Materials & Methods of Construction - Final Exam

brick

a masonry unit comprised of a block of clay

hardened by drying in the sun or burning in a kiln, and

used in the construction of buildings as a structural or

self supporting surface material

concrete masonry unit (cmu) or concrete / cinder block

What is a more recent (1850’s) modular rectangular building unit comprised of Portland cement, aggregate, sand, and water.

concrete block

what is Commonly used as an independent structural element for

compressive strength and/or as a structural support for

brick facing.

wythe

what is is a vertical section of bricks or other masonry that is one

unit thick

veneer

A single wythe of brick that is

not structural in nature

The actual size of a brick is typically 3/8” less

than the nominal size to allow for a 3/8” mortar joint.

actual vs nominal size of brick

The actual size of a concrete block is typically 3/8” less

than the nominal size to allow for a 3/8” mortar joint.

actual vs nominal size of concrete block

8” long x 4” deep x 2 ½” high. (including a 3/8” mortar

joint)

nominal size of a common brick

16” wide x 8” deep x 8” high (including a 3/8” mortar

joint)

nominal size of a concrete block

The height of one concrete block equals the height of

three bricks.

This allows the introduction of an accessory

product at every third joint which ties the two wythes

together monolithically.

height of concrete block vs brick

how brick walls may be constructed

Common

Running

Flemish

Stacked

bond patterns

The depth of brick pavers can be shallower than for other

brick uses, and typically half the thickness of solid face

brick.

Pavers are typically installed without mortar over a stone

dust or sand bed.

brick paver installation

Installation over compacted sand and gravel allows

rainwater runoff to seep between the open joints and

drain down into the aquifer below. This is a more

sustainable approach to rainwater management then filling

the joints solid with mortar and needing to direct rainwater

to catch basins and other man made underground storm

water drainage pipes and systems.

Brick Paver installation (no mortar)

concrete

a man made material, a mixture of water, sand,

small stones, and a gray powder called cement, that

hardens to full strength in twenty eight (28) days

Concrete is very strong in compression because it is very

compact: the grains of sand fill the voids between the

stones and the “paste” of cement and water fills the voids

between the grains of sand.

why is concrete strong in compression

tension. Concrete made with good cement and stones, sand, and

water in the right proportions can be stronger in

compression than most natural stones, but like bricks and

stones, concrete is weak in tension

what is concrete weak in?

cement

fine gray powder which binds sand and rocks

into a matrix of concrete.

portland cement

the generic term for nearly all

modern cement.

cement

the product of high temperature conversion of

finely ground materials often as basic as blends of

limestone, clay, and shale containing four key

ingredients: calcium oxide, silica, alumina, and iron.

concrete

a mixture of two components: aggregates (sand and gravel or crushed stone) and paste

The most commonly used maximum aggregate is ¾ inch or 1 inch

The most commonly used maximum aggregate of concrete

Paste, or mortar, in addition to the Portland cement and

water contains entrapped air or purposefully entrained air

which makes the concrete cellular which increases

workability of the concrete while in a plastic state, and the

paste ordinarily constitutes about 25 to 40 percent of the

total volume of concrete.

paste/mortar in concrete

workability (paste/mortar helps)

what is making the otherwise heavy consistency of

the concrete relatively easy to move while pouring, placing,

and smoothing the surfaces.

hydration

The binding quality of Portland cement paste is due to the

exothermic chemical reaction between the cement and the

water which results in harden

admixtures

chemicals added to the concrete mix to

control its setting properties such as workability, curing

time, aesthetics, waterproofing, and very often used when

placing concrete during weather extremes such as high

or low temperatures, windy conditions, etc.

yes

is concrete dimensionally stable

low when sealed properly but high when not sealed properly

does concrete have high or low permeability (can water get through)

yes

is concrete a good insulating material

Consumes the largest quantity of non renewable materials

(cement, water, stone or aggregate, other components) of

all the industries of the world

what is a big disadvantage to concrete

Pervious concrete

a new type of concrete with a

high porosity used for concrete applications that

allows water from rain, melting snow, and other sources

to pass directly through, thereby reducing the runoff

from a site and allowing groundwater recharge.

architectural concrete

specialty concrete that while serving a structural function

provides an aesthetic finish to the building.

Decorative concrete

specialty concrete flatwork or

building elements such as panels, that while enhanced with

texture or color, are not structural building members

stone

the naturally occurring mineral matter in the

ground of which rock is made

Igneous Stone

What type of stone:



Formed by volcanic action, the molten rock having

cooled to a crystalline structure.



Usually composed of four minerals quartz, feldspar,

mica, and hornblende.



The strongest and hardest of common building stones.

Granite

Igneous Stone that is:



Available in many colors and patterns



Characterized by a distinctive granular or speckled

appearance



Major quarries in New Hampshire and Minnesota



Granite countertops are impervious to most stains

and chemicals



Granite countertops may be stained by hot oil and

hydrofluoric acid (found in rust removers).

Sedimentary Stone

What type of stone is:



Typically found in river deltas.



Formed when sediment silt, sand, and sea organisms

is acted on by heat, pressure, and chemical action.



Minerals are “cemented” together, not crystallized.



Relatively soft, will not take a high polish.

Alabaster

Sedimentary stone that is:



Composed of Gypsum



Translucent pale pink, yellow, or white



Carves easily; too soft for exterior use



Used for lighting fixtures and sculpture

Brownstone

Sedimentary stone that is:

a Type of sandstone local to New York, New Jersey,

and Connecticut

Flagstone

Sedimentary stone that is:



Typically sandstone



Splits into planes of cleavage



Used for walks and terraces

Bluestone

Sedimentary stone that is:



Fairly durable, being resistant to cracking



Available in many colors



Relatively easy to process into slabs of desired size



Several face finishes are available

Limestone

Sedimentary Stone that is:

Calcium carbonate formed around fragments of

shells and fossils



Usually gray, white, or beige with minimum graining



Mined in Indiana and many other places



Hard and lasting but softer than marble and granite



May be processed to make Portland Cement

Metamorphic Stone

What type of stone is:

sedimentary or any pre existing

stone type crystallized in the Earth’s crust by additional

heat and high pressure so as to be chemically altered

Marble

Metamorphic stone that:



Takes a high polish



**Appearance distinguished by prominent grain or

veins**



Many colors and patterns. May be translucent



Major quarries in Vermont, Tennessee, and Georgia.



Somewhat porous and will stain without proper

sealing and maintenance

Travertine

Metamorphic stone that:



is formed by hot springs



Characteristically **has open pores or “pockets”**



Usually white or cream color

Onyx

Metamorphic stone that:

is found principally in Mexico and

Pakistan



Semi precious stone with unique, colorful patterns



May be highly translucent

Slate

Metamorphic stone that is:



High silica clay laid down as silt in ancient sea

bottoms



Used for flooring, wall surfacing, countertops,

roofing, and chalkboards



Usually black or gray but also many other colors



Splits along planes called **cleavage**

soapstone

Metamorphic stone that:



Contains more than 50% talc



Typically flannel gray or dark green



Denser than granite, but soft may be cut or shaped

with woodworking tools



High resistance to acids and stains used for

laboratory counter tops



**Not slippery when wet** good for bathroom floors

stone edge shapes

dry stacking (constructed with or withour mortar)

how is stone masonry installed

Riven Finish stone

finish found naturally on stone with cleavage plates,

such as slate and bluestone, used in its natural state for

walkways and paving.

Tumbled Finish stone

finish achieved by placing stone such as marble

or limestone in a barrel of gravel until the rough edges and

surfaces are smoothed to a “soft” finish., resembling broken

glass that has been tumbled by the tide in beach sand for

many years.

Honed Finish stone

finish achieved by polishing stone to a matte

finish, similar to the results years of foot traffic has on

marble, granite, or slate.

Polished Finish stone

stone finish where results appear as a high gloss, even mirror

like appearance on igneous and metamorphic stone.

Polished stone may be very slippery particularly when wet

and is not recommended for paving or flooring.

Flamed (Thermal) Finish stone

Stone finish that results when a blowtorch is passed

over the surface of granite, causing small particles to pop

off the surface creating a very rough flamed finish.

Brush Finish stone

Stone finish that appears as a worn down look achieved by

brushing the surface of the stone, simulating natural wear

over time.

Quirk corner

A stone finish detail - is an aesthetic detail intended to emphasized

the corner but to visually minimized the mortar joint.

Rustication

an aesthetic device originating during the

Renaissance used to exaggerate mortar joints to give

weight and importance to the lower floors of a building,

particularly monumental buildings such as palaces, banks,

and governmental buildings.