SPEC MIX to Provide AIA CES Credits at CSI CONSTRUCT

Words: Dan KamysSPEC MIX to Provide AIA CES Credits at CSI CONSTRUCT

SPECMIX Inc. has partnered with Hanley Wood to host the first-ever “Live Learning Area” during exhibit hours at the 2013 CSI Annual Convention and CONSTRUCT Show.

Designed to offer attendees and AIA members a means to earn learning credits, SPEC MIX technical representatives will give 60-minute, hands-on learning demonstrations that illustrate the real factors that can impact the quality, compressive and bond strength, and consistency of colored masonry mortar.

Each session will teach the audience how to select and specify the correct mortar based on building design and masonry units selection. This will be followed by a live demonstration of the key steps for the installation of masonry units with mortar, as taught by skilled masons. Although the course is free and open to all CONSTRUCT participants, upon completing the course all AIA registered members will be awarded 1 Learning Unit that also meets the Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) criteria.

Promoted to building design professionals as the most cost effective strategy for combining educational opportunities with practical, real-world, product and service solutions, the CONSTRUCT Show is scheduled for Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 25-27 at the Music City Center. This conference is dedicated to the institutional, industrial and commercial building industry. 

Considering masonry is viewed as one of the most preferred forms of construction, the SPEC MIX mortar presentation will undoubtedly provide useful information to attendees. As the industry leader of preblended cementitious products, SPEC MIX is committed to educating the construction industry on the latest developments in masonry.

After 20 years of making presentations and working closely with architects who design with masonry, it is evident the majority of these professionals are surprised to learn that not all mortar is created equal. Mortar quality significantly affects building design, integrity and durability. SPEC MIX has teamed with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to provide a comprehensive accredited course titled “Factory Preblended Mortar for Masonry Construction”, which has changed how many design firms select and specify mortars and grouts for new buildings and restoration projects. This presentation is the content foundation for the CSI CONSTRUCT Show Live Learning session.

As of January 2013, under CES education mandates, AIA members are required to satisfy a minimum of 18 Learning Unit credits (LUs) per year. Of this total, 12 LUs must meet the Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) criteria. The SPEC MIX Live Learning presentation meets this HSW requirement making the course even more valuable to attendees seeking Learning Units.

SPEC MIX Live Learning Objectives:

  • How mortar is made
  • What the role of mortar is in masonry construction
  • How types of mortar are defined
  • How to specify consistent mortar every time
  • How Sand Bulking can affect the quality of your mortar
  • How inconsistent mix proportions can affect the quality control and performance of mortar
  • Why efflorescence in mortar occurs

Class Hours:

?? Wednesday, Sept. 25th ???11:30-12:30 PM & 2:00-3:00 PM

?? Thursday, Sept. 26th ??? 8:30-9:30 AM & 11:00 AM-Noon

?? Friday, Sept. 27th ???10:30-11:30 AM

The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Building Solutions: The Critical Role of Cavity Space in Masonry Moisture Control
April 2026

Long before “rainscreen” became a popular term in building science, masonry cavity walls were functioning on that very principle. A brick veneer cavity wall is designed with the expectation that water will penetrate the exterior