Introduction to Concrete and
Masonry
Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards Addressed!
• CCSS.ELALiteracy.RST.9‐10.3Follow precisely a complex multistep
procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or
performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions
defined in the text.
• CCSS.ELALiteracy.RST.9‐10.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key
terms, and other domain‐specific words and phrases as they are used in a
specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9–10 texts and
topics.
• CCSS.ELALiteracy.RST.9‐10.7Follow precisely a complex multistep
procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or
performing technical tasks; analyze the specific results based on
explanations in the text
• HSNQ.A.2 Define appropriate quantities for the purpose of descriptive
modeling. (HS‐PS1‐4),(HS‐PS1‐7)
Bell Work!
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Make a list of where concrete is used
Define concrete
Name rules for making quality concrete
List ingredients in concrete
Identify properties of concrete
What is masonry
Compare building with concrete versus
building with masonry
Terms
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Masonry Units: Blocks made from concrete, cinders, or other aggregates.
Laying Block: The process of mixing mortar, applying it to masonry block, and
placing
the block to create walls.
Mortar Bed: A layer of mortar.
Core: The hollow space in a masonry block.
Plastic Cement
Course: A row of masonry units.
Brick Set: Wide chisel used for breaking masonry units.
Hollow Core Block: Masonry block with two or three holes per block.
Masonry: Anything constructed of brick, stone, tile, or concrete unit held in place with
portland concrete.
Concrete Forms
Mortar Board: Board used to hold mortar.
Troweling
Footer or Footing: A continuous slab of concrete which provides a solid, level
foundation for block or brick
Aggregate
What is concrete?
• One of the most widely used building
materials in the world
• There is no other building material in which
the final product depends so much upon
the user as concrete
• It’s everywhere (share your lists from bell
work)
It’s going to be around for a
while
• Easy mixing process yields a product that weighs
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150-160 lbs per cubic foot.
Components of concrete: water, cement, and
aggregate, are plentiful
Requires little energy for production and use
Qualities that give concrete appeal are going to
still be important down the road:
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Strength
Versatility
Durability
Fire resistance
Rules for making concrete
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Use proper ingredients
Proportion ingredients correctly
Accurately measure the ingredients
Mix the ingredients thoroughly
Follow proper finishing and curing methods
So what are the ingredients?
(And how do they work?)
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Portland Cement
Aggregate
Water
Portland and water forms a paste around each
piece of aggregate
Changes from a plastic state to a hardened state
It’s not drying! It’s a chemical change. (Think
release of heat.)( The Romans actually were the
first to mix products similar to concrete!)
Properties of “plastic” concrete
• Consistency (or slump)- wetness or dryness of the mix
• Uniformity- thorough mixing of ingredients
• Workability- ease with which it can be placed in forms
and consolidated
Concrete Reinforcement
• Concrete should be reinforced with steel
reinforcing rods. Also known as rebar.
The ridges in rebar allow the plastic mix to
adhere to the steel which will expand and
contract at the same rate as hardened
concrete. Wire mesh may also be used.
Concrete Reinforcement
Concrete Forms
• In order to retain plastic cement mix it must be
placed in restraining forms. Forms are
commonly different sizes of lumber or perhaps
metal held in place by stakes of some type.
Cement Mixing Ratio
Finishing Concrete
• Once wet concrete has been placed in forms it
should be tamped into place to eliminate air
voids. This is commonly done with a tool called
a “jitterbug”. The jitterbug is repeatedly lifted and
pressed into the wet concrete.
Floating Concrete
• The next step in the finishing process is “floating”
the mix. Floating continues to eliminate air voids
and begins the finishing/smoothing process. On
small areas a hand float is used while a “bull
float” is used on larger floors for example.
Floating Concrete
• The hand float is moved back and forth
across the concrete in a semi-circular
motion.
• The bull float is pulled across the mix in
one direction. A bull float has multiple
handle extensions.
Troweling Concrete
• Troweling concrete is the final
finishing/smoothing step in a concrete
pour.
• The objective is to bring water to the
surface along with fine aggregate to yield a
smooth long lasting surface.
• Small areas are generally done by hand
while larger surfaces are done with
motorized multiple blade units.
Troweling Concrete
Finishing touches!
• Concrete should be edged to eliminate chipping
along the edges when the forms are removed.
• Expansion joints should also be applied to allow
for movement during changes in temperature.
Special Surfaces!
• Brooming the surfaces prevents a slick
area.
Types of Blocks
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Stretcher: Used in straight wall sections.
Corner: One flat end to create attractive walls at corners.
Sash: Has special grooves, can be laid to receive window.
Jamb: Use to make door ways so the openings are
attractive and secure.
Half: Used to prevent cutting of blocks when only half a block
is needed.
L-Block: Used as top course of block on a poured floor.
Estimating Block
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Standard blocks are 8 inches or 2/3 foot high and 16 inches or 1
1/3 foot long when they are laid with a 3/8 inch mortar joint.
One foot is 3/4 the length of one block, therefore, when
estimating the number of blocks needed for a job, the length of
the wall in feet can be multiplied by 3/4; this gives the number of
blocks per course.
One foot is 2/3 of the height of a block, therefore, the height of
the wall in feet can be multiplied by 2/3 to determine the number
of courses needed.
Procedure for laying blocks
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Spread a layer of mortar called a mortar bed as the footer.
Position the block on the mortar bed so that its outside corner rests
where the outside corner of the wall should be. Level the block by first
placing the level across the block and then lengthwise along the block.
Turn several stretcher blocks on end and apply mortar to the ears
with a wiping or swiping stroke of the trowel.
Lay several stretcher blocks in place by working away from the
end or corner block.
Use the end of the trowel handle to tap the block until each block
is plumb, level, and the course is straight.
Apply a mortar bed on top of the first course in preparation for the
second course.
If extra strength is needed in the wall, install reinforcement in the
mortar bed.
Procedure for laying blocks
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As the block laying progresses, cut off excess mortar with the trowel.
Use a line to keep the courses straight. The line is positioned to
be level along the top of the block.
When a block must be cut, use a mason=s hammer and make multiple
strikes along the line to cut; then make one sharp strike on the web.
Check the height to be sure each new course is an additional 8
inches high.
After the mortar dries and hardens slightly, finish the joints by rubbing it
with a broken piece of block.
If a joint other than a flush joint is desired, use a jointer to
compress the mortar and create a watertight joint. Tools are
available to create joints that are concave, v-shape, flush or raked.
Common concrete blocks used in
building construction
Illustrating common method of picking up and
setting concrete blocks
Placement of corner poles for
constructing a block wall
The usual practice in applying mortar
to concrete blocks
A method of laying concrete blocks. Good
workmanship requires straight courses with the
face of the wall plumb and true.
Showing detail of joining an interior and
exterior wall in concrete block construction.
8" x 8" x 16" Concrete Block
Corner in the Running Bond
Types of joint finishes used on
block walls
Concave
V joint
Flush
Raked
The End
• Hopefully you will do better!