Masonry Flashcards
6 cards from real Other Skilled Trades practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Masonry flashcards as text
What is efflorescence on a masonry wall?
Answer: White crystalline deposits caused by water carrying soluble salts to the surface
Efflorescence is white or gray crystalline deposits that appear on masonry surfaces when water dissolves soluble salts within the masonry and carries them to the surface where they crystallize.
Which unit is standard for measuring the compressive strength of mortar and concrete masonry units (CMU) in the US?
Answer: Pounds per square inch (PSI)
Compressive strength of mortar and CMU is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI) in US construction practice.
In CMU construction, what is the purpose of grouting the cores of hollow blocks?
Answer: To increase the wall's compressive and tensile strength, especially when reinforcing bars are present
Grouting CMU cores bonds the concrete with reinforcing bars and fills voids, significantly increasing the wall's structural strength in both compression and tension.
What is a 'soldier course' in brick masonry?
Answer: Bricks laid vertically with their face showing
A soldier course consists of bricks laid upright (vertical) with their flat face showing on the wall surface, often used decoratively above windows and doors.
What is the recommended water-to-cement ratio for mixing mortar to achieve maximum strength?
Answer: The minimum water needed to achieve a workable mix
Using the minimum water needed for a workable mix maximizes mortar strength — excess water increases the water-cement ratio and reduces compressive strength.
What does the term 'wythe' refer to in masonry construction?
Answer: A continuous vertical section of masonry one unit thick
A wythe is a continuous vertical section of a masonry wall one unit in thickness, measured perpendicular to the face of the wall.