Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

50-408-710Bricklaying Basics 1st Year

Course Information

Description

This course introduces the masonry apprentice to the tools of the trade. Care and proper use of tools is emphasized. Mixing mortar, as well as the types of mortars, their strengths, properties, and uses are also stressed.The various types of masonry materials are covered, including how they are manufactured. Techniques covering workmanship and trade practices play a key role in this course, as well as an introduction to technical aspects of the masonry trade.

Total Credits

1.5

Course Competencies

Demonstrate basic trade skills

Assessment Strategies

by demonstrating basic trade skills and knowledge.

Criteria

you demonstrate proper trowel usage including loading the trowel, spreading mortar, applying head joints, and cutting joints for brick.

you demonstrate proper trowel usage including loading the trowel, spreading mortar, applying head joints, and cutting joints for block.

you safely and properly demonstrate cutting units with a brick hammer and brick set.

you diagram and explain the various brick positions and surfaces.

you diagram and explain block positions and surfaces.

you demonstrate the correct uses of line bars, pins, line blocks, and trigs.

you demonstrate proper line placement.

you demonstrate laying masonry units to a line

you demonstrate proper usage of striking irons, sled runners, and joint rakers.

you demonstrate basic inside and outside corner leads

you describe the correct sequence of alignment for building a lead

you demonstrate proper use of mason level

you follow safety guidelines

you perform all work to minimum industry standards.
Analyze mortar properties and characteristics

Assessment Strategies

by correctly identifying and describing the classifications of mortar, ingredients, types of mortars , strengths, and recommended uses.

by correctly mixing mortar.

Criteria

you describe the relation of lime to mortar.

you identify and describe the five types of portland cement as per ASTM specifications.

you define bond strength.

you describe the ASTM specifications regarding sand used in mortar.

you identify the four types of mortar, their strengths, and recommended uses.

you describe the benefits and proportions of air-entraining agents added to mortar.

you describe the various types of waterproofing agents added to mortar, and their benefits.

you select the correct type of mortar for a given job.

you describe the causes of efflorescence and how to prevent its development in masonry work.

you explain the importance of the proper water content in mortar.

you correctly mix mortar with a mixer.

you follow correct safety practices when mixing mortar.

you perform all work in a neat, professional, and timely manner, conforming to industry standards.
Describe types of masonry joints and finishes

Assessment Strategies

by describing the various types of mortar joints, and demonstrating proper tooling of the different joint finishes.

Criteria

you describe the five main functions of mortar joints.

you explain eight industry standards regarding mortar joints.

you describe cross joints.

you explain the purpose of collar joints.

you describe the conditions when maximum bonding and weathertightness occurs in joints.

you demonstrate application of bed and head joints to industry standards.

you describe the test applied to verify joint readiness for tooling.

you list the joint finishes in their order of weather resistance.

you demonstrate the correct finish of weathered joints.

you demonstrate the correct finish of struck joints.

you demonstrate the correct finish of concave joints.

you you demonstrate the correct finish of flush joints.

you demonstrate the correct finish of squeezed joints.

you demonstrate the correct finish of raked joints.

you demonstrate the correct finish of V joints.

you perform all work in a neat, professional, and timely manner

you perform all work to industry standards.
Cut masonry units

Assessment Strategies

by demonstrating proper, safe cutting procedures on a variety of masonry materials utilizing the masonry saw, brick hammer, and brick set.

Criteria

you list the important safety practices to be followed when operating the masonry saw.

you list the safety equipment required when cutting masonry units.

you list the advantages and disadvantages of cutting with wet blades.

you list the advantages and disadvantages of cutting with a dry blade.

you accurately mark the cuts to be made.

you make a variety of cuts on block by saw, hammer, and brick set.

you make a variety of cuts on brick by saw, hammer, and brick set.

you perform all work in a neat, professional, and timely manner.

you perform all work to given industry standards.
Analyze types of masonry materials

Assessment Strategies

by analyzing brick and the manufacturing process.

by analyzing concrete and lightweight block and the manufacturing process.

Criteria

you list some of the characteristics of modern brick.

you list the various steps in modern brick making.

you describe the various kilns used in brick making.

you list the raw materials used in brick.

you describe how the raw materials affect the properties of brick.

you list the six most important properties of brick, and define each.

you list and define the tolerances for the three types of brick according to ASTM standards.

you describe the characteristics and properties of concrete block.

you list the raw materials used in block manufacturing.

you list and define the three grades of brick.

you describe the manufacturing process for concrete block.

you describe the curing process for block.

you describe ASTM classifications and standards for block.

you describe the difference in actual vs. nominal dimensions.

you access a variety of concrete and specialty block.

you perform all work in a neat, professional, and timely manner.
Layout various types of masonry walls and bonds.

Assessment Strategies

by describing and laying out various types of masonry walls utilizing different bonds.

Criteria

you layout a cavity wall including all components to given specifications.

you describe the function of all components in a cavity wall.

you describe the properties of a composite wall.

you lay out a block and brick composite wall to given specifications.

you decribe the differences of structural pattern bonds and decorative pattern bonds.

you describe the advantages of dry bonding

you describe various brick positions and their application.

you describe and lay out a brick Flemish bond to given specifications.

you describe and layout a brick English bond to given specifications.

you lay out various decorative brick bonds to given specifications.

you lay out vorious block bonds to given specifications.

you perform all work to industry standards.
Point and parge a sample wall

Assessment Strategies

by pointing a sample wall to industry standards.

by parging a wall to industry standards.

Criteria

you identify where to point.

you remove old mortar to required depth.

you clean out joints.

you pre-wet joints requiring pointing.

you prepare the mortar.

you apply the mortar.

you finish the joint.

you clean the work.

you describe how portland cement mortar is applied and cared for until cured with parging.

you explain when and where parging is required.

you prepare the surface for parging.

you apply mortar 3/8 to 1/2" thick

you cove the bottom of the wall.

you perform all work to industry standards.
Clean masonry

Assessment Strategies

by cleaning various substances from different masonry materials with the correct cleaning agent.

Criteria

you list common masonry stains and the perscribed method of removal.

you identify the type of masonry to be cleaned.

you identify the substance to be removed in the cleaning process.

you select the proper cleaning agent and method.

you use the method of cleaning as recommended and approved.

you inspect the work after cleaning to insure that the job has been completed satisfactorily.

you perform all work to industry standards.
Analyze masonry reinforcement methods

Assessment Strategies

by describing masonry reinforcement methods and requirements.

Criteria

you list the advantages of reinforced masonry.

you list the structural benefits of reinforced masonry.

you describe the elements of reinforced masonry systems.

you identify and describe the uses for various types of masonry ties, and anchors.

you identify proper placement of reinforcing.

you describe the uses for fine grout.

you describe the uses for course grout.

you describe grout slump requirements.

you describe and list the advantages of low lift grouting.

you describe and list the advantages of high lift grouting.

you describe methods of pouring grout.

you define consolidation of grout.

you describe testing and strength requirements of grout.

you describe hot and cold weather construction requirements concerning grouting.

you describe acceptable and unacceptable admixtures for qrout.

you perform all work in a neat, professional, and timely manner.