Solution:
(a) Points in favour of brick masonry
1. Brick work is cheaper at places where stones are not available. If stones are available at some distance, the transportation costs are very high.
2. Generally, brick masonry can be constructed with less skilled masons, in comparison to stone work. Hence brick work is cheaper.
3. Bricks are easy to handle. They can be lifted by manual labour. No special lifting arrangement is required.
4. Brick masonry can be constructed in any type of mortar. For low rise houses, where the loads are moderate, even mud mortar can be used which is cheaply available.
5. Bricks are of regular size and shape. Due to this proper bond can be maintained.. Stones require dressing for maintaining the bond.
6. Brick work requires lesser mortar because of thin mortar joints required.
7. Because of plane surface obtained, the thickness of plaster in brick work is much less than in stone work.
8. Since bricks are in regular sizes, thinner walls can be constructed. In bricks, single brick thick walls (20‌cm) can be constructed while in stone masonry, it is difficult to construct. walls of thickness lesser than 30 cm.
9. The dead load of the walls is much less in brick masonry than in the stone masonry, because of lesser minimum thickness of walls. This is important factor in the area, where the bearing capacity of soils is low.
10. It is easy to form openings to construct connections in brick work. In stone work, dressing of stones is required to achieve this.
11. Bricks are better fire-resistant than stones. Bricks do not easily disintegrate.
12. Good quality bricks can resist the various atmospheric effects in much better way than stones. Brick walls are relatively cooler than the stone walls.
(b) Points in favour of stone masonry
1. Stone masonry is stronger than bricks masonry of the same wall thickness. Their load-carrying capacity is more.
2. The life of stone masonry is much more than the bricks masonry
3. Stone work gives massive appearance. Due to this, public buildings and monumental works are preferred in stone masonry.
4. Stone masonry does not require external plaster. Due to this, the maintenance cost is less.
5. Better architectural effects can be given in stone work.
6. Stone masonry, per unit volume, is cheaper, where stones is readily available.
7. There is no requirement for fuels etc., for stones, as required for the preparation of bricks. If these fuels are in short supply, the work may come to stand still.
8. Stone work is more water tight than brick masonry. Bricks absorb moisture from atmosphere, due to which dampness can enter the buildings and even damage the internal finishes,
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