Chapter 30: Masonry: an introduction

Evidence of masonry, dating back as far as 8000 BC, can be witnessed today in Jericho, near Jerusalem. This section briefly describes the history of masonry units from this first recorded mud brick masonry to the main types of masonry that exist in the UK today (namely clay, aggregate concrete, calcium silicate, autoclaved aggregate concrete, stone and reconstructed stone). The chapter touches on the potential problems that can be experienced by designers of masonry due to the inherent variability of the masonry units and the ease with which the properties of mortar can be affected. It also suggests that masonry in the UK can prove itself to be a sustainable option for the twenty-first century.