ABSTRACT
This chapter describes brickwork operations and which performance requirements they affect, e.g. ‘Rain resistance’. One of the most common building defects is rain penetration causing damage to internal finishes and other vulnerable materials. It usually results from inadequate design or workmanship, or both. Remedies are invariably expensive and disruptive. The most common reason for the deterioration of brickwork is frost attack on the bricks and mortar. Sulfate attack on mortars is far less common. Brickwork in manholes and inspection chambers will be out of sight after backfilling but must be built with care as faults can make effective maintenance difficult and are usually expensive to repair. The designers of buildings and civil engineering structures are constantly using new techniques and materials for greater strength and economy. Special techniques and steels are used to apply a permanent compressive load to the brickwork, making it more capable of resisting horizontal loads.
