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Hey Heidi

The RILEM tube test and Concrete Masonry – not good partners

Posted on February 21, 2019

Q: Is using a RILEM tube test the best way to determine the water repellency of a concrete masonry structure?
-Water And Leakage Test

A: Dear WALT: No. The short explanation is that a RILEM tube test measures the water repellency of a surface, making it suitable to evaluate the efficacy of non-water permeable coatings. While today it is generally used by the coatings industry, it originated as a way to provide the initial absorptive...Read More

Thermal Mass & Passing Code Using COMcheck™

Posted on January 22, 2019

Q: We are using COMcheck™ to have a bit more flexibility passing the energy code. What’s the best way to enter insulated CMU?
-Capacity of Heat Using Comcheck™

A:  Dear CHUC:  I’m so glad you asked! The default option for concrete block in COMcheckTM does not take into account alternative web configurations, so it’s generally not the best way to go when entering insulated CMU systems such as Hi-R® or Hi-R-H®. These systems have reduced webs which minimize thermal bridging...Read More

Continuous Insulation (C.I.): Not a Code Requirement

Posted on November 1, 2018

Q: Is continuous insulation required to meet the energy code?
-Continuous Insulation Myth Busted Again

A:  Dear CIMBA:  It is not. There are several options to pass the energy code; prescriptive, trade off (COMcheck™) and whole building analysis. Within the prescriptive method there are 2 tables which can be used to pass the code, the R-value and the U-factor table. Only the R-value table has the CI...Read More

Joint Reinforcement In Masonry Veneers

Posted on May 1, 2018

Q: We are designing a building using 4x8x16 polished CMU anchored veneer. In addition to the anchors, do we need to include joint reinforcement?
-Joint reinforcement In Masonry

A: Dear JIM:  YES! Concrete Masonry anchored veneers follow similar recommendations for crack control that structural CMU walls do. Movement caused by temperature changes, moisture-volume changes, de lection and/or shrinkage needs to be accommodated. Shrinkage cracks in concrete masonry aren’t a structural concern but an aesthetic one, though they could potentially...Read More

How It’s Made

Posted on March 1, 2018

Q: How are concrete masonry units made?
-Curious About Manufacturing

A:  Dear CAM:  At our facility we manufacture both structural grey and architectural units. Most architectural finishes expose the beauty of local aggregates and we have a variety of aggregate colors available to us. Deep blacks, grey speckled granites, stones that range from peachy to brown, and others that range from...Read More

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Hey Heidi

  • The RILEM tube test and Concrete Masonry – not good partners
  • Thermal Mass & Passing Code Using COMcheck™
  • Continuous Insulation (C.I.): Not a Code Requirement
  • Joint Reinforcement In Masonry Veneers
  • How It’s Made
  • Do Single Wythe CMU Walls Need A Vapor Barrier?
  • Keeping Single Wythe CMU Masonry Leak Free
  • EPDs and measuring the Environmental Impacts of CMU
  • Concrete Masonry Aesthetic Options
  • Concrete Masonry For School Construction
  • Code Based R-Values vs. Effective R-Values
  • Density & Concrete Masonry – performance variations
  • Concrete Masonry, Resiliency, Thermal Mass & Passive Survivability
  • Stormwater Management alternatives for an over budget, over crowded site
  • Fire Ratings, Code Compliance, and UL®
  • Type I (N-1) moisture control units
  • Concrete Masonry – Use less insulation with thermal mass walls

Sustainability and Resilience

  • Part 2: How LEED v4 impacts concrete masonry
  • Part 1: Concrete Masonry Is Sustainable

Hey Heidi Blog

Jandris Block
202 High Street | Gardner, MA 01440-3632
Tel. 978-632-0089
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