Masonry Magazine December 1994 Page. 40
The project designer influences the work of the mason contractor. Mortar material choices influence masonry strength and allowable design stresses. Thus, if the designer bases the building's resistance to loads using portland cement: lime mortars, the mason contractor cannot switch to a masonry cement mortar nor use air-entrained portland cement or lime.
The structural design is based on a specified compressive strength of the masonry. This specified compressive strength must be verified by the mason contractor at the jobsite. Switching to a lower strength mortar or grout cannot be done. Unit selection may also be limited.
The Code assumes that some type of quality assurance is in effect. The level of certification and inspection is determined by the project designer. Certainly material compliance with the appropriate standard must be verified. Jobsite testing, and the cooperation of the mason contractor to do so, may be required. There may be an inspector on site to observe construction and curing.
How to Learn More
Both the Code and the Specifications have Commentaries which provide background on the requirements of each. Copies of these documents can be purchased from:
The Masonry Society
2619 Spruce Street, Suite B
Boulder, CO 80202-3808
(303) 939-9700
American Concrete Institute
P.O. Box 19150
22400 West Seven Mile Road
Detroit, MI 48219-0150
(313) 532-2600
American Society of Civil Engineers
345 East 47th Street
New York, NY 10017
(212) 705-7490
A seminar will be held at Masonry Expo early next year. The two hour presentation covers the construction requirements of the ACI 530.1/ASCE 6/TMS 402. That meeting will be held in Las Vegas in early February 1995. Plan to attend.
J. GREGG BORCHELT, Director of Engineering and Research for the Brick Institute of America has spent more than twenty years in the masonry industry. Formerly Chairman of Committee C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units of the American Society for Testing and Materials, he's now Vice Chairman of C15 and Chairman of Subcommittee C15.01 on Clay Brick and Tile. Other active memberships include The Masonry Society, the Construction Specifications Institute, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Concrete Institute. A Registered Professional Engineer in Colorado and Texas, Borchelt is a member of Masonry Magazine's Editorial Advisory Board and author of various papers and articles on masonry related subjects.
A Phone Tip
IF YOU WANT to make a good impression on callers, have everyone who transfers a call do it with class and enthusiasm. Instead of saying. I'm going to transfer you to try this: "Pat Gonazalez is the real expert on that, and she'll be glad to help you. I'll transfer you."
SOURCE: Customer Service Newsletter, 1010 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20190. Reproduced with permission from Communication Briefings.