West Virginia Masonry Contractor Examination

A masonry elevation is drawn at a scale of 1/4 inch = 1 foot 0 inches. A CMU wall measures 6-1/2 inches long on the drawing. What is the actual wall length?

• A26 feet 0 inches
• B13 feet 0 inches
• C32 feet 6 inches
• D6 feet 6 inches

How many standard nominal 8x8x16 CMU are required for a straight wall 40 feet long and 8 feet high, with no openings and no waste allowance?

• A360 units
• B320 units
• C400 units
• D450 units

When taking off CMU from an elevation, how should door and window openings be handled?

• ADeduct the opening areas from the wall area, then add back masonry at jambs, sills, and l…
• BIgnore openings; order the gross wall rectangle and use extras as waste
• CDeduct twice the opening area to cover cutting waste
• DCount only the openings; the field will fill between them by eye

A brick elevation is 24 feet long and 10 feet high. Using 6.75 modular bricks per square foot and no waste, how many bricks are required?

• A1,620 bricks
• B1,440 bricks
• C1,800 bricks
• D2,160 bricks

An 8x8x16 CMU wall is 50 feet long and 10 feet high. Deduct two 3-foot by 7-foot doors and one 4-foot by 5-foot window. How many units are required before waste?

• A493 units
• B438 units
• C563 units
• D625 units

An 8-inch CMU wall is 32 feet long and 8 feet high. Every unit will have both cores grouted. Using 0.23 cubic feet of grout per unit, how many cubic yards of grout are required before waste?

• A2.45 cubic yards
• B1.25 cubic yards
• C3.20 cubic yards
• D8.64 cubic yards

Mortar for 8-inch CMU with face-shell bedding is estimated at 8.5 cubic feet per 100 square feet of wall. How much mortar is required for a 60-foot by 8-foot wall before waste?

• A8.5 cubic feet
• B24.0 cubic feet
• C40.8 cubic feet
• D51.0 cubic feet

Which drawing typically shows CMU course heights, bond-beam elevations, and lintel locations most clearly?

• AThe civil site plan
• BThe plumbing isometric
• CThe wall elevation or wall section
• DThe electrical lighting plan

A plan dimension shows a 4-foot-0-inch door opening. The lintel schedule requires 8 inches of end bearing on each side. What is the minimum lintel length?

• A4 feet 0 inches
• B4 feet 8 inches
• C5 feet 4 inches
• D6 feet 0 inches

A wall is plotted 9-3/4 inches long and 1-1/2 inches high on a 1/8 inch = 1 foot 0 inch drawing. Using 8x8x16 CMU and a 5 percent waste factor, how many units should be ordered (no openings)?

• A936 units
• B1,053 units
• C1,106 units
• D1,170 units

What is the ASTM C90 minimum average net-area compressive strength for loadbearing concrete masonry units?

• A2,000 psi
• B1,500 psi
• C2,500 psi
• D3,000 psi

What are the actual manufactured dimensions of a nominal 8x8x16 concrete masonry unit?

• A7-5/8 inches by 7-5/8 inches by 15-5/8 inches
• B8 inches by 8 inches by 16 inches
• C7 inches by 7 inches by 15 inches
• D8-3/8 inches by 8-3/8 inches by 16-3/8 inches

What mortar joint thickness is assumed by the standard 8x8x16 CMU module used in estimating and layout?

• A1/8 inch
• B1/4 inch
• C3/8 inch
• D3/4 inch

In typical hollow CMU construction, what does face-shell bedding mean?

• AMortar is placed only on the two face shells, unless the project requires web or full bed…
• BEvery web and face shell must be fully mortared on every course
• CMortar is placed only on the webs, leaving the face shells dry
• DUnits are stacked without mortar and later parged

In running bond, how far does a standard 16-inch-long CMU typically overlap the unit in the course below?

• A2 inches
• B4 inches
• C8 inches
• D16 inches, so head joints align (stack bond)

Why does TMS 402 require horizontal reinforcement in stack-bond masonry that is not required in the same way for running bond?

• AStack-bond units are manufactured weaker than running-bond units
• BStack bond is permitted only below grade
• CHead joints align, so the wall has no overlapping masonry bond and must be tied by joint…
• DStack bond cannot be grouted

Where should vertical control joints typically be located in a long exterior CMU wall?

• AOnly at the exact mid-length of the building, regardless of openings
• BEvery 6 feet to match scaffold bays
• CAt changes in wall height or thickness, near openings, and at regular spacing so shrinkag…
• DNever in a grouted wall

What is a CMU bond beam?

• AA decorative scored face pattern
• BThe first course set in a full mortar bed on the footing
• CA continuous grouted course containing horizontal reinforcement, usually built with linte…
• DA steel wide-flange beam grouted into the cavity of a brick veneer

Unless the design documents require more, what is the commonly specified minimum end bearing for a precast or masonry lintel on a CMU jamb?

• A1 inch each side
• B24 inches each side
• C4 inches each side
• DNo bearing; the lintel may stop at the opening line

How does ASTM C90 classify concrete masonry units by oven-dry density?

• AGrade SW, MW, and NW only
• BType M, S, N, and O
• CLightweight, medium weight, and normal weight
• DClass I, II, and III firebrick

On a typical two-core 8x8x16 CMU, what are the face shells and the webs?

• AFace shells are the two long vertical walls that form the wall faces; webs are the cross-…
• BFace shells are the horizontal bed surfaces; webs are the head-joint ends only
• CFace shells are the grout; webs are the mortar joints
• DFace shells and webs are interchangeable names for the same 1-inch skin

What is the difference between a fully grouted 8-inch CMU wall and a partially grouted wall?

• AFully grouted means every cell is filled; partially grouted means only the cells that con…
• BPartially grouted means grout is mixed with extra water only
• CFully grouted means mortar joints are slushed; cells stay empty
• DThe terms are identical under TMS 602

Under TMS 602, when are cleanouts required at the bottom of grout pours, and what is the maximum cleanout spacing for solid-grouted masonry?

• ACleanouts are never required if the grout slump is 8 to 11 inches
• BCleanouts are required only above 12 feet 8 inches and may be 8 feet apart
• CCleanouts are required when the grout pour exceeds 5 feet 4 inches; for solid-grouted mas…
• DA single cleanout at one end of the wall is always sufficient

Unless the project specifies self-consolidating grout, what slump does TMS 602 require for conventional masonry grout at placement?

• A2 to 4 inches
• B4 to 6 inches
• C8 to 11 inches
• D0 inches (zero-slump dry pack)

When is fine grout selected instead of coarse grout in CMU cells?

• AWhenever the specified f'm exceeds 1,500 psi
• BFine grout is required in every 12-inch unit regardless of cell size
• CWhen the clear grout space is too small for coarse aggregate, per TMS 602 Table 6 and AST…
• DCoarse grout is never permitted in loadbearing walls

Which ASTM standard is the specification for grout for masonry?

• AASTM C270
• BASTM C90
• CASTM C476
• DASTM C144

What is the essential difference between low-lift and high-lift grouting of a CMU wall?

• ALow-lift grouts as the wall is built in pours not more than 5 feet 4 inches without clean…
• BHigh-lift uses Type O mortar; low-lift uses Type M only
• CLow-lift is permitted only below grade
• DHigh-lift forbids mechanical vibration

TMS 602 requires removal of mortar that projects into a grout space more than which amount?

• A1/8 inch
• B1/4 inch
• C1/2 inch
• D2 inches

How is a split-face concrete masonry unit produced?

• ABy saw-cutting a scored line in the wall after the mortar has cured
• BBy sandblasting a painted block wall
• CBy applying a stucco dash coat to a smooth CMU
• DBy manufacturing a double unit and fracturing it so one face has a rough, stone-like text…

What is parging as used in masonry construction?

• AA thin cement-mortar coat troweled onto a masonry face, often to improve damp resistance…
• BThe process of welding masonry reinforcement
• CGrouting only the bond-beam course
• DSaw-cutting control joints after the wall is built

Under TMS 402 corbeling limits commonly used with IBC 2021 masonry, what is the maximum projection of a single corbeled unit, and what is the maximum total horizontal projection of the corbel?

• AEach course may project a full unit length; total projection is unlimited if grouted
• BCorbeling of unit masonry is prohibited in all cases by IBC 2021
• CEach course may project 8 inches; total projection may equal the wall height
• DEach unit may project not more than one-half the unit height or one-third the unit thickn…

Which ASTM C270 mortar types are the usual choices for CMU foundation walls and other masonry in contact with the earth?

• AType O or Type K only
• BType N only
• CType M or Type S
• DGypsum plaster

In IBC 2021 Chapter 21 notation, what is f'm?

• AThe slump of masonry grout in inches
• BThe oven-dry density of a CMU
• CThe yield strength of reinforcing bars
• DThe specified compressive strength of masonry at 28 days

IBC 2021 Section 2101.2 requires masonry to comply with which TMS standards, in addition to the applicable requirements of Chapter 21?

• ATMS 402, TMS 403, or TMS 404
• BOnly ASTM C270, with no TMS reference
• CTMS 302 roofing only
• DAISC 360 in place of any masonry standard

For an exterior clay brick wall exposed to freeze-thaw in a severe-weathering region, which ASTM C216 grade should be specified?

• AGrade NW
• BGrade N brick mortar only, with any brick grade
• CGrade O
• DGrade SW

What is the difference among ASTM C216 Types FBX, FBS, and FBA?

• AThey are mortar types
• BThey identify only the brick color
• CThey are compressive-strength grades of 8,000, 4,500, and 2,500 psi
• DThey describe dimensional tolerance and appearance: FBX is extra-tight, FBS is standard f…

Which brick position exposes the long narrow face of the brick standing vertically (height of the wall face equals the brick length)?

• AStretcher
• BHeader
• CSoldier
• DRowlock

What is running bond in brickwork?

• AAll stretchers, with each course overlapping the course below by one-half brick
• BAlternating header and stretcher in every course (Flemish bond)
• CAlternate courses of all headers and all stretchers (English bond)
• DAll head joints aligned vertically (stack bond)

In common (American) bond, how are header courses typically used?

• AEvery course is a header course
• BHeaders are used only as the finish course under a window stool
• CHeaders are prohibited in common bond
• DA header course is introduced at regular intervals, commonly every fifth, sixth, or seven…

How is Flemish bond laid?

• AAll stretchers in every course
• BUnits laid without mortar in a dry-stack pattern
• CTwo stretchers then one header, repeating only in the top course
• DAlternating headers and stretchers in each course, with headers centered on the stretcher…

A masonry chimney passes through a roof. A ridge 8 feet away is 4 feet higher than the roof at the chimney. Per IBC 2021 Section 2113.9, what is the minimum chimney termination height above the roof at the chimney?

• A3 feet
• B4 feet
• C6 feet
• D10 feet

Why is modular brick estimated at 6.75 bricks per square foot of wall?

• ABecause each brick covers exactly 1/6 of a square foot including the joint
• BBecause IBC 2021 Table 2109 requires that factor for all clay units
• CBecause 7 bricks per square foot is rounded down by code
• DBecause the nominal module is 8 inches long and 2-2/3 inches high, so there are 1.5 brick…

A field IRA test shows a clay brick absorbs more than 30 grams of water in one minute on a 30-square-inch bed face. What should the mason do before laying the brick?

• AUse the brick dry so it can suck moisture from the mortar
• BButter only the head joints
• CSwitch to Type O mortar only
• DWet the brick so the initial rate of absorption is reduced and the mortar will not flash-…

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

• ARaked joint
• BStruck joint that slopes inward at the top
• CConcave tooled joint
• DFlush joint left untooled from the trowel

In a drained brick-veneer or cavity wall, where are weep holes placed and what spacing is commonly used?

• AAt the top of the wall only, 8 feet on center
• BWeep holes are prohibited by IBC Chapter 21
• COnly behind electrical outlets
• DImmediately above through-wall flashing, commonly 24 inches on center

Where must through-wall flashing be installed in a drained brick veneer so that the wall can shed water?

• AOnly under the coping of a parapet, never at grade
• BFlashing is optional if Type M mortar is used
• COn the interior face of the backup only
• DAt the base of the veneer, over openings, at shelf angles, and at other interruptions of…