Masonry is the art of constructing structures from individual units laid in mortar. It is a great way to build buildings and other structures that look beautiful and are sturdy. Here, you will learn about the materials, techniques, and properties of this building material. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been doing it for decades, this article will provide you with the information you need.
Construction
Masonry construction is the process of creating a wall or building from blocks of masonry. The walls and blocks are connected by mortar, and the joints between each course should be 1/4 to 3/4 inches. To compensate for the unevenness of the footing, the first course of masonry should be laid with a full bed joint.
Reinforced masonry construction involves two different kinds of stresses – compressive and tensile. A structural engineer can use an internal reinforcement to increase the strength of a masonry wall or structure. The reinforcements can be either vertical or horizontal, and they are designed to transfer the stress. The reinforcements will also increase the ductility of the masonry structure.
Materials
The construction of masonry requires the use of materials that resist compression. When laying stones, the stones should be placed in rows that are perpendicular to the force acting on the masonry. This ensures that the stones will not shift when placed together. They should also be leveled before being set into the bed.
Materials for masonry include concrete, lightweight concrete stones, and bricks. These materials are suitable for laying external walls, plinths, and foundations. Heavy concrete stones must be 25 to 200 mm thick and have a minimum frost resistance. Lightweight concrete stones are generally used for masonry in rooms of normal importance. Lightweight concrete stones are made with lightweight aggregates of grade 25-150.
Techniques
Throughout the Middle Ages, stone was the most common masonry material. The result was incredibly durable castle walls and cathedrals. In addition, medieval artisans mastered the pointed arch technique, which made it possible to build massive vaulted structures supported by flying buttresses. Gothic architecture, with its grand vaulted ceilings and supporting trusses, is a prime example of this technique.
Dry-stack stone walls are created by stacking stone without using mortar joints. This allows gravity to hold everything together. This type of masonry requires a lot of labor and is very expensive. A typical standing stone wall is wide at its base and thinnest as it rises. However, it’s important to note that the labor costs and time involved in dry-stack stone walls are much higher than for conventional walls. In addition, these wall structures can fail quickly if the stone isn’t placed properly.
Properties
The Properties of Masonry refer to the physical properties of the masonry materials. The measurements were taken in more than 1000 tests conducted in the European and North American regions. Using linear regression, basic nondesign conductivity-density relationships were established for various solid-wall materials. These included lightweight and ordinary concretes, rocks, granular fills, and cement pastes. The conductivity of the solid-wall materials varied with the moisture content, with an increase of 4 to 6 percent for each one percent moisture by weight.
The net-sectional properties are calculated from the vertical plane that intersects the face shells of the units. These properties are useful for determining the stress and strain caused by the load applied to the walls. The average-sectional properties are calculated from the net and solid-section properties and used to determine the stiffness and deflection of the wall. For example, a four-inch (102-mm)-high wall may exhibit a maximum deflection of more than 30 mm.
Construction tolerances
Construction tolerances are standards for the placement and size of masonry building elements. As of this writing, ACI 530.1-11 specifies that masonry elements should be within 19 mm of their planned location, or within 6.4 mm for every story height. Tolerances can be more stringent, but they will increase the cost of construction and complicate work.
Tolerances are important because they protect everyone involved in the construction process. If the tolerances are too wide or too tight, it may lead to problems. For this reason, some designers and contractors choose to specify tolerances as tight as possible. This will reduce the need for rework and minimize maintenance problems in the future.
Cost
The cost of masonry construction varies greatly by region. In North Carolina, masonry workers need to be licensed to operate. The licenses cost between $50 and $100 per year. In Massachusetts, contractors need to be licensed for $150. Some states have a voluntary certification program. This program costs approximately $155 for an application and test fee and recognizes companies that have high ethical standards. In addition, you will be required to pay tax on the total price.
When determining the cost of masonry work, many factors are taken into account. These factors include the size of the area to be covered, the type of bricks to be used, and the mortar between the bricks. Depending on these factors, the total price of masonry work can range anywhere from $300 to $800.
