(D) BRICK MASONRY / STONE MASONRY WORK

1.0 INDIAN STANDARDS TO BE FOLLOWED ARE

All relevant standards as specified elsewhere in this volume
are also applicable.
Indian standards to be followed are :
IS : 1077 : Specification for common burnt clay building
bricks.
IS : 2185 : Block Masonry
IS : 2116 : Specification f or sand for masonry mortar.
IS : 2212 : Code of Practice for Brick work.
IS : 2250 : Code of practice for preparation and use of
masonry Mortars.
IS : 27 : Handbook of method of measurement for building
works.

2.0 MATERIALS
2.1 BRICKS
2.1.1 Bricks shall be sound, hard, well-burnt, uniform in size, shape
and colour, homogeneous in texture, giving a metallic ringing
sound, free from flaws, cracks, holes, lumps or grit and sizes
should be square, straight and sharply defined. They shall not
break when struck against each other and dropped flat from
a height of 1m to the ground. They shall conform to Table No.
1 (reproduced as table-2 of enclosed Annexure) of IS:1077
giving classes of common burnt clay bricks.

2.1.2 Bricks shall be as specified and detailed in the BOQ. It shall

have to be approved prior to procurement. Bricks shall be
obtained from an approved source and shall be of uniform
 colour, size, shape. Bricks shall have smooth rectangular faces
with sharp straight rectangle edges. Maximum absorption shall
not be more than 15% of its dry weight on immersion in water
for 24 hours. Minimum crushing strength shall be 35 kg/sq.cm. if
not specified in the BOQ.

2.1.3 Bricks of approved quality and quantity shall have to be

procured by the contractor at the desired time. No delay or
extra cost due to non-availability shall be accepted. The
contractor is obliged to carry out the work as specified. It shall
be the responsibility of the contractor to procure sufficient
quantities of bricks and stack them at site or elsewhere to
avoid delays.

2.2 CEMENT
Cement used shall be ordinary Portland Cement.

2.3 LIME
Lime used shall conform to IS 712 specification for Building
Limes. Filed slacking shall be done as per IS 1635 code of
practice for field slaking of lime and preparation of putty.

2.4 WATER
Water used for masonry shall be clean and free from injurious
amounts of deleterious materials and shall conform to
specification given in concrete and mortar section.

2.5 FINE AGGREGATE (SAND)

Sand shall conform to IS 2116 specification for masonry
mortars.
3.0 MORTAR
Mortar shall be as specified under the respective item in the
BOQ. Its preparation and material shall comply with concrete
and mortar section of this volume.

Mixing of mortar shall be done in mixture just before 30 minutes

of laying. Maximum time allowed to use the mortar shall not
exceed 30 minutes.

4.0 WORKMANSHIP
4.1 Bricks used for masonry in cement mortar shall be soaked by
immersing in water. (so as to prevent bubbling) as least one
hour prior to start of actual laying.

4.2 Bricks shall be laid in English bond unless otherwise specified.

Half of cut bricks shall be used only for the purpose of bound
and at no other place cut bricks shall be allowed in work.

4.3 Work shall be true to horizontal lines and perfect plumb.

Vertical joints shall be truly vertical and those in alternate
courses shall be in the same vertical line. Joints of each course
shall be within the limit of 6 mm to 10 mm depending upon the
size of bricks. Total height of 9cm brick with the 5 courses and 5
mortar joints shall be 50 cm. In no case shall joint thickness of
horizontal and vertical be more than stated above. Joints
should be filled to full depth and checked each time.

Prior to start of work it must be noted and checked that bricks

on top are full size bricks (flat or brick on edge). To achieve
 this, precautions should be taken from the start of the first
layer. Thickness of joints shall so adjusted so as to have full
bricks on top. Also it must be noted and checked that all
horizontal joints on every floor are at the same level, so as to
allow proper bonding at junctions.

Required datum levels must be established throughout the

floor and only then should work start.

It is equally important to take into account levels of window

sills, lintels, etc. while finalizing courses and joint thickness.

In normal practice architects to take care of these while

finalizing levels, but it is difficult to expect the ideal situation at
all places. In such situation, the decision of the EIC shall be
taken and in providing brick on edge, concrete sills, etc.

In addition, for convenience and speed, gauge boards of

exact width shall be fixes at the edges of masonry to correct
line and plumb. Theses boards shall be marked with course
levels to achieve exact height of each course and full bricks
at the top.

4.4 One or half brick thick wall shall have minimum one face in
true plumb.

4.5 It is imperative to raise the bricks work uniformly over complete

work jointed together. If this is not possible, racked brick work
shall be done at 45 degrees to the vertical. To thing shall not
be accepted.
4.6 All iron fixtures, pipe outlets, hold-fasts for doors and windows
shall be fixed when the brick work is in progress. It must be
embedded in concrete as specified or as directed by the EIC.
Required treatment to fixtures shall be carried out prior to
embedding.

4.7 To achieve better results and proper working, the following

tools should be available with masons working at site.
1. Sprit level.
2. Wooden/Aluminum straight edge : 3 m long.
3. 5 meter steel tape.
4. Right angle ½ meter long.
5. Line and pin strings.
6. Plumb
7. Storey rods.

4.8 Joint thickness shall be provided as discussed above. Joints

shall be filed to full before second course is laid. Frogs shall be
upward at all times. Joints shall be raked back to a minimum
10 to 15 mm while the mortar is wet. Surface of brick work shall
be cleaned with coil string, wire brushes, etc. to keep the
surface free for the next operation. All dropped and spoiled
mortar, brickbats, etc. shall be cleared from the floor before
work is closed for the day.

4.9 PROTECTION AND CURING

Wet work shall be protected from rains by suitable covering.
Masonry in cement or cement-lime mortar shall be kept
constantly moist on all the faces for a minimum period of ten
 days. The top of masonry shall be left flooded with water at
close of the day.

In case of brick work in lime mortar, curing shall commence

two days after laying of masonry and shall continue for the
next seven days.

4.10 Scaffolding independent of brick work i.e. double scaffolding

shall be provided. It should be tied to brick work or structure at
suitable intervals in both directions. Two rows of plank shall be
provided all around. Planks shall be at least 50 mm thick and
well-tied to scaffolding. Railing to the outside face shall be
provided. While erecting scaffolding, the following points must
be noted and closely followed.
1. Minimum number of holes in the horizontal direction.
Holes shall be formed be omitting header brick.
2. No holes in pillars under 1 meter in widh.
3. No holes near the skew backs of arches,
4. Scaffolding must be sound and strong and easy to
maintain.
5. Holes left must be closed while finishing the plaster.

5.0 TYPES OF BRICKS WORK

5.1 Walls 230 mm thick or more

5.1.1 Walls of 230 mm thickness or more shall be constructed with
approved and selected bricks. Mortar shall be as specified in
the BOQ.

Points discussed above shall be followed for workmanship.

 Brick wall of 230 mm thickness shall be constructed from one
side and one face shall be true and plumb. Thicker walls shall
be constructed with masons on both faces and both the
faces shall be true and plumb.

5.1.2 Measurements shall be in cubic meters.

5.2 Half brick work – plain or reinforced.

5.2.1 115 mm thick brick work shall be called as half brick work. It
shall be built by laying bricks in stretcher bond. Mortar shall be
as specified in the BOQ.

These walls may be used for forming cavities or partition wall

inside building. Brick work shall reinforced with 6 mm M.S. dia
bars, 2 bars at every third layer. Other reinforcing materials
such as GI metal lath GI hoop iron 25mm x 1.6 mm shall be
used at every third layer as detailed by the manufacture.
Embedding or reinforcement shall be done very carefully. All
precautions shall be taken so that edges are not exposed.
Lapping of bars and lath shall be proper and staggered.

5.2.2 Measurement shall be in square meters. Reinforcement shall

not be measurement separately.
5.2.3 DEDUCTIONS
All the deductions shall be made as per the IS : 1200 (Part-III &
IV) unless otherwise mentioned.

6.0 RATE
6.1 The rate shall include the cost of all the materials and labour
as described in their respective items of work and for all the
operations as detailed in the respective specifications for the
 various items of work. Brick on edge courses, cut brick corners,
splays, reveals, cavity walls, shall be included in BRICK WORK
for the purpose of payment.

6.2 The following operations shall be included in the rate for BRICK
WORK.

a. Raking out joints for plastering or for pointing done as a

separate process or for finishing joints flush as work
proceeds.

b. Preparing tops and sides of existing walls and the like for
raising.

c. Rough cutting and waste for forming gables, cores of

arches, splays at leaves and the like and all rough
cutting in the body of brick-work, unless otherwise
stated.

d. Plumbing to angles and battered surfaces.

e. Forming reveals to jambs where fair cutting on exposed

faces is not involved.

f. Leaving holes for pipes, etc.

g. Building-in holdfasts, air bricks, fixing bricks, etc.

h. Building-in ends of beams, joists, slabs, lintels, sills trusses

etc.

i. Forming opening and flues for which no deductions is

made.

j. Bedding wall plates, lintels, sills, roof tiles, corrugated

sheets, etc.

k. Leaving chases of section not exceeding 50 cm in girth.

 SECTION – IV C
MASONRY WORK – STONE MASONRY

1.0 INDIAN STANDARDS

Work shall be carried out to Indian Standards and Code of
Practices. In absence International Standards shall be followed.
These shall be latest issue. List given hereunder is not to be
considered as conclusive and is for reference and guidance only.
Any discrepancies / conflict noticed shall be directed to the EIC for
his direction/approval. However as a general rule more stringent
specification shall take precedence.
(1) IS 1121 Methods of test for determination of strength
properties of natural building stones.
Part 1 Compressive strength
Part 2 Transverse strength
Part 3 Tensile strength
Part 4 Shear strength
(2) IS 1124 Methods of test for determination of water
absorption apparent specific gravity and
porosity of natural building stone.
(3) IS 1127 Recommendations for dimensions and
workmanship of natural building stones for
masonry work.
(4) IS 1489 Specification for Portland Pozzolana cement
(5) IS 1597 Code of Practice for Part 1 construction of
stone masonry : Rubble stone masonry
(6) SP 27 Handbook of method of measurement of
building works.
2.0 MATERIAL
2.1 Cement
2.1.1 Cement shall be ordinary Portland cement conforming to IS.
Approved blended cement shall be used for internal plaster,
 masonry, flooring, waterproofing and plumbing works. For all RCC
and PCC works, approved fly ash shall be used. For external plaster
approved fly ash as per specification of item shall be used.
2.1.2 It shall be received in bags of 50 kg (or in bulk carriers in case of
storage in silos) and each batch shall be accompanied with a test
certificate of the factory. Also it shall be tested before use to
ascertain its strength, setting time, etc. In case cement has been
stored for over 6 months from date of manufacturer or for any
reasons the stored cement shows signs of deterioration or
contamination, it shall be tested as per the direction of the EIC
prior to use in the works.

2.2 Fine aggregate

2.2.1 Natural sand deposited by stream or glacial agencies as a result of

disintegration of rock is the best form of fine aggregate. The fine
aggregate shall conform to following standards.

(i) For plain and reinforced concrete IS 383 Specification for

coarse and fine aggregates
from natural sources for
concrete.
(ii) Mortar and grout IS 2116 Specification for sand
for masonry mortars.
(iii) For plastering IS 1542 Specification for sand
for plaster (Class A grading).

2.2.1.2 Sea sand should not be used unless approved by the EIC. If
approved, the required treatment shall be done at the contractor's
cost.

2.2.2 Sand shall be hard, durable, clean and free from adherent coatings
and organic matter and shall not contain any appreciable amount
of clay. Sand shall not contain harmful impurities such as iron,
pyrites, coal particles, lignite, mica shale or similar laminated
material, alkali, and organic impurities in such form or quantities as
to affect the strength or durability of concrete or mortar. Also it
should not contain any material liable to attack the steel
reinforcement.
2.2.2.1 When tested as per IS 2386 Part I and Part II, fine aggregate shall not
exceed permissible quantities of deleterious materials.

2.2.2.2 Fine aggregate shall be thoroughly washed at site with clean fresh
water such that the percentage of all deleterious material is within
the permissible limits laid down.

2.2.3 Aggregate shall be stored in such a way that it does not get mixed
with mud, grass, vegetables and other foreign matter. The best way
is to have a hard surface platform made out of concrete, bricks or
planks. It should be to the approval of the Engineer.

2.3 Water
2.3.1 Water used for mixing and curing shall be clean, reasonably clear
and free from objectionable quantities of silt, oils, alkalis, acids, salts
so as not to weaken mortar, or concrete or cause efflorescence or
attack the steel in RCC While curing. It shall be free of elements,
which significantly affects the hydration reaction or otherwise
interferes with hardening of concrete during curing, or those
elements which produce objectionable stains or deposits. Potable
water is generally satisfactory but it shall be tested prior to use in the
works.
2.3.2 Water tested shall be in accordance with IS 3025. Maximum
permissible limits of deleterious materials in water as given in IS 456.
2.4 Stone

2.4.1 Stone to be used in masonry shall be trap, granite, quartzite, gneiss,

laterite or any other type of good stone as specified or as approved
by the Engineer. For all practical purposes good trap, granite,
quartzite or gneiss shall be used unless specified.

2.4.2 All stones shall be free from defects like cavities, cracks, sand holes,
flaws, injurious veins, patches of loose or soft materials, etc. The
percentage of water absorption shall generally not exceed 5%.

2.4.3 The strength of building stones should be adequate to carry the

loads imposed. Table 1 of IS 1597 gives the minimum crushing
strength of approved stones. Minimum strength shall be 200
kg/sqcm unless specified otherwise.
2.4.4 Stones used shall be small enough to be lifted and placed by hand.
Length of the stones shall not exceed three times their height, and
the breadth of the base shall not be greater than three-fourths of
the thickness of wall or less than 150 mm. The height of stones for
rubble masonry may be upto 300 mm.

2.4.5 Stones with round faces shall not be used.

2.5 Metal fittings

2.5.1 Metal fittings shall be non-corrosive/non-ferrous. Use of iron clamps

and similar fittings for embedding into the masonry work shall be
avoided. If permitted by the Engineer, they shall be treated with
anti-corrosive treatment.
2.6 Mortar
2.6.1 The cement, sand and water used shall meet the Indian Standards
specifications.
2.6.1.1 Mortars shall be prepared by mixing fine graded aggregate with
cement in the proportion specified for respective items of work as
detailed in the Schedule-“A”. Mixing of mortars shall be done by
mechanical mixers or by hand mixing. Hand mixing shall not be
permitted.
2.6.1.2 Mortars shall be specified by proportion. Volumetric mixing shall be
based on dry volumes of each ingredient. For convenience,
measurement shall correspond to volume of one cement bag i.e.
0.035 cu m. Boxes shall be of size 40 X 35 X 25 cm. These shall be
marked as mortar mixing boxes by red paint and shall be used
throughout the contract. Mechanical mixing proportions shall be
done with the use of these boxes.
2.6.1.3 Cement mortar shall be prepared by mixing cement and sand in
specified proportions. Proportioning shall be carried out as detailed
above. Sand shall be added suitably to allow for bulkage if
required. Bulkage shall be determined as specified in IS 2386 Part III.
Cement and sand added to mixer shall be thoroughly mixed and
water shall be added to it gradually. After addition of water the
mixer shall run for a minimum of 3 minutes. The mortar mixed shall be
consumed within 30 minutes of its mixing.
3.0 WORKMANSHIP
3.1.1 Dressing and shaping of stone shall be done before being used in
masonry. Quality of dressing and shaping shall be as approved by
the Engineer.
3.1.2 All necessary chases for joggles, dowels and cramps should be
formed in stone beforehand.
3.1.3 Sufficiently wetted, cleaned stone shall be laid to lines, levels, curves
and shapes as shown in the plans. Stones shall be laid on their
broadest face in mortar and settled carefully in place with a
wooden mallet. Clean chips and spells, carefully selected to fit in
the spaces shall be wedged to avoid thick beds or joints of mortar.
3.2 All connecting walls shall be raised together. In case one part is
required to be left behind, raking back at an angle of 45 degrees or
less shall be done.
3.3 It is imperative to adjust levels right at the start to achieve correct
levels of window sill, roof, etc. But as this is quite difficult to achieve,
it shall be part of the stone masonry work to provide cement
concrete sill of mix in a ratio of 1:4:8 (1 cement, 4 sand and 8 20
mm graded aggregate) of 100 to 150 mm thickness in consultation
with the Engineer.
3.4 Maximum thickness of joint shall be 20 mm for random rubble and
10 mm for course. Stones shall be set and laid by wooden hammer
(mallet) and voids, if any, packed and consolidated by stone
chips. Chips used shall not be more than 15% by volume of masonry.
3.5 Stones of full width of wall thickness shall be provided at every 600
mm centre to centre in each layer and staggered. For walls thicker
than 600 mm two through stones overlapping each other at a
minimum of 150 mm shall be placed.
3.6 The work shall be in perfect plumb or battered as specified.
3.7 Corner stones shall be well-dressed and chiseled. These shall be laid
header and stretcher alternate. They shall not be smaller than
0.025 cu m and 300 mm in length. Further it must be noted that 25%
of the above shall not be shorter than 500 mm in length.
3.8 Jambs shall be made from dressed corner stones.
3.9 Work of the day shall be raked to a depth of 20 mm while the
mortar is green and cleaned with a coired string brush or wire brush.
Stone surfaces shall be free of mortar or cement coats.
3.10 Vertical joints shall be staggered.
3.11 At angular junctions, stones at each alternate course shall be well-
bonded into the respective courses of the adjacent wall.
3.12 Masonry construction with very thin faces, tied up with occasional
through stones or filled up with dry packing or small-size aggregates
shall be strictly prohibited.
3.13 Storey rods showing the heights of all doors and windows and other
necessary information should be used at the time of construction of
masonry.
3.14 Door and window frames shall be fixed with hold-fast of adequate
size and strength. Iron hold-fast shall be treated with anti- corrosive
coating and timber to prevent attack from insects and termites. In
addition, hold-fast shall be securely embedded in chases with
cement-concrete in a ratio of 1:2:4. Frames shall preferably be fixed
simultaneously as work proceeds.

4.0 SCAFFOLDING

4.1 Scaffolding, independent of masonry work i.e. double scaffolding,

shall be provided. It should be tied to masonry work or structure at
suitable intervals in both directions. Two rows of planks shall be
provided all around. These shall be at least 50 mm thick and well-
tied to the scaffolding. Railing to outside faces shall be provided.
While erecting scaffolding, the following points must be noted and
closely followed.

1. Minimum number of holes in horizontal direction. Holes shall

be formed by omitting header.

2. No holes in pillars under 1 metre in width.

3. No holes near the skew backs of arches.

4. Scaffolding must be sound and strong and easy to maintain.

4.2 Protection and Curing

Green work shall be protected from rains by suitable covering.

Masonry in cement or composite mortar shall be kept constantly
moist on all the faces for a minimum period of seven days. The top
of masonry shall be left flooded with water at close of the day.
Care shall be taken not to disturb or wash out green mortar.

In case of stone work in lime mortar, curing shall commence two

days after laying of masonry and shall continue for the next seven
days.

5.0 TYPES OF STONE MASONRY

5.1.1 Uncoursed / Random Rubble Masonry

Masonry constructed by selecting stones from quarry, more or less at

random, of all sizes and shapes. Cutting of stones restricted to
remove inconvenient corners with scabbling or spelling hammer.

5.1.2 Construction

1. Individual stones shall have thickness and width of not less

than 150 mm and length not less than 1.5 times its height.
Stones shall be dressed with a mason's hammer by knocking
off weak corners and edges.

Face stone shall be so dressed that bushing on the exposed

face shall not project by more than 40 mm from the general
wall surface. In case plastering is to be done, projection shall
be limited to 19 mm and depression to 10 mm.

50% stone shall be 0.010 cu m (10 litres) in walls upto 500 mm.
Walls thicker than 500 mm shall have 50% stone bigger than
0.015 cu m (15 litres).

2. Bond or through stones shall be 2 pieces (nos.) per sq m, face

area shall be 0.03 sq m and for full width of masonry for walls
upto 600 mm stones shall be marked distinctly.
 3. For massive work with a width of a metre and above, vertical
headers 450 mm long or with a depth of two courses
whichever is more shall be provided at the rate of one for
every sq m of area in the plan.

4. Quoins (corners) shall be dressed square to the face and

rough tooled to 100 mm from face, and vertical joints dressed
to 40 mm from face. No quoins shall be smaller than 0.025 cu
m in volume and they shall also not be less than 300 mm in
length, 25% of them being not less than 500 mm in length.

5. Hearting stone shall not be less than 150 mm in any direction.

In walls upto 500 mm a minimum of 30% stone shall be 0.010
cu m (10 litres). For thicker walls minimum 30% stone shall be
0.015 cu m (15 litres).

6. The jambs shall be made with stones specified for quoins

except that stones provided on the jambs shall have their
length equal to the thickness of the wall. For walls upto 600
mm, a line of headers shall be provided as specified for
bond.

7. A plum stone at about 900 mm intervals shall be provided.

8. Stones shall be laid with or without courses as specified.

Quoins shall be laid header and stretcher alternatively.
Laying shall be carefully done to form neat and close joints.
Face stone shall extend and bond well in the back. These
shall be arranged to break joints.

5.2 Coursed Masonry

Course walling shall be built in courses which may vary in height

from 150 mm to 400mm but the stones in any one course shall
roughly be square and of the same height.
5.2.1 Construction

1. Stones received from quarry shall be dressed to have the

vertical and horizontal sides perfectly straight, parallel and at
right angles to adjacent sides. Bushing on the face shall not
project more than 40 mm. Beds and tops shall be tooled at
least 100 mm from the face. Faces of vertical joints shall be
square to the face and rough tooled at least 50 mm from the
face.

2. Stones shall be longer in breadth than in height and shall run

back into the masonry not less than 1.5 times the height. 30%
of the stones shall have tailing twice their height. Further 30%
of these face stones shall not be less than 0.02 cu m or 20
litres. The height shall not be less than 150 mm or as specified
in the pattern in the drawing.

3. Hearting stones shall consist of flat bedded stones, carefully

laid on their proper beds in mortar, chips and spells of stone,
avoiding excess use of mortar and hollow spaces in masonry.
These shall be limited to 10% in the first sort and 15% in the
second sort. 30% of the stones shall not be less than 0.010 cu
m or 10 litres for walls 500 mm or less in thickness. For walls
thicker than 500 mm, 30% of them shall not be less than 0.015
cu m or 15 litres.

4. Quoins (corner) stones shall be twice their height or minimum

440 mm long whichever is more and shall be of the same
height as that of the course. They shall be laid alternately as
stretcher and header.

5. Through stones shall be a minimum 450 mm long and shall be

180 mm centre to centre for every course. They shall be
about 0.05 sq m in face area and 0.03 sq m in average cross
sectional area. For thicker walls (above 600 mm) they shall
over-lap by at least 150 mm.
 6. Thickness of joint shall be maximum 10 mm. When pointing is
to be done, joints shall be raked to a depth of not less than
10 mm while the mortar is green.

6.0 Item includes

6.1 The various items shall include the cost of the followings

a) Material and labour for proper execution as per specification

and site requirement including temporary erections like
scaffolding, centering, shuttering and removal of the same.
Curing and protection shall also be included as directed.

b) Racking out of joints and cleaning of stone surfaces.

c) Preparing tops and sides of existing walls.

d) Bond stones.

e) Making grooves and rebates in the adjoining work for fixing

jali.

f) Extra labour involved in dressing of corner stones and jamb-

stones wherever required.

g) Making holes, openings, outlets, etc. embedding pipes, ends

of beams, joists, slabs, trusses, sills, etc. whatever required
during construction and neatly finishing the exposed
surfaces and opening as per instructions of the EIC.

Signature of Tenderer Additional Chief

Engineer(I&NT)
Date.:
Date.: