COLD WEATHER

MASONRY CONSTRUCTION

International Union
of Bricklayers and
Allied Craftworkers

International
Masonry
Institute

BAC CONTRACTORS

IMI-TRAINED CRAFTWORKERS

AIA POLICY
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available on request.
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construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material
of construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to
specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the
conclusion of this presentation.

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International Masonry Institute 2015

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. understand - code requirements for cold weather
masonry construction
IBC 2012/MSJC 2011
IBC 2015/MSJC 2013

2. learn - Industry Guidelines and Common Practice

3. apply - appropriate actions for successful results
4. learn helpful tips to plan for winter construction

COLD WEATHER
MASONRY
CONSTRUCTION

SPECIFICATION FOR MASONRY STRUCTURES

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.5 - Submittals
1.5 B. Submit the following:
3. Construction procedures

a. Cold weather construction procedures

BUILDING CODES

IBC: the legally

adopted model code

MSJC: the
referenced standard
IBC supersedes MSJC
at points of conflict
MSJC date will be
one or two years
prior to companion
IBC
2015 IBC goes
with 2013 MSJC
IBC & MSJC

2015 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE

CHAPTER 21 - MASONRY
SECTION 2101 GENERAL
2101.2.6 Masonry Veneer
Masonry veneer shall comply
with the provisions of Chapter 14
or Chapter 6 of TMS 402/ACI
530/ASCE 5.
SECTION 2104 CONSTRUCTION

2104.1 Masonry Construction

Masonry construction shall
comply with the requirements of
Sections 2104.1.1 through
2104.4 and with TMS 402/ACI
530/ASCE 5.

CODE COMPARISONS
IBC 03 & 06
but not 09, 12, 15
Chapter 21: MASONRY
Section 2104.3
Cold weather
construction

MSJC 02, 05, 08,

11, 13
PART 1 - GENERAL
1.8 Project Conditions
1.8 C. Cold weather
construction

CODE COMPARISONS

Beginning in 2009, IBC does NOT

have hot/cold weather provisions.
All are moved to the 2008 MSJC

WHEN MUST COLD WEATHER

PROVISION BE IMPLEMENTED?

IBC 2104.3 (06)

MSJC 1.8C (08, 11, 13)

Cold Weather
Construction

Cold Weather
Construction

The cold weather

construction provisions of
ACI 530.1, (etc.) Article
1.8C OR the following
procedures shall. . .when
EITHER the ambient
temp, OR the temp of
masonry units is below
40o F.(4o C)
Visible ice and snow shall
be removed

1. Implement the following

requirements when:
The ambient temperature falls
below 40oF (4.4oC)
Do not lay units having either
a temp of 20oF
(-6.7oC) or visible frozen
moisture

WHY 40 ?
The temperature at which
hydration of cement slows
and eventually stops
Supported by research and
decades of empirical evidence
Hydration is the ability of the
cement to take on water and
complete its chemical reaction.
No hydration = no strength
development
The chemical process of
hydration produces heat

PERFORMANCE TARGETS
Keep the mortar between 40oF and 120oF
Dont lay frozen units or allow the masonry
to freeze before initial set
Protect the masonry from freezing after
construction
Result: the masonry will perform as
expected

SPECIFICALLY
1. General Provisions

Apply to all types, all temperatures

2. Construction Provisions

Options available for how to meet targets

based on job site conditions
3. Protection Provisions
Care for the masonry during and after
construction

TEMPERATURE

Ambient Temperature: Current outdoor

temperature at the time considered
Mean Daily Temperature: Average of the
projected maximum and minimum daily
temperature, midnight to midnight
Anticipated Daily Minimums: Lowest
temperature forecast for the upcoming 24 hrs.

TEMPERATURE

Ambient temperature
Construction
Mean Daily Temperature
Protection, ungrouted masonry
Anticipated Daily Minimum
Protection, grouted masonry

TEMPERATURE
Anticipated Daily
Minimum
Lowest temp
forecast for the
upcoming 24 hrs.
considered for protection,
grouted masonry

54 + 36 / 2 = 45
Mean Daily Temperature
Average of the projected
maximum and minimum daily
temperature, midnight to midnight
considered for protection,
ungrouted masonry

Ambient Temperature
Current outdoor
temperature at the time
considered.
considered for construction

TEMPERATURE
Anticipated Daily Minimum
Lowest temp forecast for the
upcoming 24 hours

considered for protection,

grouted masonry

GENERAL PROVISIONS
Keep units and other materials dry
Do not lay frozen units (units < 20o) or
those with visible ice or snow
Do not overheat water or aggregates
It is not necessary to heat grout materials
unless their temps are below 32o

Keep units and other

materials dry

Do not lay frozen units

or those with visible ice
or snow

protected

not protected

CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS
40o 32o F
Do not lay glass
units below 40o
Heat sand OR water
to achieve mortar
temps of 40o 120o
at time of mixing

CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS
32o to 25o F
All of the above, plus:
Heat sand AND water
to achieve mortar
temps of 40o 120o at
time of mixing
Maintain materials
above 32oF until used
Heat grout aggregate
and water to keep
grout above 70oF

CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS
25o to 20o F
All of the above, plus:
Add windbreaks or
enclosures when wind
is above 15 mph
Make sure masonry is
above 40o before
grouting

CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS
20o F and below
All of the above, plus:
Add auxiliary heat to
enclosures

Keep enclosed area

above 32o F

CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS

Heating water is the most

effective technique
because of its ability to
retain heat and impart
heat to other ingredients

CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS

Heated water used to mix mortar in the enclosure

CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS

Silos partially enclosed, heat provided

in mixing area

CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS

Mortar must be at least 40o at time of mixing

CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS

Metallic surface contact thermometer

PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

Whats good for the

masonry is also
good for the mason.

Productivity and
safety are improved
with enclosures

PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

IBC2104.7 Masonry
Protection
The top of unfinished
masonry work shall
be covered to protect
the masonry from the
weather.

MSJC 1.8B Masonry

Protection
Cover top of
unfinished masonry
work to protect it from
the weather.

Note: These provisions apply

regardless of temperature.

COVER UNFINISHED WORK

Barely adequate

Very good

Overkill

PROTECTION, UNGROUTED MASONRY

IBC 2006: 2104.3.32104.3.3.3.5

6. Where mean daily
temperatures are between
[all ranges down past
20oF(-7oC)], completed
masonry shall be
completely covered with a
weather-resistant
membrane for 24 hours
after construction.

MSJC 2011 1.8C

7. When mean daily
temperature is between
[all ranges down past 20oF
(-6.7o C)], completely
cover completed masonry
with a weather-resistive
membrane for 24 hr after
construction.

Note: These are reference locations for those using

the 2006 IBC/2005 MSJC and prior. These are found
only in the MSJC from the 2005 edition forward.

PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
Temperature Ranges for Protection Based on

Mean daily temperatures for ungrouted

masonry (forecast 24-hour average)
Anticipated daily minimum temperatures for
grouted masonry (forecast anticipated minimum)

PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
40o 32o F
Maintain glass unit masonry above 40o
for 48 hours
Protect newly-laid masonry with weatherresistant membrane for 24 hours

PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

32o 25o F
Repeats requirement
from prior temp range
cover for 24 hours

(no additional
requirements)

PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
25o 20o F

The above, plus

For ungrouted masonry, cover
completely with insulating blankets, or
equal, for 24 hours
Increase to 48 hours for grouted
masonry unless Type III cement only is
used in grout. (New in 2003 IBC)

INSULATING BLANKETS

Insulating blankets
cover top of wall

PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
20o F and below
The above, plus:
Maintain new masonry above 32o for 24
hours with heated enclosures, lamps, etc.
Increase to 48 hours for grouted masonry
unless Type III cement only is used in
grout.

PROTECTION OF MATERIALS
Enclosure on site made from scaffold framing and
heavy plastic sheeting
300,000 BTU heater
Thermostat set to 50oF over the weekend
6 pallets of block and drum of water

Heated enclosure

PROTECTION OF MATERIALS

Moving material into enclosure

Heated enclosure

PROTECTION OF MATERIALS

Ambient temperature in enclosure keeps masonry units warm

PROTECTION OF MATERIALS

Inside of enclosure

INITIAL RATE OF ABSORPTION

Recommendation:
5-25 g/min/30 in 2
In cold weather, bricks
with IRA of 25-30 may be
desirable

INITIAL RATE OF ABSORPTION

Using a high IRA brick
reduces the risk of
freezing by more rapidly
absorbing water from
the mortar or grout.
If a low IRA brick is
used, water content of
the mortar should be
the minimum necessary
for workability

18%

18.00% MORTAR

ONE SQUARE FOOT

MODULAR BRICK, RUNNING BOND
BED JOINTS
4 @ 12 x 3/8 =
18.000 SQ. IN.
HEAD JOINTS 8 @ 2.3125 x 3/8 = 6.938 SQ. IN.
2 @ 1.3125 x 3/8 = 0.984 SQ. IN.
25.922 SQ. IN. MORTAR

ELEVATIONS
DIAGRAM 01.410.0311

12%

12.21% MORTAR

ONE SQUARE FOOT

UTILITY BRICK, RUNNING BOND
3 @ 12 x 3/8 =
13.500 SQ. IN.
3 @ 3.625 x 3/8 = 4.078 SQ. IN.
17.578 SQ. IN. MORTAR

MORTAR JOINT MATERIAL TAKEOFF

REV. 08/10/09
2009 INTERNATIONAL MASONRY INSTITUTE

MORTAR
Cold weather retards the hydration of the cement
in the mortar mix.
Mortar mixed in cold weather often has lower
water content, increased air content, and reduced
early strength.
Mortar with lower lime content will allow the water
content to decrease more rapidly
Mortar with over 6% water content will experience
disruptive expansive forces if frozen, due to the
increase in volume of water when it converts to ice.

MORTAR

Avoid scorching the

sand or overheating
the water, which can
lead to discolored
mortar and flash
setting.

Avoid wide variations

in mortar temps,
causing variations in
tooling times and
possible variations in
mortar color.

MORTAR
Highly
magnified,
frozen mortar
has fissures
that can
reduce
compressive
strength and
inhibit bond

ADMIXTURES
Accelerators are admixtures used to speed the
setting time of mortar and grout.
By increasing the rate of hydration, accelerators
increase the rate of early strength gain.
Avoid calcium chloride: it causes corrosion to
metal accessories and possibly efflorescence.

Safer: accelerators w/ inorganic nonchloride

compounds like calcium nitrite and calcium nitrate.
Avoid antifreeze: it reduces compressive and
bond strength of mortar.

EFFLORESCENCE

EFFLORESCENCE

MORTAR

Bond separation

MOISTURE RESISTANCE

Brick & mortar leak

Wall system must address moisture penetration

MOISTURE RESISTANCE

RECESSED COURSE

BRICK & BLOCK CAVITY WALL

MORTAR
WASH

International Masonry Institute

ARCHITECTURAL EFFECT
DETAIL 01.601

REV. 08/31/07

MASONRY
DETAILING
SERIES
800-IMI-0988 www.imiweb.org

MOISTURE RESISTANCE

RECESSED COURSE

MOISTURE RESISTANCE

FULL HEAD JOINTS

PRODUCTION
Production slows down, e.g. cut
rebar into shorter pieces to work
around enclosure
If contractor figured job with pipe
scaffold, (e.g. loadbearing) add 5-7%
more for cold weather construction
If contractor figured job w/
hydromobile scaffold, add 15-20%
for cold weather construction
If normal conditions call for 4
laborers for every 8 bricklayers, cold
weather conditions call for 5 laborers

FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS

FOR GOOD RESULTS

Code provisions
+ Planning
+ Skilled Execution
= Successful cold weather masonry construction

FOR GOOD RESULTS

For best masonry performance in cold weather

conditions:
Mason contractors: Plan ahead and submit a
plan, if required
Be flexible, the weather is unpredictable
Remember that top performance is the goal
and the code allows for the application of
reason and common sense.

MSJC-13 COLD WEATHER REQUIREMENTS

General Preparation and Construction Requirements: Store units and other materials in dry conditions off the ground. Do not lay frozen
units (those with temperatures below 20o F) or those with visible ice or snow. Do not heat water or aggregates above 140o F. Its not
necessary to heat grout materials unless their temperatures are below 32o F.

TEMPERATURE
RANGES

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Ambient Temperatures
(During Construction)

PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
Mean daily temps for un-grouted masonry, and
anticipated daily minimums for grouted masonry for
period following construction

40o F to 32o F

Do not lay glass units.

Heat sand or water to achieve mortar
temps of 40o F to 120o F, at time of mixing.

32o F to 25o F

No additional requirements beyond those above.

25o F to 20o F

Add windbreaks or enclosures when wind

exceeds 15 mph.
Heat masonry to 40o F prior to grouting.

20o F and Below

Maintain materials above 32o F until used.

Heat grout aggregate & water.
Keep grout above 70o F.

Add auxiliary heat to enclosures.

Keep area above 32o F.

Maintain glass unit masonry above 40o F for

48-hours.
Protect newly laid masonry with weather-resistant
membrane for 24-hours.

Cover new masonry completely with insulating

blankets, or equal, for 24-hours.
Increase to 48-hours for grouted masonry unless
Type III cement only is used.
Maintain new masonry temps above 32 o F for 24hours with heated enclosures, lamps, etc.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

IMI Tech Briefs,

Document 2.5.6
(Included in your
handouts)
BIA Technical Note #1
(www.bia.org)
NCMA Tek Note 3-1C
www.ncma.org)
NCMA Tek Note 1-2B
Portland Cement
Association (PCA)
(www.cement.org)

International Union
of Bricklayers and
Allied Craftworkers

International
Masonry
Institute

BAC CONTRACTORS

IMI-TRAINED CRAFTWORKERS

COLD WEATHER
MASONRY CONSTRUCTION