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 210AIA 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 220
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 2013 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

  • 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 400
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.