Course Overview
The Masonry Works course is an intensive, hands-on training program designed to equip participants with the practical skills required to construct, repair, and finish masonry structures for residential, commercial, and industrial building projects. The course covers brickwork, blockwork, stone masonry, mortar preparation, wall construction, foundations, arches, lintels, reinforced masonry, plastering, rendering, and quality finishing in accordance with industry standards and building codes.
Participants will gain practical experience in reading construction drawings, setting out building works, laying masonry units, constructing structural and non-structural walls, installing reinforcement, and applying finishing techniques. Through workshop sessions and live construction projects, learners will develop the competence to deliver durable, safe, and high-quality masonry works while adhering to occupational safety and quality assurance requirements.
Duration: 4 Weeks (20 Training Days)
Tuition: KES 50,000/=
Course Requirements
Participants should have:
- Basic literacy and numeracy skills.
- An interest in construction, civil engineering, or building technology.
- No prior experience in masonry is required.
- Basic knowledge of construction tools is an added advantage.
- Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety boots, gloves, hard hat, and safety glasses.
- A notebook, calculator, measuring tape, spirit level, and masonry hand tools for practical sessions.
- Willingness to participate in intensive workshop and site-based practical activities.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Interpret architectural and structural drawings for masonry works.
- Identify masonry materials, tools, equipment, and construction techniques.
- Prepare mortar and concrete mixes for different masonry applications.
- Set out building works accurately using industry-standard methods.
- Construct foundations, walls, columns, and partitions using bricks, blocks, and natural stone.
- Install lintels, reinforcement, and masonry accessories.
- Perform plastering, rendering, pointing, and surface finishing.
- Repair damaged masonry structures and perform maintenance work.
- Estimate masonry materials, labor, and project costs.
- Apply occupational health, safety, environmental, and quality management practices on masonry projects.
Course Modules
Module 1: Introduction to Masonry Works
- Overview of masonry construction
- Types of masonry units
- Masonry terminology
- Building codes and standards
- Masonry tools and equipment
- Workplace safety and PPE
- Construction site organization
Practical Exercise
Identify masonry materials, tools, and equipment, and demonstrate safe handling and use.
Module 2: Construction Drawings and Setting Out
- Reading architectural drawings
- Reading structural drawings
- Masonry symbols
- Site measurements
- Building lines
- Levels and benchmarks
- Setting out techniques
Practical Exercise
Set out a simple building foundation using drawings and site measurements.
Module 3: Materials Preparation
- Cement types
- Sand selection
- Aggregate selection
- Mortar mixing
- Concrete mixing
- Water quality
- Material storage
Practical Exercise
Prepare mortar and concrete mixes for different masonry applications.
Module 4: Foundation Construction
- Excavation preparation
- Strip foundations
- Pad foundations
- Foundation masonry
- Damp-proof course (DPC)
- Foundation leveling
- Quality inspection
Practical Exercise
Construct a masonry foundation with a damp-proof course.
Module 5: Bricklaying Techniques
- Brick bonds
- Line and level control
- Corner construction
- Joint finishing
- Brick cutting
- Reinforcement
- Brickwork quality control
Practical Exercise
Construct a brick wall using English and Stretcher bond patterns.
Module 6: Blockwork Construction
- Concrete blocks
- Hollow blocks
- Solid blocks
- Wall alignment
- Openings for doors and windows
- Expansion joints
- Reinforced blockwork
Practical Exercise
Build a reinforced concrete block wall with door and window openings.
Module 7: Stone Masonry
- Rubble masonry
- Ashlar masonry
- Stone selection
- Dressing stones
- Stone laying techniques
- Joint finishing
- Structural applications
Practical Exercise
Construct a natural stone masonry wall.
Module 8: Columns, Piers, and Lintels
- Masonry columns
- Piers
- Reinforced masonry
- Lintel installation
- Beam support
- Bearing requirements
- Structural reinforcement
Practical Exercise
Construct reinforced masonry columns and install lintels above openings.
Module 9: Arches and Decorative Masonry
- Arch construction
- Formwork preparation
- Decorative brickwork
- Curved walls
- Coping installation
- Decorative stonework
- Architectural detailing
Practical Exercise
Build a decorative masonry arch using temporary supports.
Module 10: Plastering and Rendering
- Surface preparation
- Internal plastering
- External rendering
- Corner finishing
- Screeding
- Float finishing
- Curing methods
Practical Exercise
Apply internal plaster and external render to masonry walls.
Module 11: Pointing and Surface Finishing
- Joint preparation
- Pointing techniques
- Decorative joints
- Surface cleaning
- Masonry sealing
- Waterproof finishes
- Quality inspection
Practical Exercise
Complete pointing and finishing on brick and stone masonry.
Module 12: Masonry Repairs and Maintenance
- Crack repair
- Repointing
- Brick replacement
- Wall strengthening
- Dampness treatment
- Structural repairs
- Preventive maintenance
Practical Exercise
Repair damaged masonry and restore structural integrity.
Module 13: Quality Control and Inspection
- Verticality checks
- Alignment verification
- Joint inspection
- Mortar strength assessment
- Dimensional accuracy
- Defect identification
- Final acceptance procedures
Practical Exercise
Inspect completed masonry works and prepare a quality inspection report.
Module 14: Material Estimation and Project Costing
- Quantity take-offs
- Brick and block calculations
- Mortar estimation
- Labor costing
- Equipment costing
- Quotations
- Project scheduling
Practical Exercise
Prepare a bill of quantities and cost estimate for a masonry project.
Module 15: Residential Masonry Project
- Foundation walls
- External walls
- Internal partitions
- Door and window openings
- Finishing works
- Inspection
- Client handover
Practical Exercise
Construct masonry works for a residential building.
Module 16: Commercial Masonry Project
- Multi-storey masonry
- Commercial buildings
- Boundary walls
- Retaining walls
- Service ducts
- Masonry coordination
- Commercial construction standards
Practical Exercise
Complete masonry works for a commercial building section.
Module 17: Boundary Walls and External Structures
- Boundary wall construction
- Gate pillars
- Retaining walls
- Garden walls
- Security walls
- Drainage integration
- Finishing details
Practical Exercise
Construct a reinforced boundary wall with gate pillars.
Module 18: Integrated Masonry Construction Project
- Site preparation
- Material management
- Wall construction
- Reinforcement installation
- Plastering
- Finishing
- Documentation
Practical Exercise
Complete a masonry project from foundation to finished wall surfaces.
Module 19: Capstone Masonry Project
- Client requirements analysis
- Construction planning
- Material selection
- Work sequencing
- Quality assurance
- Cost estimation
- Project documentation
Practical Exercise
Construct a complete masonry structure for a residential or commercial project, including foundations, walls, openings, lintels, plastering, rendering, finishing, quality inspection, and project documentation.
Module 20: Final Project Presentation and Assessment
- Project presentation
- Construction review
- Quality evaluation
- Compliance assessment
- Cost analysis
- Portfolio development
- Career opportunities in masonry and construction
Practical Exercise
Present and demonstrate a completed masonry project, showcasing proficiency in setting out, foundation construction, bricklaying, blockwork, stone masonry, plastering, structural reinforcement, finishing, project costing, and compliance with professional construction standards.