Masonry Magazine June 1964 Page. 17
This brings us to Workmanship and Job Control. I will not dwell on each of these items individually since many will be covered in detail by others on this program. Suffice it to say, however, of most importance to the specifications writer, and for control at the job, is agreement on measurement batching and mixing of materials. This is a subject on which we vitally need an objective discussion. Today's practice continues the age-old method of man and shovel, with the ever-present variables size of shovel, consistent loading of the shovel, loss of count of shovelfuls, the size, experience, intelligence and consistency inherent in the handler of the shovel, and not the least his efficiency at the end of a long, hard day. In addition we have the unpublished instructions of the masonry foreman as to the mix. This is not meant to condemn the integrity or capability of these men, but rather to recall again to you these many variables, each of which can produce good or bad mortar, variation between batches of mortar, and, yes, as much as I hate to say it, the possibility of dishonesty when there is a dollar to be made. Can we get a specification on measuring of materials that will overcome these human frailties and at the same time be enforceable at the job without nearly 100 percent supervision which none of us can afford?
Under Design Details, discussion might be centered on bonding of facing to back-up, parging, and the value of waterproof coatings.
I do not intend to create the impression of a lack of technical data on these many phases of mortars and their proper usage. On the contrary, the wealth of available information is one of, if not our greatest, problems.
As I indicated earlier, mortar is but one of the many subjects with which the specifications writer must be familiar. He cannot afford the time, however, to research these data each time mortars must be covered in the specification. I do not believe the average specifications writer, including myself, is able to analyze this material and always come up with the right answer.
I propose, therefore, that this wealth of technical information be studied by those especially trained and qualified in this field the scientists, scholars and researchers; that their interest be directed toward an unbiased analysis of the facts in each case, much like jury and judge in a court of law; and that the results of such study be published in the form of opinions on which the specifications writer could depend.
We would be interested in the reasoning leading to such opinions, but unless for a specific problem, we do not need all the scientific data resulting in the conclusions expressed in the opinion.
In conclusion. My effort was to focus attention on some of the generally known problems in connection with masonry mortars. I am sure there are many more with which I am not familiar. Specification writers would appreciate answers to any or all of them.
It is our job to properly present materials and processes. Our responsibility to the bidder, who ultimately becomes the contractor, is to give him absolutely clear information so that he can with assurance prepare a proper estimate-his money on the line, so to speak, with a feeling of security as to what he will be expected to produce. In like manner, once the contract is awarded he should be held strictly to the specifications-no more and no less.
Our further job is to express these criteria or limitations in language common to the trade, in language that can (continued on page 18).
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