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NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor — Practice Exam

Masonry: practice questions

Our NASCLA Commercial GC bank has 11 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1

Why are control joints placed in concrete masonry walls?

  1. To attach windows
  2. To control cracking from shrinkage and movement
  3. To support floor loads
  4. To provide drainage for water inside the wall cavity
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B. To control cracking from shrinkage and movement — They are usually sealed with backer rod and sealant.

Question 2

Why are masonry units protected from rain and freezing during construction?

  1. Cold makes the mortar set faster and stronger
  2. Rain cleans the units and improves the bond between brick and mortar
  3. It's only for appearance
  4. Wet or frozen units and mortar can lose bond and strength
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D. Wet or frozen units and mortar can lose bond and strength — Cover the tops of walls at the end of each day.

Question 3

What are the actual dimensions of a standard 8 × 8 × 16 concrete masonry unit?

  1. 7⅝ × 7⅝ × 15⅝ inches
  2. 7½ × 7½ × 15½ inches
  3. 8 × 8 × 16 inches exactly
  4. 8⅜ × 8⅜ × 16⅜ inches
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A. 7⅝ × 7⅝ × 15⅝ inches — Nominal dimensions include a ⅜-inch mortar joint.

Question 4

What is a bond beam in a CMU wall?

  1. A horizontal course of grouted, reinforced units
  2. A vertical control joint
  3. A steel lintel set over a door or window opening in the wall
  4. The top cap of the wall
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A. A horizontal course of grouted, reinforced units — It ties the wall together and distributes loads.

Question 5

What is the standard mortar joint thickness in most masonry?

  1. 1 inch
  2. ⅛ inch
  3. ¾ inch
  4. ⅜ inch
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D. ⅜ inch — It is part of nominal unit dimensions.

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