Masonry is the Answer for Sustainable Schools In 2006, Spokane Public Schools opened new facilities - Lidgerwood, Ridge-view, and Lincoln Heights Elementary Schools. According to Greg Brown, AIA, Director of Capitol Projects for Spokane Public Schools, concrete masonry (CMU) was the “obvious choice” for the construction.

How Does The Use of Concrete Masonry contribute to LEED Certification? Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a voluntary rating system developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to evaluate a building’s environmental impact and performance. Concrete masonry can make a significant contribution to meeting LEED Green Building certification.

R-Values and U-Factors of Single Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls Single wythe concrete masonry walls are often constructed of hollow units with cores filled with insulation and/or grout. This construction method allows insulation and reinforcement to be used to increase thermal and structural performance, respectively, without increasing the wall thickness.

Durable Community Building for Generations For centuries, universities and educational institutions have been made of brick, block and stone. Today more than ever, masonry makes sense. Masonry buildings convey strength, quality, and permanence… the very things an educational institution stands for. Masonry is easy to maintain and energy efficient so it saves on long-term costs. And masonry construction is safe, resisting fire, weather extremes, and mold.

Detail Of The Month: Flashing Cavity Walls at the Foundation The primary role of flashing is to intercept the flow of moisture through masonry and direct it to the exterior of the structure. The choice of flashing material and the design and construction of flashing details, can often be as key to the performance of a masonry structure as that of the structural system.

Technical Resources Discover manuals, software and design guides for creating commercial and residential concrete buildings and structures that withstand the test of time, all available from the NCMA online bookstore.