Alabama Masonry Contractor Examination

What are the nominal dimensions of a standard 8-inch loadbearing concrete masonry unit (CMU)?

• A6 in × 6 in × 12 in
• B8 in × 8 in × 16 in
• C10 in × 8 in × 20 in
• D12 in × 12 in × 24 in

Which ASTM standard governs hollow loadbearing concrete masonry units used in structural walls?

• AASTM C55
• BASTM C90
• CASTM C216
• DASTM C270

What are the nominal face dimensions of a standard modular clay brick?

• A7-5/8 in long × 2-1/4 in high
• B8 in long × 2-2/3 in high
• C12 in long × 4 in high
• D16 in long × 8 in high

Per ASTM weathering grades for facing brick, which grade is required where brick will be in contact with the ground or subject to freeze-thaw while saturated?

• AGrade NW (negligible weathering)
• BGrade MW (moderate weathering)
• CGrade SW (severe weathering)
• DGrade FBX only

What is the standard thickness of a mortar bed joint in modular brick and CMU construction?

• A1/8 inch
• B3/8 inch
• C3/4 inch
• D1 inch

In masonry terminology, what is a wythe?

• AA horizontal row of units in a wall
• BA continuous vertical section of masonry one unit in thickness
• CA cut brick used at a corner
• DThe cavity space behind veneer

How many standard 8×8×16 CMU are required for 100 square feet of single-wythe wall face (no openings, modular layout)?

• A100 blocks
• B112.5 blocks
• C125 blocks
• D150 blocks

Approximately how many modular clay bricks are needed per square foot of single-wythe wall face (including mortar joints)?

• AAbout 4.5 bricks
• BAbout 6.75 to 7 bricks
• CAbout 10 bricks
• DAbout 12.5 bricks

What is the primary difference between solid and hollow masonry units for structural purposes?

• ASolid units are always stronger than hollow units of the same material grade
• BSolid units have net cross-sectional area in every plane at least 75% of gross area; holl…
• CHollow units cannot be used in loadbearing walls
• DSolid units never require mortar

What white crystalline deposit commonly appears on masonry surfaces when soluble salts migrate with moisture and crystallize as water evaporates?

• ASpalling
• BEfflorescence
• CCrazing
• DSaponification

Which natural stone classification is typically most susceptible to acid-based cleaners and atmospheric acids?

• AGranite
• BLimestone and marble (calcareous stones)
• CBasalt
• DQuartzite

What is the typical actual (specified) length of a modular 8-inch CMU before mortar joints?

• A15-5/8 inches
• B16 inches
• C16-3/8 inches
• D18 inches

A brick laid with its long face parallel to the wall face is called a:

• AHeader
• BStretcher
• CSoldier
• DSailor

What is the minimum net-area compressive strength commonly required for ordinary ASTM C90 loadbearing CMU?

• A1,000 psi
• B1,500 psi
• C2,000 psi
• D3,500 psi

Which brick appearance type under ASTM C216 has the tightest dimensional tolerances?

• AFBA (architectural)
• BFBS (standard)
• CFBX (select)
• DNW grade

What is the face shell of a hollow CMU?

• AThe solid web between cells only
• BThe outer solid wall of the unit forming the finished faces
• CThe mortar bed under the unit
• DThe steel plate used to cut block

For a wall 40 ft long by 10 ft high of single-wythe 8-inch CMU with no openings, how many blocks are needed (no waste)?

• A400
• B450
• C500
• D562.5

Which material property of clay brick most strongly affects freeze-thaw durability?

• AColor only
• BAbsorption and saturation coefficient / weathering grade
• CBrand name stamped on the brick
• DWhether the brick is solid or cored only

What is architectural cast stone typically used for in masonry work?

• APrimary structural columns only
• BDecorative units simulating natural cut stone (sills, copings, trim)
• CReplacement for portland cement in mortar
• DGrout aggregate only

A half-high 4-inch CMU (nominal 8 in long × 4 in high) is most often used to:

• AReplace all structural 8-inch units in foundations
• BMatch coursing with brick or adjust height at bond beams and openings
• CEliminate the need for mortar joints
• DServe as formwork for structural concrete only

What does the term "f'm" represent in reinforced masonry design?

• AMortar compressive strength only
• BSpecified compressive strength of masonry (assemblage)
• CSteel yield strength of rebar
• DGrout slump in inches

Glass block masonry is typically considered:

• AA primary loadbearing shear wall material for multi-story frames
• BNonloadbearing glazing masonry with limited structural use and special detailing
• CA substitute for Type M mortar
• DAn OSHA-approved fall protection system

When ordering CMU for a project, why must bond beam and lintel units be counted separately from ordinary stretcher units?

• AThey always cost the same and mix freely with stretchers
• BThey have different shapes (open webs/channels) for horizontal reinforcement and grout
• CThey cannot be laid with mortar
• DThey are only decorative and never structural

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) units differ from ordinary dense CMU primarily because AAC is:

• AMuch denser and stronger in pure compression for the same thickness
• BLighter, more insulating, and cut with special tools using thin-bed mortar systems in man…
• CNever allowed for exterior walls
• DMixed on site like mortar

What is the main purpose of a bullnose CMU?

• ATo increase compressive strength of the wall
• BTo provide a rounded finished edge at openings, corners, or exposed ends
• CTo replace horizontal joint reinforcement
• DTo act as temporary wall bracing

In running bond, successive courses are typically offset by:

• AOne-quarter of the unit length
• BOne-half of the unit length
• CThe full unit length (aligned heads)
• DTwo full unit lengths

In Flemish bond, each course typically consists of:

• AAll stretchers offset by half
• BAlternating headers and stretchers within the same course
• COne full course of headers followed by one full course of stretchers only
• DAll soldiers standing on end

What is a lead in masonry wall construction?

• AA type of soft metal flashing only
• BThe corner or end of a wall built up first to establish line, plumb, and course height
• CA temporary scaffold plank
• DThe first bag of mortar mixed each day

When should mortar joints be tooled for best weather resistance?

• AImmediately while the mortar is still soup-like
• BWhen mortar is thumbprint hard—firm but still plastic enough to compress
• COnly after 24 hours of full cure
• DNever; joints should always be left as struck from the trowel

Which mortar joint profile is generally considered most weather-resistant for exterior walls?

• ARaked joint
• BStruck (weathered underside) joint that creates a ledge
• CConcave or V-joint
• DDeeply raked joint with exposed unit edges

What is buttering in bricklaying?

• ASpreading mortar on the end (head) of a unit before placing it
• BAdding butter to improve mortar flavor
• CRemoving excess mortar after tooling
• DWetting bricks until saturated

Stack bond masonry walls generally require special attention because:

• AThey automatically provide the highest lateral strength without reinforcement
• BHead joints align continuously, so joint reinforcement and design limits are critical
• CThey never need mortar in bed joints
• DThey are prohibited in all codes for any use

Cold-weather masonry protection is generally required when the ambient temperature falls below about:

• A50°F (10°C)
• B40°F (4°C)
• C32°F (0°C) only after ice is visible
• D70°F (21°C)

Hot-weather masonry practices primarily aim to:

• ASpeed hydration by baking units in the sun before laying
• BControl rapid moisture loss that reduces bond and workability
• CEliminate the need for tooled joints
• DAllow mortar to set overnight before use

What is the primary purpose of building masonry to a story pole?

• ATo measure scaffold plank spans only
• BTo control course heights and overall wall elevation consistently
• CTo replace the need for a level
• DTo calculate mortar volume automatically

Face-shell bedding of hollow CMU means mortar is placed primarily:

• AOnly on the webs between cells
• BOn the face shells (outer solid walls) of the unit
• CAs a full solid bed filling every core completely before laying
• DAfter the wall is fully cured

Why should highly absorptive clay brick sometimes be dampened before laying?

• ATo dissolve the face permanently
• BTo reduce excessive suction that steals water from mortar and weakens bond
• CTo eliminate the need for head joints
• DBecause codes require every brick to be soaked for 24 hours

Control joints in concrete masonry walls are primarily provided to:

• AIncrease compressive strength
• BAccommodate shrinkage and control cracking locations
• CReplace vertical reinforcement entirely
• DEliminate the need for foundations

Expansion joints in clay masonry are primarily needed because clay brick:

• AShrinks continuously for the life of the building
• BExpands over time with moisture and temperature changes
• CNever moves after the first day
• DDissolves in rainwater

What is the correct sequence when cleaning new clay brick masonry with an acidic cleaner?

• AApply acid dry, then rinse once
• BPre-wet the wall, apply diluted cleaner as directed, scrub, then thoroughly rinse
• CSandblast first, then apply full-strength acid
• DTool joints while the cleaner is still active

A cavity wall differs from a solid multi-wythe wall primarily because a cavity wall has:

• ANo ties between wythes
• BA continuous air space between wythes for drainage and often insulation
• COnly one wythe of masonry
• DGrout filling the entire space between wythes

During installation, mortar droppings in a brick cavity should be controlled because they:

• AImprove insulation value
• BCan bridge the cavity and block drainage to weeps
• CReplace the need for flashing
• DIncrease compressive strength of the veneer

What is the maximum recommended board life for cement-lime mortar before it should be discarded if not used (typical ASTM C270 practice)?

• A30 minutes
• BAbout 2-1/2 hours
• C8 hours
• D24 hours

When laying the first course of CMU on a foundation, best practice is to:

• ADry-set units without mortar to speed production
• BEstablish a full mortar bed, level and align the course carefully, and verify layout
• CStart mid-wall and work toward corners
• DIgnore openings until the wall is 8 ft high

Parapet walls are particularly vulnerable to moisture damage because they:

• AAre always below grade
• BAre exposed on both faces and the top and often lack continuous roof protection
• CNever experience temperature change
• DCannot receive flashings by code

What is the purpose of a weep hole in a masonry veneer wall?

• ATo provide a decorative pattern only
• BTo drain water that enters the cavity back to the exterior
• CTo anchor the veneer structurally to the foundation
• DTo eliminate flashing requirements