Case Study Report

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND
DESIGN
Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours)

INTEGRATED ASSIGNMENT:
MEASUREMENT I (QSB60104)
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY I (BLD 60104)
BUILDING MATERIALS (BLD 62003)

CASE STUDY REPORT


Student Name: Jacquelyn Vanessa Tee
Student ID No: 0320021
Date of Submission: 7th July 2016 @ 10A.M.
Name of Lecturers: Miss Azrina Md. Yaakob
Sr. Ang Fuey Lin
Dr. Aisyah Kamarazaly

Contents

Contents Page
Number
1. Introduction 2
2. Technical Observation 3
3. Construction of a Brick Wall 4 12
4. Conclusion 13

Case Study Report | Jacquelyn Vanessa Tee | 0320021 | Taylor’s University 1

Introduction

On the 23rd of June 2016, the semester 1 class of Bachelor in Quantity Surveying were
given a task to do a case study report on brick walls. We are suppose to study and explain
some major factors like how a brick wall is constructed and also what are the machineries,
plants and tools involved in constructing a brick wall.

Due to the fact that my class was not given the fortunate chance of conducting a site
visit, we were given three videos to watch instead and observe before summarizing it all up into
a report in collaboration of 3 of my semester 1 modules which are Measurements I, Construction
Technology I and Building Materials. This video will give exposure to us where we will be able to
describe, explain and understand the method and process of construction in accordance to the
sequence of work on site. This is a report on a video incorporating all the learning outcomes of
the construction site, the introduction of the site and technical observations made on site.

The videos were given in our facebook group and it is in the form of 3 videos. The details
of the video contains of on a man laying mortar on a brick wall, concrete and mortar are being
mixed on site and also plastering of a brick wall for aesthetic finishes.


Technical Observation

To start things off, my classmates and I were supposed to attend a site visit
organized for the whole class 2 weeks prior to the submission date of this assignment.
Unfortunately due to some unavoidable circumstances, the site visit had to be called off
which made our class basically ‘siteless’ to even carry on with our assignment.
Because of that, the lecturers had given us another alternative which is to watch 3 given
videos and carry out a report about it before its due date. The videos were uploaded
onto my class’ Facebook group, along with a new and improved project brief.

The first video that I had to view to ensure I was on the
right track was a video showing a bunch of workers
bonding bricks to build a brick wall. It was a 2 minute and
9 seconds long video of the workers stacking up the
bricks. Based on my observation, the bond in which the
pattern of the brick is laid in is the stretcher bond.

The second video that I had to observe for 31 seconds
involves a male worker scooping a cement mix with a
shovel into the wheelbarrow whilst walking away from it
after the wheelbarrow is filled. As he gets out of the
scene, there is a portable cement mixer that is being
powered at the background.

For the third and final video that lasted for about 20
seconds, shows a grinning male worker plastering a brick
wall for it to have a smooth and even texture by using a
trowel to screed the wall.


Construction of a Brick Wall

First and foremost, constructing a brick wall is considered as one of the most
approachable skills constructionwise, and most selfbuilders are understandably keen
to give it a go.

The first thing to make sure before
beginning the bricklaying is to ensure the
amount of bricks is correctly purchased. This
is mainly because the bricks got to be
adjusted in such a way that it accounts for
the mortar. The measurements of the mortar
must be added and planned before
constructing a brick wall. There is a specific
name for when the measurement of the brick
and mortar is combined, which is the brick’s
‘nominal’ size. A trench is supposed to be dug out for the foundation to be prepared.
Then, the bricks should be laid out at both ends of the walls where the pillars will start.

[A dug out trench]

After all that is settled, the next step is to
proceed with the construction of the first row.
The bricks should be laid in the foundation for a
dry run, and should have an appropriate
spacing accounting for the mortar. For
guideline purposes, clamp a string in order to
have a proper level line to work with along the
way. The level line should not be sagged to

avoid having structural issues once it is constructed. After that, lay the first half inch of
the mortar along the base of the foundation with the help of a trowel. Once the first brick
has been laid down, press it down into the mortar then check the level to ensure it is in
accordance with the ground. Any excess mortar should be scraped off the bricks. The
following steps requires of working 2 to 3 bricks worth of mortar at a time when setting
more set of bricks.

Once the setting of bricks are done, any missing
parts, gaps or joints of the wall should be filled up
with mortar by using a trowel.

(Types of Bonds)

First thing’s first, what exactly is meant by bonding of brickwork? This term is not
something that is rather familiar to hear in our everyday basis, unless you have a career that
revolves around the construction industry. Basically, a bonding of brickwork is the arrangement
of brickwork of what seems to be the pattern of headers and stretchers, in other words the
shorter faces and longer faces of the bricks. Breaking it down to the types of bonds, is meant by
the variety of bonds to choose from which I am about to touch on.

English Bond

The English Bond comprises of alternative courses of
stretchers and headers, with the headers centered
over the middle point of the stretchers, and perpends
in each alternate course aligned. It provides a strong
bond when the wall is onebrickthick. This type of
bond is highly recommended and chosen in terms of
the construction of bridges, viaducts, embankment
walls and other civil engineering architectures that are
available in the construction industry.




Flemish Bond

The Flemish Bond, also sometimes known as the
Dutch Bond, can be replicated in the halfbrick outer
layer of a cavity wall by using wholebricks as
stretchers, whilst the headers are created by half bricks
called bats, or snapheaders. As compared to the
English Bond, it is not as strong at onebrickthick. The
thing about Flemish Bond is that is it a little bit more
difficult to lay properly because all vertical mortar joints
of the Flemish Bond has to be aligned.

Stretcher Bond

The Stretcher Bond, also sometimes known as the
running bond, is actually the simplest of all bonds that
are used in the construction industry today.
Unfortunately, this bond is not likely to be suitable as a
standalone structural wall and a structural wall built
directly behind it, fixed with wall ties would be needed.
On a normal bases, the stretcher bond is used with
the purpose of decorating the facade of a main
structural building to heighten its aesthetic value.
Although in certain perspectives it may look really plain and simple, but with the help of a
different form of patterns it can look very effective and aesthetically pleasing.

American Bond
The American Bond, or some may know it as the
Common Bond, have between 39 courses of
stretchers between each course of headers. The
headers are used as quoins for those of the
evennumbered stretching courses. It starts
counting from the previous heading course to
achieve the necessary offset in a standard
American Bond.


Facing Bond

The Facing Bond is arranged in such a way that it is compatible
to be used for thick walls, where the facing and backing are
desired to be constructed with bricks of different thickness. Due
to the fact that the number of joints in the backing and facing
differs greatly, the distribution of load is not uniform.

Garden Wall Bond

The Garden Wall Bond is compatible for onebrickthick
wall which could act as a garden wall or a boundary wall.
For this bond, it is possible to build uniform faces for a wall
without the use of a lot of labour, although this type of
bond does not have a the sufficient strength as compared
to the English Bond.
The garden wall bond can be broken down into 2 types
which are,
(a) English garden wall bond
(b) Flemish garden wall bond

(a) English garden wall bond. Generally, the arrangement type is similar to the English Bond.
The only difference it makes is that the heading courses are only inserted at every fourth or
sixth course.
(b) Flemish garden wall bond. This bond consists of alternate course composed of one to
three header, or sometimes even five stretchers in series throughout the length of the courses.
Each alternate course contains a three quarter bat placed next to the quoin header and a
header is laid over the middle of each central stretcher.


Zig Zag Bond

An easier way of explaining what a zigzag bond is, is that it
is similar to a herringbone bond with the only difference
making is the way the bricks are laid in. The bricks are laid
in a zigzag manner which is basically where it gotten its
name from. This bond is commonly adopted in a brick paved
flooring.

(Types of bricks)

Facing bricks

Facing bricks are bricks which are intended to be visible, and
are thus designed with some aesthetic aims in mind so that
they are visually interesting and appealing to look at. Quality,
durable bricks, with an attractive appearance for external use
above ground. As the name implies, facing bricks are
designed to be used as facing, as for example on the
exterior of a wall, where the bricks will be seen. These bricks
may lack the tensile strength of engineering bricks, which are
used for structural brickwork, although bricks for facing can
also be used for structural applications in some cases.
Facing bricks can be extruded or molded, and in some cases may be made by hand, although
handmade brick can be quite expensive.
Wirecut Bricks

For this type of brick the clay is extruded and cut by
wire into individual bricks. This is a very cost effective
way of producing bricks and is done by an automated
production process. These bricks are readily available
in a variety of styles and colours.


Handmade Bricks

Usually made on a bench in a mould. Due to the fact that the clay
isn't firmly compacted by machine, each brick normally has
distinctive creasing known as a 'smile'. High desirable in the
industry, and the most expensive of the facings.

Fletton Bricks

Fletton Bricks are also known as London Bricks. This clay
contains coal traces, which burn during firing, reducing the
amount of fuel needed for the kiln, which not only keeps
down costs but also produces some interesting effects in the
bricks themselves.

Calcium Silicate Bricks

These bricks are popular in areas that are low in the
existence of good brickmaking clay. But on the brighter
side, it is cheap and gives an impression of being
something other than the usual boring concrete.


(Material of Mortar)

Lime Mortar

It is a type of mortar that is composed of lime, and an
aggregate such as sand, mixed with water. It is normally used
in the conservation of buildings originally built using lime
mortar, but may be used as an alternative to ordinary portland
cement. Usually used for construction work that is above
ground level.

Mud Mortar

It is a mix of suitable clay, water, and soil. The soil used in the
mix should be free from any sorts of grass, pebbles, etc.
Costwise it is the cheapest amongst all mortar, but the
weakest in strength. This mortar is usually used for brickwork
of ordinary buildings and for plastering walls in rural areas.

Portland Cement Mortar

Portland cement mortar that is often known as cement
mortar is created by mixing Portland cement with sand
and water. It was popularised during the late 19th
century, and by 1930 it had superseded lime mortar for
new construction. The main reason for this was that it
sets hard and quickly, allowing construction of a faster
pace. The Portland cement mortar is the basis for
concrete, a mixture usually comprised of this particular
mortar with the addition of gravel.

Gypsum Mortar

The earliest known mortar was used by the ancient Egyptians
and was made from gypsum. This form was essentially a
mixture of plaster and sand and was quite soft.



(Mortar joints)

Concave
This popular type of joint is formed in mortar through the use of a
curved steel jointing tool. It works best at resisting rain penetration due
to its recessed profile and the tight seal formed by compacted mortar.

Vjoint
This joint can be made with a vshaped jointer or a trowel once the bricks
have been laid. It works just like the concave joint, which is being
waterresistant due to its formation compacting the mortar and its shape
directs water away from the seal.

Struck
This is slightly similar to the weathered joint, except that the bottom
edge, instead of the top edge, is recessed. It is a very poor insulator
against water as it will allow water to collect on its bottom ledge.

Weathered
The straight, inclined surfaces of the horizontal joints tend to catch the
light and give the brickwork a neat, ordered appearance. This joint is
less compacted than the concave and Vjoints, although it is still
suitable for exterior building walls.

Flushed
This joint is less resistant to water penetration because the flush joints are
formed without compacting the surface of the mortar.

.


(What are the machineries, plants and tools involved in constructing a brick
wall?)

Trowel

Shovel Gloves Measuring Tape

Wheelbarrow Cement Mixer


Conclusion

To sum everything up and put it in a nutshell, I am overwhelmed with joy to be able to
complete my final assignment for this semester. I may not have been given the glorified chance
to step into the construction site and actually have my own personal view of how the
construction field is like, but knowing our lecturers have tried their best to give us the best they
can with another alternative warms my heart with glee. Even though majority of my research
that I have done is based on what I’ve studied on the internet, it is still without a doubt
informative for my little brain to fathom. And honestly, my mindset did get richer without even
needing to step outside as the internet is a substitute for an information hub. As once said by
the famous Bill Gates, “The internet is becoming the town square for the global village of
tomorrow.”

Besides that, I have learned so much about brickwork prior to completing this
assignment. Getting to know about brickwork at the back of our hand for us students is pretty
essential and it is something general for a quantity surveyor to know in the longterm, and I am
pleased to say that I have most of the informations at my fingertips. Even if there is anybody at
all that maybe tries to lie their way into making me believe a certain bonding type even if it
speaks otherwise, I would now know.

Last but definitely not the least, I am also extremely grateful towards my lecturers who
have provided me with gracious amount of guidance that I very much need to ensure I was on
the right track every step of the way to get good grades. Although this assignment is slightly
different than the usual assignment given to semester 1 students, I’m still very much happy the
fact that the brief has stated the marking criteria and was far from vague. I quote William
Makepeace Thackeray, “Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.”


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