Virginia Masonry Contracting Qualified Individual Examination

Under 18VAC50-22-30, what is the official abbreviation for the Virginia masonry contracting specialty?

• ABRK
• BCEM
• CTMC
• DSTL

Which group of products is expressly included in Virginia masonry contracting (BRK)?

• AStructural steel beams, metal deck, and bar joists
• BCeramic floor tile, terrazzo, and cementitious backer board only
• CBrick, concrete block, stone, marble, slate, and mortarless masonry products
• DAsphalt paving, sealcoating, and parking-lot striping

Besides laying masonry units, which related work does 18VAC50-22-30 include in the BRK specialty?

• AInstallation of building electrical services and branch circuits
• BInstallation of grout, caulking, tuck pointing, sand blasting, mortar washing, parging, a…
• CPouring and finishing of structural concrete slabs and footings as a general concrete con…
• DInstallation of HVAC equipment and refrigerant lines

Besides a BRK specialty license, which Virginia classifications and specialties also provide the masonry contracting function?

• AELE, PLB, and HVA only
• BASB and LAC only
• CROC and PTC only
• DCBC, RBC, H/H, HIC, and CIC

A contractor holding only a BRK specialty is asked to install thin ceramic floor tile and terrazzo in a restroom. How should that request be treated under Virginia specialty definitions?

• ABRK covers all burned-clay products, so ceramic tile and terrazzo are within scope
• BCeramic floor tile and terrazzo fall under the TMC specialty, not BRK masonry unit work
• CThe work is automatically covered because marble is listed in the BRK definition
• DOnly a plumbing contractor may set restroom tile

Are mortarless (dry-stack) masonry products within the Virginia BRK specialty?

• AYes. 18VAC50-22-30 expressly includes mortarless type masonry products
• BNo. Only units set in portland-cement mortar are masonry
• COnly if the units are imported natural stone
• DOnly when a concrete contractor places a topping slab

Which reinforcing-steel task is within BRK rather than a general steel-erection specialty?

• AFabricating and erecting a structural steel building frame
• BInstalling metal roof deck and open-web joists
• CCleaning and welding reinforcement steel related to masonry construction
• DPost-tensioning a cast-in-place concrete parking deck

A specification requires a thin coat of mortar over a below-grade CMU foundation wall to help receive dampproofing. What masonry operation is this?

• AParging, which 18VAC50-22-30 includes in BRK
• BTerrazzo topping, which only TMC may perform
• CShotcrete structural lining, which only CEM may perform
• DEIFS lamina, which only INS may perform

Which task is outside BRK and belongs to concrete contracting (CEM)?

• AGrouting reinforced CMU cells
• BLaying 8-inch concrete masonry units
• CParging a CMU foundation wall
• DBatching, placing, and finishing a cast-in-place concrete slab on grade

A project includes an 8-foot reinforced concrete-block retaining wall with grout and vertical bars at a new commercial building. Which statement best describes license scope?

• AOnly landscape service contracting (LSC) may build any retaining wall in Virginia
• BBRK includes this masonry retaining wall; LSC is limited to retaining walls constructed f…
• COnly steel erection may place vertical reinforcing bars in the wall
• DBRK is limited to brick veneer and cannot install CMU retaining walls

Which ASTM C270 mortar type is the general-purpose choice for above-grade exterior and interior walls, including most clay-brick veneer?

• AType M
• BType K
• CType N
• DType O

Which mortar type has the highest ASTM C270 property-specification compressive strength and is used for heavily loaded or below-grade masonry such as foundations and retaining walls?

• AType M
• BType N
• CType O
• DType K

A below-grade CMU foundation and a masonry retaining wall must resist significant lateral load. Which mortar type is the usual structural choice when Type M workability is not required?

• AType O
• BType S
• CType K
• DGypsum plaster

Which mortar type is appropriate for interior non-load-bearing walls or for repointing soft historic brick?

• AType M only
• BType S only
• CEpoxy setting bed
• DType O

What are the ASTM C270 property-specification minimum 28-day compressive strengths for mortar Types M, S, N, and O?

• A3,000 psi, 2,500 psi, 1,800 psi, and 750 psi
• B2,500 psi, 1,800 psi, 750 psi, and 350 psi
• C1,800 psi, 750 psi, 350 psi, and 75 psi
• D5,000 psi, 4,000 psi, 3,000 psi, and 2,000 psi

What is the common ASTM C270 portland cement–lime proportion for Type N mortar (cement : hydrated lime : sand, by volume)?

• A1 : 1 : 6
• B1 : 1/4 : 3
• C1 : 2 : 9
• D1 : 0 : 3

Why is Type M mortar a poor choice for repointing a historic soft-clay brick wall?

• AType M cannot be mixed with sand
• BType M has no compressive strength
• CA mortar harder and less flexible than the brick can lock the joints and cause the units…
• DType M is permitted only with glass block

What slump does ASTM C476 and TMS 602 require for conventional masonry grout unless the project specifies otherwise?

• A1 to 3 inches
• B3 to 5 inches
• C4 to 6 inches
• D8 to 11 inches

Unless the project specifies a higher value, what is the usual minimum 28-day compressive strength for masonry grout under ASTM C476?

• A2,000 psi
• B350 psi
• C750 psi
• D10,000 psi

When is coarse grout used instead of fine grout in CMU construction?

• AOnly when the grout will be painted
• BIn larger cores and grout spaces, such as the cells of standard 8-inch CMU, where pea-gra…
• COnly for glass-block panels
• DWhenever the air temperature exceeds 90°F

Under TMS 602, when must cleanout openings be provided at the bottom of a grout pour?

• AOnly when the wall is less than 4 feet high
• BOnly for ungrouted veneer cavities
• CWhen the grout pour height exceeds 5 feet 4 inches
• DOnly if the grout slump is less than 4 inches

After masonry grout is placed in a CMU cell, what consolidation practice is required?

• AConsolidate the grout by mechanical vibration or puddling so it fills the space and wraps…
• BLeave the grout untouched so a weak plane can form under the bars
• CRod the grout only at the wall ends and never in reinforced cells
• DSpray the grout with form-release oil before it sets

What is the primary functional difference between masonry mortar and masonry grout?

• AMortar is used only below grade; grout is used only above grade
• BMortar is always Type M; grout is always Type O
• CGrout contains no cement
• DMortar bonds and beds the units; grout is a fluid fill that occupies cores and embeds rei…

What distinguishes high-lift grouting from low-lift grouting of a CMU wall?

• AHigh-lift grouting uses no reinforcement
• BHigh-lift grouting builds the wall several feet (often a story) before grouting, with cle…
• CLow-lift grouting is only for stone veneer
• DHigh-lift grouting requires a slump of 1 inch

During cold weather, which masonry practice is required?

• ALay brick on ice-coated units so the mortar freezes in place as a bond coat
• BUse frozen sand and frozen mixing water to keep the mortar stiff
• CDo not lay masonry on frozen units or with frozen mortar, and protect newly placed masonr…
• DAdd gypsum plaster to the mortar whenever the air temperature is below 50°F

Each grouted CMU cell requires 0.30 cubic feet of grout. A wall has 90 cells that will be solidly grouted. How many cubic yards of grout are required? (27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard)

• A1.0 cubic yard
• B0.30 cubic yard
• C3.3 cubic yards
• D27 cubic yards

In running bond, how are the units arranged?

• AEvery course is all headers
• BEach course is stretchers, with vertical joints offset about one-half unit from the cours…
• CUnits align so that all head joints form continuous vertical lines
• DAlternate courses are soldiers and sailors only

Which bond places headers and stretchers alternating in every course so that each header is centered on the stretcher above and below?

• AFlemish bond
• BStack bond
• CRunning bond
• DGarden-wall bond with no headers

How is English bond laid?

• AAll courses are soldiers
• BEvery course is a mix of one header and one stretcher
• CAlternate courses of all headers and all stretchers
• DRandom rubble with no bed joints

Why does stack-bond masonry require additional reinforcement compared with running bond?

• AStack bond units are always glass block
• BStack bond mortar is not allowed to contain sand
• CStack bond is used only below the frost line
• DContinuous vertical head joints provide little overlap, so the wall needs extra horizonta…

In common (American) bond, how often is a header course typically introduced among stretcher courses?

• AEvery course is a header course
• BA header course is placed about every fifth or sixth stretcher course
• CHeaders are never used in common bond
• DHeaders are used only in the foundation and never in the wall

Which mortar joint profile is generally the most weather-resistant for exterior brickwork?

• AA concave tooled joint
• BA deep raked joint
• CA struck joint that sheds water onto the brick face below the joint
• DAn extruded (weeping) joint left untouched

For modular brick with standard 3/8-inch joints, how many courses equal 8 inches of wall height?

• ATwo courses
• BFour courses
• CThree courses
• DSix courses

What is the actual size of a nominal 8 × 8 × 16-inch concrete masonry unit laid with 3/8-inch mortar joints?

• A8 × 8 × 16 inches exactly
• B7-5/8 × 7-5/8 × 15-5/8 inches
• C6 × 6 × 12 inches
• D9 × 9 × 18 inches

What is the difference between a bed joint and a head joint?

• AThe bed joint is the horizontal mortar joint under a unit; the head joint is the vertical…
• BThe bed joint is always 1 inch thick; the head joint is never filled
• CThe head joint is the flashing; the bed joint is the weep
• DThere is no difference; the terms are interchangeable

Why are deep raked mortar joints a poor choice on an exterior weather-exposed brick wall?

• AThey make the wall too strong
• BThey automatically convert the wall to stack bond
• CThey are required by ASTM C270 for Type N mortar
• DThey leave a recess that collects water at the brick edge and reduce the compacted mortar…

A modular brick wall is 10 feet 8 inches high. Using the 3-course / 8-inch module, how many brick courses are required?

• A32 courses
• B40 courses
• C48 courses
• D64 courses

A brick stood on end with its long narrow face exposed in the wall is which position?

• AStretcher
• BSoldier
• CRowlock
• DShiner

What is a collar joint in multi-wythe masonry?

• AThe vertical longitudinal joint between wythes, parallel to the wall face
• BThe horizontal joint under a window sill only
• CA control joint filled with ceramic tile
• DThe joint between scaffold planks

Using the standard trade factor, how many nominal 8 × 16-inch CMU are required per square foot of wall?

• A7.0 units per square foot
• B0.5 unit per square foot
• C4.0 units per square foot
• D1.125 units per square foot

What is the purpose of a CMU bond-beam unit?

• ATo create a decorative raked joint on the wall face
• BTo form a continuous horizontal channel that can be reinforced and grouted as a beam or c…
• CTo replace flashing at every course
• DTo serve as a weep insert

A designer requires stack-bond CMU for an architectural facing. What construction implication is most important for the mason?

• AMortar may be omitted from all head joints
• BThe wall may ignore specified horizontal joint reinforcement because stack bond is strong…
• CContinuous vertical joints mean the wall must receive the specified extra horizontal rein…
• DOnly Type O mortar may be used in stack bond

What is the difference between anchored masonry veneer and adhered masonry veneer?

• AAnchored veneer is tied across an air space to a backup; adhered veneer is bonded directl…
• BAnchored veneer uses no ties; adhered veneer uses shelf angles only
• CAdhered veneer must be at least 8 inches thick
• DAnchored veneer is used only below grade

What is the standard minimum clear air space behind anchored brick veneer?

• A1/8 inch
• BNo air space is required if the brick is painted
• C1 inch, kept reasonably clear of mortar droppings
• D8 inches, fully grouted

Corrugated sheet-metal veneer ties are generally limited to which backup condition?

• AAny backup, including steel studs and CMU, at any height
• BWood-frame backup on lower-height veneer; adjustable two-piece ties are used with steel-s…
• CUngrouted glass-block panels only
• DBelow-grade parged walls only

Which veneer anchor is appropriate for brick veneer on steel-stud backup?

• AUncoated 16-penny nails driven through the sheathing only
• BType O mortar daubs with no mechanical anchor
• CHousehold picture-frame wire
• DAdjustable two-piece anchors attached to the studs or to a continuous backup track