06.410.1312: Expansion Joint, Tile on mortar bed

06.410.1312: Expansion Joint, Tile on mortar bed This detail illustrates an expansion joint in a tile floor laid on a cured reinforced mortar bed over a concrete or wood substrate, with a cleavage membrane separating the tile assembly from the substrate.  The expansion joint is installed through the tile and through the mortar bed, all [...]

06.130.0104: Tile to Carpet Transition

06.130.0104: Tile to Carpet Transition This detail shows ceramic tile floor set on a cured mortar bed, and an adjacent floor finish of carpet, with a modular ramp threshold assembly at the transition between the two finishes. DOWNLOAD DETAIL

06.410.0111: The Bonding Patterns

06.410.0111: The Bonding Patterns This diagram shows sample bonding patterns for large format tile.  In each diagram, the larger tiles represent tiles larger than 15 inches on one side.  Designers should use caution when using tiles larger than 15 inches on one side and offset bonding greater than 33%, as excessive offsets may result in [...]

Efflorescence & New Building Bloom

During construction, water gets inside a wall system and causes initial efflorescence, or “new building bloom.” Remain calm: the wall will dry and the efflorescence will go away. Powdery or chalky white deposits or stains sometimes appear on the surface of masonry buildings. Called “efflorescence,” these deposits occur when water reaches and dissolves soluble salts [...]

Fire Ratings Explained: Part 1

ASTM E-119 Testing. Fire tests have been conducted on many masonry wall assemblies, so the behavior of masonry materials is well documented and predictable. To help prevent building fires from spreading and protect lives and property, building codes require that walls, partitions, roofs and floor/ceiling assemblies in sensitive locations carry particular fire ratings. These ratings [...]

Fire Ratings Explained: Part 2

Equivalent Thickness. Testing every possible wall combination is not feasible. The equivalent thickness method accurately predicts fire resistance. Part 1 of this guide describes ASTM E-119 testing, which is one way that building components such as walls, partitions and floor/ceiling assemblies qualify for fire ratings. When an assembly passes such a test, which usually is [...]

Fire Safety and Balanced Design with Masonry

Of all possible construction systems, masonry offers the utmost protection against fire. Masonry materials—brick, concrete block, stone, mortar, grout and tile—don’t burn, and therefore don’t contribute fuel to a fire. Masonry maintains its structural integrity at high temperatures, and heat transfers slowly through its mass. Depending on its configuration, a masonry wall can remain intact [...]

Hybrid Masonry & Steel Structures

Contractors and designers have long known that masonry and steel make good partners. Masonry is great in compression and steel is great in tension. Put the two together and you have a versatile structural system. Reinforced masonry structures are a staple of the building market and masonry veneer can be backed up by steel stud [...]

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