BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

1. S.S.A.S.I.T, SURAT GTU

2. INTRODUCTION
It may also be defined as construction of building units
bounded together with mortar. The selection of the type of
material (i.e. brick or stone etc) for the masonry is made
keeping in view the requirement of strength, water proofing,
thermal insulation ,fire resistance, durability and economy.
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3. Masonry
• Masonry may defined as the construction of building units
bonded tougher with mortar.
A. Stone masonry
B. Brick masonry
C. Composite masonry
D. Hollow concrete block masonry
E. Cavity walls
F. Lintel & Arches 3

4. Some Important terms used in
Masonry
1.HEADER:
Full brick or stone laid with its length perpendicular
to the face of a wall is called a "Header"
• A course, in which all the bricks are laid as headers, is
known as "Heading Course" or "Header course“.
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5. 2.STRETCHER:
• Full brick or stone laid with its length parallel to the face
of a wall is called a “Stretcher"
• A course, in which, all the bricks are laid as Stretchers is
called a “Stretching course" or "Stretcher course".
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7. 3. COURSE:
Each horizontal layer of bricks or stone laid in mortar is
called a "course".
4. BOND:
Overlapping of bricks or stones in alternate course of the
wall to avoid continuous vertical joints and to bind the
individual units together.
5. BRICK BATS :
The pieces of bricks, cut along their length and having
width equivalent to that of a full or half brick are called
"Brick bats“.
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10. 6.CLOSER
Portion of a brick cut in such a manner that its one long
face remains uncut.
7.QUEEN CLOSER
Queen closer is a brick, which is half as wide as full brick
and is made by cutting a whole brick lengthwise into two
portions.
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Mitred Closer

12. 8. KING CLOSER:
A brick which is cut in such a way that the width of one of
its end is half that of full brick.
9. BEVELED CLOSER:
A brick cut longitudinally along a vertical plane,
starting at the middle of one end to the far corner.
10. MITRED CLOSER:
It is a brick whose one end is cut splayed or mitred for the full
width.
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14. 11.QUOIN
Exterior angle or corner of a wall is known as quoin. The
brick or stone laid on the corner of a wall ,as a header, it is
known as quoin header.
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16. 12.RACKING BACK
The process of stopping the unfinished end of a wall in
stepped fashion.
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17. 13.CORBEL
Projecting stone which is provided to support the joist, truss
or weather shed etc.
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18. 14.CORNICE
It is horizontal moulded projection provided near the top of
a building or at a junction of a wall and ceiling.
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19. 15.Bed
Lower or bottom surface of bricks or stones in each course
16.Face
Surface of a wall exposed to weather is called as face and
the material used for face is called as facing.
17.Back
Surface of wall ,which is not exposed to weather is called as
back and the material used for back is called as backing.
18.Hearting
The inner portion of a wall between facing and backing.
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22. 19.JOINT:
• The junction of adjacent bricks or stones.
• The joints may be of cement mortar or lime mortar.
• The joints parallel to the bed of bricks or stones are
known as bed joints.
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23. 20. FROG
It is the depression made on the top face of the brick, for
the purpose of forming a key for the mortar, which
prevents the displacement of the brick above.
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24. 21.BUTTRESS
It is a slopping or stepped masonry projection from a tall wall, on the
exterior of a wall, which are placed at intervals along the wall to
carry load.
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25. 22.COPING
It is a Covering of stone or brick ,placed on the top of a
external wall or parapet, to prevent seepage of water
through joints.
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27. 23.SPALLS: These are the chips of stones used for filling the
interstices in stone masonry.
24.PLINTH: It is the horizontal course of stone or brick provided
at the base of the wall above ground level. It indicates the height
of the ground level above the natural ground level. It protects
the building from dampness.
25. PLINTH COURSE: It is the top most course of the plinth
masonry.
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26.STRING COURSE: It is a horizontal projecting course of masonry
projecting out of the face of the wall for shedding rain water off the
face. It imparts an aesthetic appearance to the structure and is
generally provided at every floor level.
27. SILL: It is a horizontal member of stone, concrete or wood,
employed for the purpose of shedding off rain water from the face of
wall immediately below the window opening. It gives support to the
vertical members of a wooden window frame.
28. LINTEL: It is a horizontal member of stone, brick, wood, iron or
RCC used to support the masonry or load above an opening.

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32. 29. JAMBS: These are the vertical sides of an opening for doors
and windows. These may be plain or splayed or may be
provided with recesses to receive the frames of doors and
windows.
30. REVEALS: These are exposed vertical surfaces left on the
sides of an opening after the door or window frame had been
fitted in position.
31.BLOCKING COURSE: It is a top most course of stone masonry
provided immediately above the cornice to prevent the
tendency of the cornice to overturn. It also adds to the aesthetics
of the cornice.
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35. 32. PERPEND:
It is a vertical joint on the face of a wall directly over vertical
joints in an alternate course.
34. ARCH:
A mechanical arrangement of wedge-shaped blocks of stone or
brick arranged in the form of a curve supporting the masonry
or load above an opening.
35. PARAPET:
It is a term applied to a low wall built around a flat roof to act
as a protective solid balustrade for the users of the terrace.
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33.TEMPLATE:
Pieces of stones placed under the end of a
beam to distribute the load over a greater area.

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36. WEATHERING:
Weathering is the term applied to the beveled top surface of a stone.
37. GABLE:
It is a triangular shaped portion of masonry at the end of a sloped roof.
39.COLUMNS:
It is an isolated vertical load bearing member whose width does not exceed
four times its thickness.
40. PIER:
It is a vertical member of stone or brick masonry constructed to support an
arch, beam or lintel etc.
38. THRESHOLDS:
The arrangement of steps provided from ground level to reach plinth level
on external doors and verandah is termed as thresholds.

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39. A.STONE MASONRY
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40. When a binding material, a fine aggregate and water are
mixed together in suitable proportions , they form an easily
workable paste which is termed as Mortar.
When a binding material, ( a fine & a coarse aggregate) and
are mixed in suitable proportions , they form an easily
workable mix which is termed as plastic, wet or green
concrete.
MATERIAL FOR STONE MASONARY
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41. TYPES OF MORTAR & THEIR USES
Cement mortar:
•The paste is prepared by mixing cement and sand in suitable
proportions in addition to water.
•The general proportion is 1 part of cement to 2-8 parts clean
sand. These mortars must be use within half an hour, i.e.; before
initial setting time of the cement.
•This type is used for all engineering works where high
strength is desired such as load bearing walls, deep foundations,
flooring etc. 41

42. Lime mortar:
•The paste is prepared by mixing lime and sand or surkhi in
suitable proportions in addition to water.
•If surkhi is to be added in lime mortar the equal proportions of
sand and surkhi should be mixed with lime. These mortars are
inferior to cement mortars in strength as well as water
tightness.
•These mortars should not be used for underground works as
they set in the presence of carbon dioxide and break up in
damp conditions. This type is used for construction work above
ground level i.e. exposed positions. 42

43. Materials used for stone masonry:
The natural stones used in building can be classified to their origin as:
1. Igneous: are formed by cooling the molten lava on or inside the
earth’s surface during the volcanic eruption. The portion of lava,
which comes outside the surface, cools, quickly and forms the rocks of
non crystalline nature called as basalt. The rest of the portion which
remains inside the earth undergoes cooling at a slow rate and results
in formation of rock of crystalline variety known as granite.
Rock, that is removed from its natural site and generally, cut or
dressed and then finished for building purposes, is called "Stone" and
the art of building the structure with stones as constructional units is
called "Stone masonry".
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STONE

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2. Sedimentary: are formed by gradual deposition of
disintegrated rocks , vegetable matter and clay at the bottom
of rivers, lakes or sea. These are also called stratified because
these rocks are formed in layer. Limestone & sand stone
belong to this category of rocks.
3. Metamorphic: are formed from igneous or sedimentary
rocks as a result of the action of the earth movements,
temperature changes, liquid pressures, etc. The resultant mass
may have a foliated structure, e.g. slate, gneiss, schist and e.g.
marble, quartzite and serpentine.

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47. The common types of stones available are:
1.Granite: It consists of grains of quartz in combination with
feldspar and mica. These are the hardest types of stones and
difficult to work with. They are available in various colours
ranging from white to green. These are used for the
construction of steps, walls, sills and as facing over other
masonry.
2. Sandstone: They are made of quartz cemented by a matrix of
silica. They also contain mica, feldspar and oxides of iron. The
colours of sandstones are due to the presence other minerals in
them. They can be worked easily to take any ornamental shape.
Their texture being coarse, they give a good appearance when
used along with brick masonry. 47

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3.Limestone: These are calcareous rocks and consist of
carbonate of lime. They are available in various colors and easy
to work with. They are used for walls, floors, steps, etc.
4.Marbles: They are like limestone, are calcareous rocks and
consist and consist of carbonate of lime. They are very useful
material for flooring and monumental structures. Marble are
available in various colors and can very good polish.
5.Slates: These are available in hilly areas and are metamorphic
rocks. Generally they have a black colour. Slates can be split in
thin sheets along their bedding planes. They mostly used for
roofing work.

49. STONE MASONRY
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 Main types of stone masonry:-
(1) Rubble masonry
(2) Ashlar masonry
Stone masonry is used for the construction of walls, columns,
lintels, arches, beams, etc., of a building. Stones are abundantly
available in nature and when cut and dressed to proper shapes,
they provide an economical material for the construction of
various parts of building.

50. Stone masonry
Rubble masonry
1. Un-coursed or
random rubble masonry.
2.Coursed rubble
masonry
3. Dry rubble masonry
Ashlar masonry
1. Ashlar Fine masonry
2. Ashlar Rough Tooled
3. Rock or rustic or
Quarry Faced
4. Ashlar Chamfered
5. Ashlar Facing
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51. 1. Rubble Masonry: The stone masonry in which either
undressed or roughly dressed stone are laid in a suitable
mortar is called rubble masonry. In this masonry the joints
are not of uniform thickness. Rubble masonry is further
sub-divided into the following three types: Random
rubble masonry Squared rubble masonry Dry rubble
masonry.
1. Random rubble masonry: The rubble masonry in which
either undressed or hammer dressed stones are used is
called random rubble masonry. Further random rubble
masonry is also divided into the following three types.
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52. a. Un coursed random rubble masonry: The random rubble
masonry in which stones are laid without forming courses
is known as un coursed random rubble masonry. This is the
roughest and cheapest type of masonry and is of varying
appearance.
• The stones used in this masonry are of different sizes and
shapes. before lying, all projecting corners of stones are
slightly knocked off. Vertical joints are not plumbed, joints
are filled and flushed.
• Large stones are used at corners to increase their strength.
Suitability: Used for construction of walls of low height in
case of ordinary buildings.
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53. 1.UN-COURSED or RANDOM RUBBLE
MASONRY.
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54. b. Coursed random rubble masonry: The random rubble
masonry in which stones are laid in layers of equal height is
called random rubble masonry.
• In this masonry, the stones are laid in somewhat level
courses. Headers of one coursed height are placed at certain
intervals. The stones are hammer dressed.
Suitability: Used for construction of residential buildings, go
downs, boundary walls etc. 54

55. 2.COURSED RUBBLE MASONRY.
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56. c. Dry rubble masonry: The rubble masonry in which stones
are laid without using any mortar is called dry rubble
masonry or sometimes shortly as "dry stones". It is an ordinary
masonry and is recommended for constructing walls of height
not more than 6m. In case the height is more, three adjacent
courses are laid in squared rubble masonry mortar at 3m
intervals.
Suitability: Used for non-load bearing walls such as
compound wall etc.
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57. DRY RUBBLE MASONARY
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58. ASHLAR MASONRY
• The stone masonry in which finely dressed stones are laid in
cement or lime mortar is known as ashlars masonry. In this
masonry are the courses are of uniform height, all the joints are
regular, thin and have uniform thickness.
• This type of masonry is much costly as it requires dressing of
stones.
Suitability: This masonry is used for heavy structures,
architectural buildings, high piers and abutments of bridges.
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59. 1. ASHLAR FINE MASONRY
• Each stone is cut to uniform
size and shape with all sides
rectangular, so that the
stone gives perfectly
horizontal and vertical
joints with adjoining stone.
• Ht of courses > 30 cm
• May be of alternate H & S 59

60. 2. ASHLAR ROUGH TOOLED MASONRY
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The beds and sides are finely
chisel-dressed. But the face is made
rough by means of tools.
 A strip, about 25mm wide and
made by means of chisel is provided
around the perimeter of the rough
dressed face of each stone. Thickness
of joint should not more than 6 mm.

61. 3. ASHLAR ROCK OR RUSTIC OR QUARRY FACED
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A strip is provided around the
perimeter of every stone. But the
remaining portion of the face is
left in the same form as received
from quarry.
Projection on exposed face is
restricted to 75 mm.Thickness of
joint –up to 10 mm.

62. 4. ASHLAR CHAMFERED MASONARY
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The strip is
chamfered or beveled
at an angle of 45
degrees by means of
chisel for a depth of
about 25mm.

63. 5. ASHLAR FACING MASONARY
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 If the backing is of Rubble masonary, It is called “Rubble
Ashlar" and if the backing is of brick work the masonary is
termed as “Brick Ashlar”.

64. Ashlar facing: Ashlar facing is the best type of ashlars
masonry. Since this is type of masonry is very expensive, it is
not commonly used throughout the whole thickness of the
wall, except in works of great importance and strength. For
economy the facing are built in ashlars and the rest in rubble.
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65. JOINTS IN STONE MASONRY
1.BUTT JOINT:-
Dressed edges of two stones are placed side by side.
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66. 2.REBATED OR LAPPED JOINT:-
Provided in arches, gables etc. Used in slopes to prevent the
movement of stones.
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67. 3.TABLE OR BED JOINT:-
Provided in sea wall to prevent the lateral movement of
stones. Ht of projection is 30-40 mm & width is 1/3 w of
stone.
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68. 4.CRAMPED JOINT:-
The metal cramps are used to prevent the tendency of the joint
to be pulled apart. The dovetail shape holes are made in both
the stones to be joined. After placing the cramp in position, the
joint is grouted and covered with cement, lead or asphalt.
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69. 5.PLUG JOINT:-
The plug joint is an Alternative of cramped joint. It consist of
plug holes of dovetail shape in plan and cut below the top
surface of stones. The stones are jointed by filling the holes
with cement.
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70. 6.DOWEL JOINT:-
This type of joint is used to ensure the Stability of stones against
sliding or displacement. Dowels made of slate, copper, brass .
The dowels are set in cement mortar.
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71. 7.RUSTICATED JOINT:-
This type of joints are generally used in plinths or masonry in
lower storey's of buildings to give the structure massive
appearance.
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72. 8.JOGGLE JOINT:-
It is made of metal or slate, which is placed in between the
groove provided in two adjacent stones, to prevent sliding
along the side joints.
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73. LIFTING APPLIANCES
During masonry construction, small size stones are handled
manually, but Large size stones are lifted and then placed in
position with the help of various lifting appliances.
1.LEWIS
2.NIPPERS
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74. 1.LEWIS
A. Pin Lewis:-
It consist of Pair of pointed steel rods
are inserted into the inclined holes
made in the stone-block.
When the stone is lifted with the help
of rope or chain ,the inclined steel
rods are strongly tighten in the holes.
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75. LIFTING APPLIANCES
B. Chain Lewis or chain dog
• In this the hook shaped steel pieces known as dogs used for
the lifting stones. The hooked ends of dogs are inserted in to the
holes of 18mm.
• The dogs are connected to the hoisting chain or rope foe
lifting of stones. In chain Lewis system, the dovetailed hole is
made in the centre of the top surface of stone to be lifted.
• The curve shaped steel legs are inserted in the hole and are
connected by means of three steel rings. The top most ring is
attached to the hosting chain or rope for lifting the stone. 75

76. C. Three legged Lewis
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77. 2.NIPPERS
The Pointed ends of nippers
are inserted in hole made little
below the stone top face &
stone block is raised by
attaching a chain to assembly.
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