How to Repair Damaged Brick Walls

Brick wall repair strategies for auxiliary brick walls and brick veneer walls fluctuate contingent upon the sort of harm that is being tended to. Fortification or even remaking are required in instances of extreme basic harm or dangerous structures while different sorts of brick wall repair, for example, re-pointing or split repair or lintel repair are regularly conceivable in-situ.

This article arrangement discloses sorts of harm to auxiliary brick walls. We disclose how to perceive, analyze, and assess development and breaks in brick walls and how to perceive brick wall bowing or protruding and splitting disappointments.

The article arrangement incorporates recognizable proof of sorts of foundation splits, break designs, contrasts in the significance of splits in brick basic walls or brick veneer walls and talks about breaks or development as proof of building development.

To balance out and secure basic brick walls against inclining and swelling outwards, basic for a considerable length of time has been the expansion of outside plates affixed through a brick wall and associated either to the structure's inside casing or to the contrary wall (by a steel bar or bar).

Fractional Re-Construction of Structural Brick Walls

At the point when the proprietors needed the rooftop raised to increase livable space over the back wing of their home, the creator [DF] expected to re-fabricate the brick peak end of this memorable structure, the Seneca Howland house situated in Pleasant Valley, New York.

At the point when improvement or repair to a current brick structure is restricted in scope it tends to be reasonable and prudent to re-fabricate that wall segment; had this wall re-development venture not been at the exceptionally top of the structure we'd have expected to include brief help for any overhead brick structure, and designing counsel may have been required.



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Ideas to increase Durability and Quality for Brick Masonry

Brick Masonry is used in most construction projects, in one place or other. In many of the places it is a significant portion of the structure - often weight bearing. For this reason, it is imperative that the quality of the brick masonry remains top notch. Special care has to be taken to ascertain high durability and quality of it.

Here we list 5 key ideas about how you can increase the durability and quality of brick masonry.

1. Good Materials

To make something good, you must use top quality raw materials. It is imperative to use good quality bricks to construct good brick masonry. Use only hard, sound, well burnt and uncracked bricks. They should all have uniform color and shape. They should not have air holes or bubbles, stone lumps, and other deformities. Soak the bricks for two hours before using.



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Porotherm Bricks : Properties, Advantages and Applications

Porotherm clay bricks are special type of bricks made using natural clay, coal ash, rice husk, and granite slurry. Apart from the common size 400x200x200mm, they come in various sizes. They help in providing walling system which aids in thermal insulation resulting in cooler interiors in hot summer and warm interior in cold seasons. These clays apart from being environmentally friendly, they are economical and easy to use.

Properties:

a. The compressive strength is greater than 3.5MPa.
b. High thermal and sound insulation.
c. Low weight.
d. High fire resistance.
e. Density range from 694 to 783 kg/m3.
f. Large size but light in weight.
g. Water absorption is around 15.

Advantages:

1. Environmental Friendly: Porotherm bricks are made up of recycled materials hence, they’re eco friendly.
2. Cost Effective: Porotherm bricks save lot of energy by cutting operation and construction cost.
3. Speed of Construction: Due to its lightweight nature and ease of handling, it increases the speed of construction.
4. High Durability: They’re highly durable and can easily resist fire and carbonation, thus possess long life.
5. Thermal Insulation: Perforation of these bricks results in great thermal insulation.
6. Good Strength: Porotherm bricks are manufactured at high temperatures. It’s composition includes teeracotta which adds strength to the brick. Compressive strength of porotherm brick is greater than 3.5MPa.

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How to analyze rate for brick masonry work

While analyzing the rate of brickwork, it is essential to ascertain the quantities of materials (bricks and mortar) and labors. There are different types of ratios for mortar which range from 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8 etc. Go through the following like to determine the quantity of mortar.

Estimating the quantity of bricks is necessary for the rate analysis.

Quantity Estimation for Brick Masonry - To analyze the rate of brick masonry, 1m3 of brick masonry is taken:

1. Number of bricks for 1 cubic meter of brick masonry:
For 1m3 of brick masonry, the number of typical size of bricks must be 494.

2. Quantity of mortar for 1m3 of brick masonry:

For 1m3 of brickwork, the quantity of the mortar should be 25 – 30%, i.e. 0.25m3 – 0.3m3 of cement masonry. For this purpose, cement mortar is selected as 0.3m3 .

Labor Estimation for Brick Masonry:
Labors which are essential for brick masonry belong to mason for brick work, labours for transmitting materials (sand, cement, bricks, and water), mixing and transporting mortar.

The quantity of labor is provided as requirement of labour in longer period for 1m3 of brick masonry.

1. Mason: The quantity of mason necessary for 1m3 of brickwork is provided as 0.94 days.
2. Labor: The quantity of labor for different types of works like carriage of materials, blending of mortar, carrying of mortar etc. are amassed. The labour necessary for 1m3 of brick masonry is for 1.57 days.

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M Sand Vs River Sand - Which sand is better for Construction?

M Sand or Robo Sand is gaining popularity due to ecological factors and insufficient number of superior quality river sand

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Points to be considered prior to concreting ground beams and plinth beams

Prior to start concreting work for ground beams & plinth beams, proper examination should be carried out in the following two phases :-

Initially, test out formwork prior to arrange or bind reinforcement. It is important since specific formwork errors can’t be rectified or it becomes complicated to repair once the reinforcement is arranged in position.

Checking reinforcement.

01. Centering and shuttering / Formwork:

• P.C.C. of proper grade and thickness (least 50 mm and M5 or 1: 4:8 grade) should be provided prior to apply shuttering for ground beam and it should be perfectly leveled and remains in exact line.

• The P.C.C. should be expanded minimum 50 mm exceeding the width of beam on both faces. Verify all the level of ground beams.

It should be minimum 150 mm in natural ground, in order that the earth filled inside walls or a beam doesn’t get out throughout plinth filling. Also check that all ground beams are located on equivalent level.

• Verify that all the soil on which beam is placed is correctly compacted (specifically for freshly excavated foundation pits) so that the ground beam never sags throughout curing or watering due to settlement of loose soil.

• The bricks should not be used since it can’t retain exact level and line.

• Start formwork for ground beams or plinth beams after filling because providing props may lead to delay since time is required for detaching props and filling work can be resumed during that period causing delay of slab.

• Prior to apply mould release agent, the shuttering should be dry and shall be cleansed properly. During shuttering work, the similar type of release agent should be used for same shuttering materials.

• The surface of shuttering should be level and thin coating should be provided with mould release agent.

• The mould release agent should not get in touch with reinforcement or the solidified concrete.

• Shuttering should be set in such a way that the joints are sealed properly to resist leakage of cement slurry.

• Prior to binding or placing reinforcement, the size of beam should be examined properly.

• Make sure that the meeting point of beam & column is tight and no bulging should occur throughout concreting.

• Take out all the debris like dust, paper, leaves, chippings of woods, nails, reinforcement wastage, soil particles etc.

02. Reinforcement:

• Prior to set the concrete, verify the reinforcement details as per bar bending schedule and obtain the approval of structural consultant.
• The reinforcement of beam should remain in exact alignment. If extent of beam exceeds 6 to 9 meter than camber should be arranged according to drawing.
• Examine the laps of beam with detailed drawing. There should not be laps in middle of beams if they contain long span. The lap should be maintained at various positions at few different bars.
• Verify the joints details according to detailed drawing- flexible or rigid.
• Bent up bars should be provided based on detailed drawing.
• Verify whenever the reinforcement of cantilever beam remains in top doubly anchored.
• Also examine the counter balance of cantilever beam.
• Stirrups should be placed at the intersection of beams and columns and in most cases it is generally overlooked.

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7 important tests to check the quality of bricks

To check the strength of bricks, the following 7 tests are conducted. Some tests are performed in laboratory and some are performed in the job site.

Compressive strength test

The purpose of this test is to determine the compressive strength of brick. It is also known as crushing strength of brick. Normally, 5 samples of bricks are sent to laboratory for testing one by one. Under this test, a brick sample is provided on crushing machine and the pressure is enforced unless it ruptures. The ultimate pressure by which the brick is ruptured is noted. The samples of all five bricks are examined one by one and average result is considered as the compressive or crushing strength of brick.

Water Absorption Test

Under this test, the weight of the bricks is taken in dry condition and submerge them in fresh water for 24 hours. Once 24 hours is completed, the bricks are pulled out from water and wipe out with cloth. After that, the weight of the brick is taken in wet condition. The variation among weights is the water engrossed by brick. The percentage of water absorption is then measured. If brick engrosses less water, the quality will be superior. Standard quality brick should not engross in excess of 20% water of its own weight.

Efflorescence Test

If alkalis exist in bricks, they develop a grey or white layer on the surface of brick by absorbing moisture. The objective of this test is to determine the existence of alkalis in bricks. Under this test, a brick is submerged in fresh water for 24 hours and then it is pulled out from water and lets to dry in shade. If the whitish layer is not shown on surface, it ensures that alkalis are not present in brick. If the whitish layer is about 10% of brick surface, then the existence of alkalis is permissible. If that remains about 50% of surface, then it is mild. If the existence of alkalis is in excess of 50%, then the brick is significantly affected with alkalis.

Hardened Test

Under this test, a scratch is created on the surface of brick through a solid object. If that doesn’t make any mark on brick, then the quality of brick is superior.

Size, shape and color test

Under this test, arbitrarily chosen 20 bricks are staked as per length, width and height and then those are calculated to find out the differences in sizes according to standard. The bricks are thoroughly monitored to ensure its edges are sharp, straight and consistent in shape. A standard quality brick should contain bright and consistent color right through.

Soundness Test

Under this test, two bricks are taken by both hands and stricken with each other. If, clear metallic sound is produced and the bricks are not broken, then the quality of the bricks is superior.

Structure Test

Under this test, a brick is split or a split break is selected and thoroughly inspected. If there exist any flows, cracks or holes on that broken face, the quality of the brick is not up to the standard.

For this purpose, concrete pros hold up the rebar grids on special metal or plastic supports, known as "chairs." The bricks and other scrap material can also be employed for supports, but it can produce weak spots in the slab. Rebar grids are built up by placing the pieces of bar in a perpendicular pattern, with equal span.

The bars are secured jointly at each intersection through metal wire. The edges of the grid should be retained at same gaps from all sides of the slab, and the minimum coverage of concrete should be retained all through the slab.

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How to enhance the longevity of a concrete driveway with rebar

A concrete driveway should be strong enough to provide support to the cars and trucks which may drive over it. The concrete driveway should be constructed in such a manner so that the longevity of your house is enhanced.

Normally, the thickness of concrete driveway slabs remain 4 inches but the thickness can be 6 inches to give extra support for large trucks and other heavy vehicle traffic.

Preferably, the slab contains some type of reinforcement inside. One common building reinforcement material is rebar.

Rebar: Rebar is built up with steel and has been employed for more than 150 years to reinforce concrete construction. Concrete slabs are extremely susceptible to cracking, and rebar facilitates to control cracks from being expanded since sections of cracked slabs move apart.

Rebar verses Mesh: Welded wire mesh is a good substitute to rebar for driveway reinforcement. The mesh comprises of galvanized panels of welded wire. Heavy gauge welded wire mesh panels arrange reinforcement for driveways which are not regularly steered with heavy vehicles like construction vehicles or industrial trucks.

Mesh is generally applied by the contractors who pour 4 inches thick driveway concrete as it is a finer reinforcement and not very costly as compared to rebar.

To pour in a thicker driveway, number three rebar should be applied, that is 3/8 inches in diameter, for reinforcement.

Applying Rebar: Rebar will be very effective in a driveway for which 5-6 inches of concrete is poured. It is due to rebar is relatively thicker as compared to galvanized mesh reinforcement. In order to apply rebar reinforcement in a perfect way, make sure that it is placed in the center or marginally over the center of the slab's thickness.

For this purpose, concrete pros hold up the rebar grids on special metal or plastic supports, known as "chairs." The bricks and other scrap material can also be employed for supports, but it can produce weak spots in the slab. Rebar grids are built up by placing the pieces of bar in a perpendicular pattern, with equal span.

The bars are secured jointly at each intersection through metal wire. The edges of the grid should be retained at same gaps from all sides of the slab, and the minimum coverage of concrete should be retained all through the slab.



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Benefits of Parapet Walls

A parapet belongs to a low wall built up over the roofline that normally extents around the boundary of a building. Parapets may be simply aesthetic or largely functional, like hiding mechanical equipment or functioning as a firewall.

The moisture may enter through the top portion of a parapet wall and it creates problems. To get rid of this issue, select a perfect cap.

There are different types of materials like limestone, terra cotta, hard-fired clay, or precast concrete to cap off the wall. These materials contain thermal properties identical to brick and concrete masonry.

Contrarily, metal includes a coefficient of thermal expansion almost three times higher than masonry that produces a considerable amount of differential movement among the parapet cap and the wall underneath. Metal versions should be arranged with firmly sealed slippage joints where the cap section bends.

Caps are available with various shapes, but they should contain pitch, projections (1-in. minimum), and incessant drips. These components safeguard the parapet from pooling water and resist moisture from flowing out of the exterior wall surface.

Most caps are prone to entering of moisture at the head (vertical) joints. In order to reduce penetration at these positions, rake out the mortar head joints, bed joints in the cap to a depth of ½ in., and use elastomeric sealant to fill the joint.

An incessant flashing membrane is to be installed directly underneath the mortar joint under the cap so that the moisture can’t penetrate through the top of the wall. This flashing membrane is built from sheet metal, combination sheet metal/asphaltic, or rubberized asphalt. The flashing has to be arranged entirely through the wall to make a slippage plane among the cap and the wall underneath. The cap should be anchored to the wall underneath.

Different types of stainless steel anchorage systems are applied to fix the coping to the wall. A flexible system should be set up so that the mason can be perfectly arranged with the dowel anchor through the pre-drilled holes in the cap. A considerate amount of mastic should be used to the flashing where anchor punctures may happen.

If the back portion of the parapet is fully uncovered, both exterior wythes should be built up of the same material. Brick situated on the backside of the parapet should be coated with rainproof water repellant.

The bottom flange of the steel beam should be connected with the concrete masonry underneath with a debonded shear anchor. The anchor is mechanically secured to the bottom of the beam at specified spacings that is arranged with the head joints in the concrete masonry wythe. A debonded shear anchor protects out-of-plane (but not in-plane) shear forces and allows structural movement of the steel beam (deflection). The anchor should be completely implanted in mortar, inside the head joint of the concrete masonry unit, for this connection to be effective.



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7 Basic Tests of Bricks to ensure it’s quality

This construction video tutorial briefly explains what the most important brick test procedures are generally undertaken in the construction jobsite.

The details of the tests are given below :-

Compressive Test – It is performed to verify the strength of a brick. Under this test 5 samples of bricks are chosen randomly and sent them to laboratory and apply pressure on various bricks through a crushing machine. Now, take the average of all the results produced. If the averages is similar to 3.5 N/mm2, the quality of the bricks are good.

Water absorption Test – Under this test the bricks are selected in completely dry condition and taken their weight as W1. Then submerge them in water for 24 hours. Again, taken their (wet bricks) weight after 24 hours and named them as W2. Now find out the average with the following formula :

Water Absorption % = W2 – W1/W1 x 100

The recommended absorption rate should be between 15% – 20% for a good quality brick.

Impact Test – This test ensures the proper bond in a brick so that it can’t break easily. Under this test few bricks are selected and dropped them from a height of 1 meter.

If the bricks are broken, then impact test will come as failed. Contrarily, if these bricks are not broken, the test result will be considered as passed and the bricks are considered as good quality bricks.

Dimension Tolerance Test – In this test shape, size and colors of the bricks are checked. Under this test, 20 bricks are selected and arranged in a straight line. Then we take a sample of standard brick and tally it’s size, shape and color with the bricks arranged in a straight line. If they match with the sample bricks, the bricks should be treated as good quality bricks.

Soundness Test – In this test two are chosen randomly and hit with each other, if metallic sound is produced and the bricks remain unbroken then these bricks are considered as good quality bricks.

Hardness Test – In this test, a metal or other object is used to put scratches on the bricks. If scratches are not produced, then these bricks are hard and treated as good quality bricks.

Structure Test – In this test, a brick is chosen and broken from the middle, if there are no cracks, holes, impurities found inside the bricks, then the structures are strong and these bricks are treated as good quality bricks.

To watch online demonstration, go through the following video tutorial.

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How to find out water absorption ratio in bricks

This construction video tutorial is made on the topic of water absorption test in brick.

The video starts with selecting some bricks out of a series of bricks and keep them aside. Mark them with the numbers 1,2 and 3. These bricks have to undergo a hot pack process by immersing them into a bucket filled with hot water at the room temperature of 280C. Pour more water to maintain the adequate level of the water. Keep this suturing method continued for 24 hours.

After the completion of 24 hours the bricks are taken out from the water tank one by one. After that, with the use of a cotton cloth, the bricks are wiped off and cleaned. Now take the weights of these bricks and denote them with W2 i.e. weight of the bricks in saturated conditions. The weight is taken through a digital weighing machine. All the values of weight are recorded in a paper.

Now the bricks are transferred to a hot air oven for water hydration test at 1050C and keep them for 24 hours.

After completion of 24 hours, turn of the power of the oven and take out the bricks and put them in a tray. Now, again take the weight of the bricks through the digital weighing machine and denote them with W1 i.e. weight of the brick in dry condition. All the values are recorded in a paper.

The weight of brick in dry condition (W1) in Kg is given as follow :-
Specimen 1 = 2.896, Specimen 2 = 2.945, Specimen 3 = 2.902

Weight of Brick in Saturated Condition (W2) in Kg is given as follow :-
Specimen 1 = 3.025, Specimen 2 = 2.987, Specimen 3 = 2.980

In order to find out the percentage of water, apply the following formula :-

W2 – W1/W1 x 100

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