Project name – Project phase

0331 MASONARY AND BLOCKWORK

Archetype Specification Format
This section template is part of the Archetype Specification Templates and should be used in conjunction with the Specification
Management Procedure of the Quality Management System.
Revision Written by Reviewed by Approved by Effective date
A Nguyen Quang Huy Tommy Wu Tommy Wu 25 Mar, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. GENERAL.........................................................................................................................................2
2. SCOPE OF WORK.............................................................................................................................2
2.1 General.................................................................................................................................................2
2.2 Drawings And Dimensions....................................................................................................................2
2.3 Standard Specifications.........................................................................................................................2
3. MATERIALS......................................................................................................................................3
3.1 Bricks And Blocks..................................................................................................................................3
3.2 Cement.................................................................................................................................................3
3.3 Sand......................................................................................................................................................3
3.4 Water....................................................................................................................................................3
3.5 Storage Of Materials.............................................................................................................................3
3.6 Equipment............................................................................................................................................3
4. EXECUTION......................................................................................................................................4
4.1 Workmanship.......................................................................................................................................4
4.2 Tolerances On Dimensions....................................................................................................................4
5. COMPLETION...................................................................................................................................6

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1. GENERAL
Refer also to:
 “General Conditions of Contract” which shall apply to this section of the works.

2. SCOPE OF WORK

2.1 GENERAL
The scope includes all external walls, including the security wall and guard houses, as well as all
internal brick or block walls.
This section describes the materials, labor, methods, finishes and sundry associated work to obtain
the laying of all brick and blockwork in this contract.
Allow to complete all such brick & blockwork to the extent indicated on the drawings and as
necessary, in full compliance with this specification.

2.2 DRAWINGS AND DIMENSIONS

The drawings supplied to the Contractor shall indicate the general arrangement and dimensions of
the masonary and brickwork.
The Contractor shall check all dimensions on site and assure himself that there are no inconsistencies.
Any ambiguities shall be referred to the Client’s Representative before proceeding with the work.

2.3 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

2.3.1 References
This section references the various standards used, they are referred to below, it should be noted that
they themselves also reference other standards.
In all cases, the standards noted and inferred to below are to include all amendments current at the
time of tender.

2.3.2 Standards Table

Standard Description
BS 5628:1 The structural use of un-reinforced masonry
BS 5628:2 The structural use of reinforced masonry
TCVN 4085 : 1985 Masonry & Reinforced masonry structure – Codes for Construction
and commissioning
BS PD 6678 Guide to the specification of masonry mortar
BS 4551:2005 Mortar. Methods of test for mortar. Chemical analysis and physical
testing
TCVN 3121 : 2003 Mortar and mortar mixture for construction – Physio-mechanical
testing methodology.
TCVN 4459 : 1987 Guidance on method for mixing and using of mortar.

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BS 5224 Masonry cement

BS 882 Aggregates from natural sources for concrete
TCXDVN 7570 : 2006 Aggregates for concrete and mortar – Technical requirement

3. MATERIALS

3.1 BRICKS AND BLOCKS

Bricks shall be best quality, standard 180 x 80 x 80 extruded clay brick.
Blocks shall be best quality.
Blocks shall have a minimum compressive strength of 7.5Mpa at 28days.
Brick and Block samples must be presented to the Client before construction for approval.
The Client has the right to reject bricks or blocks which he deems are unsatisfactory.

3.2 CEMENT
3.2.1 Portland Cement
Portland Cement (and rapid-hardening Portland Cement if used under conditions mentioned in
Clause “3.2.2 – Special Cements” shall conform in every respect with the requirements of BS 12 or
TCVN 2682 : 1999.
The brand of cement used shall not be changed without the Clients approval.
3.2.2 Special Cements
Quick setting or other special cements shall not be used without the permission in writing of the
Client and only under such conditions as the Client may require and set down in writing.
No extra costs arising from the use of special cements will be accepted unless such special cement is
specified.

3.3 SAND
Sand shall consist of natural sand or of sand prepared from stone, gravel or other material, provided
that the full requirements of BS 882 or TCXDVN 7570 : 2006 are met.
Use sharp, hard, natural sand free from deleterious substances and organic matter.

3.4 WATER
All water used in mixing with cement for mortar or grout, in cleaning out or wetting forms, in washing
materials or in curing shall be clean and fresh and where available, direct from the Local Authority
mains.

3.5 STORAGE OF MATERIALS

Protect all existing work, make good immediately all damage to existing or new work and protect the
work during the currency of the contract.

3.6 EQUIPMENT
Supply all gear and materials necessary to carry out the whole work.
All materials to be new.

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Allow for delivery of all materials, equipment etc and ensure all is in a first class condition prior to
being used.
All material or equipment not conforming to this is to be replaced at no extra cost to the contract.

4. EXECUTION

4.1 WORKMANSHIP

4.1.1 General
Use only expert bricklayers employed by a firm of contractors specializing in the laying of brick and
block work.
Continuously supervise all work with a competent mason.
The work must be of the highest standard and only first class workmanship will be accepted.
Brace all work during the course of construction.

4.1.2 Other Trades

Wait on associated trades and make good in and after all trades.

4.1.3 Damage
Protect all adjacent work, make good immediately all damage and prevent damage to work during
currency of the contract.

4.2 TOLERANCES ON DIMENSIONS

4.2.1 Finish
Lay brick & blockwork true in course line, plumb with faces such that a 3m straight edge placed on
any brick surface shall not deviate more than 3mm.

4.2.2 Other Trades

Check with all trades before commencing work so that all necessary bolts, dowels, lugs, ferrules,
sleeves, pipes, ground, plugs, water bars, flashing, etc. are firmly fixed where required.
No claim will be allowed for extra cost for cutting away as a consequent of any neglect of this trade to
make provision for these beforehand.

4.3 BRICKS AND BLOCKS

4.3.1 Bricks
Dampen bricks as necessary.
Bond tensile strength of mortar and bricks to be 200KPa at 28 days.
Strike off mortar squeezed from the joints flush with the wall surface as each unit is laid.
Add mortar as necessary to ensure a completely filled joint.

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Trim off excess mortar leaving a brick wall surface without projections.
Clean off droppings as the work proceeds.
Only use bricks or blocks that are free of chips, cracks, twists, or other defects which impair finish.
4.3.2 Surface Finish
Lay with even mortar thickness in both vertical and horizontal joints.
Joints to be 10mm thickness normal width.
4.3.3 Lintels
Provide concrete lintels to the head of all door and window openings where required and detailed.
4.3.4 Blocks
Allow to have a fair faced finish on all block walls that are not to be plastered.
The contractor shall provide a 2m x 4m size block panel properly finished for inspection and approval
prior to the construction of any block wall.
All block walls shall be solid filled with grout mix design to reach 15 Mpa minimum after 28days.
Mix design to be submitted by contractor to engineer and approved prior to filling.
4.3.5 Other trades
Allow to form chases in brick & blockwork for reticulation of services as required.

4.4 MORTAR
4.4.1 General
Batch Mix Mortar using mixers of at least one bag capacity.
Cement for fractional bags must be weighed.
 Mix by volume one part (1) cement, one sixth part (1/6 th) plasticizer to four (4) parts sand.
 Add water and mix for minimum 5 minutes to produce mortar with 75-15mm slump.
Mortar to have 5.5 MPa strength after 7 days and 12.5MPa after 28 days.
Discard mortar if not used within ½ hour of mixing.

4.4.2 Plasticizer for Mortar and Grouting

Add plasticizers to the mortar in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
On no account will further additions be made at the time of retempering mortar.
4.4.3 Oxides
Allow to add oxide to all mortar mix.
4.4.4 Tests
Site supervisor shall arrange to test mortar if required, and any brick work using mortar not
complying with above standards shall be removed from the works and replaced at no extra cost to the
contract.

4.5 EXPANSION JOINTS AND PANEL SIZES

The Contractor shall allow to restrict the brick panel length between in wall 200 x 200 columns at 5 to
6 metre centers, and vertically and between in wall concrete bands at approx. 4 metre vertical

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centres.
Reinforcing to columns and bands to be anchored to structure.

5. COMPLETION
On completion remove all debris etc relating to this trade, leaving the whole area ready for following
trade.

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