Updated Masonry Handbook Includes Requirements, Specifications to 2012 IBC, TMS 402/TMS 602-11

From the pyramids of Egypt to Las Vegas’ Excalibur Hotel, masonry has provided a solid foundation of construction throughout the world. And for the past 40 years, the Reinforced Masonry Engineering Handbook—Clay and Concrete Masonry, has been the go-to guide for the industry.

The Masonry Institute of America (MIA) and the International Code Council announce the release of the seventh edition of the handbook, updated to conform to the 2012 International Building Code (IBC) and the TMS 402/TMS 602-11, Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Related Commentaries.

“This is the best edition ever,” said John Chrysler, P.E., Executive Director of the Masonry Institute of America. “The graphics are state of the art, and 25 percent of the handbook contains design aids, something that most other books lack.”

“This 708-page revised edition includes two complete masonry building design examples and design of masonry retaining walls,” said John Henry, P.E., Principal Staff Engineer for the Code Council. “The Reinforced Masonry Engineering Handbook is still the best masonry engineering book on the market since I used the 3rd Edition in college back in 1979. It’s a ‘must have’ book for practicing civil and structural engineers and engineering students. It’s the most illustrated engineering book I know of.”

The book, which sells for $99.95, includes detailed discussions of masonry components and materials, strength properties of masonry assemblies, gravity and lateral loads, and numerous illustrated design examples for the various masonry members.

“My goal as editor of this edition was to carry forward the legacy of the original author of the publication, James Amrhein, in providing a reference on reinforced masonry design that was for practicing engineers and written by a practicing engineer,” said John M. Hochwalt, P.E., S.E., an associate with Seattle-based KPFF Consulting Engineers who put a year and a half into the revised edition.

While his primary focus was to update the manual to the existing codes, Hochwalt said, “We also took the opportunity to reorganize the book for improved ease of use. There is now a more logical flow to make it easier for practicing engineers.”

The International Code Council is a member-focused association dedicated to helping the building safety community and construction industry provide safe and sustainable construction through the development of codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.

The Masonry Institute of America was founded in 1957 as a promotion, technical and research organization established to improve and extend the use of masonry. The Masonry Institute of America is primarily supported by California union signatory masonry contractors through a labor management contract between unions and contractors. MIA is active in California and throughout the United States in the development of national building codes, promoting new ideas and masonry work, improving existing building codes, conducting research projects, presenting design, construction and inspection seminars and writing technical and non-technical papers, all for the purpose of improving the masonry industry.