Concrete Masonry Manual Being Revised

The NZCMA, in partnership with the Cement & Concrete Association of New Zealand (CCANZ), is currently updating the Concrete Masonry Manual.

The Manual was created in the late 1970s as a guide to the design and construction of concrete masonry; a staple material of the New Zealand construction industry that encompasses reinforced concrete block and concrete block veneer, along with concrete block paving and flagstone paving for pedestrian walkways.

Periodically reviewed over the decades as New Zealand Standards change, the Manual’s last major review was in 1999, although the Design Section was up-graded in 1999 and 2004 to match the issues of NZS 4229 Concrete Masonry Buildings Not Requiring Specific Engineering Design and NZS 4230 Design of Reinforced Concrete Masonry Structures.

The NZCMA recently decided to completely update the technical contents of the Manual, and to make it available on the NZCMA website where it can be freely downloaded in sections as required.

The process is on-going, with Parts and Sections uploaded to the website as they become available.

Work has seen Part 1 General fully completed, along with Part 3 Construction Details. Sections of Part 2 Properties of Concrete Masonry, Part 4 Reinforced Masonry, Part 5 Veneer Walls, Part 6 Specific Constructions, and Part 7 Pavers are complete or under various stages of review.

The full project is expected to be complete by mid-2013. Download the Manual.