Masonry Magazine May 1972 Page. 13
NCMA-TEK
An Information series from National Concrete Masonry Association
40
National Concrete Masonry Association 84 Concrete Units
Construction Details--
Customized Concrete
Masonry Units
General
"Customized," or "Architectural Facing" concrete masonry units, are designed and manufactured to provide the finished surface of a wall without the addition of opaque coatings or treatments which would appreciably change its appearance. Using these units, a wall may be built as an exterior or interior bearing or non-loadbearing wall; it may be designed of "through-wall" units where only one masonry unit comprises the wall section; the wall section may consist of architectural facing concrete masonry units as a veneer, backed up with concrete masonry or other materials; or the units may be of facing portion of a structural composite or cavity wall.
The same variables that influence the performance of any masonry wall-units, mortar, workmanship, and construction details must be given more thorough attention in the design and construction of a wall using architectural facing units. This is particularly true for exterior walls which will not receive painting or coating.
Masonry Units
The physical properties of customized units needed to assure good performance in the wall will depend on a number of factors. At present, there is no ASTM Standard which specifically covers requirements for these units. ASTM C-55, Specifica-
RAKE JOINT
AND CAULK
FIGURE 2
Typical Control
Joint With
Customized
Concrete Masonry
BUILDING
PAPER
CONCRETE
FILL
TEK 40 1972 National Concrete Masonry Association