1.

Interpret Masonry Units’ Drawings

1.1 Dimensions Masonry unit drawings are a blueprint for construction, providing critical
information about the size and layout of a structure. Dimensions are numerical values that
indicate the lengths, widths, and heights of individual masonry units and the overall structure.
They are typically expressed in millimeters (mm) or inches, and are crucial for calculating the
quantity of materials needed and ensuring the accuracy of the build.

 Linear Dimensions: Show the length of a wall, the width of an opening, or the distance
between two points. They are marked with extension lines and a dimension line with
arrowheads at each end.
 Running Bond: In many drawings, dimensions are shown in increments of the masonry
unit's length, including the mortar joint. For example, a standard brick is about 215mm
long, but with a 10mm mortar joint, the running bond dimension is 225mm.
 Vertical Dimensions: Indicate the height of a wall, the distance between floor levels, or
the height of a window sill. These are often shown in a series of stacked dimensions.

1.2 Elevations An elevation drawing is a two-dimensional view of a building's exterior from a

specific direction (e.g., North, South, East, and West). They show the finished appearance of the
masonry, including the pattern of the bricks or blocks, the location of windows and doors, and
the roofline. Elevations are essential for visualizing the final project and for ensuring aesthetic
and structural details are correct.

 Scale: Elevations are drawn to a specific scale (e.g., 1:50 or 1:100), allowing builders to
take measurements directly from the drawing.
 Symbolism: Different symbols and hatch patterns may be used to represent different
materials, such as brick, stone, or concrete block.
 Opening Details: Elevations show the height and width of all openings (windows, doors,
vents) and their position relative to the surrounding masonry.

1.3 Measuring Angles In masonry, angles are critical for building corners, arches, and angled
walls. Drawings will specify the required angles, which can be measured on-site using a variety
of tools.

 Protractor: A basic tool for measuring angles on paper drawings.

 Construction Calculator/Software: Modern tools can calculate angles and dimensions
based on input values.
 Site Measurement: On the construction site, angles are checked using a square, a bevel,
or a digital protractor. For corners, a 3-4-5 triangle method can be used to ensure a
perfect 90-degree angle.
2. Produce Clay Masonry Units

2.1 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Working with clay and in a kiln environment
requires specific safety precautions.

2.1.1 Types

 Safety Boots: Steel-toed boots to protect against falling objects.

 Gloves: Heavy-duty gloves for handling raw clay and hot bricks.
 Safety Goggles/Glasses: Protect eyes from dust and flying particles.
 Dust Mask/Respirator: Essential for protecting against fine clay dust, which can cause
respiratory issues.
 Overalls/Apron: Protect clothing from clay stains.
 Ear Defenders: Required when working near noisy machinery.

2.1.2 Uses PPE is used to prevent injuries from:

 Falling heavy objects.

 Cuts and abrasions from sharp tools or raw bricks.
 Inhalation of harmful dust.
 Burns from the kiln or hot bricks.

2.2 Clay Preparation

2.2.1 Procedure

1. Sourcing and Extraction: Raw clay is extracted from a suitable pit.

2. Weathering: The clay is left exposed to the elements (rain, sun, frost) to break it down
and make it more workable. This process also helps in removing some impurities.
3. Grinding/Crushing: The weathered clay is crushed or ground to a fine powder to ensure
a uniform consistency.
4. Mixing: The powdered clay is mixed with water to form a pliable paste. Other additives
like grog (crushed pottery) or sand may be added to reduce shrinkage and cracking.
5. Pugging: The clay mixture is kneaded and processed through a pugmill to remove air
pockets and achieve a homogenous consistency.

2.3 Clay Bricks

2.3.1 Moulding Procedure

 Hand Moulding: A lump of clay is thrown into a rectangular mould, pressing it into all
corners. Excess clay is scraped off with a wire or straightedge.
 Machine Moulding (Stiff Plastic Method): A stiff clay mixture is forced through a die
to form a continuous column. This column is then cut into individual brick lengths with
wires. This method is highly efficient for mass production.
2.3.2 Sun Drying After moulding, the bricks are placed in a controlled environment to dry.

 Green Bricks: Bricks that have been moulded but not yet fired.
 Drying Sheds: Bricks are placed in drying sheds or open yards, away from direct
sunlight and wind, to ensure uniform and slow drying. This prevents cracking and
warping.
 Moisture Removal: The drying process removes the majority of the water content from
the clay, making the bricks rigid and strong enough for handling and firing.

2.4 Kilning

2.4.1 Procedure Kilning is the firing process that transforms dried clay into durable, permanent
bricks.

1. Stacking: The dried "green bricks" are carefully stacked in the kiln, leaving space for air
circulation.
2. Firing Stages:
o Water Smoking: The temperature is slowly raised to evaporate the remaining
moisture.
o Dehydration: The temperature is increased to remove chemically combined
water.
o Oxidation: Organic impurities in the clay are burned off.
o Vitrification: The temperature reaches a point where the clay particles begin to
melt and fuse together, forming a strong, durable ceramic body. The final firing
temperature varies depending on the type of clay and desired properties.
3. Cooling: The kiln is slowly cooled to prevent thermal shock, which can cause the bricks
to crack.

3. Produce Concrete Masonry Products

3.1 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

3.1.1 Types

 Safety Boots: Protect feet from heavy concrete blocks.

 Gloves: Alkali-resistant gloves to protect hands from cement, which can cause severe
skin burns.
 Safety Goggles/Glasses: Protect eyes from splashing concrete mix and airborne dust.
 Dust Mask/Respirator: Essential for protecting against cement dust, a known
respiratory irritant.
 Overalls/Apron: Protect clothing and skin.
3.1.2 Uses PPE prevents:

 Chemical burns from wet cement.

 Injuries from heavy blocks.
 Inhalation of harmful cement dust.

3.2 Concrete

3.2.1 Block Specification Concrete masonry units (CMUs) come in various sizes and shapes,
with specifications defined by standards (e.g., ASTM, British Standards). Key specifications
include:

 Dimensions: Length, width, and height. The most common size is a nominal 8x8x16
inches (or metric equivalent).
 Compressive Strength: The block's ability to withstand crushing forces. Specified in
pounds per square inch (psi) or megapascals (MPa).
 Absorption: The amount of water the block can absorb. Lower absorption indicates a
denser, more durable block.
 Material: The mix design (cement, sand, gravel, water) to meet the required
specifications.

3.2.2 Preparation Procedure

1. Materials Selection: Cement (e.g., Portland cement), aggregates (sand, gravel), and
water are selected based on the desired strength and density of the blocks.
2. Batching: The materials are measured by weight or volume to ensure the correct mix
ratio. This is critical for achieving consistent quality.
3. Mixing: The dry materials are mixed thoroughly, then water is added gradually. The
mixture should be a "stiff" consistency—not too wet—to hold its shape when moulded.
4. Moulding: The concrete mixture is fed into a block-making machine, which vibrates and
compacts the mix into moulds. The machine then lifts the moulds, leaving the newly
formed "green" blocks on a pallet.

3.3 Concrete Blocks Curing Curing is the process of keeping concrete moist and at a favourable
temperature to allow it to gain strength.

 Initial Set: The blocks are left to set for a few hours.
 Moist Curing: The blocks are covered with plastic sheets, wet burlap, or a fine mist is
sprayed on them to keep them hydrated. This prevents the water needed for hydration
from evaporating.
 Steam Curing: In large-scale production, blocks are placed in a steam kiln, where high
humidity and elevated temperatures accelerate the curing process. This significantly
reduces the time needed for the blocks to reach their full strength.
 Duration: Curing can last from several days to a week or more, depending on the method
and desired strength.
4. Produce Stabilized Soil Masonry Units

4.1 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

4.1.1 Types

 Safety Boots: Protect against heavy blocks and tools.

 Gloves: To protect hands from the soil/cement mix.
 Dust Mask/Respirator: Crucial for protecting against fine soil dust and cement particles.
 Safety Glasses: To protect eyes from dust.

4.1.2 Uses Similar to concrete production, PPE protects against:

 Inhalation of dust.
 Injuries from tools and blocks.
 Skin irritation from the cement component.

4.2 Materials

4.2.1 Job Specifications Stabilized soil blocks, also known as compressed earth blocks (CEBs),
are made from a mixture of soil, a stabilizer (typically cement or lime), and water.

 Soil: The soil should have a good clay content (typically 10-30%) and be free of large
stones and organic matter.
 Stabilizer: Portland cement is the most common stabilizer. The mix ratio is critical,
typically 5-10% cement by volume.
 Water: The water content should be just enough to make the mix workable without being
too wet.

4.2.2 Preparation Procedure

1. Soil Selection: The soil is sourced and tested for suitability.

2. Sieving: The soil is sieved to remove large rocks, roots, and other debris.
3. Mixing: The sieved soil is thoroughly mixed with the stabilizing agent (cement or lime)
in a dry state.
4. Water Addition: A controlled amount of water is added and mixed to achieve the correct
moisture content. The mix should be damp but not sticky, and when a handful is
squeezed, it should hold its shape without crumbling or releasing water.
4.3 Soil Blocks

4.3.1 Preparation Procedure

1. Moulding: The prepared soil mixture is poured into a block-making machine (often a
manual or hydraulic press).
2. Compaction: The machine's lever is pressed or a motor is engaged to apply high
pressure, compressing the mixture into a dense, solid block.
3. Ejection: The newly formed block is ejected from the mould and carefully placed on a
pallet.

4.4 Soil Blocks Curing Curing for stabilized soil blocks is similar to concrete, but the process is
even more critical as it is the sole method of gaining strength.

1. Shading: Blocks are stacked in a shaded area to prevent rapid drying from direct
sunlight.
2. Moistening: The blocks are kept moist by covering them with plastic sheets or by regular
light watering for at least 7-14 days. This allows the cement to hydrate and bond the soil
particles.
3. Strength Gain: The blocks will continue to gain strength over several weeks, reaching
their full potential after about 28 days.

5. Perform Stone Dressing

5.1 PPEs

5.1.1 Types

 Safety Goggles/Face Shield: Crucial for protecting eyes from flying stone chips.
 Steel-toed Boots: To protect against falling stones or heavy tools.
 Heavy-Duty Gloves: Protect hands from abrasions and blisters.
 Hearing Protection: When using power tools, ear defenders are necessary.
 Dust Mask: To protect against stone dust, especially from siliceous rocks like granite.

5.1.2 Uses PPE is essential for preventing injuries from:

 Flying stone fragments.

 Cuts and abrasions from tools.
 Crushing injuries from heavy stones.
 Inhalation of stone dust, which can lead to silicosis.

5.2 Stone Dressing Tools and Equipment

5.2.1 Types

 Hammers: Scabbling hammer, lump hammer, pitching hammer.

  Chisels: Point, bolster, claw, and flat chisels.
 Mallet: Used with chisels for precision work.
 Squares and Straightedges: For checking angles and flatness.
 Pitching Tool: A heavy, broad-bladed chisel for roughing out stone.
 Grinders and Saws: Power tools for shaping and cutting larger stones.

5.2.2 Uses

 Hammers: Used to strike chisels and other tools.

 Chisels: Used for cutting, shaping, and smoothing the stone face.
 Pitching Tool: Used for "pitching" or roughly squaring the stone by breaking off large
pieces.
 Squares and Straightedges: Used to ensure the stone face and edges are flat and the
corners are square.

5.2.3 Stone Dressing Stone dressing is the process of shaping and preparing natural stones for
use in masonry. The goal is to create a clean, uniform face and true edges.

1. Pitching: The rough stone is first pitched to remove large, irregular sections and create a
basic, rectangular shape.
2. Boasting/Roughing: The stone is worked with a scabbling hammer or bolster chisel to
remove the marks left by pitching and create a relatively flat surface.
3. Clawing: A claw chisel is used to create a series of parallel lines, further smoothing the
stone and removing high spots.
4. Final Dressing: The final dressing depends on the desired finish.
o Smooth/Axe Dressing: Achieved with a flat chisel, leaving a very smooth
surface.
o Hammered/Pointed: A series of small depressions left by a point chisel.
o Tooled: Parallel lines left by a flat chisel.
5. Finishing: The edges and corners are dressed to be square and clean, ensuring the stone
fits correctly in the wall. The finished stone is then ready for laying.