This Calculator/Estimator will provide the quantities of bricks, blocks and mortar (sand & cement)
required for a given area for metric bricks (single & double skins) as well as 100mm, 140mm & 215mm
blockwork. It will also provide approximate brick work prices.
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Brick Mortar
- Mix Design - mortar is a combination of binder (cement or lime) with sand. Either with or without fillers
or additives such as plasticiser. Good mortar design fills the voids in a well graded sand with the binder or
filler. This is what produces the ratio.In general it is good practice to use the weakest possible mortar mix
that is compatible with the brick or block being used and the exposure, unless otherwise specified. This mortar
mix will exhibit less shrinkage and produce a superior brick/mortar bond, weaker mixes also tend to be more
flexible
- Aesthetics - The colour and joint profile chosen will affect the overall appearance of the brickwork.
Whether the aim is to contrast against the brickwork or blend subtly there is a wide choice
- Durability - Water and frost are the main elements that will affect brickwork. However, as the frost resistance
of the mature mortar increases with the proportion of cement, designation (i) and (ii) mortars are considered more
suitable for severely exposed applications such as in copings, cappings and cills and below DPC level. Designation
(i) mortars should be used for paving. If there are high levels of soluble salts and/or the brickwork is likely to
be saturated for periods then the Ordinary Portland Cement should be replaced with sulphate-resisting Portland
cement
- Rain - Resistance to this can be achieved or increased by good adhesion, well filled joints and an appropriate
joint profile.Tooled bucket handle or weather struck joints are the most appropriate for exposed areas. Whilst
recessed joints are only suitable for moderate exposure
- Structural - In design calculations, it is assumed that both the compressive strength value of the appropriate
mortar designation is achieved in practice and that the joints are completely filled with mortar. This underlines
the importance of good building practice
- Adhesion - Strength of bond is affected by the suction rate of the brick, the mortar constituents, water content
and the weather. Where the suction rate of a brick exceeds the optimum value of 1.5kg/m2/min, it is recommended that the bricks are
wetted prior to laying, particularly in hot & dry weather conditions
Good Practice
- Brick Mixing - Natural materials such as clay bricks have characteristic variations in shade, colour and
texture. However because patching or colour banding would not be desired in the finished work, it is important
to blend the bricks. Although this is carried out at manufacturing there is still a need to further carry out
this process on site, this is best achieved mixing from as many packs as possible and mixing from corners rather
than layers to maximise colour consistency
- Mortar - The correct preparation is key to the overall aesthetics, durability, weather resistance and structural
performance. In general terms the correct proportions of binders and sand is necessary for consistent mortar strength, avoidance of
colour variation and a good bond between brick & mortar. This should be achieved by the use of batching boxes or buckets, avoid the
use of shovels for proportioning by volume
Brick Laying
- Docking It is accepted practice for bricks with a high absorbency to be wetted prior to laying. This procedure adjusts the suction
rate of the brick to promote good adhesion between the brick and the mortar. However, bricks should not be soaked during the process
as this could lead to subsequent staining problems. See above. Bricks with a low suction rate should never be wetted because they
might 'float'; mortar that is mixed too wet will have the same effect
- Tooling The bricklayer uses his skill and experience in determining when to begin tooling the joints after placing the bricks in
mortar. Early tooling should be avoided as this can produce a dragged effect on the mortar surface and the cement fines may be drawn
to the surface resulting in an unsightly patchy bloom on the joints in the mature work
- Winter working If the temperature of unhardened mortar is less than 4DegC,the performance of the joints produced will be
inadequate. Consequently, bricklaying should stop when the air temperature reaches 3DegC and falling, unless the mortar temperature
can be maintained at a minimum of 4DegC until it has hardened. Bricklaying can be resumed when the air temperature rises to 1DegC and
is expected to continue rising to above 3DegC over the bricklaying period