Measuring Masonry Work
Masonry Work
• Clay Bricks
• Concrete Bricks
• Concrete Blocks
• Natural and Artificial Stone
Measuring Masonry Work
• Bricks and concrete blocks are measured by
number
• First, the area of Masonry is determined
• Then a factor is applied to determine the number
of masonry units required for the area.
• In addition, other items associated with masonry
must also be taken off including mortar, metal
ties, wire reinforcement
• In accordance with the general, masonry work is
measured “net in place”
Brick Masonry
• Measurement of brick is affected by many factors
including:
– Size of brick
– Size of joints between units
– Wall thickness (for brick walls)
– Pattern of brick bond applied
• Amount of mortar required is determined from the size of
brick and the thickness of the mortar joint.
• Estimators also use reference books that provide the
quantities of brick (per sq meter) and the volume of
mortar (per 1000 brick)
• Brick courses that are laid differently can be measured
by length as “Extra overs”. “Extra over” means that
additional cost of material and labor is required.
Concrete Blocks
• Concrete blocks come in varying sizes.
The modular size is 200 x 200 x 400 mm
• Simpler to deal with than Brick
• Quantities are determined as in the case
of bricks
Determining Quantities Masonry Units
and Mortar
1. Determine AREA where masonry units
are used
2. Determine the number of units by
dividing the AREA by the face area of the
masonry unit
3. For mortar
– Find volume of masonry unit with mortar
– Find volume of masonry unit alone
– Determine the mortar volume by finding the
difference of the two items above
Bricks
• Nominal size: 100 x 67 x 200 mm
• Specified size: 90 x 57 x 190 mm
• Number of bricks per square meter
(running bond)
• 1 / (0.067 x 0.200) = 74.63 bricks
Modular Concrete Block
• Nominal size: 200 x 200 x 400 mm
• Specified size: 190 x 190 x 390 mm
• Number of blocks per square meter
• 1 / (0.200 x 0.400) = 12.5 blocks
Modular Brick
• Nominal size: 100 x 67 x 200
• Specified size: 90 x 57 x 190
• Volume of brick and mortar per 1000
bricks
¾1000 x 0.100 x 0.067 x 0.200 = 1.34 m3
• Volume of brick alone
¾1000 x 0.090 x 0.057 x 0.190 = 0.9747 m3
• Volume of mortar
¾1.34 – 0.9747 = 0.3653 m3
Measuring Notes
• Quantities are measured “net in place”
• Masonry work for curved elements are
measured separately
• Mortar is measured by volume
• Reinforcement is measured in linear units
• Incorporating items such as anchor bolts,
sleeves, brackets in masonry work must
be fully described and enumerated
Measuring Notes
• Bricks
– Bricks are measured in units.
– Facing brick is measured separately
– Brick ties are enumerated and described
• Concrete Blocks
– Measured in units per type and size
– Foam insulation, when used in blocks, must be
described and quantified by volume
– Lintel blocks are measured linearly as ‘extra over’
– Concrete fill to core or lintel blocks is measured by
volume for each type or strength
– Rebar to core fill or lintel blocks is measured linearly
by size and type.
