The Masonry Society (TMS) is pleased to offer TMS 402/602-16, Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures on its new Masonry Standards Online (MSO). The MSO platform offers easy access to TMS’ masonry standards, enhanced commentary, complete internal linking, deep searching capabilities, and numerous other features and options. Additional standards will be offered this winter. Read more about special features here!

The Masonry Society (TMS) is seeking an Executive Director to replace its current director, Phillip Samblanet, who will retire in May 2024. The Board of Directors has authorized a Search Committee, chaired by President-Elect David McLean, and Vice President, Peter Babaian to prepare a position description, which is expected to be finalized in late August. Once approved, information on applying will be posted here.

TMS 404/504/604-23 to be referenced by 2024 I-Codes

The Cast Stone Committee of the Masonry Society has completed revisions to their standards: TMS 404, Standard for Design of Architectural Cast Stone, TMS 504, Standard for Fabrication of Architectural Cast Stone, and TMS 604, Standard Specification for Installation of Architectural Cast Stone,comprising the Standards for Architectural Cast Stone after several years of dedicated work. At the June meetings of TMS, the Board of Directors accepted a recommendation from the Technical Activities Committee (TAC) to publish the revised 2023 edition of the standards. The standards are slated to be referenced in the 2024 International Building Code.

If you and your University may be interested in hosting the MEW, please contact Phillip Samblanet.

The Masonry Society (TMS), with support of the NCMA Foundation, held a Masonry Education Summit in April to help determine University/College education needs and recommendations for the education of young architects, engineers-in-training, construction managers, and other practitioners of masonry. To prepare for the summit, two surveys were distributed to gauge current education and to help determine needs and future educational preferences: the first was sent to Faculty at colleges and universities, and the second was sent to Practitioners regarding their masonry educational background and needs. Based on the survey results and summit discussions, a report has been developed and is posted here. TMS, and the masonry industry in general, will be considering recommendations to better help educate young professionals on masonry so they are more comfortable using masonry, and as such, more likely to choose it for their projects.

The Existing Masonry Guidelines (EMG) Task Group of The Masonry Society’s Existing Masonry Committee is planning a group summit in the first quarter of 2024. This 4-day long summit of key technical personnel from the United States and Canada is being planned to draft a comprehensive set of of guidelines for existing masonry, written in mandatory language with non-mandatory commentary. This draft will be submitted to TMS’s Existing Masonry Committee and will be subjected to the rigorous balloting and public comment process following TMS rules. If supported, the draft will be fine-tuned into a mandatory language standard for Existing Masonry, similar to TMS 402/602 for new construction and similar to ACI 562 for concrete. Once completed, TMS would suggest it for possible adoption by the International Existing Building Code (IEBC), and for cross-reference in other standards, such as ASCE 41. For additional information, contact Heather Sustersic, Task Group Chair. TMS welcomes corporate, individual, and industry sponsorship in support of this effort as described more fully here.

Prior to the North American Masonry Conference (NAMC), TMS held its spring business meeting in Omaha on June 9-11. The Meetings were effective and enjoyable, and a number of projects and programs were furthered and a few were completed. A short report on major actions and discussions is available here.

The 14th North American Masonry Conference (14NAMC), which was held June 11-14, 2023, in Omaha, Nebraska, was enjoyable, educational, and a great success. Excellent keynote and technical presentations grounded the conference and allow the many attendees with numerous learning opportunities. Tours, events, and other gatherings provided networking opportunities, thanks to the generous sponsorships. A report on the conference is posted here, and TMS would thank the Conference Leaders, Volunteers, Attendees, and Sponsors for making the Conference a success!

Click here for a listing of NAMC Paper awards presented at the conference, or here for a listing of TMS Journal Paper awards presented.

Follow TMS on Linked-In for updates on upcoming events, opportunities to learn, new publications, and more.

Dr. Laura Redmond, Assistant Professor of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University (2018-present), was recently appointed as TMS Journal Editor by TMS President, W. Mark McGinley. She has been assisting as Associate Editor for the Journal, and based on her excellent work, McGinley appointed her to fill this important role. Read more about her appointment here.

TMS Members Being Inducted Into the Masonry Hall of Fame - Daniel (Dan) L. Hiltebeitel, a founding member of TMS, and Stephen (Steve) H. Getz of CTP Prosoco will be honored at the induction ceremony at MCAA’s Mid-Year Meeting in September. The Masonry Hall of Fame was created to recognize and award those individuals who have dedicated their lives to the masonry industry. Each year, nominations are accepted to recognize individuals who have been a part of the masonry industry for 25 years or more and have had a major impact on the trade.

Tim Apisa, LEED AP, was promoted to Senior Project Manager and Division Manager of WDP's Blacksburg, VA office.

Lisa Feldman, Ph.D., P.Eng., F.ACI, F.CSCE was recently appointed head of the Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan.

Jennifer Tanner Eisenhauer, Ph.D., P.E. will be promoted to full professor at the University of Wyoming this summer.

Pamela Carol Jergenson, CSI, CCS, CCCA, CDT has been named a CSI Fellow, one of the Institute's top honors. She was recognized for her passion to educate and her dedicated service to the North Central Region and CSI. through active participation in committees and numerous leadership roles.

Antonio Nanni, P.E., Ph.D has been elected to serve as president of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) for 2023-2024. Nanni is Professor and Chair of Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Miami. The university has also selected Nanni as this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award. This prestigious award acknowledges his lasting contributions to the advancement of new materials in construction and structural assessment technologies.

Craig Walloch, formerly with ACM Chemistries, Inc., joined the CMHA team this month as the new Director of Materials Science. Walloch’s extensive background in materials, dry-cast concrete production, the ASTM standards process, and technical education will continue in his role with the association.