Technical Terms in Brick Masonry



The definitions of various technical terms in Brick Masonry are given below :

 

1) Stretcher :

• This is a brick laid with its length parallel to the face or front or direction of a wall.
• A course containing stretchers is called a stretcher course.
  

  

  
  

2) Header :

• This is a brick laid with its breadth or width parallel to the face or front or direction of a wall. Header is shown in above image.
• The course containing headers is called a header course.

3) Arrises :

• The edges formed by the intersection of plane surfaces of brick are called the arrises.
  

  

4) Bed :

• The lower surface of the brick when laid flat is known as the bed.
  

  

5) Bed Joint :

• The horizontal layer of mortar upon which the bricks are laid is known as a bed joint. Bed joint is shown in above image.

6) Perpends :

The vertical joints separating the bricks in either length or cross directions are known as the perpends.

7) Lap :

The horizontal distance between the vertical joints in successive courses is termed as a lap.

8) Closer :

A piece of brick which is used to close up the bond at the end of brick courses is known as a closer.

a) Queen Closer : This is obtained by cutting the brick longitudinally in two equal parts.

b)  King Closer : This is obtained by cutting a triangular portion of the brick such that half a header & half a stretcher are obtained on the adjoining cut faces.

c)  Bevelled Closer : This is obtained by cutting a triangular portion of half the width but of full length.

d)  Mitred Closer : This is obtained by cutting a triangular portion of the brick through its width & making an angle of 45º to 60º with the length of the brick.

9) Bat :

• This is a piece of brick, usually considered in relation to the length of a brick & accordingly known as half bat or three-quarter bat.
  

  
  

10) Bullnose :

•   A brick moulded with a rounded angle is termed as a bullnose & it is used for a rounded quoin.

11) Cownose :

• A brick moulded with a double bullnose on end is termed as cownose.
  

  

12) Squint Quoin :

• A brick which is cut or moulded such that an angle other than a right angle is formed in plan is known as a squint quoin.
  

  

  
  

13) Frog :

• A frog is a mark of depth about 10 mm to 20 mm which is placed on the face of a brick to form a key for holding the mortar.
  

  

  
  

14) Racking Back :

• The termination of a wall in a stepped fashion is known as the racking back.
  

  

  
  

15) Toothing :

• The termination of a wall in such a fashion that each alternate course at the end projects is known as the toothing .
  

  

  
  

 

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