Introduction of Stretcher Bond:
Bonding is actually an arrangement of bricks in a structure like a wall or a column. The arrangement in brickwork in order that the units are tied together to make a solid mass is called bonding brickwork. The load is then uniformly disseminated through the length of the wall.
Bricks are typically laid to an offset pattern to maintain a steady lap between joints from one course to the other and to make sure that vertical joints don’t seem to be positioned above each other on consecutive courses.
If bricks arranged in such a way that no lap happens, the cross joints are directly over one another, & ‘straight joints’ must be avoided by any means.
There are three sorts of bonds utilised & samples of all three is witnessed in towns and cities – the Stretcher Bond, English Bond, and Flemish bond. There are two methods of lapping. The half-brick lap. The quarter-brick lap additionally called the half bond & the quarter bond.
What Is Brick Bond?
Brick Bonds – Bonding is a process of arranging brick with mortar to tie them together. Without proper bonding in between bricks, it’s illegible to construct the wall. Types of bonding in masonry construction are categorised according to the laying & bonding feature of bricks.
What Is Stretcher Bond?
It one of the fundamental & economic varieties of brick bonds. Bricks are laid horizontally & flat as stretcher courses on wall faces. This kind of bond within the brick is actually the simplest repeating pattern. Sometimes stretcher bond is additionally called running bond.
Types of Bonds in Brick Masonry Wall
- Stretcher Bond.
- Header bond.
- English bond.
- Flemish bond.
More other kinds of bond in brick masonry
- Facing bond.
- Dutch bond.
- English cross bond.
- Brick on edge bond.
- Raking bond.
- Zigzag bond.
- Garden wall bond (English & Flemish).
- Scottish bond.
- Diagonal bond.
- Stack bond.
- Herring Hone bond.
- American bond.
Advantages of Stretcher Bond:
The advantages of stretcher bond are as follows.
- Disseminate loads throughout the structure to obtain absolute strength.
- Ensure stability.
- Obtain the required aesthetic.
- Stretcher bonds are ordinarily employed in the steel or reinforced concrete framed structures facing outwards. These also used at the outer facing of cavity walls.
- Stretcher bond within the brick is the simplest repeating pattern.
- This is the foremost economic bond used extensively in single skin modern buildings.
- This bond is generally employed in the steel or concrete framed structures because of the outer facing as for the development of cavity walls.
- In this sort of bond, all the bricks are arranged within the stretcher course, so the wall having stretchers are within the face.
- This style of bond is beneficial for one-brick partition walls as there aren’t any headers in such walls.
- As this bond doesn’t develop a correct internal bond, it mustn’t be used for wall having thickness over one brick wall. Sometimes, it’s also called the running bond.
- Effortless & simple to develop.
- Skilled manpower is not required for the development of stretcher bond.
Disadvantages of Stretcher Bond:
The Disadvantages of stretcher bond are as follows.
- The limitation of the stretcher bond is that it cannot make an efficient and robust bonding with adjacent bricks in full-width thick brick walls.
- They’re only suitable for one-half brick thick walls (i.e. suitable for walls with less thickness) like partition walls.
- The typical size of the brick is 9 cm x 9 cm x 18 cm. If the wall of thickness 9 cm is to be constructed, then a stretcher bond will be used.
- Walls constructed using these bonds aren’t strong enough to stand alone in case of long span and height. Thus they require structure like brick masonry columns at regular intervals.
- This kind of bonding isn’t particularly strong.
- Walls constructed with the help of stretcher bonds aren’t robust enough to face alone in case of long span & height. Thus, they require construction like brick masonry columns at regular intervals.
- Stretcher bond is not eligible to be utilised for full-breadth thick brick walls (e.g. partition walls).
- When the structure has a long span or height, the masonry walls are not eligible to be developed using the stretcher bonds since they aren’t able to resist the ponderous loads imposed.
- For landscaping & architectural masonry developments, a stretcher bond is not required.
Application of Stretcher Bond:
The application of stretcher bond are as follows.
- Brick masonry work is one of all the oldest kinds of work that’s used for building construction.
- Brick masonry work is completed by placing side by side and one on another with mortar to create a bond between them.
- All ancient and historical building has evidence of the utilisation of brick masonry into it.
- Brick masonry strength depends on the kinds of brick bonds and materials used for construction.
- Types of brick bonds play a vital role in providing strength, stability, and sturdiness to the brick masonry.
- A brick bond may be a pattern or framework during which bricks are laid.
- There are many different sorts of brick bonds, and each one has its own look, installation difficulties, and within the case of walls, structural considerations.
- Most of all, brick bonds require bricks or other masonry units of the same size instead of a minimum of compatible sizes.
- Uniform sizing makes a daily, repeatable pattern that may be provided over any size of the region.
- Many bond patterns designs are prepared in such a way that interlocking each row of brick is called a course to the neighbouring courses.
- Types of brick bonds in masonry wall construction are categorised according to the laying and bonding pattern of bricks in walls.
- It’s developed by the mortar filling between layers of bricks and in grooves when bricks are laid adjacent to every other and in layers in walls.
- Mortar, lime mortar, and dirt mortar are mostly used material for brick bonds.
- Brick utilised should be of equal size—the length of the brick = two times the length of the width of the brick+1 mortar joint.
- Brick must not soak water more than 1/5 times or 20% of their weight when they are stored in water for 24 hrs.
- Quantity of lap ought to be minimum half brick criss-cross the thickness of the wall.
- The use of brickbats required to be minimum.
- Prior to use, brick must be soaked in water for a minimum of 1 hr.
- The thickness of the mortar must not be greater than 13 mm.
- Brick & mortar used in the masonry needs to be according to the specification.
- Correct bonding required to be adopted.
- Wall must be properly vertical & continuous checking shall be done with the help of a plumb bob.
- Completed walls need to be cured for a minimum of one week.
- If Brobdingnagian voids appear during masonry, they must not be fed only by mortar.
- Wall masonry must not be raised greater than 1m/day.
Use of Stretcher Bond:
Different kinds of wall construction done using stretcher type bond are:
- Sleeper walls.
- Boundary walls.
- Partition walls.
- Division walls (internal dividers).
- Chimney stacks.
FAQs about Stretcher Bond in Brick Masonry Construction
What is a stretcher bond in brick masonry?
A stretcher bond is a basic and economical brick bonding pattern where bricks are laid flat with their longest side exposed on the wall face. This pattern consists solely of stretcher courses.
What are the advantages of using stretcher bond?
- Stretcher bond distributes loads evenly throughout the structure, enhancing overall strength.
- It is simple and cost-effective, commonly used in modern single-skin buildings.
- This bond is easy to construct and does not require highly skilled labor.
- It provides a uniform and aesthetically pleasing appearance to the wall surface.
What are the disadvantages of stretcher bond?
- Stretcher bond is not suitable for thick walls (greater than one brick thick) as it lacks strong interlocking capability.
- It requires additional structural support like columns in long-span or tall structures due to limited load-bearing capacity.
- The bond may not be suitable for architectural or landscaping applications that require enhanced visual appeal or structural integrity.
Where is stretcher bond typically used?
Stretcher bond is commonly employed in:
- Partition walls
- Boundary walls
- Sleeper walls
- Internal division walls
- Chimney stacks
How does stretcher bond compare to other brick bonds like English or Flemish bond?
Unlike English or Flemish bond which involve alternating rows of headers and stretchers for stronger interlocking, stretcher bond uses only stretchers. This makes it less suitable for structural walls but ideal for single-skin constructions or decorative purposes where load-bearing requirements are minimal.
What are the key considerations when using stretcher bond in construction?
- Ensure bricks are of uniform size to maintain a consistent pattern.
- Use mortar of appropriate strength and consistency to securely bond the bricks.
- Monitor vertical alignment of the wall using a plumb bob during construction.
- Allow adequate curing time after completion to strengthen the wall structure.
Can stretcher bond be used for load-bearing walls?
Stretcher bond is generally not recommended for load-bearing walls in tall or wide structures due to its limited ability to withstand heavy loads. It is more suitable for non-load-bearing walls or where additional structural support (such as columns) is provided at regular intervals.
What are some alternative brick bonds to stretcher bond?
Alternative bonds include English bond (alternating rows of headers and stretchers), Flemish bond (alternating headers and stretchers in each row), and various decorative bonds like garden wall bond or herringbone bond, each offering different aesthetics and structural strengths.
How can stretcher bond enhance the aesthetic appeal of a building?
Stretcher bond provides a clean and simple pattern that can complement modern architectural designs. Its uniform appearance and straightforward layout contribute to a minimalist aesthetic often sought in contemporary building facades.
Is stretcher bond suitable for DIY projects?
Yes, stretcher bond is relatively easy to lay and does not require advanced masonry skills, making it suitable for DIY projects like small garden walls or decorative features. However, proper attention to mortar consistency and brick alignment is essential for a durable and visually appealing finish.
