International Building Code Section 2105

International Building Code 2105.1

General. A quality assurance program shall be used to
ensure that the constructed masonry is in compliance with the
construction documents.
The quality assurance program shall comply with the
inspection and testing requirements of Chapter 17.

International Building Code 2105.2

Acceptance relative to strength requirements.

Compliance with f m and f AAC. Compressive
strength of masonry shall be considered satisfactory if the
compressive strength of each masonry wythe and grouted
collar joint equals or exceeds the value of f m for clay and
concrete masonry and f AAC for AAC masonry. For partially
grouted clay and concrete masonry, the compressive
strength of both the grouted and ungrouted masonry shall
equal or exceed the applicable f m . At the time of prestress,
the compressive strength of the masonry shall equal or
exceed f mi, which shall be less than or equal to f m.

Determination of compressive strength. The
compressive strength for each wythe shall be determined by
the unit strength method or by the prism test method as specified
herein.

Unit strength method.

Clay masonry. The compressive
strength of masonry shall be determined based on the
strength of the units and the type of mortar specified
using Table 2105.2.2.1.1, provided:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 62, ASTM C 216 or
ASTM C 652 and are sampled and tested in
accordance with ASTM C 67.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 5/8 inch
(15.9 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f m but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined in
accordance with ASTM C 1019.
2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE 397
MASONRY

Concrete masonry. The compressive
strength of masonry shall be determined based on the
strength of the unit and type of mortar specified using
Table 2105.2.2.1.2, provided:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 55 or ASTM C 90
and are sampled and tested in accordance with
ASTM C 140.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 5/8 inch
(15.9 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f m but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79 MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined
in accordance with ASTM C
1019.

AAC masonry. The compressive
strength of AAC masonry shall be based on the
strength of the AAC masonry unit only and the following
shall be met:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 1386.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 1/8 inch
(3.2 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f _
AAC but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79 MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined
in accordance with ASTM C
1019.

Prism test method.

General. The compressive strength of
clay and concrete masonry shall be determined by the
prism test method:
1. Where specified in the construction documents.
2. Where masonry does not meet the requirements
for application of the unit strength method in
Section 2105.2.2.1.

Number of prisms per test. A prism
test shall consist of three prisms constructed and
tested in accordance with ASTM C 1314.

International Building Code 2105.2.1

Compliance with f m and f AAC. Compressive
strength of masonry shall be considered satisfactory if the
compressive strength of each masonry wythe and grouted
collar joint equals or exceeds the value of f m for clay and
concrete masonry and f AAC for AAC masonry. For partially
grouted clay and concrete masonry, the compressive
strength of both the grouted and ungrouted masonry shall
equal or exceed the applicable f m . At the time of prestress,
the compressive strength of the masonry shall equal or
exceed f mi, which shall be less than or equal to f m.

International Building Code 2105.2.2

Determination of compressive strength. The
compressive strength for each wythe shall be determined by
the unit strength method or by the prism test method as specified
herein.

Unit strength method.

Clay masonry. The compressive
strength of masonry shall be determined based on the
strength of the units and the type of mortar specified
using Table 2105.2.2.1.1, provided:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 62, ASTM C 216 or
ASTM C 652 and are sampled and tested in
accordance with ASTM C 67.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 5/8 inch
(15.9 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f m but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined in
accordance with ASTM C 1019.
2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE 397
MASONRY

Concrete masonry. The compressive
strength of masonry shall be determined based on the
strength of the unit and type of mortar specified using
Table 2105.2.2.1.2, provided:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 55 or ASTM C 90
and are sampled and tested in accordance with
ASTM C 140.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 5/8 inch
(15.9 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f m but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79 MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined
in accordance with ASTM C
1019.

AAC masonry. The compressive
strength of AAC masonry shall be based on the
strength of the AAC masonry unit only and the following
shall be met:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 1386.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 1/8 inch
(3.2 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f _
AAC but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79 MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined
in accordance with ASTM C
1019.

Prism test method.

General. The compressive strength of
clay and concrete masonry shall be determined by the
prism test method:
1. Where specified in the construction documents.
2. Where masonry does not meet the requirements
for application of the unit strength method in
Section 2105.2.2.1.

Number of prisms per test. A prism
test shall consist of three prisms constructed and
tested in accordance with ASTM C 1314.

International Building Code 2105.2.2.1

Unit strength method.

Clay masonry. The compressive
strength of masonry shall be determined based on the
strength of the units and the type of mortar specified
using Table 2105.2.2.1.1, provided:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 62, ASTM C 216 or
ASTM C 652 and are sampled and tested in
accordance with ASTM C 67.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 5/8 inch
(15.9 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f m but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined in
accordance with ASTM C 1019.
2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE 397
MASONRY

Concrete masonry. The compressive
strength of masonry shall be determined based on the
strength of the unit and type of mortar specified using
Table 2105.2.2.1.2, provided:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 55 or ASTM C 90
and are sampled and tested in accordance with
ASTM C 140.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 5/8 inch
(15.9 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f m but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79 MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined
in accordance with ASTM C
1019.

AAC masonry. The compressive
strength of AAC masonry shall be based on the
strength of the AAC masonry unit only and the following
shall be met:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 1386.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 1/8 inch
(3.2 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f _
AAC but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79 MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined
in accordance with ASTM C
1019.

International Building Code 2105.2.2.1.1

Clay masonry. The compressive
strength of masonry shall be determined based on the
strength of the units and the type of mortar specified
using Table 2105.2.2.1.1, provided:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 62, ASTM C 216 or
ASTM C 652 and are sampled and tested in
accordance with ASTM C 67.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 5/8 inch
(15.9 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f m but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined in
accordance with ASTM C 1019.
2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE 397
MASONRY

International Building Code 2105.2.2.1.2

Concrete masonry. The compressive
strength of masonry shall be determined based on the
strength of the unit and type of mortar specified using
Table 2105.2.2.1.2, provided:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 55 or ASTM C 90
and are sampled and tested in accordance with
ASTM C 140.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 5/8 inch
(15.9 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f m but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79 MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined
in accordance with ASTM C
1019.

International Building Code 2105.2.2.1.3

AAC masonry. The compressive
strength of AAC masonry shall be based on the
strength of the AAC masonry unit only and the following
shall be met:
1. Units conform to ASTM C 1386.
2. Thickness of bed joints does not exceed 1/8 inch
(3.2 mm).
3. For grouted masonry, the grout meets one of the
following requirements:
3.1. Grout conforms to ASTM C 476.
3.2. Minimum grout compressive strength
equals or exceeds f _
AAC but not less than
2,000 psi (13.79 MPa). The compressive
strength of grout shall be determined
in accordance with ASTM C
1019.

International Building Code 2105.2.2.2

Prism test method.

General. The compressive strength of
clay and concrete masonry shall be determined by the
prism test method:
1. Where specified in the construction documents.
2. Where masonry does not meet the requirements
for application of the unit strength method in
Section 2105.2.2.1.

Number of prisms per test. A prism
test shall consist of three prisms constructed and
tested in accordance with ASTM C 1314.

International Building Code 2105.2.2.2.1

General. The compressive strength of
clay and concrete masonry shall be determined by the
prism test method:
1. Where specified in the construction documents.
2. Where masonry does not meet the requirements
for application of the unit strength method in
Section 2105.2.2.1.

International Building Code 2105.2.2.2.2

Number of prisms per test. A prism
test shall consist of three prisms constructed and
tested in accordance with ASTM C 1314.

International Building Code 2105.3

Testing prisms from constructed masonry. When
approved by the building official, acceptance of masonry that
does not meet the requirements of Section 2105.2.2.1 or
2105.2.2.2 shall be permitted to be based on tests of prisms cut
from the masonry construction in accordance with Sections
2105.3.1, 2105.3.2 and 2105.3.3.

Prism sampling and removal. A set of three
masonry prisms that are at least 28 days old shall be saw cut
from the masonry for each 5,000 square feet (465 m2) of the
wall area that is in question but not less than one set of three
masonry prisms for the project. The length, width and
height dimensions of the prisms shall comply with the
requirements of ASTM C 1314. Transporting, preparation
and testing of prisms shall be in accordance with ASTM C
1314.

Compressive strength calculations. The compressive
strength of prisms shall be the value calculated in
accordance ASTM C 1314, except that the net cross-sectional
area of the prism shall be based on the net mortar bedded
area.

Compliance. Compliance with the requirement
for the specified compressive strength of masonry, f m, shall
be considered satisfied provided the modified compressive
strength equals or exceeds the specified f m. Additional testing
of specimens cut from locations in question shall be permitted.

International Building Code 2105.3.1

Prism sampling and removal. A set of three
masonry prisms that are at least 28 days old shall be saw cut
from the masonry for each 5,000 square feet (465 m2) of the
wall area that is in question but not less than one set of three
masonry prisms for the project. The length, width and
height dimensions of the prisms shall comply with the
requirements of ASTM C 1314. Transporting, preparation
and testing of prisms shall be in accordance with ASTM C
1314.

International Building Code 2105.3.2

Compressive strength calculations. The compressive
strength of prisms shall be the value calculated in
accordance ASTM C 1314, except that the net cross-sectional
area of the prism shall be based on the net mortar bedded
area.

International Building Code 2105.3.3

Compliance. Compliance with the requirement
for the specified compressive strength of masonry, f m, shall
be considered satisfied provided the modified compressive
strength equals or exceeds the specified f m. Additional testing
of specimens cut from locations in question shall be permitted.