Masonry & Concrete Construction Revised

By: Ken Nolan

This is the revised edition of the popular manual, with updated information on everything from on-site preplanning and layout through the construction of footings, foundations, walls, fireplaces and chimneys.

There’s an added appendix on safety regulations, with all the applicable OSHA sections pulled together into one handy condensed reference. There’s new information on concrete, masonry and seismic reinforcement. Plus improved estimating techniques to help you win more construction bids.

The emphasis is on integrating new techniques and improved materials with the tried-and-true methods.

This book is the ideal reference for the busy masonry contractor, with just about everything you need to know about masonry and concrete construction.

Includes:

• Information on cement and mortar types, mixes, coloring agents and additives, and suggestions on when, where and how to use them;
• Calculating footing and foundation loads, with tables and formulas to use as references
• Forming materials and forming systems
• Pouring and reinforcing concrete slabs and flatwork
• Block and brick wall construction, including seismic requirements
• Crack control, masonry veneer construction, brick floors and pavements, including design considerations and materials
• Cleaning, painting and repairing all types of masonry.

Contents:

Chapter 1

Planning, Site Work and Surveying, 5

Planning the job, 5

Surveying for Footings and Foundations, 11

Benchmarks and Elevations, 14

Staking Out a Building, 16

Measuring and laying Out Horizontal Angles, 17

Chapter 2

Concrete Characteristics and Properties, 21

Portland Cement, 21

Aggregate, 22

Water, 23

Material Proportions, 23

Preparing Small Batches of Concrete, 24

Common Flaws in Concrete, 26

Admixtures, 26

Coloring Concrete, 28

The Curing Process, 31

Surface Treatments for Concrete, 32

Testing Concrete, 32

Estimating Concrete for Small Jobs, 34

Chapter 3

Mortar, 37

Mortar Components, 37

Properties of Mortar, 40

Mortar Types and Uses, 42

Mixing Mortar, 43

How to Place Mortar, 45

Special Conditions, 46

Preventing Efflorescence, 48

Estimating Mortar, 48

Chapter 4

Sizing and Building Concrete Footings, 51

Footings and Load, 51

Sizing Wall and Pier Footings, 54

Forms for Concrete Footings, 57

Steel Reinforcement in Concrete Footings, 58

Pouring Concrete Footings, 60

After You Pour, 61

Chapter 5

Slab and Block Foundations, and Retaining Walls, 63

Slab Foundations, 64

Stepped Foundations, 66

Masonry Materials, 66

Preparing to Build, 67

Laying the First Course, 72

Pilasters, 74

Masonry Retaining Walls, 75

Estimating Block for Concrete Block Walls, 76

Chapter 6

Pier and Grade Beam Foundations, 79

Pier Foundations, 79

Grade Beams, 82

Chapter 7

Concrete Form Construction, 85

Form Materials, 85

Tables for Form Design, 88

Building the Forms, 93

Prefabricated Forms, 94

Form Stripping and Maintenance, 102

Chapter 8

Poured Concrete, 105

Common Concrete Delivery Problems, 105

The Importance of Water, 106

Placing the Concrete, 106

Finishing the Slab, 108

Curing Concrete, 110

Controlling Cracking in Concrete, 110

Pouring Concrete in Cold Weather, 113

Pouring Concrete in Hot Weather, 113

Pouring Sidewalks and Driveways, 113

Precast Concrete Slab Sidewalks, 116

Chapter 9

Reinforced Masonry Construction, 119

Masonry Walls and Partitions, 119

Openings in Masonry Walls, 123

Chapter 10

Reinforcing and Crack Control in Masonry Walls, 129

Control Joints, 129

Reinforcement for Masonry Walls, 131

Anchors for Masonry Walls, 133

Expansion Joints, 137

Sealants, 138

Chapter 11

Brick Wall Construction, 141

Bonds and Patterns in Brickwork, 142

Mortar Joints, 148

Salvaged Brick, 150

Estimating Brick Quantities, 151

Chapter 12

Brick Veneer Construction, 153

Properties of Brick Veneer, 153

Foundations for Brick Veneer, 154

Selecting Materials, 154

Supporting Veneer, 158

Allowing for Movement, 159

Lintels, Sills and Jambs, 162

Attaching Brick Veneer to an Existing Structure, 163

Brick Veneer Over Metal Studs, 164

Cavity Walls, 165

Caulking and Sealants, 167

Chapter 13

Limestone, 169

How to Store Limestone, 169

How to Handle Limestone, 170

Supporting Limestone, 171

Making Joints, 173

Setting Limestone in Cold Weather, 174

Dry Setting, 175

Sealants and Joint Movement, 175

Dampproofing, 177

Cleaning Limestone, 178

Removing Stains from Limestone, 179

Repairing Damaged Stone, 180

Chapter 14

Cleaning and Painting Brick Masonry, 183

Cleaning Brick Masonry, 184

Efflorescence, 187

Removing Some Common Brick Stains, 188

Painting Brick Masonry, 189

Masonry Paints, 191

Painting Near Unpainted Masonry, 193

Chapter 15

Flashing and Moisture Control, 195

Flashing Materials, 195

How to Install Flashing, 196

Where to Install Flashing, 197

Weep Holes, 199

Controlling Moisture in Brick Veneer and Cavity Walls, 200

Sealants and Caulking, 201

Chapter 16

Chimneys and Fireplaces, 203

Flues, 203

Fireplaces, 211

Chapter 17

Floors and Pavements, 219

Selecting the Right Brick for the Job, 219

Planning the Job, 220

Consider the Site, 221

Selecting the Color, Texture and Bond Pattern, 221

Joints, 222

Base Materials, 224

Setting Beds, 227

Cushion Materials, 228

Appendix

Construction Safety, 231

Occupational Safety and Health Act, 231

OSHA Standards, 233

Subpart H. Material Handling, Storage, Use and Disposal, 251

Subpart l. Tools-Hand and Power, 251

Subpart K. Electrical, 251

Subpart L. Ladders and Scaffolding, 252

Glossary, 281

Index, 293

About the Author:

Ken Nolan completed his apprenticeship with Local 57 of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen in 1967. He worked in heavy construction and highway projects until he began his own construction company in 1973.

In addition to running his company, Mr. Nolan spends much of his time teaching construction at occupational centers and colleges. He holds a degree in vocational education, and for the past 1 0 years has written the curriculum for the trade and technical education programs for the New York State Education Department.

He has also served as a consultant on construction education to New York State colleges. Mr. Nolan has published four successful construction books, and holds patents for a number of construction tools he developed on the construction site.

304 Pages - 8-1/2x 11 in.