Brick

■What are they made of? they are made of clay.

■What are they used for? It is mainly used for building wall or partitions.

■How many types of brick are there? Various types of blocks among which are:

Perforated brick

Solid brick

Brick tile

Moulded brick

Hollow brick

Brickwork

Firebrick

Insulating brick

■What is the meaning of brick laying techniques? Brick laying techniques are techniques used in the construction of buildings and those used for bricks, stones, cement and other materials. ■Describe 2 brick laying techniques
 * Mortaring**

To lay bricks correctly, you must spread cement mortar in a mud bed with a trowel, as well as smear it onto bricks so they bond together. This trowel is used to scoop up mortar from a mortar board and spread it out in a straight line into the mortar bed, which is 2 to 4 inches thick and 4 inches wide. The trowel is also used to smear mortar onto the ends of each brick before pushing the brick into the mortar bed and sticking it to other brick end to end.


 * String Reference**

When laying a larger number of bricks at a faster pace, masons use a nylon string and line blocks. Two ends of the brick structure must be constructed first to have a surface onto which to hook the line blocks. The nylon string is attached to the two line blocks, one at each end of the wall, and stretched along the wall project. By placing the string at the top of each brick on each end of the wall, you can follow the string when laying along the wall, which will allow you to lay them straight and level.

■What are their advantages and disadvantages?

Advantages of bricks
 * Brick offers a wide range of non-fade colors.
 * Brick is a load bearing material.
 * Brick features a lower rate of moisture absorption.
 * Brick is virtually maintenance-free.
 * Brick creates higher resale value for homeowners.
 * Brick has better sound performance characteristics to outside noise.

Disadvantages of bricks
 * Extreme weather may cause degradation of the surface due to frost damage. This type of damage is common with certain types of brick, though relatively rare with concrete block. If non-concrete (clay-based) brick is to be used, care should be taken to select bricks suitable for the climate in question.
 * Brick adds a lot of weight to the foundation.
 * Initial cost is very high.
 * The high weight increases structural requirements, especially in earthquake prone areas.
 * In damp or humid climates, porous brick invites mold. It suffers damage as water and ice expand and contract in its pores.
 * Poorly made bricks such as clinkers and older recycled bricks might be pitted, irregularly shaped, worn or prone to chipping. This can be a pain to fix and fit.

Podcast Use of brick in construction and public spaces

Bricks are used in buildings and public spaces since times before Christ for their large properties similar to those of the stones. They have strength and toughness and also some are decorative, but give much weight to the structures and are expensive. Brick can help build better public spaces for its benefits. It can be in cold places, features a lower rate of moisture absorption, is virtually maintenance-free, among others. media type="file" key="PODCAST-brick.wma" width="251" height="86"

Comparison and Contrast
 * The size of bricks is limited by the need for efficient drying, firing, and handling, **__but__** shapes, along with the techniques of bricklaying, have varied widely throughout history. (Contrast)
 * Brick compares favorably with stone **__as__** a structural material for its fire-and-weather resisting qualities and for the ease of production, transportation, and laying. (Comparison)

Description
 * Bricks may be used in construction only in conjunction with mortar, since the unit **__is too small, too light, and too irregular to be stabilized by weight.__**

Ejemplification
 * Special shapes can be produced by molding to meet particular structural or expressive requirements (**__for example__**, wedge-shaped bricks are sometimes employed in arch construction and bricks with rounded faces in columns).

Cause/Effect
 * Bricks may be used in construction only in conjunction with mortar, __**since**__ the unit is too small, too light, and too irregular to be stabilized by weight.

Chronology
 * Brick which has been used **__since the 4th millennium BC__**, was the chief building material in the ancient Near East. The versatility of the medium was expanded in ancient Rome by improvements in the manufacture of both brick and mortar and by new techniques of laying and bonding. Employed throughout the **__Middle Ages__**, brick grained greater popularity __**from the 16th. Century**__ on, particularly in northern Europe. It is widely used in the **__20th Century__**, often for nonbearing walls in steel frame constructions.