A few thoughts about
problems with contemporary masonry
...and some specific ideas about cracking and inspection.
232.1R Natural Pozzolans in Manual of Concrete Practice
ACI 530-95/ASCE 5-95/ TMS 402-95 Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures
ACI 530R-95/ASCE 5-95/TMS 402-95 Commentary on Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures
ACI 530.1-95/ASCE 6-95/ TMS 602-95 Specification for Masonry Structures
ACI 530.1R-95/ASCE 6-95/TMS 602-95 Commentary on Specification for Masonry Structures
Masonry Designers' Guide, 1993, 878pp.
SP147 Masonry in the Americas, 1994, 360pp.
169B Significance of tests & properties of concrete and concrete making materials
589 Masonry: Past and Present (1975)
691 Durability of Building Materials and Components (1980)
778 Masonry: Materials, Properties and Performance (1982)
871 Masonry: Research, Application and Problems (1985)
935 Cleaning Stone and Masonry (1986)
992 Masonry: Materials, Design, Construction and Maintenance (1988)
996 New Stone Technology: Design and Construction for Exterior Wall Systems (1988)
1063 Masonry: Components to Assemblages (1990)
1107 Water in Exterior Building Walls: Problems and Solutions (1991)
1180 Masonry: Design and Construction, Problems and Repairs (1993)
Building Research Notes (BRN)
While many of IRC's Building Research Notes are still very much correct and in line with contemporary building pathology knowledge, given their age (they were published between early 1950's and mid 1980's) they are relatively difficult to find, and may require an expert engineering critique as to the full reliability of each individual concept.
Building Science Insight (BSI)
Cracks, movements and joints in buildings. 1976 (NRCC-15477)
Construction details for air tightness. 1980 (NRCC-18291)
Exterior walls: understanding the problems. 1983 (BSI-82; NRCC-21203)
Humidity, condensation and ventilation in houses. 1984 (BSI-83; NRCC-23293)
Performance of materials in use. 1986 (BSI-84; NRCC-24968)
Noise control in buildings. 1987 (BSI-85; NRCC-27844)
An air barrier for the building envelope. 1989 (BSI-86; NRCC-29943)
Designing for fire safety. 1987 (BSI-87; NRCC-28277)
Small buildings - technology in transition. 1990 (BSI-90; NRCC-32333)
Canadian Building Digests (CBD)
The CBD collection is one of the greatest feats of hands-on construction technology information ever produced on this continent.
Efflorescence. T Ritchie. 1960 (CBD-2)
Rain penetration of walls of unit masonry. T Ritchie. 1960 (CBD-6)
Winter construction. C R Crocker. 1960 (CBD-7)
Corrosion in buildings. P J Sereda. 1961 (CBD-20)
Cavity walls. T Ritchie. 1961 (CBD-21)
Air leakage in buildings. A G Wilson. 1961 (CBD-23)
Water and building materials. J K Latta. 1962 (CBD-30)
Rain penetration and its control. G K Garden. 1963 (CBD-40)
Requirements for exterior walls. N B Hutcheon. 1963 (CBD-48)
Principles applied to an insulated masonry wall. N B Hutcheon. 1964 (CBD-50)
Fire performance ratings. M Galbreath. 1965 (CBD-71)
Control of air leakage is important. G K Garden. 1965 (CBD-72)
Cold weather masonry construction. J I Davison. 1970 (CBD-123)
Cladding problems due to frame movement. W G Plewes. 1970 (CBD-125)
Influence of orientation on exterior cladding. C R Crocker. 1970 (CBD-126)
The structure of porous building materials. P J Sereda. 1970 (CBD-127)
Adfreezing and frost heaving of foundations. E Penner & K N Burn. 1970 (CBD-128)
Wetting and drying of porous materials. P J Sereda & R F Feldman. 1970 (CBD-130)
Coatings for masonry surfaces. H E Ashton. 1970 (CBD-131)
On using old bricks in new buildings T Ritchie. 1971 (CBD-138)
Thermal performance of concrete masonry walls in fire. T Z Harmathy & L W Allen. 1971 (CBD-140)
Portland cements in building construction. E G Swenson. 1972 (CBD-145)
Joint movement and sealant selection. G O Handegord & K K Karpati. 1973 (CBD-155)
Silicone water repellents for masonry. T Ritchie. 1974 (CBD-162)
Masonry mortar. J I Davison. 1974 (CBD-163)
Bricks. T Ritchie. 1974 (CBD-169)
Failure of brick facing on high-rise buildings. W G Plewes. 1977 (CBD-185)
Cleaning of brickwork. T Ritchie. 1978 (CBD-194)
Quarry tile and other ceramic floor tiles. T Ritchie. 1979 (CBD-206)
Earthquakes and buildings in Canada. J H Rainer & T D Northwood. 1979 (CBD-208)
Domestic chimneys and gas vents. F Steel. 1981 (CBD-217)
Vibrations in buildings. J H Rainer. 1984 (CBD-232)
Factors affecting sound transmission loss. A C C Warnock. 1985 (CBD-239)
Construction Technology Updates (collection started in 1998)
No. 8 Six Axioms for Building Durable Concrete Structures
No. 9 Evolution of Wall Design for Controlling Rain Penetration
No. 13 Controlling Sound Transmission through Concrete Block Walls
No. 17 Pressure Equalization in Rainscreen Wall Systems
Preservation Tech Notes:
Masonry No. 1, Substitute Materials: Replacing Deteriorated Serpentine Stone with Pre-Cast Concrete
Masonry No. 2: Stabilization and Repair of a Historic Terra Cotta Cornice
Masonry No. 3: Water Soak Cleaning of Limestone
Masonry No. 4: Non-Destructive Evaluation Techniques for Masonry Construction
Preservation Briefs:
01: The Cleaning and Waterproof Coating of Masonry Buildings
02: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings
05: The Preservation of Historic Adobe Buildings
06: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings
07: The Preservation of Historic Glazed Architectural Terra-Cotta
30: The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs
31: Mothballing Historic Buildings
30: The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs
31: Mothballing Historic Buildings
35: Understanding Old Buildings: The Process of Architectural Investigation
38: Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry
39: Holding the Line: Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings
40: Preserving Historic Ceramic Tile Floors
Besides hundreds of mostly excellent publications, the PCA has staff specialists to contact for information or assistance on the cement- and concrete-related subjects, but also on issues such as seismic design, grout, and masonry. While PCA is a great organization, their interest in supporting practitioners diminished over the years and their web page is technically sloppy (as of my last visit). Should you be lucky, their newsletters may be available on-line at http://www.portcement.org/whatnew.htm
Compressive Strength of Masonry: explains model building code requirements for verification of the compressive strength of masonry and examines how materials, properties, workmanship, and testing affect prism test results for the compressive strength of masonry.
Selecting and Specifying Mortar and Grout for Unit Masonry:
Provides a guide specification for mortar and grout, prefaced by discussion of mortar and grout materials and properties. Explains the proper use of related ASTM or UBC standards in project specifications. Includes information about coordinating project specifications with ACI 530/ASCE 5 or Uniform Building Code requirements.
Flexural Bond Strength Testing of Masonry
Factors Affecting Bond Strength of Masonry
Quality Assurance for Masonry Mortar
Field Testing Masonry Mortar
Concrete Masonry Handbook for Architects, Engineers, Builders
Workmanship Part I, Preparing for Quality & Part II, Imparting Quality to Masonry
Factors Affecting Water Penetration of Masonry Walls
The Other Properties of Mortar: examines how mortar properties such as freeze-thaw durability, sulfate resistance, water absorption, drying shrinkage, workability, and board life (often overlooked in evaluating performance of mortar materials) can be of greater importance than compressive strength and bond strength.
Recommended Practices for Laying Concrete Block
The Guide to Concrete Masonry Residential Construction in High-Wind Areas: Recommendations for Design and Construction
Assessing the Condition and Repair Alternatives of Fire-Exposed Concrete and Masonry Members
Stabilization of Heavy Metals in Portland Cement, Silica Fume/Portland Cement and Masonry Cement Matrices
Air Content and Water Penetration of Masonry Walls
Water Penetration Tests of Masonry Walls
Cementitious Grouts and Grouting
Masonry Mortars
Thermal Performance of Masonry Walls
Specifications and Selection of Materials for Masonry Mortars and Grouts
Building Movements and Joints
Cementitious Grouts and Grouting
Improved Method of Testing Tensile Bond Strength of Masonry Mortars
Fallacies in the Current Percent of Total Absorption Method for Determining and Limiting the Moisture Content of Concrete Block
Masonry Cement Mortars: A Laboratory Investigation
Investigation of the Moisture-Volume Stability of Concrete Masonry Units
Tensile Testing of Concrete Block and Wall Elements
Influence of Mortar and Block Properties on Shrinkage Cracking of Masonry Walls
Plant Drying and Carbonation of Concrete Block NCMA-PCA Cooperative Program
Carbonation Shrinkage of Concrete Masonry Units
Effect of Variations in Curing and Drying on the Physical Properties of Concrete Masonry Units
Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units
General Considerations of Cracking in Concrete Masonry Walls and Means for Minimizing It
C5 Quicklime for structural purposes
C55 Spec. for Concrete Building Brick
Properties of Masonry Units: ASTM C 67, Standard Method of Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile
C88 Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulfate: gives optional test for the freeze and thaw procedure
C90 Spec. for Hollow Load-Bearing Concrete Masonry Units
C91 Standard Specification for Masonry Cement
C97 Test methods for absorption and bulk specific gravity of dimension stone
C99 Test method for modulus of rupture of dimension stone
C109 Test method for compressive strength of hydraulic cement mortars (including 2" and 50 mm cube specimens)
C110 Test methods for physical testing of quicklime, hydrated lime and limestone
C119 Terminology relating to dimension stone
C126 Ceramic glazed structural clay facing tile, facing brick, and solid masonry units
C140 Sampling and testing concrete masonry units
C144 Sand ...
C150 Cement ...
C170 Test method for compressive strength of natural building stone
C207 Hydrated lime for masonry purposes
C216 Specification for Facing Brick (Solid Masonry Units Made from Clay or Shale)
C241 Test method for abrasion resistance of stone subjected to foot traffic
Mortar: C270 Mortar for Unit Masonry
C331 Lightweight aggregates for concrete masonry units
C404 Aggregates for masonry grout
C418 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Concrete by Sandblasting
C426 Test method for drying shrinkage of concrete block
C457 Practice for microscopical determination of air-void content and parameters of the air-void system in hardened concrete
C466 Chemically setting silicate and silica chemical-resistant mortars
Grout: C 476, Standard Specification for Grout for Masonry
C503 Marble dimension stone
C531 Test method for linear shrinkage and coefficient of thermal expansion of chemical-resistant mortars, grouts, and monolithic surfacings
C568 Limestone dimension stone
C615 Granite dimension stone
C616 Quartz-based dimension stone
C629 Slate dimension stone
C652 Hollow Brick
C666 Test method for resistance of concrete to rapid freezing and thawing
C778 Standard specification for standard sand
Mortar: C780 Standard Method for Preconstruction and Construction Evaluation of Mortars for Plain and Reinforced Unit Masonry
C794 Test Method for Adhesion-in-Peel of Elastomeric Joint Sealants
C880 Test method for flexural strength of dimensional stone
C887 Packaged, dry, combined materials for surface bonded mortar
C901 Prefabricated masonry panels
C902 Pedestrian and light traffic paving brick
C946 Practice for construction of dry-stacked, surface bonded walls
C979 Specification for pigments for integrally colored concrete
C980 Specification for industrial chimney lining brick
C1006 Test method for splitting tensile strength of masonry units
C1019 Standard Specification for Sampling and Testing ...
C1072 Measurement of masonry flexural bond strength
C1088 Specification for thin veneer brick units made from clay or shale
C1148 Test method for measuring the drying shrinkage of masonry mortar
C1196 In situ compressive stress within solid unit masonry estimated using the flatjack measurement
C1197 In situ measurement of masonry deformability properties using the flatjack method
C1201Test method for structural performance of exterior dimension stone cladding systems by uniform static air pressure difference
C1242 Guide for design, selection and installation of exterior dimension stone anchors and anchoring systems
C1262 Evaluating the compressive strength of concrete masonry units and related concrete units
C1298 Guide for the design and construction of brick liners for industrial chimneys
D2203 Test method for staining from sealants
D4261 Practice for surface cleaning concrete unit masonry for coating
D5107 Practice for preparatory surface cleaning of architectural sandstone
Flexural Tensile Strength: E72 Conducting strength tests of panels for building construction
E96 Test methods for water vapor transmission of materials
E283 Test Method for Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors Under Specified Pressure Differences Across the Specimen
E330 Test Method for structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
Compressive Strength and Modulus of Elasticity:
E447 Test Methods for Compressive Strength of Masonry Prisms
E488 Test method for strength of anchors in concrete and masonry elements
E514 Test Method for Water Penetration and Leakage Through Masonry
E518 Test methods for flexural bond strength of masonry
Diagonal Tension (Shear) and Modulus of Rigidity: E519 Test method for diagonal tension (shear) in masonry assemblages
E1512 Test methods for testing bond performance of adhesive-bonded anchors
A5-93 Portland cements
A82.1-M87 Burned clay brick (solid masonry units made from clay of shale)
A82.2-78 (R1984) Methods of sampling & testing brick
A82.3-M1978 (R1984) Calcium silicate (sand-lime) building brick
A82.4/A82.5/A82.6-M1978 (R1984) Structural clay load-bearing wall tile; Structural clay non-loadbearing tile; Standard methods for sampling and testing structural clay tile
A82.8-M78 (R1984) Hollow clay brick
A165 Series-94 CSA Standards on concrete masonry units
A179-94 Mortar and grout for unit masonry
A231.2-M85 Precast concrete pavers
A324-M88 Clay flue liners
A369.1-M90 Method of test for compressive strength of masonry prisms
A370-M94 Connectors for masonry
A371-M94 Masonry construction for buildings
A405-M87 Design and construction of masonry chimneys and fireplaces
A443-1989 Terms and definitions for use in CSA masonry standards
S304-M84 Masonry design for buildings
S304.1-94 Masonry design for buildings (Limit States Design)
S478-95 Guideline on durability in buildings
CAN/CGSB-19.0-M77 Methods of Testing Putty, Caulking and Sealing Compounds
CAN/ CGSB-149.10-M86 Determination of the Airtightness of Building Envelopes by the Fan Depressurization Method
CMHC Report No. CR5855.1, "Establishing the Protocols for Measuring Air Leakage and Air Flow Patterns in High-rise Apartment Buildings"
21-6 In-place masonry shear tests
21-20 Test method for flexural bond strength of mortar cement
