Book on Masonry and Concrete for Residential Construction PDF

Concrete and masonry are two of the most widely used building materials in the world. Brick and stone structures date back to prehistoric times, and it is the durability of these materials which assured the survival of such architectural relics for thousands of years. 

Concrete and masonry are almost always a part of contemporary residential construction. From simple, low-income housing with poured concrete slabs or foundations, to high-end custom residences elements, from sidewalks and driveways to retaining walls and patios, concrete and masonry are a prevalent part of the suburban landscape. Because of the variety of materials which masonry includes – brick, concrete block, adobe, glass block, natural and cast stone – residential masonry construction spans a range of economic markets, architectural styles, regional customs, and service applications. 

Concrete is a fluid mixture of cement, aggregate, and water which can be formed into different shapes and cures to a hard and durable construction material. Masonry is construction of natural building stone or manufactured units such as brick or concrete block. 

All building materials expand and contract. Concrete and other cement-based products shrink permanently, and clay products expand permanently with changes in moisture content. Both materials (as well as wood, metal, glass, and plastics) expand and contract reversibly with changes in temperature. Since concrete and masonry are brittle, if construction does not accommodate this expansion an contraction, cracking and water penetration can result. Flexible anchorage and the installation of control joints in concrete and concrete masonry and expansion joints in clay masonry allow this natural expansion and contraction to occur without damage to the construction. 

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