what is the soldier course of brick?

Soldier A soldier course is one in which brick are laid standing on end with the narrow edge facing out. This type of course is sometimes used for decorative effects over door and window openings and in fireplace facings (vertical, long, narrow). The height of a masonry structure can be measured by courses and joints.

Full Answer

What is a soldier course brick used for?

The orientation of the bricks are installed to expose the long narrow side of the brick to make them stand in a row, similar to soldiers. In many cases the soldier course is used as an accent band within a masonry facade, or as a decorative head detail for a window or door.

What is soldier course in masonry?

SOLDIER COURSE Bricks that are set with the narrow side exposed are called soldiers. Bricks laid vertically with its long narrow sides presented (Soldiers) in a row is called a soldier course. Usually used to add visual interest to a masonry structure.

What does course mean in brickwork?

The shorter side or end face of a piece of brick that is exposed. The longer narrow side or face of a piece of brick that is exposed. A continuous horizontal layer of similar bricks or stones that are bonded with mortar in a masonry structure and is one unit high. Find below the different types of courses.

What are soldier courses and how do they work?

Sometimes referred to as Soldier Courses, their main function is to provide a robust restraint for the paving, to prevent it spreading and losing its load-bearing capability.

What is a wall soldier course?

Soldier Course: Word of the Week A “course” here refers to a single row of bricks within a brickwork structure, such as a wall. Each course is classified based upon how it's laid, and how the exposed face is oriented relative to the face of the finished wall.

What is a brick course?

A 'course' is a measurement referring to the dimensions of the brick AND mortar when they have been sandwiched together. One brick and the mortar together is equal to one 'course'.

Why is it called a soldier course?

The idea behind the name is that when one looks at the long narrow side of a brick, it is supposed to resemble a soldier standing at attention. A soldier course can be laid horizontally or perpendicularly in relation to another course of bricks, with soldier courses commonly being used for edging.

Is a soldier course a lintel?

The most common type of laying brick lintels is soldier course brickwork.

How many bricks are in a course?

Each course (single layer) of bricks will need 440 / 8 = 55 bricks.

How tall is a course of brick?

A single standard brick course is 86mm (76mm of brick and 10mm of mortar). However, it's not as simple as calculating the number of courses by 86mm, there are just too many variables.

What is a soldier course in pavers?

A soldier course is when you lay a row of pavers side to side, perpendicular to the rest of the field. In other words, you lay the long sides next to each other, and the short sides are touching the fieldstones.

What is the top row of brick called?

coursesTypically, rows of bricks called courses are laid on top of one another to build up a structure such as a brick wall.

What is half a brick called?

When a brick is cut along its length, making it two equal halves then it is called queen closer. Thus a queen closer is a broken brick portion whose width is half as wide as the original brick. This is also called as queen closer half.

What is a header course?

Definition of header course : a masonry course in which all the bricks are laid as headers.

What is a Rowlock brick course?

The rowlock or rolok is similar to the header course except that the brick are laid on narrow or face edge. This type of course is often used as the top course or cap of garden walls and as window and door sills (horizontal, short, narrow side laid on narrow edge).

Why are bricks vertical above windows?

A lintel is a type of structural support used in buildings. They are installed horizontally above opening such as doors and windows to support the load of the structure above. Lintels can be made of bricks, concrete, timber or metal.

What is a brick course called?

SOLDIER COURSE. Bricks that are set with the narrow side exposed are called soldiers. Bricks laid vertically with its long narrow sides presented (Soldiers) in a row is called a soldier course. Usually used to add visual interest to a masonry structure.

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.

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.

What is masonry made of?

Masonry that is composed of variable size rectangular units that have sawed, dressed, or squared bed surfaces, properly bonded and laid in mortar. These masonry units are precisely cut on all faces that are next to other masonry units and normally have very thin joints.

What angle should a soldier mitre be?

A standard mitre. And when two soldier courses meet at a 90° corner, then they should be mitred to form a neat corner detail. The mitre shown in the photo on the right only works with 90° angle, although it can be adapted for use with angles from 70° to 110°. For other angles, standard mitres (left) are preferred.

How are edge courses formed?

Edge courses can be formed using, for example, dished channels or even linear drains, but, in most cases, standard blocks will be used, and so, by laying these on a concrete bed and haunch, their role in directing surface water and generating the correct falls within the body of the pavement can be assured.

What is a triple stretcher edge course?

A triple stretcher edge course. Edge courses wider than 200mm are generally better suited to larger projects, such as car parks or small access roads, where they invoke the memory of the standard 3-sett channel that is found on many sett or cobble pavements.

Why do the edges of a block pavement collapse?

In many cases where the edges of a block pavement have collapsed, as in the photo above, it is because the edge blocks were laid on a sand bed and the haunching was a token gesture at best . There are no excuses for this type of workmanship. It is shoddy and would not be acceptable under site conditions.

What is edge course?

Edge courses are the blocks, bricks or other paver units used at the edge of a pavement. Sometimes referred to as Soldier Courses, their main function is to provide a robust restraint for the paving, to prevent it spreading and losing its load-bearing capability.

What is the function of an edge course?

Eliminate cuts at pavement edge. This function of an edge course is fairly self-explanatory. By using full blocks (or other units) to form the edge course, there is no risk of having small or cut pieces of paving at a free edge, where they are more likely to work loose.

Is an edge course a retaining structure?

As a retaining structure: This is the primary function of the edge courses, yet, on many pavements, the edge courses are not actually a retaining structure at all, but are included for one or more of the other reasons given above. A good example of this is when the edge course lies against a wall or a kerb.