travamento

13:18 Aug 30, 2012 

When it comes to the crunch go with what you think fits best. I dont think the original explains it very well. I am beginning to think that the bricks may be laid so that they protrude. It seems to me that the brickwork itself is doing the "travamento" :-)

12:11 Aug 30, 2012 

thanks Nick, I'm learning a lot about brickwork by doing this revision! I think I may go with 'strengthening bond', what do you think?

11:05 Aug 30, 2012 

Yes and no, it defines the way the bricks are laid in terms of their juxtaposition to one another. In the trade the term is used everywhere.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_British_bricklaying
http://www.scribd.com/doc/35778280/Masonry-Clay-and-Brick-Pa...
But possible for the general public "pattern" may be a more expressive way, and more easily understood. Not wanting to drop a brick on Kashew's toes I would (personally) avoid interlocking as it infers (to me) bricks with a protuberance (like lego) and most chimneys I have seen (demolished and standing) have been constructed from slightly curved solid bricks. Having asid all that, I have no idea if there are ties in your chimney, or if it relies solely on the bond.