TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF

MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

J P MUKHERJI & ASSOCIATES PVT LTD

TSFP

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

Section-IX
Sub-Section-IX.2.03
Page - 1 / 11

BID DOCUMENT FOR

CIVIL WORKS FOR FOUNDATIONS OF EQUIPMENT
AND PLANT BUILDINGS
3.01.00
3.02 00
3.03.00
3.04.00
3.05.00
3.06.00
3.07.00
3.08.00

SCOPE ............................................................................................................ 2
BRICK MASONRY .......................................................................................... 2
MATERIALS .................................................................................................... 2
WORKMANSHIP ............................................................................................. 4
HOLLOW CONCRETE BLOCK MASONRY ................................................... 5
BRICK-ON-EDGE COPING AND PLINTH PROTECTION ............................. 5
SCAFFOLDING ............................................................................................... 6
STONE MASONRY- RANDOM RUBBLE MASONRY ................................... 6

J P MUKHERJI & ASSOCIATES PVT LTD

TSFP

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

Section-IX
Sub-Section-IX.2.03
Page - 2 / 11

BID DOCUMENT FOR

CIVIL WORKS FOR FOUNDATIONS OF EQUIPMENT
AND PLANT BUILDINGS
3.01.00

SCOPE

3.01.01

This specification covers furnishing, installation, repairing, finishing, curing,

protection, maintenance and handing over of all the masonry and allied works
for use in structure and at locations covered under the scope of this contract.

3.02 00

BRICK MASONRY
This specification covers the construction of brick masonry in foundations,
walls, etc. all elevations.
The provision of the latest revision of relevant British standards shall form a
part of this specification to the extent it has been referred to or applicable with
this specification.

3.03.00

MATERIALS

3.03.01

Bricks
Bricks shall conform to the requirements of relevant British standard and shall
be of suitable quality.
Bricks shall be of uniform deep red. cherry or copper colour, thoroughly burnt,
without being vitrified, regular in shape and size and shall have sharp and
square sides and edges and parallel faces to ensure uniformity in the
thickness of the courses of brickwork.
Bricks shall be free from cracks, chips, flaws, stones or lumps of any kind.
Signs of efflorescence on the surface shall not be more than moderate either
dry or subsequent to soaking in water.
Bricks shall be sound, hard, and homogeneous in texture and emit a clear
ringing sound on being struck.
Bricks shall be of the local standard size. Any other similar size may be
accepted, but no dimension shall vary more than 3 mm from the accepted
size.
All bricks which absorb water more than 20 % of their own dry weight after
being immersed in water for 24 hours shall be rejected.
All bricks shall have to be approved by the Engineer. Any lot of bricks found
not upto the specification, must be removed from the site immediately at
Contractor's cost. Representative samples of bricks to be used shall be
submitted to the Engineer and his approval taken before bulk purchase.
The samples shall be kept sealed with the Engineer for future reference and
comparison. All bricks supplied shall conform to these approved samples in

J P MUKHERJI & ASSOCIATES PVT LTD

TSFP

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

Section-IX
Sub-Section-IX.2.03
Page - 3 / 11

BID DOCUMENT FOR

CIVIL WORKS FOR FOUNDATIONS OF EQUIPMENT
AND PLANT BUILDINGS
all respects.
Bricks shall be carefully and systematically stacked at locations as directed in
an approved manner. Each stack shall contain equal number of bricks
preferably not more than 3,000.
3.03.02

Water
Water shall be dean and free from deleterious matter such as oil, acid, alkali,
salt and vegetable growth. Quality of water shall be same as used for cement
concrete work.

3.03.03

Cement
Cement shall conform to relevant British Standard. Cement shall be stored in
weatherproof sheds on dry platforms and protected from rain and moisture.
Cement, which has set or partially set, shall not be used.

3.03.04

Sand
Grade of sand shall be tested as per British standards. Sand shall be clean
and free from dirt, clay or other impurities. Percentage of clay or total
impurities shall not be more than 5% by weight.

3.03.05

Mortar
Mortar shall be prepared and used as per British Standards. Mortar for
brickwork except for half brick or lower thickness walls shall be 1 part cement
and 6 parts sand by volume.
Mortar for half brick and lower thickness brick walls shall be 1 part cement
and 4 parts sand by volume.
The unit of measurement for cement shall be a bag of cement weighing 50
kg. and this shall be taken as 0.035 cu m. Other ingredients in specified
proportion shall be measured in boxes of suitable size. Sand shall be
measured on the basis of its dry volume. In case of damp sand, its quantity
shall be increased suitably to allow for bulkage.Cement and Sand shall be
mixed dry thoroughly on clean approved platform and water shall then be
added to obtain a mortar of the consistency of a stiff paste, care being taken
to add just sufficient water for the purpose.
Mortar shall be used as soon as possible after mixing and within 2 hours after
the cement is mixed wet. Mortar unused for more than 2 hours shall be
rejected and removed from the site of work. Mixture of lime putty and sand
can be kept for a period of 72 hours. provided it is kept damp and not allowed
to dry.

J P MUKHERJI & ASSOCIATES PVT LTD

TSFP

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

Section-IX
Sub-Section-IX.2.03
Page - 4 / 11

BID DOCUMENT FOR

CIVIL WORKS FOR FOUNDATIONS OF EQUIPMENT
AND PLANT BUILDINGS
3.04.00

WORKMANSHIP
All workmanship shall be of best standard as approved by the Engineer.

3.04.01

Laying
British Standards shall be followed as general guidance. Bricks shall be
soaked in water before use for at least six hours. The Contractor shall provide
tanks of sufficient capacity to allow the specified immersion. Bricks shall be
laid-in water by hand and not thrown. The bricks shall not be too wet at the
time of use, as they are likely to slip on the mortar bed and there will be
difficulty in ensuring plumbness of the wall.
Bricks shall be laid with a shore joint in full mortar beds and thoroughly
slushed up with mortar at every course. Face bricks shall be laid on full
mortar beds and shall have all vertical joints completely filled with mortar. All
brickwork shall be plumb, square and true to dimensions shown on drawings
and in approved bond.
All brickwork shall be built tightly against columns, floor stabs or other
structural parts, around window and door frames with proper distance to
permit caulked joint. Where drawings indicate that structural steel column and
spandrel beams are to be partly or wholly covered with brickwork, the bricks
shall be built closely against all ranges and webs with all spaces between the
steel and the brickwork filled solid with setting mortar with not less than 10
mm in thickness.
Bricks shall be laid in joints not more than 12 mm thick. Where stucco finish is
specified, the joints of brickwork shall be raked to a minimum depth of 10 mm
to ensure good bond of stucco with brickwork.

3.04.02

Raking Out Joints

Joints of brickwork shall be raked out to a depth of 12 mm at the time of
laying and face of brickwork shall be kept clear of all mortar.

3.04.03

Corbelling
Corbelling shall be effected by 1/4 brick projection for ordinary work and 1/8
brick projection required for strength consideration.

3.04.04

Reinforcing Anchorage
For external walls, the anchorage in the form of flats or rods from spandrel
beams and columns and any other anchoring' and reinforcement as shown on
drawing shall be adequately embedded in the masonry.

J P MUKHERJI & ASSOCIATES PVT LTD

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

Section-IX
Sub-Section-IX.2.03
Page - 5 / 11

BID DOCUMENT FOR

CIVIL WORKS FOR FOUNDATIONS OF EQUIPMENT
AND PLANT BUILDINGS
3.05.00

HOLLOW CONCRETE BLOCK MASONRY

3.05.01

Hollow Concrete Blocks

All hollow concrete blocks shall have a density not less than 1500 Kg/Cu.m
and shall conform to British Standards in all respects and shall be used for
the purpose of load bearing walls, curtain walls and partition walls. Crushing
strength shall not be less than 50 kg/sq.cm.
Following are the nominal sizes of blocks generally adopted:
Size A 400 x 300 x 200 (ht) mm
Size B 400 x 200 x 200 ( ht ) mm
Size C 400 X 100 x 200( ht ) mm
Half size block thick masonry shall refer to size-C and shall be used for
partition walls only.

3.05.02

Laying
Relevant British Standards shall be followed as general guidance for
construction of hollow concrete block masonry. Blocks shall be used only
after shrinkage has taken place. The moisture content must not exceed the
limit specified in British Standard. Composite cement-lime-sand mortar of
proportion 1:1:8 shall be used. The blocks shall be laid with full mortar
bedding. All voids shall be filled with PCC at plinth level and window sill level,
etc. Masonry work shall be cured by keeping it constantly moist on all faces
for a minimum period of seven days.

3.06.00

BRICK-ON-EDGE COPING AND PLINTH PROTECTION

3.06.01

The top course of all plinths, parapets, steps and tops of walls below R.C.C.
stabs, beams etc. shall be laid with brick-on-edge, unless shown otherwise.
Care shall be taken that bricks forming the top corners and ends of walls shall
be properly radiated and keyed into position as specified in British Standards.

3.06.02

Plinths of all buildings shall be protected by PCC paving of minimum width

750 mm. Proportion of PCC shall be 1:2:4 with min. thickness of 100 mm.
Paving shall be laid in upward slope of 1 in 50 over a 75 mm. thick dry graded
aggregate grouted with sand. Storm water drain shall be provided by the side
of plinth protection.

J P MUKHERJI & ASSOCIATES PVT LTD

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

Section-IX
Sub-Section-IX.2.03
Page - 6 / 11

BID DOCUMENT FOR

CIVIL WORKS FOR FOUNDATIONS OF EQUIPMENT
AND PLANT BUILDINGS
3.06 03

Damp Proof Course (DPC)

Damp proof course shall be 50 mm thick consisting of cement concrete in the
proportion 1:1.5:3 (1 cement, 1.5 sand, 3 stone chips 10 mm down) with
admixture of a waterproofing compound as approved by the Engineer. The
percentage of admixture shall be as per manufacturer's specifications but not
less than 2% by weight of cement. The surface of the masonry work shall be
leveled and prepared before laying the cement concrete. Edges of DPC shall
be straight and even. The side shuttering shall consist of wooden forms and
shall be strongly and property fixed so that it does not get disturbed during
compaction and mortar does not teak through. The concrete mix shall be of
workable consistency and dense. When the side shuttering is removed the
surface should come smooth without any honey combing. The top surface
shall be double chequered and cured by ponding for at least 7 days.
Cement concrete shall be allowed to dry for 24 hours after curing and hot
bitumen at the rate of 1.7 kg/sq.m shall be applied over the dried surface of
cement concrete property cleaned with brushes and finally with cloth soaked
in kerosene oil. The bitumen shall be applied uniformly so chat no blank
spaces are left anywhere

3.07.00

SCAFFOLDING
Double scaffolding having two sets of vertical supports shall be provided
except in case of building upto two storeys where single scaffolding may be
used if permitted by the Engineer. The supports shall be sound and strong
and of steel tubular construction unless otherwise permitted by the Engineer.
The vertical posts shall be tied together with horizontal pieces over which the
scaffolding planks shall be fixed. In cases where single scaffolding has been
allowed by the Engineer, the inner ends of horizontal scaffolding poles shall
rest in a hole provided in the header course only. One header for each hole
shall be left out. Such holes, however, shall not be allowed in pillars less than
one metre in width. The holes left in masonry work for supporting the
scaffolding shall be immediately fitted and made good before plastering.

3.08.00

STONE MASONRY- RANDOM RUBBLE MASONRY

3.08.01

STONE: The stone shall be the type specified such as granite, trap,
limestone, sand stone, quartzite, etc. and shall be obtained from the quarries,
approved by the Engineer. Stone shall be hard, sound durable and free from
weathering decay and defects like cavities, cracks, flaws, sand holes,
injurious veins, patches of loose or soft materials and other similar defects
that may adversely affect its strength and appearance. As far as possible
stones shall be of uniform colour quality or texture. Generally stone shall not
contain crypts crystalline silica or chart, mica and other deterious materials
like iron oxide organic impurities etc. Stones with round surface shall not be
used.

J P MUKHERJI & ASSOCIATES PVT LTD

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

Section-IX
Sub-Section-IX.2.03
Page - 7 / 11

BID DOCUMENT FOR

CIVIL WORKS FOR FOUNDATIONS OF EQUIPMENT
AND PLANT BUILDINGS
The compressive strength of common types of stones shall be as per table 1
and the percentage of water absorption shall generally not exceed 5 % for
stones other than specified in table 1. For laterite this percentage is 12 %.
TABLE 1
Type of stone

Maximum water
Minimum
absorption

Compressive
Strength

Percentae
By weight
kg/sq.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Granite
0.5
1000
Basalt
0.5
400
Lime stone
0.15
200
( slab& tiles)
Sand stone
2.5
300
(slab &Tiles)
Marble
0.40
500
Quartzite
0.40
800
Laterite( Block)
12
35
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.08.02

Note 1 :

Test for compressive strength shall be carried out as per

British Standards.

Note 2 :

Test for water absorption shall be carried out as per British

Standards.

Size of stones
Normally stones used be small enough to be lifted and place by hand. Unless
otherwise indicated, the length of stones for stone masonry shall not exceed
three times the height and the breadth or base shall not be greater than threefourth the thickness of wall, or not less than 15 cm. The height of stone may
be up to 30 cm.

3.08.03

Random Rubble Masonry shall be uncourse or brought to courses as

specified. Uncoursed random rubble masonry shall be constructed with
stones of sizes as referred to in 3.08.02 and shapes picked up random from
the stones brought from the approved quarry. Stones having sharp corners or
round surfaces shall, however, not be used.
Random rubble masonry brought to the course is similar to uncoursed
random rubble masonry except that the courses are rough levelled at
intervals varying from 30 cm to 90 cm in height according to the size of stones
used.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

Section-IX
Sub-Section-IX.2.03
Page - 8 / 11

BID DOCUMENT FOR

CIVIL WORKS FOR FOUNDATIONS OF EQUIPMENT
AND PLANT BUILDINGS
3.08.05

Dressing

3.08.06

Each stone shall be hammer dressed on the face, the sides and the bed.
Hammer dressing shall enable the stones to be laid close to neighbouring
stones such that the bushing in the face shall not project more than 40 mm on
the exposed face and 10 mm on the face to be plastered.
The mortar used for joining shall be as specified.

3.08.07

Laying
All stones shall be wetted before use. Each stone shall be placed close to the
stones already laid so that the thickness of the mortar joints at the face is not
more than 20mm. Face stones shall be arranged suitably to stagger the
vertical joints and long vertical joints shall be avoided. Stones for hearting or
interior filling shall be hammered down with wooden mallet in to the position
firmly bedded in mortar. Chips or sprawls of stones may be used for filing of
interstices between the adjacent stones in heartening and these shall not
exceed 20% of the quantity of stone masonry. To form a bond between
successive courses plum stone projecting vertically by about 15 to 20 cm
shall be firmly embedded in the heartening at the interval of about one metre
in every course. No hollow space shall be left anywhere in the masonry.
The masonry work in wall shall be carried up true to plump or to specified
batter.
Random rubble masonry shall be brought to the level coursed at plinth,
window sills, lintel and roof levels. Levelling shall be done with concrete
comprising of one part of the mortar as used for masonry and two parts of
graded stone aggregate of 20 mm nominal size.
The masonry in structure shall be carried uniformly. Where the masonry of
one part is to be delayed the work shall be raked back at an angle not steeper
than 450

3.08.08

Bond stones
Bond or through stones running right through the thickness of walls, shall be
provided in walls up to 60 m thick and in case of walls above 60 cm thickness,
a set of two or more bond stones overlapping each other by at least 15 cm
shall be provided in a line from face of the wall to the back.
In case of highly absorbent types of stones (porous lime stone and sand
stone etc.) single piece bond stones may give rise dampness. For all
thickness of such walls, a set of two or more bond stones overlapping each
other by at least 15 cm shall be provided. Length of each bond stone shall not
be less than two third of the thickness of the wall.

J P MUKHERJI & ASSOCIATES PVT LTD

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

Section-IX
Sub-Section-IX.2.03
Page - 9 / 11

BID DOCUMENT FOR

CIVIL WORKS FOR FOUNDATIONS OF EQUIPMENT
AND PLANT BUILDINGS
Where bond stones of suitable lengths are not available precast cement
concrete block of 1: 3: 6 mix (1 cement: 3 coarse sand: 6 graded stone
aggregate 20 mm nominal size) of cross Group not less than 225 square
centimetres and length equal to the thickness of wall shall be used in lieu of
bond stones. (This shall be applicable only in masonry below ground level
and where masonry above ground level is finally required to be plastered.)
At least one bond stone or a set of bond stones shall be provided for every
0.5 sq. of the area of wall surface. All bond stones shall be marked suitably
with paint as directed by the Engineer.
3.08.09

Quoin and jamb Stones

The quoin and jamb stones shall be of selected stones neatly dressed with
hammer or chisel to form the required angle. Quoin stones shall not be less
than 0.01 cum. in volume. Height of quoins shall be laid header and stretcher
alternatively.

3.08.10

Stones shall be so laid that all joints are fully packed with mortar and chips.
Face joints shall not be more than 20 mm thick.
The joints shall be struck flush and finished at the time of laying when
plastering or pointing is not to be done. For the surfaces to be plastered or
pointed, the joints shall be raked to a minimum depth of 20 mm when the
mortar is still green.

3.08.11

Scaffolding
Single scaffolding having one set of vertical support shall be allowed. The
supports shall be sound and strong, tied together by horizontal pieces, over
which the scaffolding planks shall be fixed. The inner end of the horizontal
scaffolding member may rest in a hole provided in the masonry. Such holes
however shall not be allowed in pillars less than one metre in width or near
the skew back of arches. The holes left in masonry work for supporting
scaffolding shall be filled and made good with cement concrete 1: 3: 6 (1
cement: 3 coarse sand: 6 stone aggregate 20 mm nominal size).

3.08.12

Curing
Masonry work in cement or composite mortar shall be kept constantly moist
on all faces for a minimum period of seven days. In case of masonry with fat
lime mortar curing shall commence two days after lying of masonry and shall
continue for at least seven days there after.

3.08.13

Protection
Green work shall be protected from rain by suitable covering. The work shall
also be suitably protected from damage, mortar dropping and rain during

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

Section-IX
Sub-Section-IX.2.03
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BID DOCUMENT FOR

CIVIL WORKS FOR FOUNDATIONS OF EQUIPMENT
AND PLANT BUILDINGS
construction.
3.08.14

Measurements

3.08.15

The length height and thickness shall be measured correct to a cm. The
thickness of wall shall be measured at joints excluding the bushing. Only
specified dimension shall be allowed anything extra shall be ignored. The
quantity shall be calculated in cubic metre nearest to two places of decimal.

3.08.16

The work under the following categories shall be measured separately.

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

3.08.17

From foundation to plinth level (level One)

Work in or under water and or liquid mud.
Work in or under foul positions
From plinth level (Level one ) to floor two level
From floor two level to floor three level and so on.
Stone masonry in parapet shall be measured together with the
corresponding item in the wall of the storey next below.

No deduction shall be made nor extra payment made for the following
(i)

Ends of dissimilar materials (that is joists, beams lintels,posts, girders,

rafters purlins, trusses, corbels, steps etc.) up to 0.1 Sq.m in Group.

(ii)

Openings each up to 0.1 Sq.m in area. In calculating the area of

openings and separate lintels or sills shall be included along with the
size of opening but the end portion of the lintels shall be excluded and
the extra width of rebated reveals, if any shall also be excluded.

(iii)

Wall plates and bedplates and bearing of chajjas and the like, where
the thickness does not exceed 10 cm and the bearing does not extend
over the full thickness of the wall.

Note: The bearing of floor and roof shall be deducted from wall masonry.
(iv)

Drain holes and recesses for cement concrete blocks to embed

holdfasts for doors windows etc.

(v)

Building in masonry iron fixture pipes up to 300 mm dia, hold fasts of

doors and windows etc.

(vi)

Forming chases in masonry each up to Group of 350 sq. cm

(vii)

Masonry (excluding fixing brick work) in chimney breasts with smoke

of air flues not exceeding 20 Sq. dm (0.20 Sq.m) in Groupal area
shall be made for pargetting and coring such flues. Where flues
exceed 20 sq.dm (0.20 Sq.m) Groupal area, deduction shall be made
for the same and pargetting and coring flues shall be measured in

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MASONARY AND ALLIED WORKS

Section-IX
Sub-Section-IX.2.03
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BID DOCUMENT FOR

CIVIL WORKS FOR FOUNDATIONS OF EQUIPMENT
AND PLANT BUILDINGS
running metre stating size of flues and paid for separately. Aperture
for fireplace shall be deducted and no extra payment made for
splaying of jambs and throating.
3.08.18

Square for Rectangular Pillars

These shall be measured as walls, but extra payment shall be allowed for
stonework in square or rectangular pillars over the rate for stone work in
walls. Rectangular pillar shall mean a detached masonry support rectangular
in Group, such that its breadth does not exceed two and a half times the
thickness.

3.08.19

Circular Pillars (columns)

These shall be measured as per actual dimensions but extra payment shall
be allowed for stone work in circular pillars over the rate for stone work in
walls. The diameter as well as length shall be measured correct to a cm.
Tapered walls shall be measured net as per actual dimensions and paid for
as other walls.

3.08.20

Curved masonry
Stone masonry curved on plan to a mean radius exceeding 6 metres shall be
measured and included with general stonework. Stonework circular on plan to
a mean radius not exceeding 6 metres shall be measured. Separately and
shall include all cuttings and waste and templates. It shall be measured as the
mean length of the wall.

3.08.21

Rate
The rate shall include the cost of materials and labour required for all the
operations described above and shall include the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

Raking out joints for plastering or pointing done as a separate item, or

finishing flush as the work proceeds.
Preparing tops and sides of existing walls for raising and extending
Rough cutting and waste for forming gables cores, skew backs or
spandrels for arches, splays at eaves and all rough cutting in the body
of walling unless otherwise specified.
Bond stones or cement concrete bond blocks
Leading and making holes for pipes etc.
Bedding and pointing wall plates lintels sills etc.in or on walls bedding
roof tiles and corrugated sheets on or walls.
Building in ends of joists, beams, lintels etc.