Principle of Rat Trap Bond
Principle of Rat Trap Bond
Principle of Rat Trap Bond
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MODULE - A9
PRINCIPLES OF RAT TRAP BOND
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RAT TRAP BOND
Preface
Building materials are getting more and more expensive as can be seen in the
escalating prices of bricks, cement and steel bars. Also, the energy costs associated
with building materials are extremely high . In particular, brick production consumes
a lot of energy and a sharp rise in brick prices has been experienced in Nepal.
House owners , con tractors and, in general, the entire construction sector is
searching for building solutions that could encounter the fast price rising of bricks
and other building materials. This manual provides a practical solution on how
to economize on brick and cement consumption, and at the same time, maintaining
excellent construction quality .
This Rat Trap Bond manual is part of the practical construction know-how transfer
package developed by the VSBK / CESEF Project Nepal. The construction know-
how 'Package is structured in a modular system . This modular system allows
providing of short-term training on specific topics to specific construction related
target group.
The Rat Trap Bond technique has been introduced in Nepal by the VSBK / CESEF
Project in 2006 and has gained popularity since. The use of RTB compared with
the ordinary English bond has an impact on several fronts . First, economics; it
saves up to 30% on bricks and up to 50% on cement mortar. Second, environment;
a square meter of RTB uses 130 MJ less energy and emits 30kg less C02 than
English bond . This has a direct impact on the reduction of green house gases ,
essentially the main aim of the VSBK / CESEF Project Nepal. Third, it enhances
the skill of masons by requiring them to construct a modular wall with a neat
finished appearance.
This manual describes the different elements that are essentially required for the
construction of walls with RTB technique. The practical know-how for the correct
application of the RTB has been documented in order to build up capacity and
awareness at all levels, policy makers (government agencies) designers (architects ,
engineers) users, (house owners) and builders (contractors , masons).
The VSBK I CESEF Project would like to acknowledge the contribution of the
following professionals who made this manual possible:
This manual is the first attempt to practically document the RTB technique in its
entirety for the application in Nepal. In due time more practical know-how and
ways of doing better, will be experienced.
VSBK/CESEF Project
July 2008
CESEF Module Structure Overview
APPLICATION
Module -A1
• Principles of Concrete
PRODUCT
Module - A2
• Principles of
Module - P1
Rei nforcement
• Best Practices of
Cement Hollow Block
Module - A3
Production
• Principles of Plastering
Module - P2
Module - A4
• Best Practices of
. • Principles of Shuttering
MCR Tile Production
Module - A5
Module - P3
RAW MATERIALS • Principles of Stone
• Best Practices of
Masonry
Module - RW1 Cement Well Ring
Production
• Basks of Cement, Module - A6
Sand & Water
• Principles of Brick Masonry
Module - P4
Module - RW2 • Best Practices of
Module - A7
• Basics of Cement Railings
Mix Design • Principles of MCR Tile
Production
Roofing
Module - RW3
Module - P5
• Basics of Bricks Module - AS
• Best Practices of
• Principles of Concrete
Module - RW4 Pre- cast Door &
Block Work
• Basics of Stones Window Frame
Production
MODULE -A9
• PRINCIPLES OF
Module - P6
RAT TRAP BOND
• Best Practices Non
Framed Openings
Module - A10
Production
• Principles of Ferro Cement
Channel Roofing
Module - P7
• Best Practices of
Module - A11
Pre- Stressed
Concrete Elements • Principles of Flooring
Production
Module - A12
• Principles of Staircase
Module - A13
• Principles of. Filler Slab
This manual is divide9 into three main parts, namely:
In this chapter a short recall of the basics of brickwork , its principles and quality
aspects is made in relation to the requirements of Rat Trap Bond masonry.
In this chapter the actual step-by-step working process of the Rat Trap Bond,
the various construction techniques and practical working tips are described .
Index
Preface
CESEF Module Structure Overview
Pages
IQfflt' Basic Raw Material - Brick 7 - 12
1. Selection Of Bricks
2. Bonds
2.1 General
2.2 Bonding principle for Rat Trap Bond Masonry
3. Rules of joints
3.1 Mortar
3.2 Horizontal joints
3.3 Vertical joints
4. Brick soaking
5. Maximum brick wall height per day
6. Curing
7. Pointing
Where good and bad quality of bricks is supplied in one truck load, it is advisable
to select first of all the good quality out of the supplied bricks . This is especially
important where bricks are used for constructing load bearing walls and foundations.
Bad quality bricks should generally not be used for Rat Trap Bond wall construction
purpose. In principle , before deciding on a Rat Trap Bond masonry wall , it is
necessary to ensure the proper required brick quality which is:
• The brick should be rectangular with straight and sharp edges. All bricks
should have the same dimensions and no broken corners or edges.
• Most suitable brick size dimensions for Rat Trap Bond bricks are : Length
= 230mm , Width = 11 Omm , Thickness = 60mm
• The quality of a brick is good if there is a clear ringing sound when two
bricks are struck together.
• Chinese bricks which are produced in Hoffman kilns are not suitable for RTB
masonry work due to their very smooth / polished brick edge surface which
reduces the mortar - brick bonding capacity.
• A brick should not break when dropped flat on hardground from a height
of about one meter.
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2.1 General
The craft of the bricklayer is concerned with embedding bricks in mortar and suitably
arranging them so that the mass, called brickwork conforms to certain requirements such
as strength and appearance. Strength depends a great deal upon the bond.
There are many ways for bonding bricks but they are mainly related to the English
bond, the Flemish bond or the Rat Trap bond.
Bonding means thE;l arrangements of bricks in such a way that no vertical joint
of one course is exactly over the one below. This means that the brick is laid in
such a way that it overlaps and breaks the joint below.
An un-bonded wall, with its continuous vertical joints, has little strength and stability
and such joints must be avoided.
B SHINER
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ROWLOCK
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SOLDIER
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in alternate
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3.1 Mortar
The ultimate strength of masonry depends on the brick quality an d the bond
strength between individual bricks. The mortar joints are the weakest as well as
the most expensive part of the masonry. Therefore care must be taken for economic
use of cement in mortar jOints, while at the same time ensuring that the masonry
has adequate strength. For a one-storey load bearing building 1:6 mortar ratio
is recommended while 1:4 and 1:6 mortar ratio is recommended for ground and
upper floor in case of two-storey load bearing structure.
If the horizontal joints are too thick (more than 15 mm) the result is a waste of
expensive mortar (cement) as well as weakening of the structure.
4. BRICK SOAKING
• Dust
The surface of the brick is always covered with a lot of dust, sometimes-
even dirt. If this dust or dirt layer is not properly removed , the binding
between the brick and the mortar will not be effective, hence the entire brick
masonry wall will be weakened and the appearance of cracks will be very
likely.
Further, a dry and porous brick will immediately consume away the water
from the mortar. It is however exactly this water which is required for ensuring
the proper hardening and controlled setting of the cement. If the cement
does not have enough moisture to ensure a proper hydration process the
final mortar strength will be considerably reduced and the masonry wall
weakened in general.
The maximum Rat Trap Bond brick wall height per day should not exceed more
than 9 layers. The added weight by each new brick layer (course) needs to be
carried by the mortar. The mortar however needs time to harden and to be able
to carry the load of brick course without developing cracks under this heavy load.
These cracks usually cannot be seen; still they are there and will reduce the total
strength of the masonry wall.
6. CURING
A brick wall needs to be cured for at least 7 days . Several times a day, water
needs to be poured over the brick wall. The walls are mostly very much exposed
to wind and sunshine and the water (moisture) of the wall will be dried out very
quick. However, to gain the appropriate bearing strength , the mortar needs certain
moisture content for hardening .
7. POINTING
The main reasons for pOinting the surface of block or brickwork jo ints are to
increase its weather resistance and to give a neat finish to the work . Pointing can
be carried out as construction of the brickwork proceeds , using ordinary mortar
in whi ch the bricks are bedded .
Another method is to finish the masonry work first and then make the pointing
work with a 1:2 cement mortar later. The joints must be raked out to the depth
of about 1 to 1.5 cm brushed , washed and filled with a 1:2 cement morta r.
III III
Concave V-shaped Weath ered Flush Raked Struck
A "Rat Trap Bond" is a type of wall brick masonry bond in which bricks are laid
on edge such that the shinner and rowlock are visible on the face of masonry.
This gives the wall with an internal cavity bridged by the rowlock .
For walls without corners, such as in the case of non-load bearing walls between
columns in framed structure , both methods are correct and can be applied according
to the preferences of the masons. However, for walls with corners method (b)
must be applied.
2. HISTORY
The Rat Trap Bond is a variation of normal walling masonry bonds. Therefore,
the Rat trap bond can be used for all 9" (approx. 23 cm) thick walls. The Rat Trap
Bond uses a high proportion of Shiners , and hence requires fewer facing bricks
than normal bonds. This makes the Rat Trap Bond somehow less sturdy, and
therefore, it is recommended to use the Rat Trap Bond only for load bearing
walling up to three stories. If the Rat Trap Bond is used as filler wall between
concrete pillars, then there is no limitation of heights. However, the main use of
applying Rat Trap Bond is where cost and energy saving is an issue.
4.1 Advantages
• The main advantage of applying the Rat Trap Bond is the economic use of
bricks. Using this bond, a wall of one brick thickness (9") can be constructed
with fewer bricks as compared to a solid wall in English or Flemish bond.
a All concrete work such as pillars, sill bands, window and tie beams
can be concealed and hence only brick masonry work is exposed.
• The walls have approx . 20% less dead weight and hence the foundations,
depending on the bearing capacity of the soil, can suitably be redesigned
to save bricks, steel and cement.
• Compressive strength of the wall is equal when normal burnt clay bricks are
used that any other brick bond. (Brick on-edge is used for Rat Trap Bond
masonry, which is considered to be stronger than flat bricks due to the
production process).
• Vertical wiring and plumbing can easily be made during the wall construction
and even after since the cavities allow inserting the fittings. For horizontal
installation of fittings, planning must be made before constructing the walls.
• Rat Trap Bond is a modular masonry system which can reduce wastage of
bricks by un-necessary cutting.
4.2 Disadvantages
The main drawback of the Rat Trap Bond is that fired clay bricks are used . The
firing of bricks is in general highly energy consuming and air polluting. However,
these negative points can be reduced if:
• Rat Trap Bond is constructed with bricks that are fired in a VSBK.
(VSBK stands for Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln which uses 40% - 50% less energy
than the traditional brick firing technologies in Nepal.)
• Rat Trap Bond is constructed in concrete bricks which use less energy than
traditionally burnt bricks .
(It should be ensured that concrete bricks have uniform size, quality and
appearance . The bonding strength increases manifold between the concrete
bricks due to uniform quality and rough concrete brick-bonding surface.)
• Rat Trap Bond masonry has to be made by well-trained and skilled masons.
s. SPECIFIC RAT TRAP BOND MASONRY RULES:
o Silll(:lvel
a Lintel Level
• In areas with a very high ground water table it is advisable to build the first
40 to 50 cm of the wall, with either English or a Flemish bond (as shown
in picture below). This is to avoid ground and spill water related dampness
problems. Preferably, the plinth should be raised (as shown in picture below) .
• A building / wall should be designed in such a way that the local brick size
can be used for Rat Trap Bond walling without compromising on the
recommended (1 Omm) joint thickness . If not possible, then the joints must
be adjusted (opened or closed) in order to fit full -length shiners.
A good quality Rat Trap Bond is made of full Rowlock and full Shiner bricks only.
No half bricks should be used, otherwise the basic bonding principles of the so
called "Brick Cross" (no continuous vertical joints) can not be maintained. Therefore ,
the length and height of a wall and all door and windows must be modular. One
module of Rat Trap Bond consists of 3 bricks - 1 rowlock and 2 shiners as shown
in the diagram below .
1 Module of RTB
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• It has been observed that because of reduced brick thickness in Nepal (less than 75mm), an adjustment
in mortar thickness must be made to ensure that 'brick cross' is maintained in each course of masonry.
Depending on prevailing brick sizes, this adjustment has been found to be 23mm for Kathmandu brick
size (230 x 110 x 55) , 28mm for Biratnagar brick size (250 x 120 x 58) and 3mm for Butwal brick size
(230 x 110 x 68)
*. The corners of RTB wall are made solid by adding one extra brick at both ends , as shown in the
diagram (below) for lay-out of bricks in Rat Trap Bond.
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- - - - - - - Extra Bricks for both the ends
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odule 230 + 10 + 55 + 10 305
Level I
Level 2
990.0
Level I
Level 2
RTB Kathmandu
L~ xV + tb + 3 ~ 325 1. 0
Total Length of the wall = (10 x 318) + 68 = 3248 + 3 (Mortar Adjustment at the corner)· 3251:r-_+~",m,-~-"-,1l",.5",m",,m
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1 Module = 230 + 10 + 68 + 10 = 318 IL - _.L....i--'
LevelI
1 Module = Brick length + Mortar Thickness + Brick Thickness + Mortar Thickness
tm ~ 11 .5mm
Level2
LevelI
Door I Window Opening = 10 + (3 x 318) + 10 = 1042
Door I Window Opening = Mortar Thickness + 3 Modules + Brick Thickness + Mortar Thickness
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Door I Window Opening = 10 + 3 x 328 + 58 + 10 = 1062
Door I Window Opening = Mortar Thickness + 2 Modules + Brick Thickness + Mortar Thickness
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RTB Biratnagar
16 8 50 14 8 43 14 7,5 43
Brick - Rs. 3,8 per piece, Brick - Rs. 4,5 per piece, Brick - Rs, 5,5 per piece
Cement - Rs, 700 per bag , Cement - Rs, 500 per bag , Cement - Rs, 550 per bag,
2008 Sand - Rs, 24 per cu, ft Sand - Rs, 10 per CU, ft Sand - Rs , 14 per CU, ft
Note: Before placing the bricks into the horizontal mortar bed,
assess the required mortar needed for the vertical joint. Then
place the vertical mortar joint direct onto the brick and press
gently against the previous laid bricks. The vertical as well as
horizontal joint mortar must slightly drip out.
Courses 1, 3, 5, 7 etc .
Courses 2, 4, 6, 8 etc .
VSBKlCESEFProjecl Nepal - -- - - - - -- -- -- - - - --
4.3 Rat Trap Bond: T-Junction
Courses 1, 3, 5, 7 etc.
Courses 2, 4, 6, 8 etc.
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Option 1: Open Lintel level beam Option 2: Co ncea led Concrete beam
4.8 Rat Trap Bond: Sill & lintel level construction detail
Exit holes for electro points , water pipes etc. must already be made during the
construction of the wall and once the pipe installation is completed closed in such
a way that the Brick Cross principle is maintained .
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groove in the brick
for the horizonta l
electrical layout rat
trap brick wa ll
Cost Effective, Social and Environrt)entally Friendly building material and technology which are:
• Environmentally sustainable
The construction sector is a major source of GHG emission. CESEF is the practical solution to reduce C02
emission in the construction sector.
The VSBK technology is an environmental friendly technology that uses approximately 40 to 50% less
energy than traditional brick firing technologies.
The VSBK achieves its energy efficiency mainly due to the low heat loss due to its verticality.
VSBK is the best solution to reduce C02 emission in the coal energy based brick industry.