TM 5-809-3/NAVFAC DM-2.9/AFM 88-3, Chap. 3
CHAPTER 2
QUALITY ASSURANCE IN MASONRY
2-1. Introduction. This chapter provides guid-
assurance staff the intent of the designer. When
ance for quality assurance in masonry. Quality
detailing of the masonry is not completed on the
assurance in masonry starts with the design engi-
contract drawings, it is very important to complete
neer* s preparation of the plans and specifications.
this detailing process on the shop (detail) drawings,
These documents must contain adequate informa-
which then become extensions of design. To
tion for the contractor to construct a quality
achieve an understanding among all participants in
masonry product. In addition, the field quality
the process and to provide the contractor and the
assurance staff must have the support of engineer-
quality assurance staff all needed information, it is
ing during the construction period to assure that
most important that the shop drawings be approved
the design intent is being accomplished. The design
prior to commencing masonry construction.
engineer must recognize that engineering support
Although all material and execution items in the
is required on a continual basis from the onset of
contract documents are important, it is most helpful
the design through the completion of construction.
to the field quality assurance staff that the designer
Masonry is a field-assembled product that requires
indicate those few items which can be termed
exacting construction control in order to ensure
"critical" to the achievement of the intent of the
satisfactory performance. To achieve a high quality
design. This can best be done with "Instructions to
product, all participants in the design/construction
the Field", which are not a part of, but which
process must know their role and must
supplement the construction contract documents.
communicate their needs to the other participants.
The last major item in the design/construction
To this end; guidance is provided herein for
process, and the item most often missing from the
contract drawings, shop drawings, instructions to
process, is the designer visits to the field during
the field, and site visits.
periods critical to masonry construction. These
visits can be an educational experience for both the
designer and field personnel. Aside from the
2-2. Design/construction process overview.
The design process begins with communication
obvious benefit of direct communication on site, it
among the members of the design team, including
has been shown that site visits can open a line of
the architect, and the structural, mechanical and
communication between field and office personnel.
electrical engineers, to plan the layout of the
This develops the necessary contacts for effective
masonry features of the building. Careful planning
communication should problems arise during
to achieve modular dimensions in masonry walls,
construction.
both the total wall dimensions and the sizes and
locations of openings (including the location and
2-3. Role of design engineers. The major items
in the design engineer*s role in the design/con-
sizing of large openings for ducts and utilities), to
eliminate excessive masonry unit cutting is a very
struction process are the following:
a. Approaches to masonry design/detailing. The
important step in the process. The concept of
modular coordination in masonry is an attempt to
designers will use the masonry details that have
increase productivity and reduce costs in construc-
been developed for Corps-wide application as the
tion by adoption of coordinated masonry units and
basis for development of contract documents.
masonry panel sizes which are as standardized as is
These masonry details will be modified and supple-
practical. A 4-inch module has been widely
mented as needed to fit the project requirements.
accepted by producers of building materials. How-
Several approaches concerning the level of com-
ever, for reinforced concrete masonry unit (CMU)
pleteness of contract drawing detailing can be used
walls, establishing an 8-inch module will eliminate
by designers.
or greatly reduce the field cutting of masonry units
(1) One approach is to show typical details,
and will allow a standardized 8-inch pattern of
tables of reinforcement, and other minimal infor-
reinforcing placement. Thus, for convenience and
mation on the contract drawings. This approach
economy, an 8-inch module should be used in
requires that the masonry detailing be completed on
structural CMU walls and wythes whenever possi-
the shop (detail) drawings, thus the shop drawings
ble. Once the layout is developed, the contract
become a very important and critical extension of
plans must show sufficient details to adequately
design. It is therefore very important that the
communicate to the contractor and the field quality
structural design engineer not only provide a very
2-1
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