Copublished with American Concrete Institute (ACI) and The Masonry Society (TMS)

Building Code Requirement for Masonry Structures, Specifications for Masonry Structures, Commentary on Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures, and Commentary on Specifications for Masonry Structures is a joint effort of ACI, ASCE, and TMS. The Code covers the design and construction of masonry structures, including: permits and drawings; quality assurance; materials; placing embedded items; analysis and design; strength and serviceability; flexural and axial loads; shear; details and development of reinforcement; walls; columns; pilasters; beams and lintels; and an empirical design method applicable to buildings meeting specific location and construction criteria. The Specifications covers minimum construction requirements for masonry structures, including: requirements for materials; the placing, bonding and anchoring of masonry; the placement of grout and of reinforcement. The Code and Specifications are written as legal documents so that they may be adopted by reference in a general building code. Because they cannot contain background details or suggestions for carrying out their requirements or intents, the Commentaries serve this function.