TEK Notes

Home > Additional Tools > NCMA Technical (TEK) Notes

TEK Notes are regularly updated by the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) and offer a broad range of technical information and "best practices".

1. Building Codes & Specifications (click below to view PDF)

1-1F ASTM Specifications for Concrete Masonry Units (4-2012)

1-2C Specification for Masonry Structures (2-2010)

1-3D Building Code Requirements for Concrete Masonry (9-2011)

1-4 Glossary of Concrete Masonry Terms (2004)

2. Concrete Masonry Unit Properties, Shapes, & Sizes (click below to view PDF)

2-1A Typical Sizes and Shapes of Concrete Masonry Units (2002)

2-2B Considerations for Using Specialty Concrete Masonry Units (7-2010)

2-3A Architectural Concrete Masonry Units (2001)

2-4C Segmental Retaining Wall Units (2-2015)

2-5B New CM Unit Configurations Under ASTM C90 (10-2012)

3. Construction (click below to view PDF)

3-1C All-Weather Concrete Masonry Construction (2002)

3-2A Grouting Concrete Masonry Walls (2005)

3-3B Hybrid Concrete Masonry Construction Details (2009)

3-4C Bracing Concrete Masonry Walls Under Construction (2014)

3-5A Surface Bonded Concrete Masonry Construction (1998)

3-6C Concrete Masonry Veneers (1-2012)

3-7A Concrete Masonry Fireplaces (2003)

3-8A Concrete Masonry Construction (2001)

3-9A Strategies for Termite Resistance (2000)

3-10A Metric Concrete Masonry Construction (2008)

3-11 Concrete Masonry Basement Wall Construction (2001)

3-12 Construction of High-Rise Concrete Masonry Buildings (1998)

3-13 Construction of Low-Rise Concrete Masonry Buildings (2005)

3-14 Post-Tensioned Concrete Masonry Wall Construction (2002)

3-16A Concrete Masonry Screen Walls (2016)

4. Costs & Estimating (click below to view PDF)

4-1A Productivity and Modular Coordination in Concrete Masonry Construction (2002)

4-2A Estimating Concrete Masonry Materials (2004)

5. Details (click below to view PDF)

5-1B Concrete Masonry Veneer Details (2003)

5-2A Clay & Concrete Masonry Banding Details (2002)

5-2C CAN-TEK Clay and Concrete Masonry Banding Details (2014)

5-3A Concrete Masonry Foundation Wall Details (2003)

5-4B Concrete Masonry Residential Details (2002)

5-5B Integrating Concrete Masonry Walls with Metal Building Systems (5-2011)

5-6A Concrete Masonry Curtain and Panel Wall Details (2001)

5-7A Floor and Roof Connections to CM Walls (2001)

5-8B Detailing Concrete Masonry Fire Walls (2005)

5-9A Concrete Masonry Corner Details (2004)

5-10A Concrete Masonry Radial Walls (2006)

5-11 Residential Details for High Wind Areas (2003)

5-12 Modular Layout of Concrete Masonry (2008)

5-13 Rolling Door Details for Concrete Masonry Const. (2007)

5-14 Concrete Masonry Hurricane and Tornado Shelters (2008)

5-15 Details for Half-High Concrete Masonry Units (1-2010)

5-16 Aesthetic Design with Concrete Masonry (3-2011)

6. Energy & Indoor Air Quality (click below to view PDF)

6-1C R-Values of Multi-Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls (4-2013)

6-2C R-Values and U-Values for Single Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls (3-2013)

6-3 Shifting Peak Energy Loads With Concrete Masonry Construction (1991)

6-4B Energy Code Compliance Using COMCheck (02-2012)

6-5A Passive Solar Design Strategies (8-2006)

6-6B Determining the Recycled Content of Concrete Masonry Products (6-2009)

6-7A Earth-Sheltered Buildings (9-2006)

6-9C Concrete Masonry and Hardscape Products in LEEDTM 2009 (2-2009)

6-10A Concrete Masonry Radiant Heating/Cooling Systems (2006)

6-11A Insulating Concrete Masonry Walls (6-2010)

6-12C International Energy Conservation Code and Concrete Masonry (2003 & 2006 IBC) (9-2007)

6-12D Concrete Masonry in the 2009 Edition of the IECC (5-2012)

6-12E Concrete Masonry in the 2012 Edition of the IECC (On line only 5-2012)

6-13B Thermal Bridges in Wall Construction (11-2010)

6-14A Control of Air Leakage in Concrete Masonry Walls (2-2011)

6-15A Radon-Resistant Concrete Masonry Foundation Walls (5-2006)

6-16A Heat Capacity (HC) Values for Concrete Masonry Walls (6-2008)

6-17B Condensation Control in Concrete Masonry Walls (8-2011)

7. Fire Resistance (click below to view PDF)

7-1C Fire Resistance Ratings of Concrete Masonry Assemblies (2009)

7-2 Balanced Design Fire Protection (2008)

7-3A Firestopping for Concrete Masonry Walls (9-2010)

7-4A Foam Plastic Insulation in Concrete Masonry Walls (11-2013)

7-5A Evaluating Fire-Exposed Concrete Masonry Walls (6-2006)

7-6A Steel Column Fire Protection (1-2009)

8. Maintenance & Cleaning (click below to view PDF)

Maintenance TEK

8-1A Maintenance of Concrete Masonry Walls (2004)

8-2A Removal of Stains from Concrete Masonry (2005)

8-3A Control and Removal of Efflorescence (2003)

8-4A Cleaning Concrete Masonry (2005)

9. Mortar, Grout & Stucco (click below to view PDF)

9-1A Mortars for Concrete Masonry (2004)

9-2B Self-Consolidating Grout for Concrete Masonry (12-2007)

9-3A Plaster and Stucco For Concrete Masonry (2002)

9-4A Grout for Concrete Masonry (2005)

10. Movement Control (click below to view PDF)

10-1A Crack Control in Concrete Masonry Walls (4-2005)

10-2C Control Joints for Concrete Masonry Walls - Empirical Method (4-2010)

10-3 Control Joints for Concrete Masonry Walls - Alternative Engineered Method (2003)

10-4 Crack Control for Concrete Brick & other CM Veneers (2001)

11. Articulated Concrete Block (click below to view PDF)

11-9B Articulated Concrete Block for Erosion Control (7-2014)

11-12A ACB Revetment Design - Factor of Safety Method (10-2011)

11-13 Articulating Concrete Block (ACB) Installation (7-2006)

12. Reinforcement & Connectors (click below to view PDF)

12-1B Anchors and Ties for Masonry (11-2011)

12-2B Joint Reinforcement for Concrete Masonry (2005)

12-3C Design of Anchor Bolts Embedded in Conc. Masonry (12-2013)

12-4D Steel Reinforcement for Concrete Masonry (1-2007)

12-5 Fasteners for Concrete Masonry (12-2005)

12-6 Splices, Development & Standard Hooks for CM (2006 IBC) (1-2007)

12-6A Splices, Development and Standard Hooks for CM Based on the 2009 & 2012 IBC (2013)

13. Sound (click below to view PDF)

13-1C Sound Transmission Class Ratings for CM Walls (11-2012)

13-2A Noise Control with Concrete Masonry (5-2007)

13-3A Concrete Masonry Highway Sound Barriers (1999)

13-4A Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class of CM Walls (2-2013)

14. Structural - General (click below to view PDF)

14-1B Section Properties of Concrete Masonry Walls (8-2007)

14-3A Designing Concrete Masonry for Wind Loads (1995)

14-4B Strength Design Provisions for Concrete Masonry (1-2008)

14-5A Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Wall Design (2006)

14-6 Concrete Masonry Bond Patterns (2004)

14-7B ASD of Concrete Masonry (2005 and 2008 MSJC) (5-2009)

14-7C ASD of Concrete Masonry (2012 IBC & 2011 MSJC) (2013)

14-8B Empirical Design of Concrete Masonry Walls (7-2008)

14-9A Hybrid Concrete Masonry Design (11-2009)

14-10B Impact Resistance of CM Correctional Facilities (2003)

14-11B Strength Design of CM Walls for Axial Load & Flexure (2003)

14-12B Seismic Design Forces on Conc. Masonry Buildings (2005)

14-13B Concrete Masonry Wall Weights (8-2008)

14-14 Concrete Masonry Arches (1994)

14-15B ASD of Pier and Panel Highway Sound Barrier Walls (2004)

14-16B Concrete Masonry Fence Design (6-2007)

14-17A Software for Structural Design of Concrete Masonry (12-2010)

14-18B Seismic Design and Detailing Requirements for Mas Strs (9-2009)

14-19A ASD Tables for Reinforced CM Walls (2006 & 2009 IBC) (4-2005)

14-19B ASD Tables for Reinforced CM Walls (2012 IBC & 2011 MSJC) (7-2011)

14-20A Post-Tensioned Concrete Masonry Wall Design (2002)

14-21A Design of Concrete Masonry Walls for Blast Loading (8-2014)

14-22 Design and Construction of Dry-Stack Masonry Walls (2003)

14-23 Design of Concrete Masonry Infill (12-2012)

15. Structural - Foundation & Retaining Walls (click below to view PDF)

15-1B Allowable Stress Design of CM Foundation Walls (2001)

15-2B Strength Design of Reinforced CM Foundation Walls (2004)

15-3A Roles and Responsibilities on SRW Projects (6-2010)

15-4B Segmental Retaining Wall Global Stability (4-2010)

15-5B Segmental Retaining Wall Design (7-2010)

15-6 Concrete Masonry Gravity Retaining Walls (1995)

15-7B Concrete Masonry Cantilever Retaining Walls (2005)

15-8B Guide to Segmental Retaining Walls (12-2009)

15-9A Seismic Design of Segmental Retaining Walls (10-2010)

16. Structural - Multi-Wythe Walls (click below to view PDF)

16-1A Multi-Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls (2005)

16-2B Structural Design of Unreinforced Composite Masonry (2001)

16-3B Reinforced Composite Concrete Masonry Walls (2006)

16-4A Design of Concrete Masonry Noncomposite Walls (2004)

17. Structural - Beams, Columns & Lintels (click below to view PDF)

17-1D ASD of CM Lintels Based on 2012 IBC/2011MSJC (12-2011)

17-2A Precast Lintels for Concrete Masonry Construction (2000)

17-3A Allowable Stress Design of Conc. Masonry Columns (2001)

17-4B Allowable Stress Design of CM Pilasters (2000)

18. Quality Assurance, Inspection & Testing (click below to view PDF)

18-1B Evaluating the Compressive Strength of CM based on 2012IBC/2011 MSJC (6-2011)

18-1C Evaluating the Compressive Strength of CM based on 2015IBC/2013 MSJC (3-2014)

18-2C Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units (8-2014)

18-3B Concrete Masonry Inspection (2006)

18-4A Creep Properties of Post-Tensioned and High-Rise CM (2000)

18-5B Masonry Mortar Testing (8-2014)

18-6 Structural Testing of CM Assemblages (1997)

18-7 Compressive Strength Testing Variables for CM Units (2004)

18-8B Grout Quality Assurance (2005)

18-9A Evaluating Existing Concrete Masonry Construction (2003)

18-10A Sampling and Testing Segmental Retaining Wall Units (2-2015)

18-11B Inspection Guide for Segmental Retaining Walls (8-2012)

19. Water Penetration Resistance (click below to view PDF)

19-1 Water Repellents for Concrete Masonry Walls (3-2006)

19-2B Design for Dry Single-Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls (3-2012)

19-3B Preventing Water Penetration in Below-Grade CM Wall (9-2012)

19-4A Flashing Strategies for Concrete Masonry Walls (3-2008)

19-5A Flashing Details for Concrete Masonry Walls (3-2008)

19-6A Joint Sealants for Concrete Masonry Walls (1-2014)

19-7 Characteristics of CMU with Integral Water Repellent (12-2008)