Sem. I 2022
BCM-I
BONDS IN BRICK MASONRY
Brick masonry is built with bricks bonded together with mortar. For temporary sheds mud mortar
may be used but for all permanent buildings lime or cement mortars are used.
The various types of bonds generally used in brick masonry are –
1. Stretcher bond
2. Header bond
3. English bond
4. Flemish bond
1. Stretcher Bond:
A stretcher is the longer face of the brick. In the brick of size 230×115×75mm, the 230×75 mm face is
the stretcher. In stretcher bond masonry the bricks are arranged in stretcher courses. However, care
should be taken to break vertical joints. This type of bond is useful for the construction of half brick
thick partition wall.
2. Header Bond:
A header is the shorter face of the brick. In a standard brick it is 115×75 mm face. In header bond
brick masonry, the bricks are arranged in header courses. This type of bond is useful for the
construction of one brick thick walls.
3. English Bond:
Here, alternate courses consist of headers and stretchers. This is considered to be the strongest
bond. Hence it is a commonly used bond for the walls of all thicknesses. To break continuity of
vertical joints a brick is cut lengthwise into two halves and used in the beginning and end of a wall
after first header. This is called queen closer.
4. Flemish Bond:
In this type of bond each course comprises of alternate headers and stretchers. Alternate courses
start with a stretcher and header. To break the vertical joints queen closers are required, if a course
starts with header. Every header is centrally supported by the stretcher below it.
Flemish bonds may be further classified as –
1) Single Flemish Bond
2) Double Flemish Bond
Single Flemish bond is a combination of English bond and Flemish bond. In this type of
construction, the front exposed surface of wall consists of Flemish bond and the back surface of the
wall consists of English bond in each course.
In case of double Flemish bond, both faces of the wall have Flemish look, i.e. each course
consists of alternate header and stretcher, whereas single Flemish bond outer faces of walls have
Flemish look whereas inner faces have look of English bond.
Conclusion –
The construction of Flemish bond needs greater skill. It gives more pleasing appearance. But it is not
as strong as English bond. If only pointing is to be used for finished wall, Flemish bond may be used
to get good aesthetic view. If plastering is going to be used, it is better to use English bond.
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