TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

DIVISION 4: MASONRY

SECTION 04 20 00: UNIT MASONRY

PART 1: GENERAL
1.01: SCOPE. This section covers concrete unit masonry where indicated on the drawings and specified
herein.
1.02: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
a. Concrete unit masonry work of the type and thickness indicated shall be provided, and shall be
properly coordinated with the work of other trades. The source of supply for materials which will
affect the appearance of the finished work shall not be changed after the work has started.
b. All concrete masonry work shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Uniform Building Code.
1.03: HANDLING AND STORAGE. Masonry units shall be handled with care to prevent chipping and
breakage. Storage piles shall be so located as to avoid being damaged by construction operations and
traffic. Cement and lime shall be stored off the ground under watertight cover until ready for use.
Damaged materials shall be rejected.

PART 2: PRODUCTS
2.01: MATERIALS
a. Concrete Hollow Blocks shall be of standard manufacture, machine vibrated and shall have fine and
even texture and well defined edges.
b. Unless otherwise shown on the drawings, concrete hollow blocks to be used shall conform to the
requirements of ASTM C 129-39 minimum compressive strength - 750 psi.
c. Mortar Proportions:
1. Cement mortar for laying concrete hollow blocks shall consist of 1 part portland cement, 1/4 part
lime and 3 parts sand.
2. Masonry grout for filling cells of concrete hollow blocks shall consist of 1 part portland cement, 1/4
part lime, 3 parts sand to which 3 parts pea gravel is added by volume. Mortar materials shall be
accurately measured by volume and thoroughly mixed until evenly distributed throughout the
batch, by means of a batch mechanical mix. The actual mixing time shall not be less than two
minutes.
d. Steel reinforcing bars shall conform to ASTM A 615 grade 40 unless otherwise specified.
e. Cement shall be portland cement of approved brand conforming to ASTM C150, type 1.
f. Lime shall be made with pulverized quicklime or hydrated lime.
g. Sand shall be clean, hard natural sand and free from deleterious substances.
h. Water for mixing shall be clean and potable.

PART 3: EXECUTION
3.01: INSTALLATION
a. Laying: All masonry units shall be laid, plumbed, leveled and accurately spaced. All units shall be
wetted before laying. The blocks should be laid on full mortar bedding and in such a way that no cracks
are formed between the blocks and the mortar at the time it is laid. Any horizontal and vertical CHB
wall reinforcements shall be anchored to concrete works by means of 9.5 mm round by 609 mm long
dowels. Embedding of anchor bolts, expansion shields, conduits, etc. shall be done as the erection
progresses.
b. Cutting and Patching: Cutting and patching of masonry required to accommodate the work of other
trades shall be performed by masonry mechanics.

SECTION 04 20 00: UNIT MASONRY

Page 1 of 2
 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
DIVISION 4: MASONRY

c. Finishing: All hollow block wall surfaces to be applied with plain cement finish will be cleaned and
evenly wet slushed with a wash of neat cement and sand followed by 1:2 cement mortar mix 3/8"
thick which shall be applied with a wooden float.
3.02: MORTAR JOINT. Mortar joint shall be uniform in thickness, and the average thickness of any three
consecutive joints shall be approximately 9.5 mm. Changes in coursing or bending after the work is
started will not be permitted. Exposed joint shall be tooled slightly concave with round or other
approved slightly larger than the width of the edge of the units, compressing and sealing the surface of
the joints.
3.03: JOINTING AND CLEANING. Upon completion of all work, all holes in joints of exposed masonry surfaces
shall be joined by completely filling with mortar. After jointing all exposed masonry surfaces shall be
wetted and then cleaned with a solution of 10 percent by volume of muriatic (hydrochloric) acid
applied with stiff fiber brushes leaving the masonry clean. Masonry surfaces shall be rinsed down with
clean, clear water.

END OF SECTION

SECTION 04 20 00: UNIT MASONRY

Page 2 of 2