Masonry Magazine December 1992 Page. 23
BIA Technical Notes
on Brick Construction
Brick Institute of America 11490 Commerce Park Drive, Reston, Virginia 22091
14
REVISED
September
1992
BRICK FLOORS AND PAVEMENTS
DESIGN AND DETAILING
PART I OF III
Abstract: This Technical Notes describes the proper design and detailing of a variety of brick paving assemblies. Design considerations covered include traffic, site conditions, drainage, edge restraints, joints and appearance. Typical details of various mortarless and mortared brick paving assemblies are shown.
Key Words: brick, design, flexible pavements, flooring, mortared paving, mortarless paving, paving, rigid pavements.
INTRODUCTION
Since brick is derived from the earth, it is only natural that it be used as a paving material. Brick is a small element paving material which provides an aesthetically pleasing, stable and durable surface. Brick paving assemblies are comprised of the brick surface along with a base to provide support. In any paving assembly, the base is of prime importance, for if it is improperly designed or constructed, the entire system is prone to failure.
This Technical Notes series discusses a variety of brick paving assemblies for residential and commercial applications. Although the principles are the same for all brick paving assemblies, the recommendations may not be appropriate for industrial type floors or heavy vehicular applications. Further information on flexible brick pavements in road and street applications can be found in the Brick Institute of America's Flexible Brick Pavements: Design and Installation Guide [1]. This Technical Notes classifies paving assemblies by type of paving surface and type of base. Design considerations are given for traffic loads, drainage, site conditions, edge restraints, expansion joints, membranes, slip/skid resistance and appearance. Other Technical Notes in this series address material selection, installation techniques and special brick paving assemblies.
CLASSIFICATION OF PAVING ASSEMBLIES
Paving assemblies are classified by the type of brick paving surface and the type of base supporting the surface. The paving surface receives the traffic wear, protects the base and transfers loads to the base. The base and subbase (if required) provide structural support to the paving system by distributing the load to the subgrade. A subbase consisting of graded aggregates may be required when subgrade conditions are poor.
Types of Brick Paving Surfaces
The two types of brick paving surfaces are mortarless and mortared. Mortarless brick paving contains sand between the units which are laid on a variety of materials. Conversely, mortared brick paving consists of units with mortar between the units and always laid in a mortar setting bed.
Types of Bases
Flexible Base. A flexible base consists of compacted crushed stone, gravel or coarse sand. Only mortarless brick paving is suitable for this type of base.
Semi-Rigid Base. This type of base consists of asphalt concrete, commonly referred to as asphalt. Only mortarless brick paving is suitable over this type of base.
Rigid Base. A rigid base is defined as a reinforced or unreinforced concrete slab on grade. Mortarless or mortared brick paving may be placed over this type of base.
Suspended Diaphragm Base. Suspended diaphragm bases are structural roof or floor assemblies of concrete, steel or wood. Mortarless or mortared brick paving is suitable for this type of base depending on the stiffness of the diaphragm.
EXAMPLES OF BRICK PAVING ASSEMBLIES
Many combinations of bases, setting beds and brick paving surfaces can be used. The paving assemblies included are suggested methods based on experience for the various types of traffic uses. Although not all potential paving assemblies are shown due to space limitation, the following are the most popular configurations.
Flexible Base Pavements
Only mortarless brick paving should be laid over a flexible base. Flexible bases include crushed stone, gravel or