Page 147 - Masonry and Concrete

Masonry Construction Techniques
146 CHAPTER FIVE

Laying out of the first course is critical,
TERMINOLOGY since mistakes at this point would be diffi-
cult, if not impossible, to correct later. The
A single horizontal row of units is
first course must also provide a level and
called a course; a vertical section one
stable base on which the remainder of the
unit wide is called a wythe. Horizontal
walls can rest. It is important to coordinate
joints are called bed joints, vertical
the dimensions of concrete slabs and foot-
joints between individual units are called
head joints, and the longitudinal joint ings so that the masonry lays out properly
between wythes is called a collar joint if with full and half-size units.
it is narrow and filled with mortar or Before beginning work, the horizontal
grout, and called a cavity if it is an open coursing can be checked by laying out a
air space for drainage (Figure 5-10). A dry course of masonry units without mor-
unit whose length is cut in half is called tar. Chalk lines are used to establish loca-
a bat. One that is halved in width is tion and alignment of masonry on a
called a “soap,” and one that is cut to
concrete footing. A concrete slab will typi-
half-height is called a split.
cally have a dropped brick ledge along its
outer perimeter so that the bottom of the
brick veneer is slightly lower than the fin-
ished floor height. A dry course layout should start from the wall ends
3
or corners and work from both ends toward the middle. A piece of 8-

COURSE
COLLAR JOINT
OR CAVITY
HEAD JOINT

BED JOINT

WYTHE
FIGURE 5-10
Terminology of masonry wall components.

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