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MCAA Masonry practice questions

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Question 1Bidding Practices

In masonry estimating, which document typically governs the order of precedence when the specification and the drawings conflict on mortar type?

  1. The manufacturer's product data sheet
  2. The general conditions or the contract's order-of-precedence clause Correct answer.
  3. The subcontractor's bid proposal letter
  4. The drawing sheet with the largest scale detail

Explanation

Masonry bids must be prepared against a defined hierarchy, and the contract documents normally state which instrument controls in a conflict. Specifications commonly outrank drawings on material requirements such as mortar type, but only because the order-of-precedence clause says so. A bidder who assumes a different hierarchy carries the risk of a scope gap.

Question 2Bidding Practices

A masonry contractor is preparing a unit-price bid for a project with undetermined quantities of brick. What is the primary purpose of the unit price in this bid format?

  1. It fixes the total contract sum regardless of final quantity
  2. It caps the owner's obligation at the estimated quantity
  3. It replaces the need for a base bid on the specified scope
  4. It establishes the per-unit rate applied to actual measured quantities Correct answer.

Explanation

Unit-price bidding is used when quantities are uncertain, so the contractor quotes a rate per unit and the final amount is that rate times the measured quantity. The base bid is typically still required for the defined scope. This shifts quantity risk to the owner while leaving the contractor responsible for the rate.

Question 3Bidding Practices

Which item is most commonly excluded from a masonry bid and handled as a separate contract or by others?

  1. Reinforcing steel placement in the wall
  2. Structural steel lintels and loose lintel fabrication Correct answer.
  3. Scaffolding erection for the mason crew
  4. Mortar mixing labor

Explanation

Structural steel lintels and loose steel are typically supplied under the steel or miscellaneous metals scope, so masons exclude them unless the specifications assign them to the masonry section. Mortar, reinforcing placement, and mason scaffolding are ordinary parts of masonry work. Clarifying steel responsibility in the proposal prevents a costly overlap.

Question 4Bidding Practices

When a bidder adds a contingency line to a masonry estimate, what does that line primarily address?

  1. Known quantities that have already been priced
  2. Architectural fees owed by the owner
  3. The general contractor's overhead and profit
  4. Unforeseen cost risk within the bidder's own scope Correct answer.

Explanation

A contingency is an allowance for risk the estimator cannot quantify, such as access difficulties or minor quantity drift. It sits inside the bidder's price and is not a pass-through for another party's costs. Pricing known quantities belongs in the takeoff, not in contingency.

Question 5Bidding Practices

A masonry subcontractor's proposal states that the bid is based on a specified block compressive strength. Why should the proposal name that strength explicitly?

  1. Because strength is verified only after final payment
  2. Because the strength is set by the mason, not the designer
  3. Because a higher specified strength can require different mix design and cost Correct answer.
  4. Because block strength has no effect on mortar selection

Explanation

Specified compressive strength of masonry units drives material selection, mix design, and sometimes unit cost, so the bid must state the basis. If the final specification calls for a higher strength, the contractor is entitled to an adjustment only if the basis was documented. Naming the assumption protects both price and schedule.

Question 6Bidding Practices

What is the standard purpose of a bid bond submitted with a masonry proposal?

  1. To cover the cost of permits and inspections
  2. To secure payment to masonry material suppliers
  3. To guarantee the contractor will enter the contract if awarded Correct answer.
  4. To insure the owner against defective workmanship after completion

Explanation

A bid bond assures the owner that the successful bidder will execute the contract and provide required performance security. It does not cover construction defects or supplier payment, which are addressed by other instruments. Bid bonds are typically a small percentage of the bid amount.

Question 7Bidding Practices

During a pre-bid review, an estimator notices a wall section showing a cavity that is not dimensioned. What is the most appropriate bidder action?

  1. Submit a request for information or clarification before bid opening Correct answer.
  2. Ignore the cavity because it does not affect unit count
  3. Price the wall as solid grout to be conservative
  4. Assume the smallest cavity that meets code and note it in the proposal

Explanation

Ambiguities in the contract documents should be raised through the formal clarification process before bids close. Doing so produces a documented answer that all bidders can price consistently. Silent assumptions create disputes later and may make the bid nonresponsive.

Question 8Bidding Practices

Which cost item is properly classified as a direct cost in a masonry estimate?

  1. Builder's risk insurance premium
  2. Straight-time wages of the mason tenders on the project Correct answer.
  3. Home office rent
  4. Company-wide advertising

Explanation

Direct costs are those traceable to the specific project, such as production labor, materials, and equipment used on site. Home office rent and advertising are general and administrative costs recovered through overhead. Builder's risk is typically the owner's or general contractor's cost.

Question 9Bidding Practices

An estimator is converting a brick takeoff to purchase quantity. Which allowance is normally added to the net count to cover breakage and cutting waste?

  1. The reinforcement weight converted to units
  2. A waste or breakage percentage applied to the net unit count Correct answer.
  3. A deduction for openings already taken off
  4. The mortar volume expressed as a unit count

Explanation

Purchased quantity must exceed the net measured count to cover breakage, cutting, and handling loss. The allowance is expressed as a percentage of net quantity and varies with unit type and detailing complexity. Mortar and reinforcement are separate line items and cannot substitute for a waste allowance.

Question 10Bidding Practices

A project requires mockup panels that will remain as part of the finished work. How should the estimator treat the mockup in the bid?

  1. Price it as temporary work with no material cost
  2. Include the labor and material for the panel in the base bid Correct answer.
  3. Exclude it because mockups are always owner-furnished
  4. Add it as an alternate only if the owner requests it

Explanation

When the specification states the mockup becomes part of the permanent work, its labor and material belong in the base bid. Treating it as temporary work understates material and leaves the panel unpriced. Alternates are for optional scope, not for required work.

Question 11Bidding Practices

In a masonry bid, what does the term "add alternate" refer to?

  1. A deduction taken for value engineering already accepted
  2. A price adjustment offered for optional scope the owner may select Correct answer.
  3. A contingency held back by the general contractor
  4. A required change order issued after award

Explanation

Add alternates let the owner evaluate optional scope, such as an upgraded veneer, by comparing priced additions. The owner may accept or reject each alternate at award. They differ from change orders, which are issued after the contract exists.

Question 12Bidding Practices

A general contractor's bid form requires masonry pricing per square foot of wall area. Why must the estimator confirm what the square footage includes before pricing?

  1. Because square footage pricing is prohibited on public work
  2. Because unit prices are always higher than area prices
  3. Because area pricing eliminates the need for a takeoff
  4. Because the measure may or may not include openings, corners, or scaffolding Correct answer.

Explanation

Area-based pricing is only comparable when both parties measure the same way, so the estimator must confirm treatment of openings, corner deductions, and access. A mismatch in measurement basis can swing the price substantially. The takeoff is still required to build up the area rate.

Question 13Bidding Practices

Which factor most directly increases masonry labor productivity risk in a bid?

  1. Standard coursing with repetitive wall heights
  2. Extensive cutting and bonding at many small openings Correct answer.
  3. Ample crane access to the work face
  4. A single-story building with wide laydown area

Explanation

Complex detailing at numerous small openings forces extra cutting, layout, and fitting, which reduces units placed per hour. Wide laydown, repetitive coursing, and good access all support productivity. Estimators adjust labor factors to reflect detailing complexity.

Question 14Bidding Practices

A masonry contractor is bidding work in a jurisdiction with a prevailing wage requirement. How does that requirement affect the labor portion of the estimate?

  1. It applies only to the general contractor's own forces
  2. It replaces the need to include payroll taxes
  3. It has no effect if the crew is union
  4. It requires using the posted wage and fringe rates for the classification Correct answer.

Explanation

Prevailing wage laws require payment of the posted wage and fringe benefit rates for each classification on covered work. The estimator must build those rates into the labor cost regardless of the contractor's own pay scale. Payroll taxes and insurance remain additional labor burdens.

Question 15Bidding Practices

When a masonry bid includes an allowance for a specified material, who typically bears the risk if actual cost exceeds the allowance?

  1. The architect pays from the design fee
  2. The supplier absorbs the difference
  3. The allowance is adjusted per the contract terms, often to the owner Correct answer.
  4. The masonry contractor always absorbs the overage

Explanation

An allowance is a placeholder sum that is reconciled against actual cost under the contract's allowance clause, usually adjusting the contract price. The bidder carries risk only for items it failed to identify as allowances. The supplier and architect have no role in funding the overage.

Question 16Bidding Practices

An estimator is deciding how to price a masonry project with a compressed schedule requiring overtime. What is the most defensible approach?

  1. Apply overtime premiums and shift the labor factor to reflect fatigue Correct answer.
  2. Exclude overtime because it is the general contractor's risk
  3. Use straight-time rates and hope the schedule relaxes
  4. Add the entire overtime cost to contingency

Explanation

Accelerated schedules raise labor cost through premium pay and reduced productivity from extended hours. The estimate should price the premium directly and adjust the labor factor for fatigue rather than burying it in contingency. Contingency is for unidentified risk, not a known scheduling condition.

Question 17Bidding Practices

Which statement best describes the role of a quantity takeoff in preparing a masonry bid?

  1. It converts drawings and specifications into measured quantities for pricing Correct answer.
  2. It establishes the legal scope of the subcontract
  3. It determines the owner's financing cost
  4. It replaces the need to review the specification

Explanation

The takeoff is the measurement step that translates documents into quantities the estimator can price with labor, material, and equipment rates. It does not define legal scope; the contract documents do. Specification review is a separate, essential input to the takeoff.

Question 18Bidding Practices

A bidder plans to use a substitution for a specified masonry anchor. What is the correct bid-time action?

  1. Bid the substitute and note it only in the transmittal after award
  2. Refuse to bid the project
  3. Bid the specified product and submit the substitution request per the process Correct answer.
  4. Bid the substitute silently and install it after award

Explanation

Bids must be based on the specified products unless the substitution is approved through the stated process, usually before bid or during a defined window. Bidding a silent substitute creates a nonconforming bid and possible rejection. The specification's substitution clause controls timing and documentation.

Question 19Bidding Practices

A masonry contractor's bid is significantly lower than the other bidders. What is the general contractor most likely to do before awarding?

  1. Ask the owner to raise the other bids
  2. Reject the bid as nonresponsive
  3. Perform a scope review to confirm the bid covers the full masonry scope Correct answer.
  4. Award immediately because low price is always favorable

Explanation

A low bid often signals a scope gap, so the general contractor compares the proposal against the scope and clarifications before award. Confirming inclusions and exclusions protects both parties from later disputes. Low price alone is not grounds for rejection.

Question 20Bidding Practices

Which of the following best explains why masonry bidders include a list of clarifications and exclusions in their proposal?

  1. To reduce the bid amount after award
  2. To define the assumptions on which the price is based Correct answer.
  3. To transfer all design responsibility to the owner
  4. To satisfy a requirement that bids be nonbinding

Explanation

Clarifications and exclusions document the basis of the bid so that price and scope can be compared fairly and disputes resolved later. They do not lower the price after award or shift design responsibility. A clear basis statement is a hallmark of a professional masonry proposal.

Question 21Codes and Standards

Under the TMS 402/602 family of standards, what is the minimum specified compressive strength f'm for structural masonry, unless a higher value is required by design?

  1. 1,500 psi Correct answer.
  2. 2,500 psi
  3. 1,000 psi
  4. 2,000 psi

Explanation

TMS 402 establishes a floor of 1,500 psi for the specified compressive strength of masonry used in structural design, though individual elements or exposure conditions may impose higher values. Designers may specify higher f'm, but they cannot design below this minimum for structural masonry.

Question 22Codes and Standards

In TMS 402, the slenderness ratio h'/r for a masonry wall is limited primarily to control which behavior?

  1. Second-order buckling and stability effects Correct answer.
  2. Differential movement at control joints
  3. Shear cracking along bed joints
  4. Water penetration through the wall

Explanation

Slenderness limits address the amplification of axial load moments due to lateral deflection, which governs buckling-type instability. Shear, water penetration, and movement joints are controlled by other provisions and details, not by the h'/r limit.

Question 23Codes and Standards

Which ASTM standard is the specification for loadbearing concrete masonry units?

  1. ASTM C270
  2. ASTM C216
  3. ASTM C90 Correct answer.
  4. ASTM C476

Explanation

ASTM C90 covers loadbearing concrete masonry units, while C216 covers facing brick, C270 covers mortar for unit masonry, and C476 covers grout. Matching the correct material specification to the component is essential when writing project specifications.

Question 24Codes and Standards

According to TMS 602, mortar for masonry construction is classified by which property?

  1. Compressive strength only
  2. Water retention at 100 percent
  3. Type designation based on proportion or property requirements Correct answer.
  4. Air content only

Explanation

TMS 602 references mortar Types M, S, N, O, and K, which may be specified by proportion or by property requirements. The type designation reflects a combination of strength, workability, and durability characteristics rather than a single measured property.

Question 25Codes and Standards

In masonry construction, what is the primary purpose of a horizontal joint reinforcement?

  1. To bond the wall to the foundation
  2. To replace vertical reinforcement in seismic zones
  3. To control shrinkage cracking and improve wall performance Correct answer.
  4. To resist vertical compressive loads

Explanation

Horizontal joint reinforcement is placed in bed joints to control shrinkage and temperature cracking and to improve wall integrity. It is not intended to carry primary compressive load or to substitute for designed vertical reinforcement.

Question 26Codes and Standards

What does the TMS 402 designation 'special reinforced masonry shear wall' primarily indicate?

  1. A wall constructed with a proprietary block system
  2. A wall with no grout in the cells
  3. A wall with a higher allowable compressive stress
  4. A wall detailed for ductile inelastic response in high seismic areas Correct answer.

Explanation

Special reinforced masonry shear walls are detailed with specific reinforcement and confinement requirements to provide ductility under seismic loading. Ordinary and intermediate walls have less stringent detailing and lower expected inelastic capacity.

Question 27Codes and Standards

Which document is the primary reference for masonry grout proportions and construction requirements in TMS 602?

  1. ASTM C780
  2. ASTM C140
  3. ASTM C476 Correct answer.
  4. ASTM C1314

Explanation

ASTM C476 is the specification for grout for masonry and is referenced by TMS 602 for grout proportion and material requirements. The other standards cover sampling, evaluation, and prism testing of masonry.

Question 28Codes and Standards

What is the minimum required compressive strength of mortar Type S when tested under ASTM C109, per TMS 602 property requirements?

  1. 1,800 psi at 28 days Correct answer.
  2. 750 psi at 28 days
  3. 2,500 psi at 28 days
  4. 3,500 psi at 28 days

Explanation

TMS 602 property requirements assign Type S mortar a minimum compressive strength of 1,800 psi at 28 days. Type M is 2,500 psi, Type N is 750 psi, and Type O is 350 psi, reflecting a descending strength hierarchy.

Question 29Codes and Standards

A designer needs a masonry assembly with high flexural tensile capacity in the bed joints and specifies a mortar with the highest strength classification. Which mortar type should be specified?

  1. Type N
  2. Type S
  3. Type O
  4. Type M Correct answer.

Explanation

Type M mortar has the highest compressive and bond strength among the standard types, making it suitable for high-stress and high-flexural applications. Higher strength, however, comes with reduced workability and lower flexibility, so it is not automatically the best choice for every wall.

Question 30Codes and Standards

In TMS 402, what is the purpose of the effective compressive strength f'm used in slender wall design?

  1. To serve as the allowable tensile stress of the mortar
  2. To account for the actual measured strength of the block only
  3. To set the minimum grout strength
  4. To represent the specified strength of the masonry assembly as verified by prisms or unit strength methods Correct answer.

Explanation

f'm is the specified compressive strength of the masonry assembly, verified either by prism testing or by the unit strength method in TMS 602. It represents the combined behavior of units, mortar, and grout rather than any single component.

Question 31Codes and Standards

Under TMS 602, what is the required minimum thickness of mortar in a bed joint for standard unit masonry?

  1. 1/8 in.
  2. 3/4 in.
  3. 1 in.
  4. 3/8 in. Correct answer.

Explanation

TMS 602 requires bed joints to be nominally 3/8 in. thick for standard masonry construction, with face-shell bedding requirements for hollow units. Joint thickness affects both bond strength and the overall module of the wall.

Question 32Codes and Standards

A project specifies prism testing to verify f'm. According to TMS 602, how many prisms must be tested to qualify a batch of masonry?

  1. Five prisms per set, with the lowest result meeting f'm
  2. Two prisms per set, with the highest result meeting f'm
  3. One prism per 5,000 sq ft of wall area
  4. Three prisms per set, with the average strength meeting or exceeding f'm Correct answer.

Explanation

TMS 602 requires a set of three prisms for compressive strength verification, and the average of the set must equal or exceed f'm. Individual results are also subject to limits relative to f'm to prevent isolated weak batches.

Question 33Codes and Standards

What does the unit strength method in TMS 602 use to establish f'm?

  1. The water absorption of the masonry unit
  2. The compressive strength of the masonry unit and the mortar type Correct answer.
  3. The tensile bond strength of the mortar
  4. The slump of the grout mixture

Explanation

The unit strength method assigns f'm based on the compressive strength of the masonry unit combined with the specified mortar type. It offers an alternative to prism testing when the required tabulated criteria are met.

Question 34Codes and Standards

Which condition requires the installation of a control joint in a concrete masonry wall?

  1. Where the wall is fully grouted
  2. Where the wall supports a roof beam
  3. Where the wall changes direction or height abruptly Correct answer.
  4. Where the wall is continuously reinforced vertically

Explanation

Control joints are placed at locations where stress concentrations from shrinkage and movement are likely, such as abrupt changes in wall height, thickness, or direction. They allow the wall to relieve movement without random cracking.

Question 35Codes and Standards

According to TMS 402, what is the minimum lap splice length for a No. 5 vertical reinforcing bar in masonry where the bar is in tension and the lap is not epoxy-coated?

  1. 40 bar diameters Correct answer.
  2. 24 bar diameters
  3. 60 bar diameters
  4. 48 bar diameters

Explanation

TMS 402 sets the minimum tension lap splice length at 40 bar diameters for uncoated reinforcement, subject to additional requirements based on bar size and location. Splices must also be positioned to avoid regions of high stress, such as plastic hinge zones.

Question 36Codes and Standards

In TMS 402 allowable stress design, what is the maximum permitted flexural tensile stress in unreinforced masonry when the mortar is Type S and the block is hollow?

  1. Equal to the modulus of rupture of the block
  2. A tabulated value based on mortar type and direction of stress relative to the bed joint Correct answer.
  3. Zero in all cases
  4. Always equal to f'm

Explanation

Allowable flexural tensile stress in unreinforced masonry depends on mortar type and whether the stress is normal or parallel to the bed joint, as given in tabulated values. Designers must not assume a single universal value.

Question 37Codes and Standards

What is the purpose of the TMS 402 requirement for a bond beam in a masonry wall?

  1. To serve as a decorative band at the wall base
  2. To provide a continuous horizontal reinforced element that ties the wall together Correct answer.
  3. To replace vertical reinforcement in the wall
  4. To allow drainage of water from the wall cavity

Explanation

A bond beam is a horizontally reinforced grouted course that provides continuity and ties the wall together, often at floor and roof levels. It distributes loads and resists out-of-plane and in-plane forces.

Question 38Codes and Standards

In accordance with TMS 602, what is the minimum required clearance between reinforcing steel and the face of masonry for a bar in a wall exposed to weather?

  1. 1/4 in.
  2. 5/8 in.
  3. 1 in.
  4. 1/2 in. Correct answer.

Explanation

TMS 602 requires a minimum cover of 1/2 in. for reinforcement in masonry exposed to weather, with greater cover required for certain conditions such as earth contact. Adequate cover protects against corrosion and ensures bond.

Question 39Codes and Standards

A masonry wall is designed with a slenderness ratio h'/r of 30. Under TMS 402, which statement is correct regarding the design approach?

  1. The wall must be designed as a slender wall with moment magnification Correct answer.
  2. The wall must be fully grouted regardless of design
  3. The wall automatically fails and must be thickened
  4. The wall may be designed without considering second-order effects

Explanation

When the slenderness ratio exceeds the threshold for neglecting second-order effects, TMS 402 requires a slender wall analysis with moment magnification. The wall is not automatically unacceptable; it simply requires a more rigorous design approach.

Question 40Codes and Standards

In TMS 402, how does the presence of a grouted collar joint affect the design of a multiwythe masonry wall?

  1. It requires that the wall be treated as two independent wythes
  2. It has no effect on structural design
  3. It reduces the required reinforcement by half
  4. It allows the two wythes to act as a composite section when properly detailed Correct answer.

Explanation

A properly grouted and detailed collar joint allows the wythes to act together as a composite section, increasing flexural and axial capacity. Designers must verify that the joint is filled and that the connection between wythes is adequate.

Question 41Codes and Standards

Under TMS 402, what is the significance of the plastic hinge region in a special reinforced masonry shear wall?

  1. It is the area where mortar type may be reduced
  2. It is the zone where grout is omitted to save weight
  3. It is the zone where confinement reinforcement and splice restrictions apply Correct answer.
  4. It is the region where control joints must be placed

Explanation

The plastic hinge region is where inelastic deformation is expected during a design earthquake, so TMS 402 imposes confinement and splice restrictions there. These details ensure the wall can sustain ductile behavior without premature failure.

Question 42Codes and Standards

A designer is evaluating whether to use allowable stress design or strength design for a reinforced masonry wall. Which statement best reflects the TMS 402 framework?

  1. Only strength design is permitted for reinforced masonry
  2. Both methods are permitted, and the chosen method must be applied consistently throughout the design Correct answer.
  3. The method is chosen by the contractor at the time of construction
  4. Only allowable stress design is permitted for reinforced masonry

Explanation

TMS 402 provides both allowable stress design and strength design provisions, and the designer may use either, applying one method consistently to the elements being designed. Mixing methods within a single design check can produce inconsistent safety levels.

Question 43Codes and Standards

In TMS 602, what is the required compressive strength of grout when the grout is specified by compressive strength rather than proportion?

  1. 2,000 psi at 28 days Correct answer.
  2. 1,500 psi at 28 days
  3. 3,000 psi at 28 days
  4. 2,500 psi at 28 days

Explanation

When grout is specified by compressive strength, TMS 602 requires a minimum of 2,000 psi at 28 days, though higher values may be needed to match the masonry strength. Proportion-specified grout must also meet this strength through the specified mix.

Question 44Codes and Standards

What is the primary function of a masonry anchor bolt as specified in TMS 402?

  1. To connect the masonry wall to the foundation or framing and transfer lateral loads Correct answer.
  2. To reinforce the mortar bed joint against shrinkage
  3. To serve as a vertical reinforcement splice
  4. To provide a drainage path through the wall

Explanation

Anchor bolts transfer lateral and uplift loads between the masonry and the foundation or framing, and their embedment and spacing are governed by TMS 402. They are distinct from joint reinforcement and from vertical bar splices.

Question 45Codes and Standards

Under TMS 602, what is the minimum specified compressive strength of masonry grout when the grout is specified by compressive strength rather than by proportion?

  1. 2,500 psi
  2. 1,500 psi
  3. 2,000 psi Correct answer.
  4. 3,000 psi

Explanation

TMS 602 permits grout to be specified by compressive strength, and the minimum specified value is 2,000 psi (13.8 MPa) at 28 days. This minimum applies unless a higher strength is required by the design. Grout proportion specifications are an alternative to strength specification.

Question 46Codes and Standards

According to TMS 402, what is the maximum allowable flexural tensile stress in unreinforced masonry when using allowable stress design and the masonry is not grouted?

  1. A fixed value of 100 psi
  2. Zero, because unreinforced masonry cannot resist tension
  3. The modulus of rupture divided by a factor of safety Correct answer.
  4. The compressive strength divided by 10

Explanation

TMS 402 allowable stress design permits unreinforced masonry to resist flexural tension up to a stress obtained by dividing the modulus of rupture by a factor of safety. The modulus of rupture depends on mortar type and direction of stress relative to bed joints. Unreinforced masonry is not limited to zero tension.

Question 47Codes and Standards

A project specifies prism testing to verify f'm. According to TMS 602, how many prisms must be tested to qualify a batch?

  1. Three prisms Correct answer.
  2. Six prisms
  3. One prism
  4. Two prisms

Explanation

TMS 602 requires that a set of three prisms be tested to qualify a batch for compressive strength. The average of the three must meet or exceed f'm, and no individual prism may fall below a specified percentage. This provides a statistical basis for acceptance.

Question 48Codes and Standards

According to TMS 402, what is the minimum lap splice length for a No. 5 vertical reinforcing bar in masonry where the bar is not epoxy-coated and the masonry is grouted?

  1. 30 in.
  2. 24 bar diameters
  3. The development length of the bar Correct answer.
  4. 12 in.

Explanation

TMS 402 requires lap splices to be at least the development length of the bar in tension or compression, as applicable. The development length depends on bar size, grout strength, and cover. A fixed length such as 12 in. is not the general requirement.

Question 49Codes and Standards

In TMS 402 allowable stress design, what is the maximum permitted flexural tensile stress in unreinforced masonry when the stress is perpendicular to the bed joints?

  1. The modulus of rupture divided by a factor of safety Correct answer.
  2. The compressive strength divided by 5
  3. A fixed value of 50 psi
  4. Zero, because tension perpendicular to bed joints is not allowed

Explanation

TMS 402 permits flexural tension perpendicular to bed joints up to the modulus of rupture divided by a factor of safety. The modulus of rupture for this direction is typically lower than for stress parallel to bed joints. The allowable is not zero.

Question 50Codes and Standards

In accordance with TMS 602, what is the minimum required clearance between reinforcing steel and the face of masonry for a bar not exposed to weather or earth?

  1. 1/2 in. Correct answer.
  2. 1-1/2 in.
  3. 3/4 in.
  4. 1 in.

Explanation

TMS 602 specifies a minimum cover of 1/2 in. for reinforcement not exposed to weather or earth. This cover protects the bar and ensures bond. Greater cover is required for bars exposed to weather or earth.