QCS 2010

Section 13

Part 5

Masonry Laying

Page 1

5.

MASONRY LAYING ....................................................................................... 3

5.1

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 3

5.1.1
5.1.2

Scope
References

5.2

WORKMANSHIP ........................................................................................... 3

5.2.1

General Requirements

5.3

BLOCKWORK................................................................................................ 3

5.3.1
5.3.2
5.3.3

Setting Out of Blockwork

Wetting Blockwork Units
Laying of Blockwork

5.4

BRICKWORK ................................................................................................. 5

5.4.1
5.4.2

Brickwork Wetting and Brick Wetting Test

Brickwork Laying

5.5

REINFORCEMENT ........................................................................................ 6

5.5.1
5.5.2
5.5.3
5.5.4
5.5.5

General Requirements
Placing Reinforcing
High Lift Grouting of Cavity Walls
Low Lift Grouting of Cavity Walls
Water Penetration Testing

5.6

FAIR FACED BLOCK WALLS ....................................................................... 8

5.6.1

General Requirements

5.7

OPENINGS .................................................................................................... 8

5.7.1

General Requirements

5.8

INTERSECTING WALLS AND PARTITIONS ................................................ 8

5.8.1

General Requirements

5.9

CONNECTIONS BETWEEN WALLS OR PARTITIONS AND COLUMNS..... 9

5.9.1

General Requirements

5.10

JOINTS BETWEEN PARTITIONS AND FLOOR SOFFITS ........................... 9

5.10.1 General Requirements

5.11

3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
8
9
9
9

CAVITY WALLS ............................................................................................. 9

5.12.1 General Requirements

5.13

FILLING HOLLOW BLOCK WALLS ............................................................... 9

5.11.1 General Requirements

5.12

3
3

SERVICES ................................................................................................... 10

5.13.1 General Requirements

5.13.2 Fixings

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10
10

QCS 2010
5.14

Section 13

Masonry Laying

Page 2

DAMP-PROOF COURSES .......................................................................... 10

5.14.1 General Description

5.15

Part 5

10

PROTECTION OF FINISHED WALLING ..................................................... 11

5.15.1 General Description

QCS 2010

11

QCS 2010

Section 13

Part 5

Masonry Laying

5.

MASONRY LAYING

5.1

INTRODUCTION

5.1.1

Scope

This Part specifies workmanship and setting out of masonry works.

Related Parts and Sections are as follows:

This Section
Part 2
Part 4

Mortar and grout

Unit Masonry

Section 6

Concrete

5.1.2

References

The following standards are referred to in this Part:

BS 743
BS 6398:1983
BS 6515:1984
BS 8215:1991

Page 3

Materials for Damp-Proof Courses

Specification for bitumen damp-proof courses for masonry
Specification for polyethylene damp-proof courses for masonry
Code of practice for design and installation of damp-proof courses in
masonry construction

5.2

WORKMANSHIP

5.2.1

General Requirements

Work is to be performed by experienced workers under the direction of a qualified supervisor

who is fully aware of the Project requirements. Final work is to be equal to any sample
panels submitted to, and approved by, the Engineer.

5.3

BLOCKWORK

5.3.1

Setting Out of Blockwork

All blockwork is to be fully set out before laying commences to ensure:

(a)
(b)
(c)

correct bonding over all lengths of wall particularly at openings and piers
minimum cutting
compliance with Table 5.1

The average thickness of both vertical and horizontal mortar joints is to be 10 mm exclusive
of any key in the joint surfaces of the unit.

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Section 13

Part 5

Masonry Laying

Page 4

Table 5.1
Setting Out of Blockwork

Item of Construction
Space between walls

Size and shape of wall

elements

Walls

Door, window and other

openings

Type of Dimensions

Permissible Deviation
(mm)

At floor

20

At Soffit

30

Height up to 3,000 mm

40

Straightness in 5,000 mm

Verticality up to 2,000 mm

15

Level of bed joints in 3,000 mm

15

Position in plan of any point or

specified face in relation to nearest
grid line on the same level

15

Position in elevation from design

position

15

Level of sill or soffit for each 1,000

mm of width

with maximum of

15

Verticality of any point for each

1,000 mm of height
with maximum of

5
15

5.3.2

Wetting Blockwork Units

All blocks are to be adequately wetted with water before they are laid and the tops of walls
left off from the previous days work are to be similarly wetted before the new work
commences.

5.3.3

Laying of Blockwork

Block walls are to be built from undamaged blocks in stretcher bond unless otherwise
specified.

All bed and vertical joints are to be spread with mortar to ensure complete and solid bedding
and grouting through the full thickness of the wall. All keys in jointed surfaces must be
completely filled.

Mortar extending into the cavities of hollow blocks which are to be reinforced and filled shall
be removed.

Each block is to be adjusted to its final position in the wall whilst the mortar is still plastic.
Any block which is moved after the mortar has stiffened shall be removed and relaid with
fresh mortar.

Half blocks and special blocks are to be used as required to ensure correct bonding.

All perpends, quoins and joints are to be kept true and square, other angles are to be
plumbed and bed joints levelled as the work proceeds.

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Section 13

Part 5

Masonry Laying

Page 5

The work is to be carried out course by course not leaving any part more than 800 mm lower
than another. Work, which is left at different levels, is to be racked (stepped) back to the
approval of the Engineer.

In cavity wall construction both leaves are to be carried up together, not leaving any leaf
more than 400 mm below the other.

Partitions shall be 100 mm thick unless otherwise noted. Partitions having lavatories or
other plumbing fixtures secured to them back-to-back (or approximately so) are to be a
minimum of 150 mm thick. Solid concrete masonry units shall be built in where full units
cannot be used or where needed for the fixing of accessories. Bells or hubs of pipes must be
completely enclosed.

10

Reinforced masonry partitions are to fully extend to the underside of slabs.

11

When pipes or conduits or both occur in plastered partitions, at least one web of the hollow
masonry units must be retained.

12

When new masonry partitions start on existing floors, the existing floor finish material is to be
cut down to the concrete surface. New masonry partitions are not to abut any existing
plastered surfaces, except suspended ceilings.

5.4

BRICKWORK

5.4.1

Brickwork Wetting and Brick Wetting Test

Bricks shall be laid dry unless the following test indicates the need for wetting:
(a)

(b)

draw a 30 mm circle with wax crayon on bed surface of dry brick. Using a medicine
dropper, place 20 drops of water inside the circle and measure the time required for
absorption of the water
if water is absorbed in less than 1 minutes the brick must be wetted before being
laid.

Bricks are to have no visible moisture when laid.

5.4.2

Brickwork Laying

Unless otherwise specified elsewhere in the Project Documentation, bricks are to be laid in a
running bond with each course of masonry bonded at the corners. The bond of facing bricks
in existing buildings shall be matched. Before starting work, facing bricks shall be laid on the
foundation wall and the bond adjusted as needed for openings, angles, corners, etc.
Exposed brickwork joints are to be symmetrical about centre lines of openings. No brick
smaller than a half-brick shall be used at any angle, corner, break, or jamb. The bond pattern
shall be maintained plumb throughout. Jumping of the bond is prohibited. Brickwork shall be
anchored to concrete columns, beams and walls, to steel stud construction and to masonry
backup with ties and anchors in accordance with the relevant provisions of BS 5628.

Bricks shall be laid in a full bed of mortar. The mortar shall be spread over a few bricks at a
time and shall not be furrowed. The mortar bed shall be slightly levelled to incline towards
the cavity. The brick shall be placed before the mortar has had chance to stiffen. Head joints
in stretcher courses are to be completely filled with mortar. Bricks shall be pushed into place
so that the mortar oozes out at the top of the joints.

Before connecting new masonry with masonry previously laid masonry, loose bricks or
mortar shall be removed, and the previously laid masonry shall be cleaned and wetted. New
work is to be toothed into unfinished work.

Brick headers are not to project into the grout space.

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Section 13

Part 5

Masonry Laying

Page 6

Cleaning holes are to be left in double cavity walls during construction by omitting units at
the base of one side of the wall. In general, clean-out holes are to be provided at each
location of vertical reinforcement.

Cavities shall be kept clean of mortar and debris. The cavity shall be cleaned every day
using a high pressure jet stream of water, compressed air, industrial vacuum, or by laying
wood strips on the metal ties as the wall is built. If wood strips are used, lift strips with wires
or heavy string as the wall progresses and before placing each succeeding course of wall
ties.

Exterior walls shall be built with 100 mm of facing brick, backed-up with inner leaf of brick or
concrete masonry units. Solid brick jambs shall be constructed not less than 200 mm wide
at exterior wall openings and at recesses.

Joints are not to be tooled until mortar has stiffened enough to retain a thumb print when the
thumb is pressed against the mortar, however, mortar is to be soft enough to be compressed
into joints. Joints in exterior face brick work shall be finished with a jointing tool to produce
smooth, watertight concave joints. Exposed interior joints in finished work shall be tooled to
a concave profile.

5.5

REINFORCEMENT

5.5.1

General Requirements

Expanded stainless steel mesh joint reinforcement, if specified, will be embedded in the
horizontal mortar joints not closer than 20 mm from the external face of the wall and, except
at movement joints, is to be continuous and lapped at least 75 mm at all passings. Full lap
joints are to be provided at angles.

Vertical bar reinforcement is to be properly positioned and secured against displacement.

The cavities containing the reinforcement are to be completely and solidly filled with the
specified concrete. The whole surface of the reinforcement is to be in contact with the mortar
or concrete. The minimum clear distance between the vertical bars and the block is to be 12
mm.

5.5.2

Placing Reinforcing

At the time of placement, steel reinforcement is to be free from loose flaky rust, mud, oil, or
other coatings that will destroy or reduce the bond.

Steel reinforcement is to be in place at the time of grouting. Horizontal reinforcement shall be

placed as the masonry work progresses.

The minimum clear distance between reinforcing and masonry units shall be 12mm.

The minimum clear distance between parallel bars shall be one bar diameter.

Vertical steel reinforcement shall be held in place by centring clips, caging devices, or other
approved methods.

Vertical bars shall be supported near each end, and at intermediate intervals not exceeding
80 bar diameters.

Horizontal reinforcement shall be set in a full bed of grout.

Reinforcement shall be spliced or attached to dowels by placing in contact and wiring

together.

Splices shall be staggered in adjacent reinforcing bars. Reinforcing bars shall be lapped at
splices at a minimum of 40 bar diameters.

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Section 13

Part 5

Masonry Laying

Page 7

5.5.3

High Lift Grouting of Cavity Walls

Grout shall be placed by hand bucket, concrete hopper, or grout pump. Each lift of grout
shall be consolidated after free water has disappeared but before plasticity is lost.

When placing grout by the high lift method, the Contractor shall:
(a)
(b)
(c)

(b)

not pour grout until the masonry wall has properly cured for a minimum of 72 hours
close cleaning holes with masonry units
place grout in one continuous operation (grouting of any section of a wall between
control barriers is to be completed in one day with no interruptions greater than one
hour)
provide vertical solid masonry dams across the grout space for the full height of the
wall at intervals of not more than 9 m

High lift grouting of double cavity walls should be undertaken in a single, continuous pour of
grout to the top of the wall in 1 m layers or lifts in the same working day, with a minimum
waiting period of 10 minutes between each 1 metre layer or lift. Each layer or lift of grout is
to be vibrated. The vibrator is to be extended 300 mm to 450 mm into the preceding lift to
close any shrinkage cracks or separation from the masonry units.

Grout for cavities of double cavity walls less than 50 mm wide should not be poured from a
height exceeding 300 mm.

5.5.4

Low Lift Grouting of Cavity Walls

Grout shall be placed by hand bucket, concrete hopper, or grout pump. Each lift of grout
shall be consolidated after free water has disappeared but before plasticity is lost.

Double cavity masonry walls are to be constructed and grouted in lifts not to exceed 200
mm. Slushing with mortar will not be permitted.

The grout space shall be kept clean from mortar droppings and clean the space before
placing the grout.

All grout is to be puddled with a grout stick during and immediately after placing.

The cores of concrete masonry units containing reinforcing bars shall be grouted as the
masonry work progresses. Slushing with mortar will not be permitted.

5.5.5

Water Penetration Testing

Seven days before plastering or painting, the Contractor shall test exterior masonry walls for
water penetration. The number and location of tests shall be as stated in the Project
Documentation or as directed by the Engineer.

Water shall be directed at masonry for a period of one hour at a time when wind velocity is
less than five miles per hour.

The areas showing moisture on the inside of the walls shall be corrected and re-tested to
insure that moisture penetration has been stopped.

Unless otherwise instructed, testing shall take place in the presence of the Engineer.

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Section 13

Part 5

Masonry Laying

Page 8

5.6

FAIR FACED BLOCK WALLS

5.6.1

General Requirements

Fair faced block walls and walls built of facing blocks are to be constructed generally as
Clause 5.3.3 with particular care being taken to ensure:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

the specified bonding or joint pattern is consistent

the perpends are truly plumb for the full height
the blocks used are of the same texture and appearance to avoid a patchy effect
the colour of the mortar is consistent.

When a block has been placed in the wall, the extruded mortar is to be struck off flush, extra
care being taken to avoid smearing the mortar on the face of the block.

Joints are to be left to stiffen slightly (thumb print hard) and then be firmly compacted with a
jointing tool to the required profiles. The tooling of wet mortar will not be permitted.

If mortar droppings have struck to the blocks it must be allowed to dry and the surplus
removed by a trowel. The remaining residue shall be cleaned by rubbing with a small piece
of block and subsequent brushing down.

Where the cutting of blocks in fair face work is unavoidable, this should be done using a
mechanical saw.

The cutting of facing blocks will only be permitted where this can be achieved without a
visible alteration to the facing pattern.

5.7

OPENINGS

5.7.1

General Requirements

Openings are to be square and the jambs, vertical and formed with the uncut faces of the
blocks.

If door and window frames are to be built-in the requirements of Clause 5.3.4 of Section 18
shall be complied with and the fixing cramps built-in solid in the mortar joints.

The jamb walling is to be built up against the frame all round as the work proceeds.

5.8

INTERSECTING WALLS AND PARTITIONS

5.8.1

General Requirements

Walls and partitions are to be bonded or tied to one another at junctions, unless movement
joints are indicated.

If ties are used they should consist of 3 x 20 mm stainless or galvanized steel as directed by
the Engineer fully embedded in the horizontal mortar joints at vertical spacings not
exceeding 600 mm.

The ends of the ties are to project a minimum of 75 mm into each wall or partition.

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Section 13

Part 5

Masonry Laying

Page 9

5.9

CONNECTIONS BETWEEN WALLS OR PARTITIONS AND COLUMNS

5.9.1

General Requirements

All connections between block walls or partitions and concrete or steel columns are to be
reinforced at maximum 400 mm centres by means of stainless steel or zinc coated expanded
metal as directed by the Engineer or approved proprietary ties shot fired to the column and
built into and fully embedded in the mortar joints of the block walls or partitions.

Stainless steel or expanded metal ties as directed by the Engineer are to be a width that will
allow 20 mm clearances from each face of the wall or partition and be embedded for a
minimum distance of 200 mm in the mortar joint.

5.10

JOINTS BETWEEN PARTITIONS AND FLOOR SOFFITS

5.10.1

General Requirements

Non-load bearing internal walls and partitions shall be built-up to leave a 20 mm joint
between the top of the wall or partition and the soffit of the slab.

After the walling has thoroughly dried out and after the expected deflection in the slab due to
dead load has taken place, the joint is to be filled solid with a Class M7 mortar in accordance
with the relevant provisions of Part 2 of this Section.

Where concrete slabs are supported on blockwork, a layer of polythene sheet is to be

provided between the top of the wall and the slab for the full width of the wall.

5.11

FILLING HOLLOW BLOCK WALLS

5.11.1

General Requirements

In the following situations, the cavities of hollow block walls are to be filled solid with either
Class M7 mortar in accordance with the relevant provisions of Part 2 of this Section or
concrete Grade C15:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

jambs of all openings

ends, angles and junctions of walls and partitions
junctions of walls and partitions with columns
at sills
at tops of partitions, if so specified
to provide a solid fixing for false ceiling perimeters

The filling to courses is to be supported on a strip of expanded metal lathing embedded in

the joint below.

Walls which are to be filled solid are to be built up in lifts not exceeding 1,200 mm and be
filled after allowing a minimum period of 24 hours to elapse to enable the mortar to harden.
The initial compaction of the concrete is to be carried out by hand using a 25 x 50 mm
wooden rod or by vibrator. The final compaction shall take place 10-15 minutes after initial
compaction.

5.12

CAVITY WALLS

5.12.1

General Requirements

Cavity walls are to consist of two walls separated by a minimum space of 50 mm and
bonded together with stainless steel or approved other cavity wall ties.

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Section 13

Part 5

Masonry Laying

Page 10

The air space between the walls is to be kept clear and clean of mortar droppings by the use
of laths drawn up the cavity as the work proceeds or by other approved methods.

Any mortar which inadvertently falls on wall ties is to be removed.

Wall ties are to be spaced at the intervals given in the Table 5.2 unless otherwise indicated
elsewhere in the Project Documentation. Additional ties are to be provided in each course
within 250 mm of openings or at end wall situations and on each side of movement joints.
Table 5.2
Spacing of Wall Ties in Cavity Walls
Cavity Width
(mm)

Maximum Horizontal Spacing

(mm)

Maximum Vertical Spacing

(mm)

50 - 75

1,000

400

75 - 100

800

400

100-150

500

400

Notes:
(a) The spacing of ties may be varied providing that the number per unit area is maintained.
(b) The Table is applicable to cavity walls constructed of two blockwork skins.

5.13

SERVICES

5.13.1

General Requirements

Where walls are constructed of hollow blocks, the mechanical and electrical services are to
be run in the cavities of the blocks wherever possible. No services are to run within the cavity
of a cavity wall.

Where chases have to be cut, suitable power tools, as approved by the Engineer, are to be
used.

5.13.2

Fixings

Where fixing blocks, anchors, accessories, wall ties, etc., are specified they are to be built
into the walls or partitions and solidly bedded in mortar.

Fixings which are not built-in are to be drilled or shot fired to the blockwork.

Expanded bolt fixings are only to be drilled into solid blocks or blocks having their cavities
filled solid.

5.14

DAMP-PROOF COURSES

5.14.1

General Description

Damp-proof courses shall comply with the relevant provisions of BS 743 or one of the other
references mentioned in 5.1.2.

Damp-proof courses are to extend through the full thickness of the wall, including pointing,
applied rendering or any other facing material.

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Section 13

Part 5

Masonry Laying

Page 11

The mortar bed upon which the damp-proof course is to be laid is to be even and free from
projections liable to cause damage to the damp proof course.

Where the damp-proof course is situated in a hollow block wall, the blocks are to be filled
solid in the course below the damp proof course.

All damp-proof courses are to be solidly bedded in mortar.

Joints of all damp-proof courses shall be lapped a minimum of 100 mm at all passings and
sealed.

5.15

PROTECTION OF FINISHED WALLING

5.15.1

General Description

All newly or partially built walls are to be protected against drying out too rapidly in the suns
heat by covering with hessian or other approved material which is to be kept wet for a
minimum of 3 days.

END OF PART

QCS 2010