Are you requiring a structural masonry deputy inspector in Mission Viejo? We can help you! We at Deputy Special Inspections Mission Viejo are certified and educated in this field through the International Code Council. With years of hands-on experience, we are here to help whether it be a commercial or residential project. Don’t think twice in contacting us directly through our website, social media or phone number at (949) 616-8287 for a free Structural Masonry Deputy Special Inspection consultation in Mission Viejo California!
Structural masonry: what is it and how does it work? The purpose of structural masonry is to construct that have a structural function, using concrete masonry units (CMUs) set in a manner that is load-bearing, rather than non-load-bearing. In either occasion, the load from these masonry walls will ultimately be distributed to the ground and foundation.
Bricks, blocks, or stones may be used in structural masonry, which is typically joined with mortar. In order to achieve an aesthetically clean appearance and prevent excessive mortar droppings in the cells, protruding mortar fins should be removed as per the approved plan.
In addition to setting and arranging CMU blocks according to approved plans, horizontal and vertical reinforcing steel is also installed simultaneously. When masonry walls are built for a high lift grout placement, cleanouts are fashioned at the bottom to ensure that there is no excess mortar droppings or debris at the bottom of masonry walls. Before grout is placed, the contractor closes these cleanouts once our deputy special inspector verifies that the walls’ bottoms have been cleaned.
Reinforcing steel for structural masonry walls are typically placed in the center of cells whether they be vertical or horizontal to achieve minimum clearance. Acceptable lap splices, spacings and bar sizes are to be accomplished per approved plan with acceptable clearances. Slab dowels are never to be wet set or installed after fresh grout has been placed as this could cause a segregation of aggregates in the mix when installed at top of CMU walls.
We strive to make expressive grout samples to the best of our skills in order to attain what has been placed in a structural masonry wall. Whether it be using the pinwheel method or the block assembly procedure, we take into consideration that your grout samples exemplify exactly what was put in your structural masonry wall.
If special inspection is mandatory per approved plan, we guarantee that grout is internally consolidated at each lift where applicable during grout placement. Many times, vibrators are not always fully inserted into cells near the lowest section of a lift in order to attain an proper consolidation. Consolidation that is poorly done in masonry walls can cause voids in cells which can reduce its structural integrity. On the other hand, too much internal consolidation can be unfavorable to a structural masonry wall due to the fact that segregation of aggregate can occur causing an unequal mix distribution. We at Deputy Special Inspections Mission Viejo are certified and educated in helping to prevent this from happening.