Question 1

Repointing should be started when the existing mortar joints are eroded or exposed to a depth of _____ .

Accepted Answer

A)  no more than ¼" 
B)  at least ¼" 
C)  ½" or more 
D)  at least 1" 
A)  no more than ¼" 
B)  at least ¼" 
C)  ½" or more 
D)  at least 1" C

Question 2

Which of the following statements is true for efflorescence?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is a deposit of acids on the surface of a masonry wall. 
B)  It can be prevented by using calcium chloride to accelerate the mortar setting time. 
C)  It appears as a white stain on brick walls. 
D)  It only occurs on walls that do not contain moisture or soluble salts. 
A)  It is a deposit of acids on the surface of a masonry wall. 
B)  It can be prevented by using calcium chloride to accelerate the mortar setting time. 
C)  It appears as a white stain on brick walls. 
D)  It only occurs on walls that do not contain moisture or soluble salts. C

Question 3

Stronger is not necessarily better when specifying mortar types.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

Even the most inexperienced mason can remove and replace damaged mortar.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

_____ is specifically used for parapet walls, chimneys, exterior walls, and general brick veneer walls.

Accepted Answer

A)  Type M 
B)  Type O 
C)  Type N 
D)  Type S 
A)  Type M 
B)  Type O 
C)  Type N 
D)  Type S

Question 6

Retempering mortar is acceptable under the following condition:

Accepted Answer

A)  It used within 3 hours of the remixing. 
B)  It is used within 2½ hours of the initial mixing. 
C)  The amount of water added is more than the amount lost to evaporation. 
D)  The amount of water added is less than the amount lost to evaporation. 
A)  It used within 3 hours of the remixing. 
B)  It is used within 2½ hours of the initial mixing. 
C)  The amount of water added is more than the amount lost to evaporation. 
D)  The amount of water added is less than the amount lost to evaporation.

Question 7

______ mortars are a combination of portland cement, hydrated lime, sand, and water.

Accepted Answer

A)  Hydrated lime-sand 
B)  Hydrated lime masonry cement 
C)  Masonry cement 
D)  Portland cement-hydrated lime 
A)  Hydrated lime-sand 
B)  Hydrated lime masonry cement 
C)  Masonry cement 
D)  Portland cement-hydrated lime

Question 8

The compressive strength of the mortar you select for restoration and repointing of old mortar joints should never be higher or harder than the compressive strength of the original brick in the structure.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Mortar with air content _____ by volume will weaken the bond strength of mortar mix.

Accepted Answer

A)  above 12 percent 
B)  less than 10 percent 
C)  more than 5 percent 
D)  between 2 and 10 percent 
A)  above 12 percent 
B)  less than 10 percent 
C)  more than 5 percent 
D)  between 2 and 10 percent

Question 10

A solution of _____ can be used to remove efflorescence that cannot be removed by washing the wall with water.

Accepted Answer

A)  three parts vinegar to one part water 
B)  two parts glycolic acid to one part water 
C)  one part hydrochoric acid to five parts water 
D)  one part muriatic acid to nine parts water 
A)  three parts vinegar to one part water 
B)  two parts glycolic acid to one part water 
C)  one part hydrochoric acid to five parts water 
D)  one part muriatic acid to nine parts water

Question 11

Mortar types are identified by both proportion and property specifications, but not one alone.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Color pigments should be of a metallic oxide composition in amounts _____ of the portland cement content.

Accepted Answer

A)  of at least 20 percent 
B)  not exceeding 15 percent 
C)  up to 25 percent 
D)  between 3 and 10 percent 
A)  of at least 20 percent 
B)  not exceeding 15 percent 
C)  up to 25 percent 
D)  between 3 and 10 percent

Question 13

The first step in repointing is to remove any of the old deteriorated mortar joints using a special _____, which is still the least expensive and best method for small jobs .

Accepted Answer

A)  pin grinder 
B)  hydraulic breaker chisel 
C)  masonry grinder 
D)  plugging chisel 
A)  pin grinder 
B)  hydraulic breaker chisel 
C)  masonry grinder 
D)  plugging chisel

Question 14

A(n) ______ kit contains a variety of small samples of cured mortar that are identified by their specification numbers.

Accepted Answer

A)  mortar strip 
B)  repointing 
C)  aggregate sample 
D)  pigment 
A)  mortar strip 
B)  repointing 
C)  aggregate sample 
D)  pigment

Question 15

The BIA has developed specifications for only two mortars used in the construction of brick-masonry work.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 13: Types of Mortar and Their Characteristics

Repointing should be started when the existing mortar joints are eroded or exposed to a depth of _____ .

Which of the following statements is true for efflorescence?

Stronger is not necessarily better when specifying mortar types.

Even the most inexperienced mason can remove and replace damaged mortar.

_____ is specifically used for parapet walls, chimneys, exterior walls, and general brick veneer walls.

Retempering mortar is acceptable under the following condition:

______ mortars are a combination of portland cement, hydrated lime, sand, and water.

The compressive strength of the mortar you select for restoration and repointing of old mortar joints should never be higher or harder than the compressive strength of the original brick in the structure.

Mortar with air content _____ by volume will weaken the bond strength of mortar mix.

A solution of _____ can be used to remove efflorescence that cannot be removed by washing the wall with water.

Mortar types are identified by both proportion and property specifications, but not one alone.

Color pigments should be of a metallic oxide composition in amounts _____ of the portland cement content.

The first step in repointing is to remove any of the old deteriorated mortar joints using a special _____, which is still the least expensive and best method for small jobs .

A(n) ______ kit contains a variety of small samples of cured mortar that are identified by their specification numbers.

The BIA has developed specifications for only two mortars used in the construction of brick-masonry work.

Safety on the Job

Basic Tools of the Trade

Learning to Use the Basic Tools

Related Equipment

Development of Clay and Shale Brick

Manufacture of Brick

Development of Concrete Block

Manufacture of Concrete Block Masonry

Mixing Mortar

Laying the Brick to the Line

Building the Brick Corner

The Development of Mortar

Introduction to Bonding

Traditional Structural and Pattern Bonds

Laying Concrete Block to the Line

Building the Block Corner

Bonding Concrete Block and Rules for Bonding

Estimating Brick Masonry by Rule of Thumb

Estimating Concrete Block Masonry Materials

Cutting With the Masonry Saw

Building a Masonry Composite Wall of Brick and Concrete Block

Cavity and Reinforced Masonry Walls

Masonry Supports, Chases, and Bearings

Movement Joints and Intersecting Walls

Installing Anchor Bolts, Brick Corbeling, and Wall Copings

Glass Block Masonry

Types of Scaffolding

Safety Rules for Erecting and Using Scaffolding

Cleaning Brick and Concrete Block

Removing Various Stains From Masonry Walls

One-Flue Chimneys

History, Theory, and Function of a Fireplace and Chimney

Design and Construction of Fireplaces and Chimneys

Multiple-Opening and Heat-Circulating Fireplaces

Development of Arches

Construction of Semicircular and Segmental Arches

Construction of a Jack Arch

Concrete Forms and Placing Footings

Essentials of Concrete Work

Line and Symbol Identification

The Working Drawings

Dimensions and Scales

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