Report of the MCAA Technical Committee

ICC's Final Action Code hearings in Detroit, MI
On September 29th - October 2nd 2005, the International Code Council held their final action hearings to determine what will be included in the 2006 versions of the I-Codes (IBC, IRC, IPC, etc.) The 2005 MSJC Code and Specification were adopted by reference into the 2006 IBC and IRC. There were three modifications made to the MSJC in its adoption (lap splice requirements, AAC masonry and veneer seismic detailing) that are discussed in the following in more detail.

• Masonry lap splices - The lap splice design requirements for masonry were revised to be more consistent with historical lap splice design requirements in the Uniform Building Code. The required length of lap is limited to 72 bar diameters for strength design. For allowable stress design, the length of lap is 48 bar diameters, with a 50% increase in lap length for highly stressed regions. These required lap splice lengths are, in general, less than required by the 2005 MSJC and the 2003 IBC and are more simplistic to calculate.

Our Director of Engineering, Rashod R. Johnson, was one of a few industry professionals who testified against the amendment that would require longer lap splices in masonry construction. The ICC Committee agreed with our argument, and at least for the next 3 years or so, splice lengths should be more manageable. Lap splice lengths are expected to be reviewed in more detail in future standards and code hearings. So the battle is far from over.

• AAC masonry - AAC (aerated autoclaved concrete) masonry as a construction material was first introduced with the publication of the 2005 MSJC. While the MSJC contains design and detailing requirements for AAC masonry for all seismic design categories (SDC), the IBC arbitrarily limited its use as a load bearing shear wall assembly to SDC A only in commercial applications.

• Veneer seismic detailing - Based upon an analytical study funded in part by MACS, the 2005 MSJC veneer detailing provisions were revised to remove the required use of bed joint reinforcement in seismic design category (SDC) D. In its adoption of the MSJC, the IBC reintroduced that same requirement and further required that the wire be mechanically attached to the backup ties in SDC D and higher.

ASTM Ballots and Issues
The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) is the governing body that develops and publishes material standards that govern many aspects of masonry construction. At the most recent committee meetings this past June, our engineer, Rashod Johnson was voted non persuasive on the following ballot item:

"12.2 The manufacturer or the seller shall furnish specimens for tests without charge. The place or places of selection shall be designated when the purchase order is placed."

His negative vote was as follows:

"While I understand the need to remove the wording that is considered "contractual", I believe the intent of this section is lost. It seems to me that the intent is for the manufacturer to provide these test specimens as a part of their obligation to meeting these standards. For example, for a manufacturer to meet ASTM C216, they must provide these test specimens. That is the intent and removing the words "without charge" could open the door to unfairly place that burden on the contractor. Solution: Leave wording as is."

His negative was considered and voted non-persuasive on the grounds that the words "without charge" indicates that it is a contractual issue and should be removed from the Standard.

There are a multitude of items in these ASTM Standards that could be considered "contractual". Yet, the only one that has been balloted to be removed is the one that benefits brick manufacturers and distributors. We are not necessarily opposed to the removal of this contractual wording, however, in fairness; all "contractual" items should be balloted and removed all at the same time, not just the ones that benefit the manufacturers and distributors.

The ballot to vote Rashod non-persuasive is currently being balloted and the ballot closes on October 25, 2005. The results of this ballot will be debated at the Fall ASTM meetings in Dallas, Texas in December of 2005. There will be an ASTM task group conference call later this week to discuss this and other ASTM issues. If you are currently a member of ASTM or would like to join, contact Rashod R. Johnson at (847) 301-0001 to get more information.