The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario reports that the masonry rate group cost per insurance claim is 2.44 times that if all other construction class rate groups. Manual lifting of concrete masonry units is required for masonry construction, and the pay masons receive is often commensurate with the number of units laid per […]

Many office and institutional buildings use concrete masonry walls as their loadbearing elements. They are required to withstand loads coming from their roof structures and also caused by wind and seismic events. This research project will determine the suitability of such masonry walls when subjected to these loads. Further, this project will research to improve […]

Despite significant development of various construction materials, masonry is still considered as one of the most cost-effective materials. However, they are often vulnerable to wind-induced lateral loads caused during construction stage (within 1 to 2 days of construction) when the masonry is yet to achieve full strength. Temporary bracing systems are often used to support […]

Low temperatures in cold seasons generate diverse challenges for the construction industry in many northern countries. Construction based on cementitious material suffer from the low hydration rate at low temperatures and the possible damage caused by water to ice transition at below freezing temperatures. The common solution for this problem is to heat and protect […]