Southwell Workhouse

Photo taken April '10

This post was written to try something new.

Read it carefully, because at the end there is a short questionnaire, where you can submit your answers (if it works...)

Feel free to write a comment, if you think it could be improved






Student Activity

Look closely at the flat arches shown below

Photo taken April '10

Both are constructed from full bricks, because the skew-bricks are 3 courses. They are both rough arches, because the soldiers have not been cut into vossoirs and the curve is due the wedge-shaped mortar joints.

Photo taken April '10

But the extrados on the window-arch cuts into two courses of bricks, whereas the cuts above the door-arch are only in one course. Why is this? (see Question 2)

This photo shows frost damage on the bricks, which has caused the faces to be blown.

Photo taken April '10

In the top left, the pointing is slightly different, which indicates that the original bricks have been replaced, either by new ones or by chopping out the old bricks and turning them round.

Re-using existing bricks provides good continunity for the whole wall, but what are the problems with this method? (see Question 3)

The next example shows efflorescence. This is where the bricks have become completely saturated and as they dry out, the water evapourates, leaving deposits of crystals on the surface.

Photo taken April '10

The wall has been re-pointed (some parts better than others) and the squint-bricks have been replaced by new modern ones.

How can you tell where metric bricks have been used?
Clue: Think about the size of imperial bricks.
(see Question 4)

When done properly, what is the name of this kind of pointing? (see Question 5)

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At the moment, I don't know how to change the font or display any answers

Thanks for you participation