TMS Responds

TMS Responds is typically a multi-page brochure containing answers to common, and not-so-common, questions regarding masonry. The goal of the publication is consistent with TMS’s mission – to advance the knowledge of masonry. By providing practical information in an easy to understand way, we are aim to assist designers, specifiers, contractors, inspectors and others with masonry design, construction, evaluation and repair.

If you have questions that you would like considered, please submit them to info@theme.masonrysociety.org.

TMS Responds can be purchased below and is free to TMS Members.

Recent Volumes

View All TMS Responds

Past Volumes and Topics

Vol. 21, No. 1 (March (2023)
– Corrosion of Embedded Metal Ties
Vol. 20, No. 1 (September 2022)
– Major revisions from the 2016 to 2022 edition of TMS 402/602		Vol. 19, No. 1 (June 2021)
– Calculating Losses for High and Low Strength Steels in Prestressed Masonry
Vol. 18, No. 1 (January 2020)
– Joint Reinforcement Types
– Joint Reinforcement – Heavy Duty vs. Standard
– Allowable Shear for Special Walls
– Flexural Tension Values
– Finding Info: Previous TMS Responds, Past TMS Journals, Errata		Vol. 17, No. 1 (February 2019)
– Tile vs Adhered Masonry Veneer
– Special Reinforced Masonry Shear Walls
– Structural Steel Lintels
– Movement Joints and Arching
Vol. 16, No. 1 (April 2018)
– Post-Installed Anchors
– Tornado Sheltering
– Hooks & SRMSWs		Vol. 15, No. 1 (February 2017)
– TMS 402/602-16
– Cast Stone Standards
– Moment Magnifier for Piers/Walls
– Existing Masonry Terms
– Air Entrainment in Grout
Vol. 14, No. 1 (March 2016)
– Detailing Vertical Reinforcement
– Masonry Detailing		Vol. 13, No. 1 (November 2015), with questions addressed on the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) and Reference Standards:
– 2015 IBC Changes related to Masonry
– 2015 IRC Changes related to Masonry
– Maximum Reinforcement Requirements in Areas of Low Seismicity
Vol. 12, No. 1 (April 2014), with questions addressed on the International green Construction Code (IgCC):
– How the IgCC applies to masonry
– IgCC sections that apply to masonry		Vol. 11, No. 1 (July 2013), with questions addressed on:
– Grout Voids – Finding & Filling
– Impact of 2011 MSJC Changes to the Allowable-Stress Design of Masonry Walls
Vol. 10, No. 1 (March 2012), with questions addressed on:
– Anchor Bolt Error related to Allowable Stress Design
– 2011 MSJC Update
– Masonry Provisions in the 2012 IBC		Vol. 9, No. 1 (June 2010), with questions addressed on:
– Distinguishing between Cavity Walls, Composite Walls, and Anchored Veneer
– Non Contact Lap Splices of Reinforcement in Masonry
Vol. 8, No. 1 (July 2009), with questions addressed on:
– 2009 IBC Changes related to Masonry
– Mortar on Relieving Angles		Vol. 7, No. 2 (August 2008), with questions addressed on:
– Terra Cotta Cracking
– Repair of CMU from Frozen Grout
Vol. 7, No. 1 (July 2008), with questions addressed on:
– Certification of Masonry Inspectors
– Preparing for the Inspection Certification Examination
– Who are Certified Masonry Inspectors
– Renewing Inspection Certification
– CEU Requirements for Inspectors		Vol. 6, No. 1 (April 2006), with questions addressed on:
– Facial Appearance of Masonry Walls
– Expansion Anchors in Stone
– Mechanical Consolidation of Grout
Vol. 5, No. 1 (April 2005), with topics on:
– 2005 MSJC – Major Changes		Vol. 4, No. 2 (September 2004), with topics on:
– Cold Weather Grouting of Masonry
– Grout Slump for Low Absorption Units
– Self Consolidating Grout
Vol. 4, No. 1 (June 2004), with topics on:
– LEED
– The impact masonry can have on LEED points		Vol. 3, No. 2 (January 2003), with topics including:
– Integral Water Repellents in Concrete Masonry units and Mortar
– Integral Water Repellents – Grouting Considerations
– Which MSJC to Use
Vol. 3, No. 1 (January 2003), with topics including:
– Fire Ratings for Masonry
– Fire Resistance Ratings of Existing Composite Masonry Wall		Vol. 2, No. 2 (September 2002), with topics including:
– Section Properties of Masonry
– Running Bond Masonry
– Standard Pilaster Sizes
– Adding Water to Grout
Vol. 2, No. 1 (January/February 2002), on:
– The New MSJC Provisions – an Overview		Vol. 1, No. 4 (October/November 2001), with topics including:
– Reusing Existing Brick
– Hot and Cold Weather Masonry Construction – Definitions and Provisions
Vol. 1, No. 3 (May 2001), with topics including:
– Problems with “clumping” reinforcement at ends of shear walls and in lintels
– Considerations for banding cmu with brick, and banding brick with cmu.		Vol. 1, No. 2 (March 2001), with topics including:
– Explanation of the IBC Maximum Reinforcement provisions (More detailed discussion)
– Locating reinforcement and grout in existing walls
– Further clarification on pointing stone masonry
Vol. 1, No. 1 (January 2001) with topics including:
– Repairing mortar joints on historic stone masonry buildings
– Defining “Plain Masonry”
– Using masonry to control sound
– What to do when joint reinforcing is inadvertently left out of concrete masonry walls