The arch of bricks with their hands

Everyone who passes by a building with arched brick vaults, instinctively imagines ancient Roman architecture or ancient Greek.For millennia, this type of brick is in demand, as gives the building a more graceful appearance.Looking at the objects from the arches, we begin to wrestle with how to manage to fix the bricks so that they do not fall on our heads.Meanwhile, the arch of bricks with their hands may be laid if the available technology with its masonry.

What Triomphe, and from where does it come from?

masonry semicircular arches based on bricks compressive forces.On each individual brick are three forces: the force of gravity and the two compressing the sides aimed at a certain angle.So the sum of the modules of lateral forces more gravity that makes bricks hang and fall.Tensile and bending forces are not acceptable to the arch, as the angle of the application design is not conducive to stability, and destruction occurs.For this reason, to make an arch on a very narrow passage will be difficult.

Expressions "arched vault", "arch brick" in many people associated with ancient Greece, Rome and Byzantium.This is not surprising, after all, the art of the construction of brick buildings came to Russia from Byzantium it.Our ancestors-Slavs knew exactly how to add up the arch.It is enough to imagine even a conventional oven or a Russian national Ukrainian cellar - loh.Arch can be found on the Golden Gate of Kiev, and on the facades of old, churches and buildings.So the ability to construct a masonry arch sits in us at the genetic level.Let us step by step look at how to make the arch of bricks.

Species arches by type

laying bricks Arch - a semicircular bridge that connects two vertically standing support.There are a variety of arch forms that are very different in appearance, but not every one of them can be folded from a brick, especially if you want to build a facility with their own hands.Traditions arched brick construction often use only three types of arches:

• Normal or full arch - during its construction arched vault made equal to half the diameter of the circle.The simplest kind of arch, which may well make their own hands amateurs tinkering.
• canted or rectangular - arched vault made equal to the radius of the circle.Outwardly, it looks like the letter "P".This is the hardest form of arched brick the device.If it is composed of an amateur with no experience, it is likely just fall apart.
• bow-shaped arch, which is also called a truncated or incomplete has a low arch size smaller than the diameter of a circle.This form is intermediate between the previous two, both externally and device complexity.

Depending on the type of arch is different, and the allowable distance between its supporting columns.At full arch columns permissible to place at a distance of 2.5 m from Luchkova - up to 1.5 m, while the canted -. Not more than 1 m These figures should be good to remember all the fans to do their own hands with a small professional level.

Preparation for construction

The first step is to produce a clutch two supporting columns.They will continue to build the arch.If it will span more than 1 meter, then the columns should be done in two bricks, because of the length of this clearance depends on the arch, from which in in turn, the lateral load on these same columns.If they are weak, it will not stand the arch masses.Brickwork support columns made symmetrically.That is, after putting a number on a single column, it is necessary to lay on the level and number of the second.It is up to the top.Cement mortar for masonry arch is necessary to make a few thicker than usual, as the liquid solution is not able to keep it, and masonry could unravel.For symmetry clutches two columns, it's best to pull the cord on the level, raising it after each number to the desired height.

most responsible, but not very hard work - it's to make a wooden template.It is needed for laying on his arch bricks to form a semi-circular shape and to temporarily hold the arch until the solution is completely dry.

Make a wooden template with your own hands is not difficult.For this purpose, it is necessary from 20 mm particle board had two semi-circle of the desired diameter.In addition, the need to scrap the board width equal to or slightly greater length standard brick.The board nailed to the base of the previously made semicircles.Board length and diameter of the semicircles shall be equal to the distance between the supporting columns.Semicircle of chipboard fastened around the entire circumference of the tree bars of the same length equal to the width of the board.It will turn out that the distance between the semi-circles will also be equal to the width of the board.Then you need to circles of both semicircles nail steel strip of 6-8 mm thickness.All - template is ready.

prepared template must be installed on the supporting pillars.It will have to do it under the wooden or metal supports, which have a diameter of 8-10 cm. In height must equal the height of the supporting columns.These backups need to substitute between two support columns with their inner side and firmly fasten with wooden struts.Ready template is installed on top of them.

If you do own a wooden template, it must be remembered that it should account for at least one strut for every two feet of this template.Consequently, when the arch length of 1 m, in addition to the spacers, which are on the edges of the pattern, it is required to install another in the center.If the arch length of 1,5 m, it is necessary to add 2 backups, etc.They need to heavy crude brickwork under the action of gravity is not arched pattern.

To build arches, we need: a saw, hacksaw, hammer, trowel, level, jointing cord.

masonry technique of brick arches

The most important thing to remember when performing masonry arches, this is what you need to finish it in one sitting.You can not stop, because the different degrees of drying solution will lead to its destruction.The physical meaning of this is as follows: the grout hardens quickly enough and creates some pressure on the brick, like "stretching" it.Therefore, if you make too big break in the construction of arches, the place from which was resumed after the break, masonry, cracked.

Some builders are advised before laying bricks to make certain markings on the template to brickwork was completely smooth and symmetrical.In fact, it is not necessary, because it will turn out so normal, even if it will make inexperienced mason.The main thing that the bricks were placed simultaneously on both sides.This will lead to the fact that in the end comes to laying the top, where the latter will only have to insert a vertical brick, which will perform the role of the castle.

Build the so-called arch canted too easy, because the brick laying technique completely different from the usual.Similarly bricks set on a template bonded together with cement mortar.Seams do the usual, even.Implemented by laying on two sides by the pairwise laying bricks.In this case, a divergent slope brick top is equal to 4.5 degrees.This means that each subsequent brick must be tilted slightly relative to the previous.In the middle of the castle masonry sealed wedge-shaped bricks.To the right "feel" bias, it is necessary to have some experience.Therefore, beginners are not advised to start with the construction of the arches of this type.

masonry and full Luchkova brick arch differs from conventional in that the solution it is necessary to put the wedge and the top seam to do much thicker than usual.Stacking subsequent series produced in a similar manner as the bottom.To keep the symmetry - you can use the cord.In this case necessarily have to do grouting, and in addition, cosmetic cleaning masonry surfaces.For this the bricks first wiped dry, then wet brush.The last step is to remove the template after the complete solidification of the solution.

If you are a fan of tinkering with his own hands something beautiful and original, possess at least basic skills and understanding of bricklayer laying bricks of the process - make it an architectural marvel.You will have something to show off to your friends, who will say: "How beautiful it is!As if caught in the ancient Greek and Roman city ".