ICC MASONRY EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2025/2026.

ICC MASONRY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2025/2026.




Does not provide additional strength, but it does improve mortar plasticity, water retention,
water tightness, and bonding ability. - ANS Lime



What ASTM is the standard spec for masonry cement - ANS ASTM C 91



What ASTM is the standard spec for mortar cement - ANS ASTM C 1329



High strength mortar recommended for use in reinforced masonry below grade or in contact
with the earth, as foundation and retaining walls subject to high lateral or compressive loads;
compressive strength is 2500 psi - ANS Type M mortar



Is medium-strength mortar recommended for general use; compressive strength is 750 psi,
more flexible than S or M, which helps to reduce cracks in the masonry units and wall. -
ANS Type N mortar



Minimum compressive strength of only about 350 psi. Very workable, sometimes used for
repair. Generally limited to interior non-loadbearing applications. - ANS Type O mortar



Medium-high strength mortar for use in masonry where bond and lateral strength are more
important than compressive strength; compressive strength is 1800 psi - ANS Type S mortar

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,What ASTM is the standard spec for mortar for unit masonry - ANS ASTM C 270



What are the Two lime types - ANS Type N - normal

Type S - higher early plasticity and higher water retentivity capabilities.



IBC does not consider it an acceptable cement for use in commercial buildings - ANS Plastic
Cement



What ASTM Provides proportioning requirements for three different mortars: cement line,
mortar cement, and masonry cement - ANS ASTM C 270



What type of mortar Is not permitted for use in any SFRS for any SDC - ANS Type O Mortar



SFRS means - ANS Seismic force resisting systems



SDC - ANS Seismic design category



What types of mortar are permitted in SFRS for SDC, D, E, and F - ANS Mortar type M & S are
permitted



What types of mortar are permitted in SFRS for SDCA, B, and C - ANS Mortar types M, S, and
N are all permitted



What type of mortar is not permitted for use in any SFRS for any SDC - ANS Type O mortar is
not permitted



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, What type of mortar is permitted with use in glass unit masonry - ANS Type S or M mortar
can be used with glass unit masonry



Specially manufactured mortar must be used for what type of masonry - ANS AAC masonry
requires specially manufactured mortar in thin horizontal mortar joints



Horizontal mortar joints are called - ANS Bed joints



Vertical mortar joints are - ANS Head joints



Mortar must be used within how long of initially adding water to the mix - ANS It must be
used within 2 1/2 hours of initially adding water to the mix



Can you add more water to mortar mix - ANS Yes, but not after 2 1/2 hours



What does grout do? - ANS 1. Grout binds the masonry unit, mortar, and reinforcement
together to create structural masonry.

2. Provides some sheer, but mainly compressive strength to a wall.

3. Embeds reinforcing steel, which provides additional shear strength.

4. Fills empty spaces and voids.



What uses superplasticizer admixtures (and not just extra water) to make the grout soupy and
fluid enough that it can fill grout spaces without being consolidated by a mechanical vibrator? -
ANS Self-consolidating grout



Slumps for conventional grout and self consolidating grout - ANS Conventional grout has a
slump of 8 to 11 inches


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