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4 Commonly Used Brick Bonds
4 Commonly Used Brick Bonds
1. Stretcher Bond:
A stretcher is the longer face of the brick as seen in the elevation. In the brick of size 190 mm 90 mm
90 mm, 190 mm 90 mm face is the stretcher. In stretcher bond masonry all the bricks are arranged in
stretcher courses as shown in Fig-1. However care should be taken to break vertical joints. This type of
construction is useful for the construction half brick thick partition wall.
2. Header Bond:
A header is the shorter face of the brick as seen in the elevation. In a standard brick it is 90 mm 90 mm
face. In header bond brick masonry all the bricks are arranged in the header courses as shown in Fig-2.
This type of bond is useful for the construction of one brick thick walls.
3. English Bond:
In this alternate courses consist of headers and stretchers. This is considered to be the strongest bond.
Hence it is commonly used bond for the walls of all thicknesses. To break continuity of vertical joints a
brick is cut lengthwise into two halves and used in the beginning and end of a wall after first header.
This is called queen closer. (Refer Fig-3). Fig-3 shows typical one brick and one and half brick thick wall
with English bond.
4. Flemish Bond:
In this type of bond each course comprises of alternate header and stretcher [Fig-4]. Alternate courses
start with stretcher and header. To break the vertical joints queen closers are required, if a course starts
with header. Every header is centrally supported on the stretcher below it.
Flemish bonds may be further classified as
Construction of flemish bond needs greater skill. It gives more pleasing appearance. But it is not as
strong as English bond. If only pointing is to be used for finished wall, flemish bond may be used to get
good aesthetic view. If plastering is going to be used, it is better to use English bond.