Concrete Masonry Design Series

Northwest Concrete Masonry Association offers box-lunch seminars with detailed concrete masonry construction methods and data for architects and designers. Each seminar is one hour in length. To request a seminar, call 425-697-5298.  Earn AIA Learning Units for each one-hour program.

Program 215AIA Continuing Education Provider Logo
Concrete Masonry Construction

  • Identify cost-effective construction details and practices for masonry commercial projects.
  • Apply construction knowledge and experience to develop design alternatives and facilitate more informed decisions when using masonry materials.
  • Design current projects to achieve overall objectives while maximizing ease and speed of masonry construction.
  • Produce construction documents for masonry commercial buildings allowing efficient, quality construction considering site conditions and code restrictions.

Program 225
Codes and Standards Compliance with Concrete Masonry

  • Clearly specify the concrete masonry units selected for a construction project.
  • Utilize masonry’s thermal mass properties to analyze energy code compliance.
  • Comprehend the changes to the latest TMS 402/ACI 530 masonry code.
  • Evaluate the need for joint reinforcement in masonry veneer.

Program 300
CMU Wall Performance: Crack Control & Water Resistance

  • Identify sources of movement which can cause cracking and water penetration of exterior building walls.
  • Determine methods of controlling cracking in concrete masonry walls.
  • Compare fire safety performance between two assemblies with the same fire ratings under the building code.
  • Comprehend the equivalent thickness fire rating calculation method for concrete masonry products.

Program 320
Fire Safety With Concrete Masonry

  • Describe three necessary elements of balanced design for fire safety of commercial buildings.
  • Determine the difference between active and passive fire protection systems.
  • Compare fire safety performance between two assemblies with the same fire ratings under the building code.
  • Comprehend the equivalent thickness fire rating calculation method for concrete masonry products.

Program 340
Sustainable Building Design Using Concrete Masonry Products

  • Recognize the attributes of concrete masonry materials and systems and the advantages of masonry construction
    for the sustainable design of commercial buildings.
  • Evaluate and select appropriate concrete masonry materials for a current project design to incorporate the principles of sustainability.
  • Utilize concrete masonry products and systems to obtain LEED points for commercial project certification.
  • During the design of a commercial building project identify ways that concrete masonry materials can be used for innovation in design credit under the LEED rating system.

Program 345
Northwest Energy Code Compliance with Mass Wall Assemblies

  • Identify wall properties required to utilize alternative mass wall provisions.
  • Comprehend the optional code compliance paths and determine when they are most appropriate.
  • Evaluate design options available with masonry wall systems and understand their benefits.
  • Utilize masonry’s thermal mass properties to analyze energy code compliance.

Program 350  New!
Designing Resilient Buildings and Communities

  • Understand the concept of resilient building design.
  • Recognize the attributes and advantages of concrete masonry construction for resilient design.
  • Evaluate current building codes’ impact on life-safety versus protection of property.
  • Identify steps that can be taken to improve building and community resilience.

Program 405
Overview of Concrete Masonry Design and Construction

  • Comprehend the concrete masonry unit (cmu) manufacturing process understanding the available options and limitations and clearly be able to specify the masonry materials selected for a current design.
  • Mortar and grout specification
  • Evaluate the design options available to control cracking and to construct water resistant exterior walls for commercial buildings.
  • Utilize masonry’s thermal mass properties to analyze energy code compliance.
  • Calculate fire resistance ratings and sound transmission values of cmu walls to determine appropriate levels of safety, sound control, and code compliance.