Double brick wall construction is a traditional building technique that has been widely use for its durability, strength, and thermal properties. This construction method involves the use of two layers of brickwork with a gap or cavity between them. We will explore the features, benefits, and construction process of double brick walls.
Features and Benefits of Double Brick Walls:
Structural Strength: Double brick walls provide excellent structural strength due to the two layers of bricks. The load-bearing capacity of the walls enhances, making them suitable for supporting multi-story buildings and providing stability during seismic events.
Durability: The use of high-quality bricks and the double-layered construction make double brick walls highly durable. They can withstand environmental factors like moisture, temperature fluctuations, and harsh weather conditions, resulting in long-lasting structures.
Thermal Insulation: The air cavity between the two brick layers acts as insulation, reducing heat transfer through the walls. This contributes to a pleasant indoor temperature, minimizes the requirement for excessive heating or cooling, and enhances energy efficiency.
Sound Insulation: Double brick walls offer excellent sound insulation properties, reducing the transmission of noise between rooms and from external sources. This proves advantageous in urban environments or structures where prioritizing noise reduction is crucial, including residential homes, schools, and offices.
Fire Resistance: Brick is inherently fire-resistant, and the double-layered construction of double brick walls enhances their fire resistance even further. The air gap acts as a barrier, preventing the spread of fire and providing additional safety to occupants.
Construction Process of Double Brick Walls:
Foundation: The construction of double brick walls begins with a strong and well-designed foundation. The foundation provides a stable base for the walls and distributes the load evenly.
Wall Footings: Footings constructed at the base of the walls to support the weight of the brickwork. Reinforcement bars typically use in the footings to enhance their strength.
Brickwork: The first layer of bricks, call the outer leaf or skin, is laid use mortar. The bricks are carefully position and leveled to ensure uniformity and stability. Mortar joints fill, and excess mortar is clean off the surface.
Cavity: After completing the outer leaf, a cavity or gap is left between the first and second layers of brickwork.
The width of this cavity typically varies, usually falling within the range of 50mm to 75mm, based on the specific design requirements.
Insulation and Damp-Proof Course: Insulation material, such as rigid foam boards, can place within the cavity to enhance thermal performance. Additionally, a damp-proof course installs horizontally at the base of the cavity to prevent moisture penetration.
Inner Leaf: The second layer of bricks, known as the inner leaf, constructed adjacent to the outer leaf. Similar to the outer leaf, mortar use to lay the bricks, ensuring proper alignment and stability.
Wall Ties: Wall ties are metal connectors that span the cavity and connect the inner and outer leaves together, providing structural integrity. These ties are usually made of corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel.
Finishing: Once the brickwork is complete, the walls can finish with rendering, plastering, or other desired finishes for aesthetic purposes.
Conclusion:
Double brick wall construction is a well-established and dependable building method that provides multiple benefits in terms of its robustness, longevity. Thermal insulation, soundproofing, and fire resistance. It provides a solid foundation for building structures, ensuring their longevity and structural stability. While the construction process may require additional effort and materials compared to single-layer brick walls, the benefits outweigh the costs, making double-brick walls a popular choice in both residential and commercial construction projects.