Concrete Masonry: From Manufacturing to Structural Applications
This module explores the fundamentals of concrete masonry construction, beginning with the manufacturing process of concrete masonry units (CMUs) and examining both standard gray block and architectural finishes.
Participants will learn about various CMU shapes, sizes, and modular design principles that optimize construction efficiency. The course covers essential structural considerations, including the differences between unit compressive strength and specified masonry assembly strength (f’m), and examines how tall structures can be built using concrete masonry.
Additionally, the module introduces efficient design strategies that help reduce both project costs and embodied carbon, making concrete masonry an economical and sustainable building solution.
Crack Control Strategies for Concrete Masonry Construction
Concrete masonry is a popular construction material because its inherent attributes satisfy the diverse needs of both interior walls and exterior envelopes over a wide array of applications. While these attributes are the primary basis for concrete masonry’s popularity, performance should not be taken for granted. Cracks in building assemblies and building materials may result from restrained movement originating within the material, as with volume changes due to moisture loss or gain, or from temperature expansion or contraction. Cracking may also be caused by movements of adjacent or supporting elements or systems, such as deflection of beams or settlement of foundations. In many cases, movement is inevitable and must be accommodated or controlled, which requires an understanding of the sources of stress that cause cracking. While would be a simple matter to prevent cracking if there were only one cause or variable, in reality crack mitigation requires identifying and addressing a combination of potential sources.This Tech Note reviews the common causes of cracking, from both internal and external sources, in concrete masonry construction and presents proven strategies and detailing approaches to mitigate and control shrinkage-induced cracks. The Solutions Summary section of this Tech Note provides a summary overview of these recommendations, with more detailed explanation, construction details, and background provided in the subsequent discussion.
Properties and Characteristics in Concrete Masonry Construction
A concrete masonry unit may, on the surface, appear to be an unassuming construction product cast of simple concrete, but the technology behind this fundamental building block incorporates more than a century of research, evaluation, and evolution behind it that yields the basic properties and characteristics inherent in what is commonly referred to as CMU.
Masonry Compressive Strength Calculator
This calculator uses the unit strength table of TMS 602 (shown below) to determine the unit compressive strength required to achieve a user-specified masonry assembly compressive strength (f’m) – or determines the resulting assembly compressive strength (f’m) based on the user defined unit compressive strength. This calculator can be used with either the 2016 or 2022 editions of TMS 402/602.
Concrete Masonry Highway Sound Barriers
This TEK covers acoustic requirements for concrete masonry highway sound barriers. For structural design considerations, the reader is referred to Allowable Stress Design of Pier and Panel Highway Sound Barrier Walls (refs. 3).
Specifying Fire Resistance Ratings for Concrete Masonry Construction
Building codes take a multifaceted approach to protecting life and property during a fire. These requirements address the combustibility, flame spread, smoke release, and structural stability of the systems that are used to mitigate the occurrence and spread of fire within buildings while allowing the safe evacuation of occupants. The inherent attributes of concrete masonry make it an ideal choice in meeting and exceeding the minimum building code requirements.
Moisture Control for Concrete Masonry Wall Construction
Effective moisture control in concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls requires the integration of quality materials, precise detailing and proper workmanship. The coordinated use of integral water repellents (IWR) in both block and mortar, along with flashing, weeps, joint tooling, and breathable coatings, prevents water intrusion, promotes drying and ensures long-term durability.
Moisture management is not a single product but a system that must be specified and constructed correctly.
Sound Abatement and Concrete Masonry Construction
Quiet, comfortable, functional spaces start with CMU. Concrete masonry walls inherently reduce noise thanks to their mass — with no special detailing, finishes or channels required. Whether reducing traffic noise from outside or audibly separating rooms inside, CMU delivers reliable acoustic performance that enhances occupant comfort regardless of whether the performance objective is code-based or beyond code minimums to achieve wellness-centric sustainable metrics.
Thermal Performance of Concrete Masonry Construction
Thermal performance is critical in building envelope design, and concrete masonry units (CMU) offer thermal mass that moderates indoor temperature swings and shifts heating and cooling loads to off-peak hours. CMU assemblies support varied insulation strategies, giving designers flexibility to meet energy codes and make performance-based decisions across building types.
Section Properties and Wall Weights Calculator
This calculator determines net and average cross-sectional properties based on user defined inputs. Net section properties represent the smallest cross-section of an assembly and are used for calculating assembly strength. Average section properties represent the average cross-section of an assembly and are used for calculating assembly stiffness. This calculator determines the net cross-sectional properties through a plane concurrent with a mortar joint while average section properties are determined through a plane concurrent with the mid-height or mid-length of a unit in the assembly.