Malayalam Article on Interlocking Bricks

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Interlocking Bricks

Interlocking Bricks is the latest advancement in Wall Construction in Kerala. These bricks are 'locked' against each other without the use of cement mortar, to form a structurally stable wall that reduces the cost and time of construction to almost half. In our State of Kerala, where Sand is becoming increasingly scarce and cement prices are soaring, interlocking bricks come as a welcome alternative to Home builders.

Interlocking Bricks are used to construct Walls without the use of Cement Mortar. Laterite Stone is ground and filtered using a sieve, which is then mixed with 5% cement mixture and a chemical setting agent. This mixture is then machine compressed to form high density Interlocking Bricks. They are manufactured in two widths of 6 inches and 8 inches; and are also available in varying lengths. Each Interlocking Brick has grooves and locks on it's sides which can be fitted with each other to form a block wall that does not need cement mortar for bonding. The roof slab that is placed over these walls will keep them structurally stable.
Advantages of Interlocking Bricks-

Cost-savings as cement and sand are not used for constructing the wall.

Being a less heat-intensive and natural material, laterite retains coolness inside the house.

Less labor-intensive and more time-saving as the Interlocking blocks need only be fitted to each other; instead of conventional cement mortar construction.

The Interlocking bricks can be salvaged without damage when the house is being dismantled in the future.

Points to consider

Make sure that every batch of Interlocking bricks arriving from the factory is tested for strength and consistency.

Have the Bricks laid evenly with the joint of one course being in the middle of the subsequent course, so as to ensure strength of the wall.

Plastering towards the bottom of the wall above the foundation will prevent moisture from seeping up the wall.

It is not advisable to have Interlocking walls in areas which are prone to get wet frequently (like bathrooms).

Use marble cutters to make channels in the Interlocking Brick wall to get smoother finish for concealed wiring.

Apply waterproof finish to the wall to prevent moisture and increase durability.

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Comments on the Article on Interlocking Bricks

>Click here to read the article on Interlocking Bricks

KeralaArchitect.com said...
Thank you for all your comments and good wishes.

• Interlocking bricks are available in building material stores throughout Kerala.
• To know more about Interlocking Bricks, you may contact manufacturing centers in each district. They can provide strength test reports and modes of construction.
• Interlocking bricks can be used to construct Load bearing walls upto 2 floors.
  By providing beams and columns, they can be used to construct non-load bearing walls for many floors.
• Although Interlocking Bricks are manufactured in various sizes, the popular dimensions are- 6”x4”x10” and 8”x4”x10”.

Given below is the picture of a single-storeyed cost effective residence built using Interlocking Bricks-


Anu said...
Dear Friend,
This article contains most valuable information for who is interested in cost effective construction. Requesting to all please provide the details of the brick manufacturers.
Thank you for your effort.
Anura.A

Liju said...
Little sceptical about this concept, unless see a finished structre. Will be a great progress if it is true what is being claimed. Thanks for the information though.
Cheers

Prasad said...
Hi,
It is realy a valuable inforamtion. Please post or send me a mail about the manufacturers address.

Abhi said...
I am planning to use interlock blocks for my home construction. Please let me know of good references - manufacturers and labours. Also any good interior designer based on your experience
Thanks
Abhi

Ashok Kumar said...
I want to contact the suppliers for possible distribution in Bangalore. Please give contact details.
Ashok Kumar Singh

Siji said...
Even though the idea is good what about the yearly maintenance of protection of wall, similarly the safty aspect.
Adv.Siji

Marijan said...
Though I reside in Delhi and planning to build a home at Kerala, I get useful and effective infmn from KeralaArchitect.com.
Thanks dears and this cost effective measures to build a house is very useful. Pls carry on.
Marijan Jacob

Anoop said...
I would like to more about it .. pl give details of bricks ...
Rahul said...
What about the strength of the structure and how many floors can be constructed using this?
Regards Rahul C.Menon

Jamsheed said...
Thank you very very much your Information, Du you have any Experienced person to explain this matter. I really appreciate your suport. I am keep waiting your reply.
Thanks
Regards, Jamsheed Karuthedath

Abdul Shukoor said...
Thank you for this useful information. Is it possible to use this interlocking bricks for a 2 layer building?. Could you please give the details of interlocking bricks manufuactures?
Thank you, Mulla K Abdul Shukoor.

Sabarisan said...
Interested in interlocking bricks construction. can u specifiy the measurement of the brick
Sabarisan Valsala Krishnan

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Technoseal Damp Proof Paint

Product Description
Technoseal Damp Proof Paint provides a waterproof membrane, used for water-proofing walls. Technoseal DPM is fast drying and can be applied to sound masonry by brush, roller or spray. Non-toxic, non-hazardous and solvent free liquid damp proof membrane suitable for walls both above and below ground.


Applications
Floors: Under/above screeds to provide a damp proof membrane.
Basements: As part of a waterproofing system beneath ground level.
Walls: Can be used under render or plaster as a water barrier or vapour barrier.
Tiling: As secondary protection under tiles in wet areas e.g. bathrooms, food processing areas, balconies, etc.
Water Storage: The membranes perform well in our tests even when continuously immersed in water.
Silage Storage: The membrane protects concrete from silage attack.


Advantages
Single pack system
Water based compounds that can be applied even to damp backgrounds
Non-toxic, non hazardous, solvent and plasticiser free
Good bond to many substrates
Toughness, high flexibility, extensibility and good crack bridging properties
Low water vapour permeability
Alkali resistant, can be applied to alkaline surfaces
Resistant to silage acids
Non staining and stain blocking
Available in a range of colours
Quick drying. Typically touch dry in 1 hour

Coverage
A minimum dried coating thickness of 0.6mm is needed to provide a physical barrier. This should be applied in a minimum of two coats (i.e 0.3mm per dried coat) This corresponds to approx 1.2kg/m².

For enquiries, contact:
Adorn Enterprises
Category: Interior Decorators and Designers Supplies and Accessories - Ernakulam
Contact: ABDUL SULHAR T K
S.R.M. Rd Enk North-682018. Phone: 0484-2405801

Plastering

Plastering plays an important role in good construction. Just as skin gives shape and texture to the body and protects it from the harmful environment, plaster protects the house from damage caused by salts, acid and rain in the external environment. It also makes the house look beautiful and attractive.

Often people complain of cracks on walls after plastering works. One of the reasons cited is lack of proper cement-sand ratio. Normally, for outside plaster, the cement-sand ratio can be from 1:4 to 1:5, for internal plaster from 1:5 to 1:6 and for roof plaster from 1:3 to 1:4.

For better results, check that the mason use a 1:4 ratio on mortar of cement and fine sand. For coarse sand, the ratio can be changed to 1:6. However 1:4 mix is preferred for best results. Make sure that the mason has not prepared the mix all together for the whole day. The mix must be prepared only in small quantities such that it is used up within an hour. If excess mortar is prepared, it dries up due to evaporation and remixing deteriorates strength and increases porosity.

The risk of cracks may be minimised by the use of relatively weak mix for finishing coat, avoiding excessive proportion of very fine material in the finish coat and avoiding excessive trowelling on the surface.

A major precautionary measure to be undertaken prior to plastering is to remove loose mortar and grease from joints. Another important task is that the wall should be wetted for a few hours.

The walls should not be soaked but only dampened evenly. Plastering on wet walls is seldom satisfactory because key is not formed between the plaster and the background surface. In an ideal state the background should be in saturated surface dry condition.

A good key is essential for successful rendering and for avoiding cracking and crazing. All joints in the masonry should be raked out to a depth of at least 12 mm with a hooked tool made for the purpose while the mortar is still green and not later than 48 hours of the time of laying.

The addition of water should be carefully monitored. Excess water will cause shrinkage as well as low strength of plaster. Waterproof compounds, if used should be uniformly dispersed and mixed properly.

Use a chicken wire mesh while plastering joints between the concrete work and brickwork. Plaster should be finished with a wood, felt, cork or other suitably faced float. A steel trowel shall not be used. Ensure continuous curing for 10 to 14 days.

When plastering is done in two coats, the first coat should be left rough and open from edge of the laying trowel and after it has been left long enough to set firm, the surface should be combed or scratched to form a key for the second coat. The first coat should be allowed to dry for three to five days before subsequent coats are applied.

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