EH Smith

Innovations in Brick

As members of the BDA (Brick Development Association) we are committed to pioneering innovation in brickwork.

Although brick is 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 and EH Smith are at the forefront of that research. Details of these and other research projects of this nature appear on these pages as and when they are undertaken.

Six storey brick-clad timber-framed prototype building at BRE Cardington

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.

The following article first appeared in the Summer 1999 edition of BDA's Brick Bulletin and it is reproduced here in an updated format.

View: Multi-Storey Timber Frame document [PDF - 173k]

Vertically Restrained Clay Brickwork Cladding
Research work has recently been carried out under DETR and EPSRC competitive contracts by partnership arrangements of Leeds University, Leeds Metropolitan University, Whitby Bird and Partners and BDA.

This research has demonstrated the practical potential of clay brickwork off-the-frame cladding to steel and concrete framed building structures, where the full height brick cladding is vertically restrained to the structural frame at the top of the walling. This method provides a hybrid construction where both frame and brickwork are structurally utilised to give design benefits and economy.

This Guidance Note, see link below, summarises the work, economics and design approach.

View: Final dissemination document [PDF - 45k]

Case Studies in Brickwork Pre-Assembly
A recently completed EPSRC-LINK research contract has concluded that there are advantages to be obtained in improved efficiency and the maintenance of quality by the use of brickwork prefabrication techniques.

A number of UK construction projects have recently used these methods, such as the Inland Revenue building at Nottingham and the PowerGen building at Coventry , with materials supplied by EH Smith.

This update summarises the main conclusions of the research contract highlighting issues and some examples of brickwork prefabrication. It points to one way forward in maintaining brickâs position as a major building and engineering material.

The University of Teeside undertook the project with industrial support from BDA, Marshalls Group, Trent Concrete, Faithful & Gould, Yuill Group, Curtins Consulting Engineers and the Redrow Group.

View: Case studies in brickwork pre-assembly document [PDF - 98k]

Visit: University of Teeside website for more information