Brick




 * What are they made of?

Bricks may be made from clay, shale, soft slate, calcium cilicate, concrete, or shaped from quarried stone. Clay is the most common material.


 * What are they used for?

Bricks are used for building and pavement. But nowadays, brick pavement is incapable of withstanding heavy traffic. Bricks are also used in the metallurgy and galss industries for lining furnaces.


 * How many types of brick are there?

Bricks vary in their character as well as their composition: they may be solid, perforated or hollow, but most fall into the solid category. Even bricks with small or large holes in them (these are also known as cellular) are classed as solid so long as the perforations do not exceed 25% of the total volume. Bricks are also made in special shapes and sizes for particular uses (copings, bull nose and angles are some examples).


 * What is the meaning of //brick laying techniques//?

Bricklaying techniques consist in the laying of rectangular pieces of baked clay called bricks one after another, layer upon layer until a desired height is reached. A composition of lime and sand called mortar is spread between each layer which hardens and bonds the bricks together to form a solid mass.

There are three groups of clay bricks:

1. Common bricks have no special finish because they are made to be used where they will not be seen or be subjected to major stress or load. 2. Facing bricks come in a variety of colours and textures for they are made to be displayed indoors and outdoors. Also called //stocks//they are capable of bearing heavy loads. 3. Engineering bricks are smooth and dense, designed to be used where strength and low water absorption is essential - for example in foundation courses ( thus providing a damp proof course for a wall or planter) and load bearing walls. 4. Calcium silicate bricks.


 * Describe 2 brick laying techniques

Bricklaying using joint spacers: 1. Mix mortar into the consistancy of oat 2. Lay and level first course of brick on the poured concrete footer in the standard fashion. 3. Spread 3/4 to 1 inch of mortar on the top of the bricks. 4. Using the center of the bottom brick as a reference, place a spacer on the brick. 5. Place a brick halfway onto the spacer and tap it down until it seats firmly.R 6. Using your trowel, clean off all the mortar that squeezed out. Repeat the process.

Basic bricklaying: It's exaclty the same process but without the spacers. What construction material would you use to build your own house? Why?
 * What are their advantages and disadvantages?

I would definitely use stone rather than brciks because I think that stone looks nicer and it gives more personlaity to the house. And it will last forever.