Inovationinbrick
Although brick is a conventional building material, new and innovative ways of using this versatile and adaptable material are constantly being explored. Pre-fabrication, pre-stressing, and expanding the potential for brick cladding are just some of the areas in which research has recently been undertaken. Details of these and other research projects of this nature appear on these pages as and when they are undertaken.
Multi-Storey Timber Frame
Brick-clad timber-framed building construction has been around for a long time, but its applicability has remained in the low-rise housing market. Recent prototype research and development work, along with the construction of actual commercial buildings, has demonstrated the potential for extending the method beyond its historical height limitations into medium-rise uses.
Vertically Restrained Clay Brickwork Cladding
At present, differential vertical movement between brickwork cladding and a structural frame is accommodated by appropriate detailing or by limiting the uninterrupted height of the brickwork. This second method involves supporting the brickwork on metalwork brackets attached to the frame at regular intervals.
Following an extensive programme of research, including full-scale testing of 7-storey high brickwork panels on a reinforced concrete frame, a third option is now available.
» Click here to download Vertically Restrained Clay Brickwork Cladding .
Case Studies in Brickwork Pre-Assembly
The use of standardisation production processes employing pre-assembly of elements is widespread in manufacturing industry and can lead to production efficiencies, cost reduction and customer satisfaction. Such approaches are beginning to gain acceptance in some sectors of the construction industry.
Bricks may be regarded as the ultimate standardised component and are ideally suited to the production of bespoke solutions in building. Current practice in the UK relies almost totally on site based assembly.
» Click here to download Case Studies in Brickwork Pre-Assembly .
Note: The contents and references of these publications may not have been updated to reflect the recommendations of the latest appropriate British and European Standards. Please ensure you use these publications alongside the latest standards.