Chapter 8 Masonry and Ordinary
Construction Exam 2025 Questions
and Answers 100% Pass
What is masonry and its origin? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔Masonry units are inherently
resistive to weather, fire, and insects.
What is a drawback to the use of masonry? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔The hardness of brick is dependent on
the soil used in its composition.
What is a typical size for a brick? - ✔✔A typical brick size is 35/8 x 75/8 x 21⁄4 inches
(90 mm x 190 mm x 57 mm).
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, What is another name for concrete blocks? - ✔✔Concrete blocks are also known as
concrete masonry units (CMUs).
What is the most common size for a hollow concrete block? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔The allowable
compressive strength of brick masonry would be 250 psi (1.72 kPa).
What is the function of mortar in masonry construction? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔Masonry can be used to construct bearing walls that
provide the basic structural support for a building.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
Construction Exam 2025 Questions
and Answers 100% Pass
What is masonry and its origin? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔Masonry units are inherently
resistive to weather, fire, and insects.
What is a drawback to the use of masonry? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔The hardness of brick is dependent on
the soil used in its composition.
What is a typical size for a brick? - ✔✔A typical brick size is 35/8 x 75/8 x 21⁄4 inches
(90 mm x 190 mm x 57 mm).
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, What is another name for concrete blocks? - ✔✔Concrete blocks are also known as
concrete masonry units (CMUs).
What is the most common size for a hollow concrete block? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔The allowable
compressive strength of brick masonry would be 250 psi (1.72 kPa).
What is the function of mortar in masonry construction? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔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? - ✔✔Masonry can be used to construct bearing walls that
provide the basic structural support for a building.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY OLIVIA WEST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
