Masonry is one of our oldest, most established building techniques. Evolutions in materials, mix designs, and engineering allow for the construction today of even stronger masonry buildings—structures that will last for generations.
Aesthetic Variety
Concrete masonry units are available in a rainbow of colors, textures, shapes, and sizes, offering building designers the chance to create structural walls that are also beautiful. Architectural concrete masonry units offer a natural appearance that is striking in urban applications, and blends in with the natural beauty of rural areas—always complementing the building’s surrounding environment.
Safety and Durability
When it comes to fire resistance, masonry is a true performer, offering excellent protection from fire damage. In fact, post-9/11 research performed on a building in close proximity to the World Trade Center showed that masonry absorbed much of the debris impact and helped save the structure from collapsing. In fact, the building was repaired and restored to use. Masonry structures are also stand up to high wind forces and earthquakes. More on Safety and Durability.
Sustainability
As with other concrete wall systems, masonry creates walls with high thermal mass, minimizing temperature swings and shifting heating and cooling loads to off-peak hours. The resulting buildings are more economical, with lower overall heating and cooling costs, providing a consistently comfortable atmosphere for inhabitants. Masonry also offers durability as well as sound attenuation—which all adds up to a more quiet, comfortable atmosphere for inhabitants.
Applications
Masonry lends itself to many commercial applications. The material has been used to create notable public buildings like churches, courthouses, and government offices. Educational structures, from elementary schools to Ivy League university facilities, can balance contemporary engineering with traditional design, offering myriad possibilities that will stand the test of time.
Technician Training
Two new masonry certification programs – one for Masonry Laboratory Testing Technicians and the other for Masonry Field Testing Technicians – are available. Developed by The American Concrete Institute (ACI), in cooperation with The Masonry Society (TMS) and other industry organizations, both certification programs aim to improve the quality of masonry testing and recognize qualified technicians.
Both exams include a written portion and a performance portion. Technicians who successfully complete either exam will receive a 5-year certification from ACI for field or lab testing. It is suggested that individuals prepare for the exams through TMS review sessions that combine classroom instruction, lab demonstrations, and lab practice time. To learn more about the new certifications, see information at The Masonry Society or the American Concrete Institute. A video presentation is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ggfq5FfeBk&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1.
Industry Resources
Detailed information on designing with masonry and masonry mortars is available on PCA's Masonry site. There is excellent information on the safety of masonry regarding fire resistance, high wind force resistance, and earthquakes.
Read PCA Trowel Tips - Mortar Color.
The National Concrete Masonry Association offers excellent technical resources online, including abstracts of more than 10,000 articles in its Technical Publications Database.