technical information

Bricks are the only man-made building materials that testify to their use since the early human civilization. With their attractive appearances and superior properties such as high compressive strength and durability, excellent fire and weather resistance, good thermal and sound insulation, bricks are widely used for building, civil engineering work, and landscape design.

Technical Publications

The following technical manuals can be downloaded to your computer from the URLs provided.

Technical Notes from Brick Industry Association (BIA).

1 All Weather Construction
2 Glossary of Terms Relating to Brick Masonry
3 Overview of Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (ACI 530-95/ASCE 5-95/TMS 402-95) & Specifications for Masonry Structures (ACI 530 1-95/ASCE 6-95/TMS 620-95)
4 Heat Transmission Co-efficients of Brick Masonry Walls
4B. Energy Code Compliance of Brick Masonry Walls
5A. Sound Insulation - Clay Masonry Walls
6 Painting Brick Masonry
6A. Colorless Coatings for Brick Masonry
7 Water Resistance of Brick Masonry - Design and Detailing, Part I
7A. Water Resistance of Brick Masonry - Materials, Part II
7B. Water Resistance of Brick Masonry - Construction and Workmanship, Part III
7C. Moisture Control in Brick and Tile Walls - Condensation
7D. Moisture Resistance of Brick Masonry Walls Condensation Analysis
7F. Moisture Resistance of Brick Masonry - Maintenance
8 Mortars for Brick Masonry
8A. Standard Specification for Portland Cement - Lime Mortar for Brick Masonry, BIA Designation M1-88
8B. Mortar for Brick Masonry - Selection and Controls
9 Manufacturing, Classification and Selection of Brick - Manufacturing, Part I
9A. Manufacturing, Classification and Selection of Brick - Classification, Part II
9B. Manufacturing, Classification and Selection of Brick - Selection, Part III
10 Estimating Brick Masonry
10A. Modular Brick Masonry
10B. Brick Sizes and Related Information
11 Guide Specifications for Brick Masonry, Part I
11A. Guide Specifications for Brick Masonry, Part II
11B. Guide Specifications for Brick Masonry, Part III
11C. Guide Specifications for Brick Masonry, Part IV
11D. Guide Specifications for Brick Masonry, Part IV (Continued)
11E. Guide Specifications for Brick Masonry, Part V, Mortar and Grout
13 Ceramic Glazed Brick Facing for Exterior Walls
14 Brick Floors and Pavements - Design and Detailing, Part I
14A. Brick Floors and Pavements - Materials and Installation, Part II
14B. Brick Floors and Pavements, Part III
15 Salvaged Brick
16 Fire Resistance
16B. Calculated Fire Resistance
17 Reinforced Brick Masonry, Part I
17A. Reinforced Brick Masonry - Materials and Construction
17B. Reinforced Brick Masonry - Beams
17L. Four-inch RBM Curtain and Panel Walls
17M. Reinforced Brick Masonry Girders - Examples
18 Movement - Volume Changes and Effect of Movement, Part I
18A. Movement - Design and Detailing of Movement Joints, Part II
19 Residential Fireplace Design
19A. Residential Fireplaces - Details and Construction
19B. Residential Chimneys - Design and Construction
19C. Contemporary Brick Masonry Fireplaces
19D. Brick Masonry Fireplaces - Russian-Style Heaters, Part I
19E. Brick Masonry Fireplaces - Fountain and Contemporary Style Heaters, Part II
20 Cleaning Brick Masonry
21 Brick Masonry Cavity Walls Introduction
21A. Brick Masonry Cavity Walls - Selection of Materials
21B. Brick Masonry Cavity Walls - Detailing
21C. Brick Masonry Cavity Walls - Construction
23 Efflorescence - Causes and Mechanisms, Part I of II
23A. Efflorescence - Prevention and Control, Part II of II
24 The Contemporary Bearing Wall
24C. The Contemporary Bearing Wall - Introduction to Shear Wall Design
24F. The Contemporary Bearing Wall - Construction
24G. The Contemporary Bearing Wall - Detailing
26 Single Wythe Bearing Walls
27 Brick Masonry Rain Screen Walls
28 Anchored Brick Veneer - Wood Frame Construction
28A. Brick Veneer - Existing Construction
28B. Brick Veneer - Steel Stud Panel Walls
28C. Thin Brick Veneer - Introduction
29 Brick in Landscape Architecture - Pedestrian Applications
29A. Brick in Landscape Architecture - Garden Walls
29B. Brick in Landscape Architecture - Miscellaneous Applications
30 Bonds and Patterns in Brickwork
31 Brick Masonry Arches
31A. Structural Design of Brick Masonry Arches
31B. Structural Steel Lintels
31C. Structural Design of Semicircular Brick Masonry Arches
36 Brick Masonry Details - Sills and Soffits
36A. Brick Masonry Details - Caps and Copings, Corbels and Racking
39 Testing for Engineered Brick Masonry - Brick and Mortar
39A. Testing for Engineered Brick Masonry - Determination of Allowable Design Stresses
39B. Testing for Engineered Brick Masonry - Quality Control
40 Prefabricated Brick Masonry - Introduction
41 Hollow Brick Masonry
42 Empirical Design of Brick Masonry
43 Passive Solar Heating with Brick Masonry - Part I, Introduction
43C. Passive Solar Cooling with Brick Masonry - Part I, Introduction
43D. Brick Passive Solar Heating Systems - Part IV, Material Properties
43G. Brick Passive Solar Heating Systems - Part VII, Details and Construction
44 Anchor Bolts for Brick Masonry
44A. Fasteners for Brick Masonry
44B. Wall Ties for Brick Masonry
45 Brick Masonry Noise Barrier Walls - Introduction
45A. Brick Masonry Noise Barrier Walls - Structural Design

Technical Publications from Clay Brick and Paver Institute (CBPI).

For further information on detailing, designing, and construction, please use the following link to the Clay Brick & Paver Institute Website where you can download free publications (technical sheets and complete manuals) on these technical matters.

  1. Clay Paving Design and Construction - Technical guidance for flexible and rigid clay segmental pavements
  2. The Full Brick Manual - Design and construction of full brick housing
  3. Design of Clay Masonry for Wind & Earthquake - Designing unreinforced clay masonry to resist wind and seismic forces
  4. Fire Resistance Levels for Clay Brick Walls - Allows designers to determine fire resistance level for common wall types
  5. Detailing of Clay Masonry Walls - General design guidance; includes 34 typical details and 11 design tables
  6. Construction Guidelines for Clay Masonry - Good practice recommendations drawing on BCA and Australian Standards

British Standards.

For further information on detailing, designing, and construction, please use the following link to the Clay Brick & Paver Institute Website where you can download free publications (technical sheets and complete manuals) on these technical matters.

  1. 99/104185 DC (BS EN 1015-18.) Methods of test for mortar for masonry. Part 18. Determination of water absorption coefficient due to capillary action of hardened rendering mortar
  2. 99/109559 DC (BS EN 772-22.)Methods of test for masonry units. Determination of freeze/thaw resistance of clay masonry units
  3. 92/14985 DC (prEN 772-5.)Methods of test for masonry units. Part 5. Determination of soluble salt content of clay masonry units
  4. 99/109559 DC (BS EN 772-22.)Methods of test for masonry units. Determination of freeze/thaw resistance of clay masonry units
  5. 0/103725 DC Specification for masonry units. Part 1. Clay masonry units (prEN 771-1.)
  6. 00/103733 DC Specification for ancillary components for masonry. Part 2. Lintels (prEN 845-2.)
  7. 00/103734 DC Specification for ancillary components for masonry. Part 3. Bed joint reinforcement of steel meshwork (prEN 845-3.)
  8. 98/108339 DC Free-standing industrial chimneys. Part 4. Brick liners. Design and execution (prEN 13084-4)
  9. 98/108338 DC Free-standing industrial chimneys. Part 5. Materials for brick liners. Product specifications (prEN 13084-5)
  10. BS 12 Specification for Portland Cement
  11. DD 34:1974 Clay bricks with modular dimensions
  12. BS 476-23:1987 Fire tests on building materials and structures. Methods for determination of the contribution of components to the fire resistance of a structure
  13. BS 476-22:1987 Fire tests on building materials and structures. Methods for determination of the fire resistance of non-loadbearing elements of construction
  14. BS 476-21:1987 Fire tests on building materials and structures. Methods for determination of the fire resistance of load bearing elements of construction
  15. BS 476-4:1970 Fire tests on building materials and structures. Non-combustibility test for materials
  16. BS 476-20:1987 Fire tests on building materials and structures. Method for determination of the fire resistance of elements of construction (general principles)
  17. BS 493:1970 Specification for air bricks and gratings for wall ventilation
  18. BS 648:1964 Schedule of weights of building materials
  19. BS 743:1970 Specification for materials for damp-proof courses
  20. BS EN 772-19:2000 Methods of test for masonry units. Determination of moisture expansion of large horizontally perforated clay masonry units
  21. BS EN 772-16:2000 Methods of test for masonry units. Determination of dimensions
  22. BS EN 772-7:1998 Methods of test for masonry units. Determination of water absorption of clay masonry damp proof course units by boiling in water
  23. BS EN 772-1:2000 Methods of test for masonry units. Determination of compressive strength
  24. BS 890:1995 Specification for building limes
  25. BS EN 1052-4:2000 Methods of test for masonry. Determination of shear strength including damp proof course
  26. BS EN 1052-2:1999 Methods of test for masonry. Determination of flexural strength
  27. BS EN 1052-1:1999 Methods of test for masonry. Determination of compressive strength
  28. BS 1191-2:1973 Specification for gypsum building plasters. Premixed lightweight plasters
  29. BS 1191-1:1973 Specification for gypsum building plasters. Excluding premixed lightweight plasters
  30. BS EN 1365-1:1999 Fire resistance tests for load bearing elements. Walls
  31. DD ENV 1996-1-1:1996 (Euro code 6.)Design of masonry structures. General rules for buildings. General rules for buildings. Rules for reinforced and unreinforced masonry (together with United Kingdom National Application Document)
  32. DD ENV 1996-1-2:1997 (Euro code 6. ) Design of masonry structures. General rules for buildings. Structural fire design (together with United Kingdom National Application Document)
  33. DD ENV 1996-2:2001 (Euro code 6.) Design of masonry structures. Design, selection of materials and execution of masonry (together with United Kingdom National Application Document)
  34. BS 4027 Specification for Sulphate Resisting Portland Cement
  35. BS 1199 and 1200:1976 Specifications for building sands from natural sources
  36. BS 4887 Specification for Mortar Admixtures
  37. BS 5224 Specification for Masonry Cement
  38. BS 3826:1969 Specification for silicone-based water repellents for masonry
  39. BS 3921:1985 Specification for clay bricks
  40. BS 4729:1971 Specification for shapes and dimensions of special bricks
  41. BS 4729:1990 Specification for dimensions of bricks of special shapes and sizes
  42. BS 5588-1:1990 Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Code of practice for residential buildings
  43. BS 5588-0:1996 Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Guide to fire safety codes of practice for particular premises/applications
  44. BS 5628:Part 1:1978 Code of practice for use of masonry. Structural use of unreinforced masonry
  45. BS 5628:Part 2:1985 Code of practice for use of masonry. Structural use of reinforced and prestressed masonry
  46. BS 5628-1:1992 Code of practice for use of masonry. Structural use of unreinforced masonry
  47. BS 5642-1:1978 Sills and copings. Specification for window sills of precast concrete, cast stone, clayware, slate and natural stone
  48. BS 5642-2:1983 Sills and copings. Specification for copings of precast concrete, cast stone, clayware, slate and natural stone
  49. BS 5628-2:2000 Code of practice for use of masonry. Structural use of reinforced and prestressed masonry
  50. BS 5628-3:2001 Code of practice for use of masonry. Materials and components, design and workmanship
  51. BS 6093:1993 Code of practice for design of joints and jointing in building construction
  52. BS 6100:Part 5: Section 5.1:1985 Glossary of building and civil engineering terms. Masonry. Terms common to masonry
  53. BS 6399-3:1988 Loading for buildings. Code of practice for imposed roof loads
  54. BS 6399-1:1996 Loading for buildings. Code of practice for dead and imposed loads
  55. BS 6399-2:1997 Loading for buildings. Code of practice for wind loads
  56. PD 6472:1974 Guide to specifying the quality of building mortars
  57. PD 6520:1988 Guide to fire test methods for building materials and elements of construction
  58. BS 6576:1985 Code of practice for installation of chemical damp-proof courses
  59. BS 6649:1985 Specification for clay and calcium silicate modular bricks
  60. BS 6677-2:1986 Clay and calcium silicate pavers for flexible pavements. Code of practice for design of lightly trafficked pavements
  61. BS 6677-1:1986 Clay and calcium silicate pavers for flexible pavements. Specification for pavers
  62. BS 6677:Part 3:1986 Clay and calcium silicate pavers for flexible pavements. Method for construction of pavements
  63. BS 7533-6:1999 Pavements constructed with clay, natural stone or concrete pavers. Code of practice for laying natural stone, precast concrete and clay kerb units
  64. BS 7533-3:1997 Pavements constructed with clay, natural stone or concrete pavers. Code of practice for laying precast concrete paving blocks and clay pavers for flexible pavements
  65. BS 7533-4:1998 Pavements constructed with clay, natural stone or concrete pavers. Code of practice for the construction of pavements of precast concrete flags or natural stone slabs
  66. BS 7533-2:2001 Pavements constructed with clay, natural stone or concrete pavers. Guide for the structural design of lightly trafficked pavements constructed of clay pavers or precast concrete paving blocks
  67. BS 7533-1:2001 Pavements constructed with clay, natural stone or concrete pavers. Guide for the structural design of heavy duty pavements constructed of clay pavers or precast concrete paving blocks
  68. BS 8103-2:1996 Structural design of low-rise buildings. Code of practice for masonry walls for housing
  69. BS 8215:1991 Code of practice for design and installation of damp-proof courses in masonry construction
  70. BS 8221-2:2000 Code of practice for cleaning and surface repair of buildings. Surface repair of natural stones, brick and terracotta
  71. BS 8221-1:2000 Code of practice for cleaning and surface repair of buildings. Cleaning of natural stones, brick, terracotta and concrete
  72. BS ISO 11600:1993 Building construction. Sealants. Classification and requirements