ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on reinforced masonry, made of concrete masonry units. Masonry units are made from a wide variety of materials; the two most common are clay and cement based. Chartres Cathedral in France built between ad 1194 and 1260 is an early example of structural innovations in masonry construction. Masonry continues to be used extensively in building construction throughout the world. Buildings were simple wood or stone buildings clustered together and located in defensible sites. Early stone structures were built by stacking loose rocks found near the building site and topped with a thatch or sod roof. Masonry consists of bricks, mortar, grout, and reinforcing steel. Mortar is troweled into place between masonry units. Masonry strength is a function of the composite effect of the masonry unit, mortar, and grout. Concrete masonry unit standards indirectly address weathering by limiting water adsorption.
