattern is particularly valued in decorative or facing brickwork where a uniform, alternating look is desired on both sides of the wall.
ii. Single Flemish Bond
A Single Flemish Bond combines the appearance of a double Flemish bond on the face of the wall with the strength of an English bond for the backing and hearting in each course. This method leverages both the aesthetic qualities of the Flemish bond and the structural robustness of the English bond.
- Usage: Suitable for walls with a minimum thickness of 1.5 bricks.
- Materials: High-quality bricks are used for the facing, while less expensive bricks are typically used for the backing and hearting.
5. Facing bond
The facing bond is a specialized masonry pattern used when bricks of different thicknesses are used for the facing and backing of a wall. In this bond, a header course is inserted after several stretcher courses to tie the two layers together. Due to the differing brick thicknesses in the facing and backing, the vertical spacing between successive header courses is adjusted to the least common multiple (LCM) of the thicknesses of the backing and facing bricks.
For example, if the facing bricks are 10 cm thick and the backing bricks are 9 cm thick, header courses would be placed at a vertical interval of 90 cm. However, this type of bond has limited structural strength and does not provide uniform load distribution, so it is often reserved for non-load-bearing walls or decorative applications where aesthetic continuity is the primary goal.
6. English Cross Bond
The English Cross Bond is a refined version of the traditional English bond, designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the wall while maintaining structural integrity. This bond is ideal for structures where both beauty and strength are essential.
Key Features of the English Cross Bond:
- Alternate Courses of Headers and Stretchers: As with the English bond, this bond alternates between courses of headers and stretchers, ensuring a stable structure.
- Queen Closers Next to Quoin Headers: To achieve a strong bond, queen closers are placed immediately next to the quoin headers.
- Additional Header in Alternate Stretcher Courses: In every alternate stretcher course, a header is introduced next to the quoin stretcher, creating a visually balanced pattern while increasing strength.
The English Cross Bond is often chosen for decorative walls or prominent structures, where the enhanced pattern adds both visual appeal and resilience.
7. Brick on Edge Bond (Silverlock’s Bond or Soldier’s Course)
The Brick on Edge Bond is a unique masonry pattern where stretcher bricks are placed on their edges rather than laid flat on their beds. Known for its cost-effectiveness rather than strength, this bond is commonly used for garden walls, compound walls, and similar structures where heavy load-bearing is not required.
In this bond, bricks are positioned vertically on their ends, with headers placed flat on the bed and stretchers set on their edges. This arrangement creates a continuous cavity, allowing the bond to use fewer bricks while maintaining an appealing, economical structure. However, because of its limited strength, the Brick on Edge Bond is typically reserved for non-load-bearing applications.
8. Dutch Bond
The Dutch Bond is a variation of the English bond, specifically designed to strengthen wall corners. This bond is preferred for walls that require extra reinforcement at the corners, offering both durability and aesthetic appeal.
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Key Characteristics of the Dutch Bond:
- Alternate Courses of Headers and Stretchers: Like the English bond, it alternates between header and stretcher courses, ensuring a solid structure.
- Three-Quarter Bat at Quoin in Stretcher Courses: Each stretcher course begins at the quoin (corner) with a three-quarter bat, which provides additional corner stability.
- Header Next to Three-Quarter Bat in Alternate Stretcher Courses: In every alternate stretcher course, a header is placed next to the three-quarter bat at the quoin, further reinforcing the bond pattern and enhancing the wall’s strength.
The Dutch Bond’s unique arrangement makes it an excellent choice for corner stability in walls, combining the strength of an English bond with added structural s
9. Raking Bond
The Raking Bond is a specialized bond pattern used in thick walls to enhance longitudinal stability, especially in walls built with the English bond. In this bond, bonding bricks are laid at an angle to the wall’s direction, which effectively strengthens the wall’s structural integrity. Raking bonds are typically included at specific intervals along the wall’s height for added stability.
Key Features of the Raking Bond:
- Inclined Brick Arrangement: Bricks are laid at an inclined angle within the space between the outer stretchers, contributing to enhanced longitudinal stability.
- Alternating Inclination: The inclination alternates direction in each raking bond course to distribute load effectively and strengthen the structure.
- Regular Intervals: Raking bonds are generally inserted every four to eight courses along the wall height for optimal stability.
- Positioning within Wall Courses: In walls that are even multiples of half-brick thickness, raking bonds are usually introduced between two stretcher courses to maximize bonding strength.
Types of Raking Bonds:
Diagonal Bond: Bricks are arranged at 45° angles, ensuring the corners of each series contact the outer line of stretchers. Small, triangular bricks are fitted at the edges to fill gaps. This bond is ideal for walls two to four bricks thick and is usually placed at intervals of every fifth or seventh course.
Herringbone Bond: Best suited for walls thicker than four bricks, bricks in this bond are set at 45° in two opposite directions from the wall center. This arrangement, repeated at regular intervals, not only strengthens but also provides an ornamental finish on the wall face, often used in brick flooring and decorative surfaces.
10. Zigzag Bond
The Zigzag Bond is a decorative bond pattern similar to the Herringbone Bond, with bricks arranged in a distinctive zigzag pattern rather than at fixed angles. This bond is commonly employed in ornamental brick panels and flooring to create an eye-catching design.
Key Features of Zigzag Bond:
- Pattern: Bricks are laid in a zigzag configuration across the surface, which gives a dynamic visual effect compared to the more uniform herringbone bond.
- Usage: Due to its decorative nature, the zigzag bond is often used in brick flooring or as an ornamental feature in wall panels, adding aesthetic appeal to surfaces.
This bond provides both visual variety and craftsmanship, ideal for applications where design is a priority.
11. Garden Wall Bond
The Garden Wall Bond is specifically designed for constructing garden, boundary, and compound walls, particularly when the wall thickness is one brick and the height does not exceed two meters. While not as structurally strong as the English bond, the garden wall bond is preferred for its aesthetic appeal and is sometimes used for the outer leaves of cavity walls.
Types of Garden Wall Bonds:
The Garden Wall Bond is specifically designed for constructing garden, boundary, and compound walls, particularly when the wall thickness is one brick and the height does not exceed two meters. While not as structurally strong as the English bond, the garden wall bond is preferred for its aesthetic appeal and is sometimes used for the outer leaves of cavity walls.
Garden Wall English Bond:
- The header course appears after every three to five stretcher courses.
- In each header course, a queen closer is placed next to the quoin header to ensure necessary lap.
- In the stretcher courses, quoin headers are positioned in alternating courses for stability.
Garden Wall Flemish Bond (also known as Scotch Bond or Sussex Bond):
- Each course features one header following three to five continuous stretchers along the length of the course.
- Every alternate course has a three-quarter brick bat next to the quoin header, creating the necessary lap and ensuring stability.
- A header is laid over the center of each central stretcher, giving a distinct aesthetic.
Garden Wall Monk Bond:
- This is a specialized form of Flemish bond where each course contains one header after two stretchers.
- Every alternate course starts with a quoin header, followed by a three-quarter brick bat, ensuring that the header aligns over the joint between two stretchers.
This bond structure balances decorative value and moderate strength, making it ideal for low-height garden walls where appearance is as crucial as durability.
