Masonry Construction Industry
Masonry in the Construction Industry: A Comprehensive Overview
A career in the construction industry offers competitive pay and the chance to hone a valuable trade. Among the array of trades, masonry stands out as a time-honored craft that involves meticulous preparation and precision work. To embark on a career in masonry, it is crucial to understand the roles and scope of this profession. This article delves into the world of masonry, explores its diverse types, outlines the requisite skills, and examines the potential earnings for masons.
Defining Masonry in Construction
Masonry, often referred to as mason work, is a specialized construction trade focused on the assembly of structures from components made of various materials, such as brick or stone. Masons, the skilled artisans of masonry, meticulously join these components together, typically using a binding agent like mortar. Mortar, a mixture of cement, lime, sand, and water, solidifies as it dries, reinforcing the cohesion of the structure. Masonry is a highly skilled profession, resistant to mechanization due to its demand for precision in placing individual components.
Diverse Forms of Masonry
Masonry takes on various forms, each contingent on the materials and construction methods employed. The most prevalent types include: 1. Brick Masonry: Sun-dried bricks: Clay slabs left to dry in the sun, commonly used in temporary structures. Burnt clay bricks: Fired in kilns, available in four classes, with first-class offering the smoothest finish. Fly ash bricks: Cost-effective substitutes for cement blocks in foundations, pillars, and walls. Concrete bricks: Versatile material suitable for building facades, barriers, and retaining walls. Sand-lime bricks: Known for their strength and precise edges, ideal for load-bearing structures. 2. Stone Masonry: Ashlar: Stone dressed to perfection, featured in classical architecture. Fixer: Masons fixing stones onto buildings using materials like cement, epoxy resin, grouts, mortars, and dowels. Memorial: Creating headstones and engraving inscriptions. Rubble: Utilizing rough stones in mortar, including dry rubble masonry with no mortar. Slipform: Creating forms for stone placement, along with concrete, to build structures. 3. Concrete Block Masonry: Uses large concrete blocks for industrial structures, offering advantages in terms of size, construction time, and stability through concrete filling. 4. Gabion Masonry: Large wire baskets or cages containing materials, usually stones, used for slope stabilization and erosion protection.
Educational Requirements and Training
Many masonry positions in the construction industry require at least a high school diploma and two to three years of experience. Alternatively, candidates can complete masonry courses through the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), offering qualifications ranging from helper mason (level 1) to mason general (level 4).
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