LECTURE ON

BRICK BONDS
Building construction and
material -1

A PICTURE

BONDS IN BRICK WORK

Bond is the interlacement of bricks, formed when they lay(or project

beyond) those immediately below or above them.
Its a method of arranging the bricks in courses so that individual units are
tied together and the vertical joints of the successive courses do not lie in
same vertical line.
Bonds of various types are distinguished by their elevation or face
appearance.
An unbonded wall, with its continuous vertical joints has little strength and
stability.

TYPES OF BONDS

STRECHER BOND
HEADER BOND
ENGLISH BOND
FLEMISH BOND

STRECHER BOND : Stretcher bond is one in which all bricks are laid as stretchers on faces of
wall.
Length of the bricks are thus along the direction of wall.
This pattern is used for those walls which have thickness of half brick (i.e.
11cm).
Used as partition walls, sleeper walls, division walls or chimney stack.
The bond is not possible if thickness of wall is more.

HEADER BOND :Header bond is one in which all bricks are laid as headers on faces of
wall.
Width of the bricks are thus along the direction of wall.
The pattern is used only when the thickness of wall is equal to one brick
(i.e 23cm).
The overlap is usually kept equal to half the width of brick (i.e. 5.5cm)
This is achieved by using three-quarter brick bats in each alternate
courses.
It is not suitable for load bearing walls .
Used as ornamented brick wall, construction of footings.

ENGLISH BOND :-

This is the most commonly used bond, for all wall thicknesses. This bond
is considered to be the strongest.
The bond consists of alternate courses of headers and stretchers.
In this bond, the vertical joints of the header courses come over each other;
similarly, the vertical joints of the stretcher courses also come over each
other.
In order to break the vertical joints in the successive courses, it is essential
to place queen closer after the first header (quoin header) in each heading
course. Also only headers are used for hearting of thicker walls.

ESSENTIAL FEATURES :1. Alternative courses will show either headers or stretchers in elevation.
2. Every alternate header comes centrally over the joint between two
stretchers in course below.
3. In the stretcher course, the stretchers have a min. lap of 1/4th their
length over headers.
4.There is no continuous vertical joint.
5.Walls of even multiple. of half bricks ,(i.e. 1 brick thick wall, 2-bricks
Q

thick wall, 3-bricks thick wall) present the same appearance on both faces.
Thus a course showing stretchers on the front face will also show
stretchers on the back face.
6. Wall of odd multiple of half bricks (i.e. 1 1/2 brick thick wall, 2 1/2
brick thick
wall etc.) will show stretchers on one face and headers on the other face.

7. The hearting (middle portion) of each of the thicker walls consists entirely of
headers.
8.At least every alternate transverse joint is continuous from face to face.
9.A header course should never start with queen's closer, as it will get displaced.
10.The queen's closer should be placed just next to the quoin header. Queen's
closers are not required in stretcher courses.
11.Since the number of vertical joints in the header course are twice the number
of vertical joints in the stretcher course, the joint in the header course are made
thinner than the joints in the stretcher course.

ENGLISH BOND

FLEMISH BOND
In this type of bond, each course is comprised of alternate headers
and stretchers.
Every alternate course starts with a header at the corner (i.e .. quoin
header). Quoin closers are placed next to the quoin header in
alternate courses to develop the face lap. Every header is centrally
supported over the stretcher below it.
Flemish bonds are of two types :
(i) Double flemish bond (ii) Single flemish bond.

DOUBLE FLEMISH BOND

In the double flemish bond, each course presents the same

appearance both in the front face as well as in the back face. Alternate
headers and stretcher are laid in each course. Because of this, double
flemish bond presents better appearance than English bond.

Special features of double flemish bond

1. Every course consists of headers and
stretchers placed alternately
2. The facing and backing of the wall, in each course,
have the same appearance.
3. Quoin closers are used next to quoin headers in every
alternate course.
4. In walls having thickness equal to odd multiple of half bricks, halfbats
and three-quarter bats are amply used.
5. For walls having thickness equal to even multiple of half bricks, no bats are
required. A header or stretcher will come out as header or stretcher on the same
course in front as well as back faces.

. Single

flemish bond : Single flemish bond is comprised of double

flemish bond facing and English bond backing and hearting in each
course. This bond thus uses the strength of the English bond and
appearance of flemish bond. However, this bond can be used for
those walls having thickness at least equal to 1 1/2
brick. Double flemish bond facing is done with good
quality expensive bricks. However, cheaper bricks can
be used for backing and hearting.

Comparison of English Bond and Flemish Bond

1.English bond is stronger than flemish bond for walls thicker than 1
1/2 brick.
2.Flemish bond gives more pleasing appearance than the English
bond.
3.Broken bricks can be used in the form of bats in Flemish bond.
However, more mortar is required.
4. Construction with Flemish bond requires greater skill in
comparison to English bond.

ENGLISH CROSS BOND

This is a modification of English bond, used to improve the

appearance of the wall. This bond combines the requirements of
beauty and strength. Special features of the bond are as follows:
1. Alternate courses of headers and stretchers are provided as
in English bond.
H

ENGLISH CROSS BOND

2. Queen closers are placed
next to quoin headers.

3. A header is introduced next to the quoin stretcher in every

alternate stretcher course.

RAT TRAP BOND / SILVERLOCK BOND

RAT TRAP BOND

This type of bond uses stretcher bricks on edges instead of bed. This bond is
weak in strength, but is economical. Hence it is used for garden walls, compound
walls
etc. Bricks are kept standing vertically on end. The bricks are arranged as headers
and stretchers in such a manner that headers are placed on bed and stretchers are
placed on edge thus forming a continuous cavity. Due to this, the bond consumes less
number of bricks.

DUTCH BOND
"This is another modified form of English bond. In this bond the
corners of the wall are strengthened. Special features of this type of
bond is as follows :
1.Alternate courses of headers and stretchers are provided as in
English bond.
2.Every stretcher course starts at the quoin with a three-quarter
bat.
3.In every alternate stretcher course, a header is placed next to the
three-quarter brick bat provided at the quoin.

. RAKING BOND
This bond is used in thick walls. In this type of bond, the bonding bricks are kept
at an inclination to the direction of the wall. Due to this, the longitudinal stability of
thick wall built in English bond is very much increased. This bond is introduced at
certain
intervals along the height of the wall. Following are special features of raking bond:
1. The bricks are arranged in inclined direction, in the space between the external
stretchers of the wall.
2. The raking or inclination should be in opposite direction in alternate courses
of raking bond.
3. Raking bond is not provided in successive courses. It is provided at a regular
interval of four to eight courses in the height of a wall.
4. The raking course is generally provided between the two stretcher courses
of the wall having thickness equal to even multiple of half-bricks, to make the bond
more effective.

1.Diagonal bond
In this type of bond, bricks are arranged at 45 in such a way that extreme
corners of the series remain in contact with the external line of stretchers.

Bricks cut to triangular shapes and of suitable sizes are packed in the small triangular spaces at the ends. This bond is best suited for walls which are 2 to 4 bricks
thick. The bond is introduced at regular vertical interval, generally at
every fifth or
seventh course. In every alternate course of the bond, the direction
of bricks is reversed.

2.

Herring-bone bond . This bond is more suitable for walls which

are thicker than four bricks thick. Bricks are arranged at 45 in two opposite directions
from the centre of the wall thickness.. The bond is introduced
in the wall at regular vertical interval. In every alternate course, the directions of bricks
are changed. The bond is also used for ornamental finish to the face work, and also for
brick flooring

ZIG ZAG BOND

This bond is similar to herring-bone bond,
except that the bricks are laid in zig-zag fashion, . This
bond is commonly used for making ornamental panels
in the brick flooring.

GARDEN WALL BOND

This type of bond is used for the

construction of garden walls,
boundary walls, compound walls,
where the thickness of the wall is one
brick thick and the height does not
exceed two metres.
This type of bond is not so strong as
English bond, but is more attractive.
Due to
this reason, it is sometimes used in

Garden wall bonds

Garden wall bonds are of three types:

(I) Garden wall English bond
(ii) Garden wall Flemish bond
(iii) Garden wall Monk bond.

Garden wall English bond

Garden wall English bond : In this
bond, the header course is provided
only after three to five stretchers
courses. In each header course, a
queen closer is placed next to quoin
header, to provide necessary lap. In
stretcher courses,
quoin headers are placed in alternate
courses.

Garden wall FIemish bond

Garden wall FIemish bond : In this
bond, each course contains one
header after three to five stretchers
continuously placed, throughout the
length of the course. Each alternate
course contains a three-fourth brick
bat placed next
to the quoin header, develop
necessary
lap, and a header laid over the

Garden wall Monk bond

Garden wall Monk bond
This is special type of garden-wall
Flemish bond in which each course
contains
one header after two successive
stretchers.
Every alternate course contains a
quoin
header followed by a 3/4 brick bat.
Due to this, the header rests over the

Bonds at connections
Connection is the place where two
walls coming from different directions
meet.
The walls should be properly united
at the connecting point through
some proper bond.
The following three requirements
should be satisfied by the bond at
the connection.

Bonds at connections
(i) There should be no continuity in
the vertical joints,(ii) use of brick
bats should
be as minimum as possible, and (iii)
the connection should be structurally
strong to
resist differential settlement, if any.
Connections are of the following two
types :

(a) Junctions (b) Quoins.

Junctions
Junction is that connection which is
formed at the meeting of one
(subsidiary) wall at same
intermediate position of another wall.
When both these walls meet at right
angles, we get a tee-junction. If the
subsidiary wall crosses the main wall
and continues beyond the junction,
we have a cross-junction or
intersection. However, if the
subsidiary wall meets the main wall

Quoin
Quoin is the connection formed when
two external walls meet.
Alternatively, quoin
is the connection which is formed
when a wall takes a turn. When the
two walls
meet at 90, we have a right angled
or square quoin. If the angle at the
connection
is other than 90, a squint quoin is

Tee Junctions
(a) External and Internal walls in
English bond
Tee-junction is formed when the
internal wall at its end meets
external wall at some intermediate
position. Tee-junctions can be either
in English bond or in Flemish bond.

Tee junction in one brick thick external wall and brick

internal wall

Tee junctions
The picture in previous slide shows
the Tee- junction between a one-brick
thick external wall and a half-brick
thick internal wall (partition wall),
both walls being constructed in
English bond. Bond is obtained by
making alternate courses of internal
wall entering into the stretcher
course of the main wall. Due to this,
lap of half brick is obtained through

Tee junctions
The picture in the next slide shows a
Tee- junction between a 1 brick
thick external wall and one brick
thick internal (cross) wall, both the
walls being constructed in English
bond. Here, the header course of the
internal wall centres the stretcher
course of the main wall through half
of its width. Due to this, lap of
quarter-brick is obtained through the
tie-brick, which is placed near the

Tee junction in 1 1/2 brick thick external wall and 1

brick internal wall

Tee Junctions
The picture in the next slide shows the Teejunction between 1 1/2 brick thick external
wall and 1 1/2 brick thick internal wall,
both the walls being constructed in English
bond. In alternate courses, the header
brick at the junction enters the stretcher
course of the main wall. The tie-brick
(shown shaded), placed near the queen
closer (Q) furnishes
a lap of quarter brick. Additional lap is
obtained in the same course, through
placing a 3/4 brick bat as shown. Alternate

Tee junction in 1 1/2 brick thick external wall and 1 1/2

brick internal wall

Tee Junctions
The picture in the next slide shows the
Tee-junction between 2-brick thick main
wall and 1 1/2 brick thick cross-wall, both
the walls being constructed in English
bond. Here, the header course of internal
wall enters the stretcher course of the
main wall through half of its width. Due to
this, lap of quarter brick is obtained
through the tie-brick (header brick) Which
is placed near the queen closer (Q).
Additional lap is obtained in the same
course, through placing a 3/4brick bat as

Tee junction in 2 brick thick external wall and 1 1/2

brick internal wall

External wall in Flemish

bond and Internal wall in
English bond.
The picture in the next slideshows
the Tee-junction for an 1 1/2 brick
thick external wall in Double Flemish
bond and one brick thick internal wall
in English bond.
The header course of internal wall
enters into the main wall, thus
getting a lap of one-quar- ter brick.
The tie-brick (header course) is
placed adjacent to a queen closer.

Both external and

internal walls in double
Flemish bond
The picture in the next slide shows
the Tee-junction for a 1-brick thick
main wall and t brick thick cross wall,
both being constructed in Double
Flemish bond. The stretcher bricks of
alternate courses of the cross- wall
enter into the main wall through half
brick length. Due to this, it is
necessary to place a half-brick bat
adjacent to it, in the main wall. The

Both external and

internal walls in double
Flemish bond

The picture in the next slideshows

the tee-junction for a 1 brick thick
main wall and one-brick thick crosswall, both being constructed in
double Flemish bond. In alternate
courses, the stretcher bricks of the
cross wall enter into the main wall
through quarter brick. A queen closer
(Q) is placed next to it in the main
wall as shown.

Cross-junction or
Intersection
Cross-junction or Intersection
A cross-junction is formed when two
internal walls cross each other at
right angles. One of the walls may be
called as the main wall while the
other of lesser thickness as crosswall.

Cross-junction or
Intersection
The picture in the next slide shows a
cross-junction between 1 brick
thick main wall and 1 brick thick
cross-wall, both being constructed in
English bond. The header course of
cross-wall enter into the main wall :
the tie bricks thus give a lap of
quarter brick on both sides. Alternate
courses of both the walls remain
unbonded.

Cross-junction or
Intersection
The picture in the next slide shows a
cross-junction between two walls,
each of 1 -brick thick constructed
in English bond. A lap of quarter brick
is obtained through header courses,
on both the sides. Alternate courses
thus remain unbonded.

Squint junction
A squint junction is formed when an
internal wall meets an external
continuous wall at an angle other
than 90. Usually, the angle of squint
is kept at 45 degrees, though
squint junctions are not very
common in brick work.

Squint junction in
English bond
The next slide shows a squint
junction between a 1 1/2 brick thick
external wall and a 1-brick thick
internal wall, (a) both being
constructed in English bond. The
header courses of the cross-wall is
taken inside the main wall, thus
getting the required bond. Alternate
courses of both the walls remain
unbonded.

SQUINT JUNCTION IN ENGLISH BOND

Squint junction in
English bond
The next slide shows a squint junction
between two (b) wall each of 1
brick thickness and constructed in
English both. The header bricks are
taken inside the main wall. Alternate
courses remain unbonded.

SQUINT JUNCTION IN ENGLISH BOND

Squint junction in
Double Flemish bond
The picture in the next slide shows
the squint junction for the walls
constructed in Double Flemish bond.
These junctions are quite difficult to
be constructed.

SQUINT JUNCTION IN DOUBLE FLEMISH BOND

SQUINT JUNCTION IN DOUBLE FLEMISH BOND

QUOINS
Quoin is the connection formed when
two external walls meet.
Alternatively, quoin is the connection
which is formed when an external
wall takes a turn. Quoins are of two
types :
1. Right-angle or square quoin.
2. Squint quoin

Squint Quoins
Squint quoins can be of two types:
(a) Acute squint.
(b) Obtuse squint.

Acute squint
(a) Acute squint:
This is formed when the enclosed
angle on the
inside of the two walls is less than
90 . Generally, the acute angle is
kept
equal to 60 .

ACUTE SQUINT JUNCTION IN ENGLISH BOND

ACUTE SQUINT JUNCTION IN DOUBLE FLEMISH BOND

Obtuse squint
Obtuse squint :
This is formed when the enclosed
angle on the
inside of the two walls is more than
90 . The angle generally varies from
105 to 135 , the more common
being 120

OBTUSE SQUINT JUNCTION IN ENGLISH BOND

OBTUSE SQUINT JUNCTION IN DOUBLE FLEMISH BOND

BOND IN BRICK
PIERS
Piers of brick masonry are provided
to have
supports for beams, trusses or other
structural members. Piers are also
known as columns or pillars. These
piers may be of two types,
depending upon their location with
reference to the adjoining load
bearing wall (if, any):
(a) Detached or isolated piers.

ISOLATED PIERS
Though piers may be constructed in
any type of bond, generally English
bond or double Flemish bond is
adopted. The size of the pier as well
as its shape (i.e., square, rectangular
or circular) depends upon the
magnitude of the load as well as
architectural requirements.

ISOLATED PIERS IN ENGLISH BOND

ISOLATED PIERS IN ENGLISH BOND

ISOLATED PIERS IN DOUBLE FLEMISH BOND

ISOLATED PIERS IN DOUBLE FLEMISH BOND

ATTACHED PIERS
Attached piers are constructed along
the wall for two purposes:
(i) to provide larger bearing. area for
supporting heavy girders, roof etc.
and
(ii) to provide stiffness to the wall.

BOND IN FOOTINGS
Footings distribute the load of wall or pier, to a
wider area at its base, through the provision of
steps or offsets. Each step of the footing can be
constructed either in single course of bricks or in
double or more courses. Footings of single course
of brick in each step is adopted for light loads. In
such a case the bricks are laid as headers on the
outside. This would make it possible to give
greater bearing to the projecting portion (offset)
inside the wall or pier. In the case of double or
multiple courses, the method of construction and
bonding is similar. to that adopted for the wall or
pier.

BOND IN FOOTINGS
The previous shows an isometric
view of wall footing in which each
step consists of one brick course only
and the offset is equal to brick.
Each alternate course consists of
header bricks only.