Page 70 - Design of Reinforced Masonry Structures

MASONRY UNITS: APPLICATIONS, TYPES, SIZES, AND CLASSIFICATION 2.23

brick units. Inadvertent use of salmon brick for the exterior exposure would subject it to
rapid and excessive deterioration.

2.5.10 Customized Masonry
Conventional masonry construction usually involves masonry units that are produced in
modular sizes and rectangular shapes for economical reasons. However, brick may be
formed in other shapes and sizes to suit specific job requirements. These include square
and hexagonal pavers, bullnose and stair tread units, caps, sills, special corner brick, and
wedges for arch construction. Unique shapes may be available from producers upon request.
However, these units may be expensive depending on the size of the order.
Examples of customized masonry are sculptured pieces that are handcrafted from the
green clayware before firing. Artists can create their artwork and carvings on the unburned
clay units that are sufficiently stiff yet soft for carving, scrapping, and cutting. Upon com-
pletion of the artwork, the units are fired in the plant, and the result is permanent artwork
on the clay panels (Fig. 2.16).

FIGURE 2.16 Sculptured brick panels at Loew’s Anatole Hotel, Dallas, Texas. Beran and Shelmire,
architects. Mara Smith, sculptor. (Courtesy: BIA).

2.6 CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS

2.6.1 General Description
Concrete masonry units (commonly referred to as CMUs) are made from a mixture of
portland cement, aggregate (normal weight or lightweight), and water. They are available
in a variety of shapes, sizes, configuration, strength, and colors.
Because the properties of concrete vary with the aggregate type and mix proportion,
a wide range of physical properties and weights is available in concrete masonry units.
Concretes containing various aggregates range in unit weight as shown in Table 2.7. The
weight class of a concrete masonry unit is based on the density or oven-dry weight per cubic
of the concrete it contains.