Masonry Magazine December 1995 Page. 16
Portland Cement Association
pca
TROWEL TIPS
an aid to the masonry industry
Workmanship
Part I, Preparing for Quality
Introduction
Workmanship can be defined as the art or skill of the craftsman in producing something, or it can mean the quality imparted to something in the process of making. Both of these definitions are applicable to workmanship as applied to masonry construction. The mason uses his skill (workmanship) to place mortar and units together to construct a masonry element or structure. The quality (workmanship) of that construction is, to a large part, a product of his effort and skill.
However, achieving a high level of quality on a masonry project requires more than the skill of the mason in placing units in a wall. It is the result of a team effort that requires a support structure including coherent plans, specifications, and drawings; compatible materials; and effective construction management. This document focuses on the planning and preparation required on the part of the mason contractor and his support team of foremen and laborers to establish a work environment in which the mason can construct masonry to an optimum level of quality.
Preconstruction Planning
Careful planning helps to assure achievement of desired goals. This generalization can certainly be applied to masonry construction. The mason contractor should carefully check the plans and specifications and should note any inconsistencies contained in the project documents related to the installation of the masonry. These inconsistencies should be brought to the attention of the owner's representative prior to bid and resolved before bid date. It is prudent to confirm such communication in writing. Examples of the kinds of inconsistencies to look for include: omission of adequate drawings and details, conflicting requirements given for masonry materials in the project specifications compared to those indicated by the drawings, or potential difficulties in coordinating installation of the masonry with other building elements.
Fig. 1 Commitment to quality construction requires a team effort.
Fig. 2 This mock-up contains construction details used in the project.
Submittals and Mock-ups.
The mason contractor also needs to make certain that required submittals are filed and approved prior to starting the work. Depending on the project, owner approval of a masonry sample panel or a mock-up may be required prior to the start of construction. Sometimes the sample panel is viewed only as a means of confirming the selection of masonry materials for a project.