CPC33020 Bricklaying cheat sheet

Mortar mix ratio for general brickwork is typically 1 part cement : 1 part lime : 6 parts sand (1:1:6); for exposed or severe conditions use 1:0.5:4.5.

Standard modular brick dimensions in Australia are 76 mm high × 230 mm long × 110 mm wide; a 10 mm joint gives a module of 86 mm high × 240 mm long.

Brick count per square metre of single-skin 230 mm × 76 mm brickwork with 10 mm joints is approximately 48.5 bricks/m² (1 / (0.24 × 0.086) = 48.4).

Standard mortar joint thickness is 10 mm; perpend joints and bed joints must both be held within the tolerance of the relevant standard, typically 8–12 mm.

Course height formula: number of courses = wall height ÷ (brick height + joint thickness), e.g. 2.4 m ÷ 0.086 m = 27.9, so 28 courses.

Sand for mortar must be clean, well graded, and free of clay or organic matter; bulking of damp sand must be allowed for when gauging by volume.

Mortar must be used within its working life - commonly 2 hours in hot weather and up to 3.5 hours in cool conditions for cement-lime mortars; retempering with water only is permitted within that window.

Bond patterns: stretcher bond is half-brick overlap; English bond alternates header and stretcher courses; Flemish bond alternates stretcher and header within each course.

Setting out requires a 3:4:5 right-angle check (or diagonal equality check) to confirm square corners before laying the first course.

Wall ties in cavity construction are typically spaced at 600 mm horizontally and 450 mm vertically, with additional ties within 300 mm of openings and free edges.

Weepholes in a cavity wall are placed at maximum 1200 mm centres and immediately above flashings and at the base of the cavity to allow moisture escape.

Damp-proof course (DPC) must be continuous, lapped at least 100 mm at joints, and project past the face of the wall to form a drip line.

Arches: a segmental arch rise should be at least 1/8 of the span for stability; voussoirs must be equal in size and the joint lines radiate from the arch centre.

Lintel bearing length is generally a minimum of 150 mm each end onto masonry, or as specified by the engineer for the load and material.

Control joints in clay brickwork are typically spaced at 6–8 m for unrestrained walls, closer where walls are long, thin, or subject to movement.

Scaffolding: working platforms require a minimum width of 450 mm, guardrails at 900 mm and 1800 mm, and a toe board of at least 150 mm height.

When cutting masonry with a power saw, use water suppression or dust extraction plus appropriate respiratory protection (P2/P3) to control respirable crystalline silica.

Fire-rated masonry: a single-skin 110 mm clay brick wall commonly achieves a fire resistance level (FRL) of 60/60/60, subject to the tested system being used.