what is standard horizontal course of brick

by Dewayne Schinner IV 7 min read

A course is a horizontal layer of bricks or stones. It is the surface of stone perpendicular to the line of pressure. It indicates the lower surface of bricks or stones in each course. The inner surface of a wall which is not exposed is called the back. The material forming the back is known as backing.

Full Answer

What is a course of bricks?

A course of bricks is the number of bricks laid one length side by side, or two widths apart in order to complete a line. A 10-inch brick laid four inches deep is a 10-inch x 4-inch course. A 12-inch brick laid six inches deep is a 12-inch x 6-inch course. A 16-inch brick laid eight inches deep is a 16-inch x 8-inch course.

What are specified brick dimensions?

Specified brick dimensions are the dimensions that architects use in designing a wall. Specified dimensions are the anticipated manufactured dimensions of a brick without taking the mortar joint size into account. Architects will include the specified size in their drawings and specifications.

What is a 10x4 brick course?

A course of bricks is the number of bricks laid one length side by side, or two widths apart in order to complete a line. A 10-inch brick laid four inches deep is a 10-inch x 4-inch course. A 12-inch brick laid six inches deep is a 12-inch x 6-inch course.

How many brick courses do I need to determine ceiling height?

One word that pops up early in discussions with builders is ceiling height – often seen in plans as 28C or 32C, etc. This is referring to 28 or 32 brick courses that will determine the height of your ceiling. This might sound pretty standard, but what does it actually mean – and what do you need to understand?

What is a standard brick course?

A single standard brick course is 86mm (76mm of brick and 10mm of mortar).

What is a horizontal layer of brick called?

Course, One horizontal layer of bricks or stones is called a course.

What is a course of brick called?

BELT COURSE: A narrow horizontal course of masonry, sometimes slightly projected such as window sills which are made continuous. Sometimes called string course or sill course.

How high is a standard brick course?

A brick course is equivalent to a standard brick height (76mm) and the mortar (10mm) that holds the bricks above it together. Therefore, a brick course is 86mm.

What is a brick header course?

Each horizontal layer of brick in a masonry structure is called a course. Brick laid flat and perpendicular to the face of the wall are called headers. A header course consists entirely of headers (horizontal, short, narrow side laid on wide edge). Brickwork. Parts of brickwork include bricks, beds and perpends.

What is a stringer course?

stringcourse, in architecture, decorative horizontal band on the exterior wall of a building. Such a band, either plain or molded, is usually formed of brick or stone. The stringcourse occurs in virtually every style of Western architecture, from Classical Roman through Anglo-Saxon and Renaissance to modern.

How much is the thickness of course?

The thickness of clay/earth mortar is 12 mm and the maximum height of building constructed with clay is restricted to 2.5 m. stones and cement blocks are also used in brick work.

How tall is a course of block?

Standard concrete blocks are 15 5/8 inches by 7 5/8 inches and there is usually 3/8 inches of mortar between them so in the wall it is safe to say that a block and mortar on two sides is approximately 16 inches by 8 inches. Your wall is 1,300 feet long which is 1,300 × 12 = 15,600 inches long.

What is the mortar course?

Mortar Injection Damp Proof Course – This is similar to the use of creams or liquid injected into the wall. Instead of cream or liquid being used a chemical enhanced mortar is used and caulked into the holes drilled in the wall.

What is standard size of brick?

Standard Brick Sizes by CountryCountryStandard Brick Size in Inches (D x H x L)USA3 5/8 x 2 1/4 x 7 5/8UK4 x 2 1/2 x 8 1/2Australia3 x 4 1/3 x 9India4 1/4 x 2 1/2 x 9Jul 30, 2021

How many courses are in a brick foot?

How many bricks will I need to build a wall? You will need approximately 38 bricks per foot length for an 8-foot wall if the bricks are the standard 7.5" x 3.5" bricks or 9.5" x 2.75" bricks with ²/₅" thick mortar joints. However, larger bricks take up a larger area, and means fewer bricks overall.

What is the height of brick when it is laid on edge?

Brick on the edge is having dimensions of 19*9. The correct answer is Brick on edge. It is also called Rowlock. Dimension 19 x 9 is the same as brick on the bed.

Understanding Brick Size Nomenclature

There are three different ways of discussing sizes when it comes to brick and it is important to understand the different sizes so there isn't any confusion - we will start by discussing the different dimensions: specified, actual, and nominal.

Brick Selection for Architects

Architects are mostly interested in the aesthetic appearance of the brick wall, but when it comes to detailing it is important to understand the sizes of bricks. That said, most architects will select bricks based on their color and bond pattern. The size of the brick is tied to the bond pattern and manufacturer specifics.

A Word About Mortar Joint Sizes

The predominant mortar joint width used in construction is 3/8". In fact, the International Building Codes reference TMS 602 Specification for Masonry Structures, which defaults to a 3/8" mortar joint so this should be the main starting point for architects and engineers, but always confirm the specified size of your selected brick.

Calculating Brick Openings

When calculating brick openings, you count the courses (vertical) or brick lengths (horizontal) to get the Masonry Opening (M.O.). However, to get the actual opening you have to factor in the additional mortar joint that is missing from the standard nominal dimensions.

Brick Orientation

The diagrams below represent the orientations for bricks as they are laid in walls. The red face is the face that is exposed. Different orientations are combined to create brick bonds.

Brick Types and Specification Based on Application

Architects generally select bricks based on the type of application. Many factors go into the selection, including durability ( see Grades below ), load capacity, and appearance. The following table covers the major types of brick, their ASTM specification criteria, and the general usage applications.

Brick Grades

Brick grades indicate the durability of a brick when it is exposed to moisture and freezing. There are three factors that help determine brick durability: compressive strength, water absorption, and the saturation coefficient.

What is the governing factor for deciding the dimensions or size of the bricks?

The bricks are prepared in various sizes, the governing factor for deciding the dimensions or size of the bricks is the locality. Bricks that are not standardized are known as traditional bricks and along with the thickness of the mortar, it is known as the nominal size of the brick.

How big is a brick in England?

Standard Brick sizes in England: In the UK, the size and width of common brick had remained constant over the centuries, however, the depth is greater than about two inches (about 51 mm) or smaller than two and a half inches (about 64 mm).

What are the dimensions of Nepal bricks?

Standard brick size & dimensions are 240 x 115 x 57 mm with 10 mm horizontal ...

What is the standard size of brick in Australia?

Standard Brick sizes in Australia: According to the Boral Company in Australia, the standard brick size (or working size) is 76 mm x 230 mm x 110 mm based on the Australian standard AS4455. Some bricks are made with different work sizes.

What is a brick beveled?

It is that portion of a brick in which the whole length of the brick is beveled for maintaining half width at one end and full width at the other.

What is a header in brick?

Header. It is a brick or stone which lies with its greatest length at right angles to the face of the work.. in case of stone masonry header is sometimes known as through stone. The course of brick work in which all the bricks are laid as headers is known as header course.

What is a joint in a course?

Joint. It is the junction of two or more bricks or stones. If the joint is parallel to the bed of bricks or stones in a course then it is termed as bed joint. The joint which are perpendicular to the bed joints are termed as vertical joints or side joints or simply joints.

What is mortar on a brick?

The act of placing mortar on one face of a masonry unit with a trowel before is laid. You will want to put as much mortar as possible on the end of the brick.

What is a bed joint?

The junction of two or more masonry pieces leaving a space between the bricks or concrete masonry units that are filled with mortar or grout. If the joint is parallel to the bed of masonry pieces in a course, it is termed as bed joint. If the joint is perpendicular, then the bed joints are termed vertical joints, side joints, head joints, ...

What is a stretcher course?

STRETCHER COURSE. A course of bricks or stones that lie with its longest side parallel to the face of the work. The course of brickwork in which all the bricks are laid as stretchers is known as stretcher course. In the example below it is a course of bricks four stretchers long.

What is a tie in masonry?

A masonry tie is a wire or sheet metal device used to connect two or more masonry single section brick walls. They are also used to connect masonry veneers to a structural backing system.

What is Flemish bond?

Flemish Bond. An alternate course of bricks that are composed of one header to one stretcher. It can also have several stretches in a row. Many times, the stretcher and headers will be of different color to create patterns.

What is a frog hole?

A perforation or hole on the longer face of a brick made with the object of forming an indentation for the mortar. This hollow depression also reduces the weight and makes it easier to handle. The depth of the frog is usually between 10 to 20 mm. Frogged bricks should lay with the frog upward and fill up with mortar.

Why are beaded joints not recommended for exterior use?

These beaded joints create interesting shadows, but they are not recommended for exterior use because of their exposed ledges and the erosion over time leaves the joint weakened and untidy.

Running Bond

The running bond is the most used bond and is composed of stretchers offset by 1/2 brick per course. It is often used in cavity wall construction reinforced with metal ties back to the main structural wall.

Common or American Bond

A common bond, also referred to as the American bond, has a course of headers inserted every five or six courses. A header is always centered on a stretcher and the joints of each course of headers always align.

English Bond

The English bond is built with alternating courses of stretchers and headers where a header is centered above a stretcher. The joints of the stretcher courses align and the joints of the header courses align.

Flemish Bond

For the Flemish bond, each course is made up of alternating stretchers and headers. Each header is centered on a stretcher above and below.

Stack Bond

The stack bond is made up of courses of stretchers where each stretcher is stacked directly above a stretcher and the joints align. This is not a structural bond and is generally used on interiors for non-load bearing walls.

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