PCA Announces Sixth Edition of Masonry Handbook

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

MarchApril 2008
Industry News

PCA Announces Sixth Edition of Masonry Handbook

The Portland Cement Association’s (PCA’s) sixth edition of the “Concrete Masonry Handbook for Architects, Engineers, and Builders” highlights recent advancements in concrete masonry, enabling the design and construction of state-of-the-art residential, commercial and industrial structures.

The manual reflects the most common practices for concrete masonry construction, from the latest ASTM reference standards to innovations in materials and
methods. A special emphasis is given to relevant codes, including the 2006 International Building Code and the 2005 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures, published by the Masonry Standards Joint Committee.

The handbook provides comprehensive coverage of materials – from units, to mortar, to grout. Relevant research and technical publications, including the National Concrete Masonry Association TEK series, are referenced extensively, offering both a thorough understanding of various topics and a key resource for deeper study.

For more information or to order, visit www.cement.org/bookstore. MD

Installation Starts Before the First Course
August 2026

Some of the most expensive masonry installation problems begin long before crews arrive onsite. By the time a project reaches the field, many coordination decisions have already been made. Dimensional conflicts, congested reinforcement, specialty materia

Designing for Performance: Key Considerations for Efficient, Durable Masonry Projects
August 2026

A successful masonry project starts well before the first stone is set. The craftsmanship on site matters, of course, but many of the decisions that shape the final result are made much earlier—during design, detailing, and material selection. Those choic

Change Orders: Standard Operating Procedure
August 2026

In masonry construction, change orders are not occasional events; they are guaranteed. Drawings do not always match field conditions, specifications can conflict, and real-world construction has a way of exposing gaps in design. At DRP Masonry, we operat

RFIs: Clarity, Communication and... Hierarchy?
August 2026

In construction, any project starts with drawings. Plans. Schedules. Specifications. Whether we're talking about new construction, additions, or restoration, there is a plan, there is design intent, and a way every piece of a project needs to fit together