Conservation of Masonry Conservation of the built environment is a difficult subject to cover comprehensively because it involves a complex interplay between politics, history, legislation, sustainability, the construction arts and crafts, materials science and structural engineering. In this short article only a flavour can be conveyed and an indication of Read more…
There are a large number of mechanisms by which masonry structures can deteriorate; these can be categorised into: Chemical/biological attack on either the mortar or the units or both, due to water and waterborne acids, sulphates, pollution and chemicals released by growing plants. Corrosion of embedded metal (usually steel) components, Read more…
The main non-structural function of masonry elements is as a cladding to buildings and the key function of such elements is to maintain habitable conditions within the building. It is therefore important to know how effective masonry wall systems are at preventing heat loss in winter and maintaining comfortable conditions Read more…
Structural Behaviour and Movement of Masonry Like any structural material, masonry must resist loads or forces due to a variety of external influences (or actions) and in various planes. Figure 1 illustrates the various forces that can arise and the likely actions. In this chapter we will discuss the behaviour Read more…
Compressive Strength of Masonry Walls Axial loads Masonry is most effective when resisting axial compressive loads normal to the bedding plane. This is, clearly, the way in which most load-bearing walls function but also the way that arches and tunnels resist load since an inward force on the outside surface Read more…
This article is concerned with how masonry is built, the architectural forms used and the resulting appearance. The basic structural form of many types of masonry is expressed on the surface of buildings and other structures and can be a very attractive and reassuring aspect of these. Appearance is a Read more…
Concrete units have been made since the 1920s and were widely used, in the form of the ‘breeze block’, to build partitions in houses in the building boom of the 1930s. In the past 40 years, however, the range of products has expanded enormously to cover facing bricks and blocks, Read more…
Fired clay units are made by forming the unit from moist clay by pressing, extrusion or casting followed by drying and firing (burning) to a temperature usually in the range 850–1300°C. During the firing process complex chemical changes take place and the clay and other particles that go to make Read more…
Properties of Mortar Mortar has to cope with a wide range of sometimes conflicting requirements. To obtain optimum performance the composition must be tailored to the application. The broad principles are as follows: Mortars with a high content of hydraulic cements are stronger, denser, more impervious and more durable, bond Read more…
Basic Terminology Units: brick or block-sized pieces of stone, fired clay, concrete or calcium silicate bonded aggregate that are assembled to make masonry. Usually, but not invariably, these are in the form of rectangular prisms, but many special shapes are manufactured and stones are often used either as found or Read more…