Masonry Designers’ Guide — 7th Edition

Words: Phillip SamblanetThe best guide on designing masonry is now even better! The 7th Edition of the Masonry Designers' Guide (MDG-7) has been completely updated to address the numerous additions and changes in the 2011 edition of the Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures (TMS 402/ACI 530/ASCE 5 and TMS 602/ACI 530.1/ASCE 6) — also referred to as the 2011 MSJC.

The MDG-7 includes updated discussion and examples related to a recalibration of the Allowable-Stress Design method, a new Chapter on the Design of Masonry Infills, discussion on enhanced special inspection requirements, and new and revised discussions and examples throughout. In addition, information related to masonry design requirements in the 2012 International Building Code (IBC) is included, and examples use the latest loading requirements from ASCE 7-10.

The MDG-7 is an excellent resource for experienced masonry designers as well as new designers and students learning about masonry for the first time because:
  • it was developed by dozens of masonry experts who are familiar both with masonry design and with the Code requirements governing masonry's use
  • it includes over 70 practical examples for typical masonry buildings and components
  • it provides practical tips on how to quickly and efficiently design typical masonry
  • it includes drawings and photographs to illustrate concepts and procedures discussed
Topics covered in the MDG-7 include masonry materials, testing, quality assurance, quality control, construction methods, structural design, seismic design, and using the MSJC with model Building Codes. Additional online resources are available via a new companion website including:
  • access to an electronic version (pdf format) of the complete MDG-7 for easy reference and searching
  • Excel spreadsheets used in some of the design examples
  • select technical notes on clay brick and concrete masonry that are often used by designers
Definitive. Practical. Time-Saving. Graphical. The MDG is one of the most popular design guides for masonry due to its extensive examples, helpful drawings and photographs, and practical coverage of masonry design issues.

Purchase your copy of the 7th Edition of the Masonry Designers' Guide at www.masonrysociety.org/MDG7.
Lake Erie Brick Listing Highlights The Long-Term Value Of Well-Maintained Masonry
February 2026

A Cleveland.com “House of the Week” feature spotlights a 1932 brick home near Lake Erie with a $1.59 million asking price. For mason contractors, it is another reminder that brick exteriors can be a premium selling point, but only when the masonry is care

The Daily Digest
Read More
Stone Cladding Panels Forecast Signals More Stone Veneer Work For US Mason Contractors
February 2026

A new IndexBox market update says demand for stone cladding panels is expected to accelerate through 2035, fueled by a broader construction upswing. For US mason contractors who install stone veneer, that points to more opportunity, but also more pressure

The Daily Digest
Read More
New Cavity Fire Barrier Guidance Puts Masonry Wall Safety In The Spotlight
February 2026

A masonry trade group has launched a new Technical Committee and released its first guidance focused on cavity fire barriers. For mason contractors, it is a timely reminder that fire performance details in cavity wall construction deserve the same attenti

The Daily Digest
Read More
The Practicality Behind Cavity Walls
February 2026

The construction industry tends to chase certainty. We want walls that never leak, materials that never move, and systems that behave the same in the field as they do on paper. Every generation pushes for a tighter envelope, a thinner assembly, or a smart

Technical Talks
Read More