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Utility Brick Bonding

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 Introduction:

The utility size brick is becoming more and more popular. Many new schools are being built with this size brick for economy reasons. Details are our defining moments, they bridge the gap between a good design and a great one. Here, as in most design situations, careful attention to detail can avoid problems in the future, thus saving money. When using utility size brick, the 1/2 bond pattern requires a large quantity of cut brick. Since field cutting brick is a costly option, using 1/2 bond with utility brick is not the most economical detail. The solution to this problem is to simply use the typical 1/3 bond pattern. I have included a series of drawings which compare the two bonding strategies, highlighting the field cut brick in yellow.

1/2 Bond Corner

To achieve proper closure when laying a utility-sized brick in 1/2 bond, there must be an adjustment.. This is achieved by field cutting a special length unit at 9 5/8" . All of the cutting involved with this detail can be avoided by using 1/3 bond as shown to the right.

2'8" Pier:

With the previously mentioned corner problem, creating a 2'8" Pier requires 12 field cuts per 1 ft. of height ($20-$30 per ft..), while 1/3 bond would require none..

Expansion Joint Details:

1/2 Bond:

Closure of 1/2 bonded utility brick at expansion joints requires cutting. The length needed to close off the coursing is 5 5/8". Since expansion joints are usually located approximately expansion joint.

at every 30ft on center, The cost to use this bond pattern could become $7-$10 per running foot of wall.

1/3 Bond:

Since the space needed to close off 1/3 bond at an expansion joint is either 7 5/8" or 3 5/8", there is no costly field cutting necessary. The designer uses a 7 5/8" closure brick (a standard size) as shown on the right. The other option shown below right uses a split closure to fill the remaining third (3 5/8"). These are the types of details that can afford the owner/client a more economical solution.

1/3 Bond Corner

Since a one-third bond pattern divides the 12" nominal brick into thirds, turning the corner is as natural as it is economical. Since the head of the brick is 4" nominal, it is one third of the total unit length, therefore bonding around the corner with no cuts at all.

Conclusion:

Using 1/3 bond and closure brick (routinely manufactured for this specific purpose), instead of 1/2 bond always lowers the cost of a utility brick wall. [Using a 9 5/8" closure in half bond, a full size brick must be purchased, a cut must be paid for, and the resulting waste must be removed from the site adding further cost].