COMMON DEFECTS IN BRICKWORK NOTICED AT SITE

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Defects in Brickwork

The followings are some of the common defects in brickwork that are found at construction site.

  1. The bricks used were of substandard quality compared to the quality specified in the contract.
  2. No tests were carried out to find out the efflorescence level and water absorption in the bricks
  3. The bricks were not soaked in water properly. Water was only lightly sprinkled on the stack of bricks. The bricks were dry inside.
  4. Joints in the brick masonry were thicker than specified in the contract specification.
  5. Joints in brickwork below ground level were not finished properly as the contractor assumed that these joints would not be seen once earth is filled back.
  6. Vertical joints in brick work were hollow.
  7. The mortar had not gained strength. On scratching by a screw driver, the mortar could be raked out completely with ease.
  8. Raking of joints was not done when mortar was green.
  9. Brick bats were used as fillers and closers.
  10. Mortar was not mixed properly on a platform or in a machine.
  11. The brick layers were uneven and not truly horizontal.
  12. The brick work was not in plumb.
  13. The brick work was done in weaker mortar and not as per structural requirement.
  14. The brick courses on edge were not done where needed.
  15. Gaps existed between door frames/window frames and masonry.
  16. Heavy efflorescence was observed in the brickwork.
  17. The brick masonry in long partition walls was not done without reinforcement.
  18. The holes in the brick work which were left for supporting scaffolding were filled with dry bricks without proper mortar around it and superficially plastered which later became the source of dampness in the building.

7 thoughts on “COMMON DEFECTS IN BRICKWORK NOTICED AT SITE”

  2. D/Sir Brick work defects described in detail. We want to request to provide it,s remedy.Please also tell us about classification, selection parameter,permissible limit of acceptance of bricks. In his topic involve corrosion of brick.Plz. describe selection procedure of raw material for brick manufacturing.

    Reply

  3. Am still craft leve BC am intersted in finding a menter(some one to guide me)but i was glad when i found this contact,

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  4. Dear Suryakanta,
    As usual you wrote another Helpful post, the fact stated above are really really ignored in the field by most of the Engineers, which causes a lot of lack of durability in the structure. But it will not be out of place to mention that even after preparing the mortar in the required proportion the same will not yield the strength, as I’ve seen in 99% of the Mason do not prepare the Dry Mix of the Raw ingredients properly and the mortar becomes inconsistent in its spread of adhesive particles of binding material , and also they do not cure the Brickwork, and this must be eliminated seriously, I also endorse your views This were my observations in my Government Career Catastrophic Mistakes in Brickwork Which Twisted My Mind

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  5. Dear Sir, your engineering blog is very interesting and i would like to thank you for this initiative for sharing engineering knowledge. I am an civil engineering graduate and I would be much grateful if you could help me to show calculations for the design of metal scaffolds including design of base plates and platforms.

    Thanks
    Manoj Ramkissoon

    Reply

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