On the subject of counting bricks, two evenings ago I was sent a picture of a crinkle crankle wall, which is laid to a sinusoidal foundation, a single brick thickness, which is a saving on brickwork, because of the strength in the pattern, and these have been made since the 17th century at least. So I wondered how the brickie laid it out and calculated how many bricks he would need (assuming he couldn’t do calculus) .
A load of bricks was calculated at 500 per load, but I seem to remember there were other quantities, but can’t find a reference to any other in my old mensuration tables.
I worked out a method to set out and to calculate, but wonder if there is an optimum sinusoidal curve which gives maximum strength. I learned calculus at school, but have never needed it, until now, but I would like to know how many bricks would be saved!