ENVT-1107-M01-2025-26 Landscape Design Technology 3 (week 2)

Today will be talking about brick basics, are bricks sustainable for the average person the believe bricks are only sources of construction and are to be used for structures, There is a more significant purpose for bricks as they do corelate to our environment.

A skilled worker meticulously applies mortar to the rows of neatly stacked bricks, ensuring precision in the bricklaying process.

Water is also an important factor, its used in the manufacture of clay bricks and also used to create the mortar. Geological influence, states that over years that clay has been formed naturally, erosion and localised soil react with air, water or steam.

Battered by the elements, the once unbroken surface of natural clay now displays a mosaic of intricate cracks, a testament to harsh weather conditions.

Lets talk about what type of bonding patterns there are, brick terminology & configurations explained.

Illustration of Various Brick Bonding Patterns: Stretcher Bond, Common Bond (with full headers every 6th course), Flemish Bond, Common Bond (Flemish every 6th course), English Cross or Dutch Bond, Garden Wall Bond, Stack Bond, and Soldier Course with Stretcher Bond.

The bricks are laid so that the vertical joints are staggered by half of the length of the brick.

English Bond- Oldest brick bond used in the United Kingdom, it was used for all brickwork one or more bricks thick until the seventeenth century when Flemish Bond first appeared.

Flemish Bond -Alternate headers and stretches.

Stack or tiled Bond-Bricks are stacked one on top of each other. There are no overlapping units, so it does not create a true bond. Both the horizontal and vertical joints are aligned, highlighting the vertical aspect of the brickworks.

English bond

Flemish Bond

Why does brick durability matter, because when construction is meant to be bulti and designed to stand the test of time. Extreme conditions, such as damp or regular freezing, call for engineering bricks. They are often used for building manholes and sewers. They have an amazing finish, several core holes to allow mortar or steel bar reinforcement to be added.

Sturdy and durable, this engineering brick features drainage holes and a strong, smooth finish, ideal for construction projects requiring high strength and low water absorption.

Enemies of brick durability, environmental conditions such as harsh weather conditions can case bricks to erode, Directs damage can literally smash bricks to dust. water saturation levels different, dependent on brick composition. But too much water can cause dilution and subsequent weakening of the binding mortar.

• Category S0: bricks are not subject to any limits on specified soluble radicals and are intended for use in situations where total protection against water penetration is provided

  
  

• Category S1: bricks have limits on soluble salt contents e.g. sodium, potassium and magnesium

  
  

• Category S2: bricks have lower limits than Category S1 bricks.

Bricks exposed to moisture show signs of decay and erosion, highlighting the damaging effects of water seepage on building materials.

How are brick durability ratings determined, bricks fall into three durability categories.

• F2 – Frost resistant: suitable for use in normal building situations and exposure levels

  
  

• F1 – Moderately frost resistant: durable except where they remain saturated, and subject to freezing and thawing. Generally suitable for brickwork between DCP and eaves, F1 bricks should never be used below DCP, for plinths and projecting details, nor in landscaping. Use with caution, depending on level of exposure.

  
  

• F0 – Not frost resistant: not suitable for external use