Key Properties Related to ASTM C90 & Concrete Masonry

This course provides a comprehensive overview of concrete masonry units (CMU), focusing on the following key topics: defining what CMU is, typical concrete masonry wall assemblies, exploring ASTM C90 standard specification requirements and density-related performance properties, and reviewing moisture penetration resistance strategies. These strategies include flashing and weeps, integral water repellent, and crack control.

Objectives

Explore the aesthetic versatility of concrete masonry units (CMU) in various design styles.
Review CMU standard ASTM C90 and dive deeper into design-related content.
Discover the variations in performance associated with the different densities of CMU.
Review best practices for maintaining moisture penetration resistance.

RELATED RESOURCES

Normalizing Delegated Design of Concrete Masonry

Delegated design and a project delivery method that many material industries utilize effectively to deliver a cost effective building. This presentation highlights the need to normalize delegated design for concrete masonry elements. This includes, lintels, elevator shaft walls, non-load bearing walls, and load bearing structures. This presentation will explore how the process can be delivered in today's projects and resources available to make the effort minimal.

Continuing Education

Design

Architectural Concrete Masonry: Single-Wythe Walls

This course introduces the design and performance fundamentals of architectural single-wythe concrete masonry. Participants will explore how concrete masonry’s inherent durability, resilience, thermal mass, and low-embodied-carbon contribute to high-performing building envelopes. The program explains key strategies for moisture management—including surface protection, integral water repellents, flashing, weeps, and crack-control detailing to keep single-wythe CMU walls dry and long-lasting. Learners will examine energy-code compliance pathways for mass walls, insulation options, and how density, thermal mass, and assembly configuration influence energy performance. The course concludes with practical guidance on air and vapor barriers, utilities, sample panels, and cleaning procedures to ensure high-quality outcomes in architectural CMU projects.

Continuing Education

Crack Control, Design, Energy, Moisture Control, Performance, Thermal Performance

Architectural Concrete Masonry: Veneers & Cavity Walls

Architectural concrete masonry anchored veneers combine beauty, durability, and low maintenance while offering architects significant design flexibility. This course examines the finishes, sizes, profiles, and colors that distinguish architectural CMU, and explores the high performance these systems achieve when coupled with concrete masonry cavity walls. Participants will review essential detailing recommendations for veneers, including how to accommodate openings, flashing, anchoring, and crack control strategies. The session also covers energy performance benefits, thermal mass advantages, and cavity wall insulation strategies, while emphasizing quality assurance through sample panels. The course finishes with discussing cleaning recommendations for architectural masonry.

Continuing Education

Crack Control, Design, Energy, Performance, Thermal Performance

Climate-Responsive Design: Balancing Resilience, Thermal Performance and Embodied Carbon with Concrete Masonry

This course explores how using concrete masonry units (CMU) in the built environment provides an integrated approach to climate-responsive design by simultaneously addressing three critical sustainability strategies: resilience, operational energy use, and embodied carbon reduction. Participants will examine how CMU construction offers inherent solutions to modern building challenges, from natural disasters and extreme weather events to energy conservation and carbon footprint reduction. The course demonstrates that CMU structures perform beyond code requirements without additional measures, providing durable, cost-effective buildings that support community resilience while contributing to low embodied carbon goals.

Continuing Education

Design, Performance, Resilience, Sustainability, Thermal Performance

General Design of Concrete Masonry Structures

This course explores the required concrete masonry design considerations to ensure a fully designed wall system that adheres to structural, fire, acoustic and energy design. The structural consideration will include the basis of design parameters, applications, design considerations, elemental design and limit states. While structural design is important, the course will discuss our ensuring fire, acoustical and energy compliance must also fit into the requirements of the wall system.

Continuing Education

Design, Energy, Fire Ratings, Performance, Sound/Acoustics, Structural Design

Maximizing Concrete Masonry Performance Through Structural Design

This course will cover various design components of efficient structural masonry design. It is intended to help the audience understand the implications of structural design solutions and their impact on masonry performance. The goal is to offer actionable recommendations and standards that promote efficient, cost-effective masonry solutions.

Continuing Education

Design, Performance, Structural Design

Concrete Masonry: Navigating Energy Codes to Maximize Thermal Mass Performance

This course examines how concrete masonry’s thermal mass contributes to energy efficiency across a range of climate zones and building types. It describes the role of heat capacity and mass wall behavior in overall thermal performance and outlines how these attributes are addressed within current energy codes. The session reviews prescriptive, trade-off, and whole-building performance pathways in ASHRAE 90.1 and the IECC, highlighting how CMU assemblies are evaluated in each method. The course also presents commonly used compliance tools, and shows how they support energy-code documentation for mass-wall designs.

Continuing Education

Design, Energy, Performance, Thermal Performance

What Non-Engineers Need to Know About Concrete Masonry

This course provides a foundational understanding of structural concrete masonry for professionals outside the field of structural engineering. It explores key aspects of concrete masonry systems, including block types, mortar and grout properties, reinforcement strategies, and design practices. Participants will gain insights into how structural masonry is applied in modern construction, its advantages over alternative systems, and the common design errors to avoid. Learners will understand the cost, time, and sustainability benefits of choosing efficient masonry solutions in building design.

Continuing Education

Design, Performance

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.

Continuing Education

Design, Performance, Properties, Resilience, Structural Design, Sustainability

Why Block?

Questions About Block?

Safety

Hurricanes and Wind

Fire

Carbon

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Mass