Chapter List

Overview

Masonry can be used structurally or as veneer. Masonry walls may be single-or multi-wythe, solid or hollow, grouted or ungrouted, and reinforced or unreinforced, depending on the structural requirements of the design.

Masonry is non-combustible and, in its various forms, can be used as both structural and protective elements in fire-resistive construction. Masonry is durable against wear and abrasion, and most types weather well without protective coatings. The mass and density of masonry also provide efficient thermal and acoustical resistance. Although masonry is one of the most durable of building materials, masonry construction is durable only if the component materials are of equally high quality and the detailing adequately provides for movement and weather resistance. Almost any masonry material or combination of materials can be used to satisfy functional requirements, including fire, sound, and thermal separation criteria. Specific material types, however, are generally selected on the basis of aesthetic criteria such as color, texture, and scale.

Masonry walls can be constructed with a single wythe (or single-unit thickness) or with multiple wythes. Multiple wythes may be contiguous, interlocked by overlapping units, or separated by an air space or cavity. When single wythes of masonry are attached to non-masonry backing walls, they are called veneers ( see