A reinforced brick masonry wall is an extremely strong type of construction that can withstand substantial earthquake and wind loads. It has been used for many years and is now being used again due to its advantages. In this article, we will discuss what reinforced brick masonry wall means, and why it is preferred by builders and users as compared to other types of construction.
The reinforced brick masonry wall is a prefabricated load-bearing structure, consisting of two or more courses of load-bearing bricks that are separated by tie bricks, with a concrete core and facing. The load-bearing capacity of this type of wall is determined by the strength characteristics of the facing material and mortar joint, as well as by the resistance characteristics of the tie bars, which are generally made from steel wire mesh.
Reinforced brick masonry walls are used in construction for exterior walls, interior partitions, and firewalls. They can be used as an infill between existing structural elements (columns, beams, or slabs) or as a standalone structure. In some cases, they may also be constructed over an existing reinforced concrete foundation slab.
Advantages:
It provides long-term durability and stability;
It is easy to construct with minimal site preparation required;
It has high thermal insulation properties due to its density;
It has good sound absorption properties due to its density;
It has low maintenance requirements because it does not corrode easily unlike metal materials that require regular painting every few years.
What is Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall?
Reinforced brick masonry walls are made up of a series of bricks, which are arranged in rows. The two sides of each row meet at a mortar joint and form a horizontal line. A steel bar is then embedded into this joint, connecting the two sides together. The steel bars can be found on both sides of the wall and are connected to the foundation by anchor bolts. They also connect to each other by welding or bolting them together at regular intervals along their full length. Finally, they’re bolted to the top of the wall so that they hold it firmly in place while allowing movement during earthquakes or other ground movements.
Why is Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall Construction Preferred?
- Why is Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall Construction Preferred?
Bricks are made of clay, which can be easily affected by the environment and weather. To prevent the brick from damage, reinforced brick masonry wall construction is preferred. It adds steel bars or mesh between the layers of bricks to strengthen them against earthquakes, wind, and other forces that could affect their durability. This also makes it cost-effective as there will be less maintenance needed later on in its life cycle than for traditional methods like plastering over joints between two separate walls with cement mortar layer after layer until you get a finished product that looks nice but not necessarily strong enough to withstand natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes.*
Uses of Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall
Reinforced Brick Masonry Walls are commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings to create walls that will withstand the forces generated during an earthquake. The design of these building walls has been tested under controlled conditions and found to resist seismic activity well. Reinforced Brick Masonry Walls are also used as a structural material in high-wind areas where they provide stability against strong winds while being able to flex without breaking or becoming damaged by storms. They can be designed to be fire-resistant as well which makes them suitable for use in both domestic and industrial settings.
Reasons for constructing Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall
Reinforced brick masonry walls are used in areas where the soil is extremely soft and weak. They can also be used for constructing retaining walls. The main purpose of constructing reinforced brick masonry walls is to resist forces like earthquakes, strong winds, etc. Reinforced brick masonry walls offer better resistance against earthquakes, wind, and other forces than ordinary soil walls do.
However, it should be noted that these types of structures are not suitable for every application as they have some disadvantages too such as high cost compared to ordinary soil wall systems and increased construction time due to the complicated process involved in laying bricks on each other with steel bars placed between them
Advantages of Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall Construction
The main advantages of reinforced brick masonry wall construction include:
- Cost-effectiveness. This type of construction is not only easy to construct but also cost-effective because it uses fewer materials than other forms of walls and foundations. Compared to other types of foundations, such as concrete or steel-reinforced concrete structures, this method requires less work and money to build. Therefore, this type of foundation is an excellent choice for those who want their homes to be built efficiently without spending too much on them.
- Easy installation process. Reinforced brick masonry walls do not need sophisticated tools for installation; therefore, you can easily build yourself a house out of this material without hiring any professionals for assistance in your project or paying exorbitant fees for their services as well
Disadvantages of Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall Construction
You may be wondering what the disadvantages of reinforced brick masonry wall construction are. There are a few, but they’re all worth it for the strength and durability that you get from this type of structure.
Firstly, it requires more time and effort than other building methods because bricks must be laid in courses with mortar between each layer. You also need to ensure that you lay your bricks in the right way so that they provide maximum strength when they’re compressed by the concrete in later stages of construction. This means that you need to pay close attention during this process since mistakes can weaken your final product significantly or even make it unsafe if not corrected early on.
Secondly, reinforced brick masonry wall construction requires more labor than other building techniques because each layer must be placed carefully before adding another one on top; otherwise, cracks may appear between them which can lead to serious structural problems down the road (or even worse things like earthquakes).
Steps involved in building Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall
- Site preparation
The site preparation for a concrete block wall is not much different from a traditional masonry wall, but it does involve more work. You will need to dig out the topsoil and remove any existing vegetation or debris that might be present at the construction site. Make sure that you remove any roots from trees and shrubs because they can damage your foundation if left in place.
- Excavation and foundation
Once you have prepared your site, it is time to excavate for the concrete blocks that form your Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall (RBWM). Dig down about 12 inches beneath ground level using a shovel, removing soil as needed until you reach the solid ground beneath. Then place 4×4 wooden posts into each corner of where your RBWM will be built using post-hole diggers; these posts should be buried 8 inches below surface level to allow for proper drainage around them when backfill occurs later on during construction activities. Concrete form boards can now be placed atop these wooden posts creating forms that will hold backfill material such as sand or gravel while leaving room between each row of blocks so they can be filled with concrete mix later on when the building continues further down.
Site preparation
Site preparation is a critical step in the construction of a reinforced brick masonry wall. Prior to the start of site work, you must remove any existing structures, vegetation, topsoil, and subsoil that are within one meter of your proposed wall location. You will also need to remove any utilities including gas lines and water pipes within this same distance from the proposed location.
During site preparation, it’s important that you inspect underground tanks for leaks before removing them from your property. If there appears to be any leakage or spillage of liquid at any time during construction work then all work should stop immediately until further notice from an appropriate professional such as an engineer or contractor who can assess whether there is any risk associated with continuing work on site with regards to potential harm towards nearby people or property damage caused by continued exposure due to potential leaks at depth within soil strata near ground level where no further precautions can take place once initial excavation has occurred.
Excavation and foundation
Excavation is the first step in the construction of any building. It is the process of removing soil and other materials from the site. Excavation is done to provide a stable foundation for your structure to be built on, as well as to make room for utilities such as gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, and communication systems.
The depth of excavation varies depending on both local regulations and design requirements. Generally speaking, excavations are deeper than they need to be because it’s easier (and safer) for your contractor to use heavy machinery like bulldozers at greater depths than trying to do everything with shovels alone.
In addition to removing excess material from around your home or commercial property there are also some important considerations during this phase:
Framing
Framing is done on a brick masonry wall in the same way as concrete block walls, or cavity walls. This can be done with wood studs or steel studs and may include either gypcrete or concrete board sheathing materials.
Benefits of Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall
- Better resistance against earthquakes, wind, and other forces
- Can be used in residential and commercial buildings
- Can be used in any climate
- Can be built by unskilled labor
- Is cost-effective: It can be built in a short time with unskilled labor
Materials needed for building Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall
Materials needed for building Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall:
- Concrete brick
- Cement mortar
- Steel bars
Tools needed for building Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall
The tools needed for building a reinforced brick masonry wall are:
- Hammer. A hammer is used to drive nails, and in this case, it is also used for chiseling holes into the mortar joints when installing anchors.
- Trowel. A trowel is used primarily to spread mortar onto the bricks before laying them in place on top of one another. The term “trowel” can refer to both narrow-bladed and broad-bladed tools but typically refers only to a broad-bladed tool with a handle attached at right angles (90 degrees) from its blade.
Cost of Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall
The cost of a Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall is the sum of the costs of its constituent parts.
The cost of materials includes:
- Bricks
- Mortar (cement)
The cost of labor consists mainly of the fees paid to masons and bricklayers for their time, equipment use, and management. It also includes any applicable taxes and insurance premiums.
The labor cost of Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall
Construction of a reinforced brick masonry wall is labor-intensive. The most common method for building reinforced brick masonry walls is to lay a bed of mortar on the ground and place interlocking bricks on top of each other until you reach your desired height. Once this has been done, you must then secure the wall by placing reinforcing rods along the length of it and filling in any gaps with additional mortar that can harden overnight or over several days depending on weather conditions.
The labor cost associated with these steps depends largely on how many bricks are required for completion, as well as what type of material will be used (for example concrete blocks or natural clay).
The material cost of Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall
The material cost of Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall is around 1350/- per sq. ft. This includes the cost of bricks, sand, cement, and other construction materials. The material cost also varies according to the type of brick used in construction and its thickness.
Maintenance tips for Reinforced Brick Masonry Wall
With proper maintenance, your reinforced brick masonry wall can stay beautiful for many years to come.
- Clean the wall regularly. Wipe it down with a cloth dampened in water to remove dust and debris, then dry the surface completely before sealing. Use a mild detergent if necessary to clean away stains or grime that may have accumulated over time.
- Seal the wall using high-quality sealer every six months or so to protect against moisture damage and other wear and tear caused by weather conditions (such as freezing temperatures), dirt accumulation, etc., which may cause deterioration of the material against which they’re installed
Reinforced brick masonry wall offers better resistance against earthquake, wind, and other forces. Before deciding on a construction method consider the advantages as well as disadvantages of reinforced brick masonry wall construction.
The main advantage of this type of construction is that it is strong against earthquakes and wind-induced vibrations. It can be used to construct buildings such as warehouses, towers, tall buildings, and places where big forces are exerted on them by nature or man’s activities like underground parking lots, etc.,
In Conclusion
Reinforced brick masonry wall offers better resistance against earthquake, wind, and other forces. Before deciding on a construction method consider the advantages as well as disadvantages of reinforced brick masonry wall construction.
