What is the standard thickness of a mortar joint in brickwork?

The standard thickness for horizontal and vertical mortar joints should be 10 mm.

How high can a brick wall be raised in one day?

It should normally not exceed 1.5 m in height in a single day to avoid distortion and settlement.

Why is it necessary to soak bricks before use?

Soaking prevents the dry bricks from absorbing water from the mortar, which is essential for proper hydration and bonding.

How long should cement mortar brickwork be cured?

Brickwork built in cement or cement-lime mortar should be kept continuously wet for a minimum of 7 days.

IS 2212

: 1991

Code of Practice for Load-bearing Brickwork

CurrentFrequently UsedCode of PracticeStructural Engineering · Masonry and Bricks

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This code covers the general principles and construction practices for load-bearing and non-load-bearing brickwork in buildings. It provides comprehensive guidelines on material selection, mortar preparation, brick laying techniques, bonding, and curing to ensure masonry stability and durability.

Provides guidelines for good construction practices for load-bearing brickwork.

Quick Reference Values

standard mortar joint thickness10 mm

maximum construction height per day1.5 m

depth of raking joints for plastering10 to 15 mm

tolerance in verticality per 3m height12.5 mm

minimum curing period for cement mortar7 days

Practical Notes

Always soak burnt clay bricks in water before laying until air bubbles cease, preventing them from absorbing moisture from the mortar and weakening the bond.

Ensure vertical joints are properly staggered (typically by half a brick) to avoid continuous vertical planes of weakness.

Do not construct more than 1.5 meters of brickwork height in a single day to prevent instability and crushing of green mortar at the base.

Rake the joints to a depth of 10-15 mm while the mortar is still green to provide a proper key for subsequent plastering.