Chapter 8 Masonry and Ordinary
Construction UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is masonry and its origin? - CORRECT ANSWER - Masonry is one of the oldest and
simplest building materials, its use dates back thousands of years. It originated from the simple
piling up of available stones that were found in fields.
What are the inherent resistances of masonry units? - CORRECT ANSWER - Masonry
units are inherently resistive to weather, fire, and insects.
What is a drawback to the use of masonry? - CORRECT ANSWER - A drawback to the
use of masonry is that the basic construction technique of laying individual units by hand is labor
intensive.
What are the materials that masonry units can be made of? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Masonry units can be made of brick, terra cotta, concrete block, stone, clay tile block, gypsum
block, and glass.
How is the hardness of a brick determined? - CORRECT ANSWER - The hardness of
brick is dependent on the soil used in its composition.
What is a typical size for a brick? - CORRECT ANSWER - A typical brick size is 35/8 x
75/8 x 21⁄4 inches (90 mm x 190 mm x 57 mm).
What is another name for concrete blocks? - CORRECT ANSWER - Concrete blocks are
also known as concrete masonry units (CMUs).
What is the most common size for a hollow concrete block? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
most common size for a hollow concrete block is the nominal 8 x 8 x 16 inch (200 x 200 x 400
mm) block.
, What is stone masonry? - CORRECT ANSWER - Stone masonry consists of pieces of
rock that have been removed from a quarry and cut to the size and shape desired.
What are the most common types of stone used in construction? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The most common types of stone used in construction are granite, limestone, sandstone, slate,
and marble.
What is the allowable compressive strength of brick masonry? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The allowable compressive strength of brick masonry would be 250 psi (1.72 kPa).
What is the function of mortar in masonry construction? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
primary function of mortar is to bond the individual masonry units into a solid mass. It also
serves to cushion the rough surfaces of the masonry units permitting uniform transmission of the
compressive load from unit to unit and provides a seal between masonry units.
What are the five basic types of mortar? - CORRECT ANSWER - Mortar is available in
five basic types with strengths varying from as low as 75 psi (0.52 kPa) to as high as 2,500 psi
(18.3 kPa).
What is the composition of most modern mortar? - CORRECT ANSWER - Most mortar is
produced from a mixture of portland cement, hydrated lime, sand, and water.
How can firefighters' use of master streams during a fire affect mortar? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Firefighters should be aware that use of master streams during a fire can
weaken mortar, either from the pressure of the stream or from the flushing effect of the water.
What are bearing walls? - CORRECT ANSWER - Masonry can be used to construct
bearing walls that provide the basic structural support for a building.
What are the most commonly used materials for constructing load-bearing masonry walls in
modern practice? - CORRECT ANSWER - In modern practice, the most commonly
Construction UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is masonry and its origin? - CORRECT ANSWER - Masonry is one of the oldest and
simplest building materials, its use dates back thousands of years. It originated from the simple
piling up of available stones that were found in fields.
What are the inherent resistances of masonry units? - CORRECT ANSWER - Masonry
units are inherently resistive to weather, fire, and insects.
What is a drawback to the use of masonry? - CORRECT ANSWER - A drawback to the
use of masonry is that the basic construction technique of laying individual units by hand is labor
intensive.
What are the materials that masonry units can be made of? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Masonry units can be made of brick, terra cotta, concrete block, stone, clay tile block, gypsum
block, and glass.
How is the hardness of a brick determined? - CORRECT ANSWER - The hardness of
brick is dependent on the soil used in its composition.
What is a typical size for a brick? - CORRECT ANSWER - A typical brick size is 35/8 x
75/8 x 21⁄4 inches (90 mm x 190 mm x 57 mm).
What is another name for concrete blocks? - CORRECT ANSWER - Concrete blocks are
also known as concrete masonry units (CMUs).
What is the most common size for a hollow concrete block? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
most common size for a hollow concrete block is the nominal 8 x 8 x 16 inch (200 x 200 x 400
mm) block.
, What is stone masonry? - CORRECT ANSWER - Stone masonry consists of pieces of
rock that have been removed from a quarry and cut to the size and shape desired.
What are the most common types of stone used in construction? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The most common types of stone used in construction are granite, limestone, sandstone, slate,
and marble.
What is the allowable compressive strength of brick masonry? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The allowable compressive strength of brick masonry would be 250 psi (1.72 kPa).
What is the function of mortar in masonry construction? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
primary function of mortar is to bond the individual masonry units into a solid mass. It also
serves to cushion the rough surfaces of the masonry units permitting uniform transmission of the
compressive load from unit to unit and provides a seal between masonry units.
What are the five basic types of mortar? - CORRECT ANSWER - Mortar is available in
five basic types with strengths varying from as low as 75 psi (0.52 kPa) to as high as 2,500 psi
(18.3 kPa).
What is the composition of most modern mortar? - CORRECT ANSWER - Most mortar is
produced from a mixture of portland cement, hydrated lime, sand, and water.
How can firefighters' use of master streams during a fire affect mortar? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Firefighters should be aware that use of master streams during a fire can
weaken mortar, either from the pressure of the stream or from the flushing effect of the water.
What are bearing walls? - CORRECT ANSWER - Masonry can be used to construct
bearing walls that provide the basic structural support for a building.
What are the most commonly used materials for constructing load-bearing masonry walls in
modern practice? - CORRECT ANSWER - In modern practice, the most commonly
