December 2024

MASONRY MATTERS

A YEAR OF IMPACT

In 2024, we were able to leverage both local and national relationships to continue educating the A/E/C community on the advantages of masonry construction. Starting with the annual Structural Engineers Association of Michigan (SEAMi) conference in May, we educated structural engineers on economical design of masonry wall assemblies. This presentation was offered nationally at the NCSEA Structure Summit in Las Vegas this November, where over one thousand structural engineers were in attendance. We were also able to offer bi-monthly presentations to architects and engineers in-person that focused on a wide range of topics affecting the design and construction of masonry wall assemblies today.

Sharpening the Axe

Abraham Lincoln once famously said, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." We have a revamped Masonry 101 workshop and recently partnered with Davenport Masonry and offered two workshops to contractors on better understanding the "why" behind masonry walls. Our Board of Trustees created a task group to promote our members and assure project teams that awarding projects to MIM members means an increased focus on quality. To that end, our Board of Trustees will be working to develop expectations and promote continuing education to our workforce through masonry certifications, MIOSHA wall bracing training, and workshops geared towards mason contractors. Look for more opportunities in 2025!

Leveraging Sustainability

The Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association released an industry average Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in November. As more projects and owners are basing decisions on sustainability and environmental concerns, this EPD will help to showcase how concrete masonry can help meet project sustainability goals. The EPD presents data on the Global Warming Potential by looking at both a cradle-to-gate and service life cycle which accounts for carbon sequestration and highlights how concrete masonry is both a timeless and sustainable building product. The MIM will be educating designers and specifiers on this in 2025.

Learn more here.

Trust, but Verify

Special inspections have been a minimum requirement since the first International Building Code in 2000. Today they are required in Chapter 17 of the Michigan Building Code, and enforcement continues to be an issue. As a result, designers sometimes opt for a more conservative approach to masonry design affecting budgets and schedules. We are supportive of masonry special inspections, and so we will be presenting at the annual Code Officials Conference of Michigan in April and meeting with the Bureau of Construction Codes to promote the industry.

From the Desk of Phil Ledent

It finally clicked in my head when I was showing an example of a project where we were able to work with a mason contractor and engineer and reduce (1) #6 reinforcement bar at 32 in. on center to (2) #6 bars at 96 in. on center. In my engineer brain, that meant a reduction of 200 lb of reinforcement and 220 cubic feet of grout, but when I looked at the labor I was surprised to find that this resulted in 38,400 lb worth of CMUs that would have had to have been lifted up and over reinforcement laps, in a single wall elevation. In addition to educating designers and assisting them with design, the research completed at the University of Louisville will help us to lessen reinforcement lap lengths in most walls while meeting internal wall bracing requirements. Our efforts have also resulted in code changes related to increased grout lift heights using demonstration panels, and we're still working on more.

Our focus in 2024 has been on promotion of the masonry industry, and on serving as a technical resource for our members. For 2025, I'm excited that we will be focused on how we can proactively influence the A/E/C community. We will continue to focus on education and promotion, and we are armed with new tools such as the industry average EPD. Our Board of Trustees also developed a Code of Ethics to support our mission and vision. I'm grateful for all of the support we've had in 2024, and I look forward to a better year ahead!

On the Road Again

In 2024, we have been actively meeting with design professionals to offer learning opportunities and assist them with the design of masonry projects. Thank you to our sponsors:

Albaugh Masonry

Baker Construction

Belden Architectural Elements

Leidal and Hart Mason Contractors

MASONPRO

National Block Company

St Marys Cement

Through 2024 we have:

Presented at the annual Structural Engineers Association of Michigan (SEAMi) annual conference and to the Minnesota Structural Engineers Association (MNSEA) on structural masonry design.
Presented at the 2024 Structural Engineering Summit in Las Vegas for the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations.
Taught structural masonry design at Lawrence Technological University, and been active on their architectural engineering advisory board.
Presented on loadbearing masonry construction in partnership with the Masonry Institute of St. Louis.
Served as the Secretary for The Masonry Society main committee and implemented code changes for the 2028 TMS 402/602.
Held bi-weekly lunch and learn presentations with architects and structural engineers on topics ranging from masonry flashing to structural software and are already scheduling out into 2025!
Partnered with the University of Louisville to finalize their research and report on masonry lap splices during construction, working to update the MCAA Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls Under Construction.
Held Masonry 101 and Grout Workshops with member mason contractors.

MIM workshops are intended to build collaboration between the field and the design office so that masonry becomes more than lines on a piece of paper. If you would like Phil to present a workshop, a lunch and learn or provide training for your team, please reach out.

In Case You Missed It

The Masonry Society continues to upload courses and content to their Masonry Education Hub, offering continuing education opportunities to architects and engineers.

CMHA has published the first industry-average Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for concrete masonry units produced in the United States.

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff will be hosting a webinar with ARCHTECT Magazine on December 5 on the 5 S's of Concrete Masonry.

AIA Michigan held their Design and Honor Awards in November, and the three masonry winners were: U of M Ruthven Building Renovation & Addition, U of T Science and Engineering Building, and Kettering Learning Commons. Learn more here.

Interested in growing your brand and reaching a wider audience? MIM is offering newsletter advertising to our members, with the opportunity to reach hundreds of users through our website and thousands through our social media accounts! If interested, please reach out to info@masonryinfo.org!

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Tip of the Month

Loose lintels can generate a significant amount of force at the jambs of openings potentially resulting in cracks. The Brick Industry Association has published Technical Note 18A which provides guidance on accommodating that movement.