The Northwest Masonry Guide - Glossary of Masonry Terminology

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

TMS. The Masonry Society.
TABLET. 1. A stone or metal plate or bounded surface to carry words, letters, emblems, or carvings. 2. A coping stone set flat.
TAILING IN. Securing one end or edge of a projecting masonry unit, as a cornice.
TALC. A soft mineral composed of hydrous magnesium silicate.
TEMPER. To moisten and mix clay, plaster or mortar to a proper consistency.
TEMPLATE. The full size (sheet metal) pattern to which a block or block face is cut.
TERRA COTTA. A fired clay product used for ornamental work on the exterior of buildings.
TERRAZZO. Marble-aggregate architectural concrete that is cast in place of precast and ground smooth; used as surfacing on floors and walls.
Terrazzo Thinset System. That can be applied in a thin cross-section, 3/4 of an inch or less.
Terrazzo Topping. The wearing surface of the terrazzo floor.
THERMAL CAPACITY. The ability of masonry to hold heat/cold.
THERMAL INERTIA. The ability of masonry to store heat as a result of its mass, density, and specific heat.
THERMAL MASS. Heavy and/or dense masonry construction able to absorb and store heat/cold
THICKNESS. The dimension of a masonry unit at right angles to the face of the wall, floor, or other assembly in which the units are used.
THROUGH BOND. The transverse bond formed by extending through a wall.
TIE. Any assembly which connects masonry to masonry or other materials.
TOLERANCE. Permissible allowance of variation from a size specification. (See ASTM)
THERMAL STORAGE WALL. A continuous masonry cavity wall storing heat/cold and circulating air inside the cavity.
TOOLED FINISH. In stonework, a fluted, flat surface that carries two to twelve concave grooves per inch.
TOOTHING. Constructing the temporary end of a wall with the end stretcher of every alternate course projecting. Projecting units are to others.
TRACERY. Gothic window ornamentation depending on window mullions in elaborate flowing or geometrical patterns built up of curved lengths of mortared stone molding.
TRADITIONAL MASONRY. Masonry in which design is based on empirical rules which control minimum thickness, lateral support requirements and height without a structural analysis. See empirical design.
TRAVERTINE. A variety of limestone deposited by hot or cold water as cavern fillings, including stalactites and stalagmites, or as accumulations at springs.
TRIG. The bricks laid in the middle of the wall that act as a guide to eliminate the sag in the line and to reduce the effect of wind blowing the line out of plumb.
TRIM. In building stone, that stone used as decorative members on a structure built or faced largely with other masonry material such as brick, tile, block, or terracotta. Trim items include sills, jambs, lintels, coping, cornices, quoins, and others.
Trim Stone. See trim.
TROMBE WALL. A passive heating concept consisting of a vertical building wall with glazing and massive masonry wall behind it to absorb the incoming solar energy and transfer it to the building by natural circulation.
TUCK POINTING. The filling in with fresh mortar of removed defective mortar joints in masonry.
TUFF. Rock composed of volcanic particles, ranging from ash size to small pebble size, compacted or cemented or welded to a firm, consolidated state.

UBC. Uniform Building Code.
UNDERBED. Subsurface to accept terrazzo strips.
UNDERCUT. 1. To cut away a lower part, leaving a projection above that serves the function of a drip. 2. To rout a groove or channel (a drip) back from the edge of an overhanging member.
U-BLOCK. A U-shaped lintel block or column block.

V-CUTTING. Inscribed lettering in which the cuts are acutely triangular.
VENEER. Nonstructural facing of brick, concrete, stone, tile, or other similar material attached to a backing for the purpose of ornamentation, protection or insulation. (UBC)
Adhered Veneer. Veneer secured and supported through adhesion to a bonding material applied over backing. (UBC)
Anchored Veneer. Veneer secured to and supported by mechanical fasteners attached to a backing. (UBC)
Exterior Veneer. Veneer applied to weather-exposed surfaces. (UBC)
Interior Veneer. Veneer applied to surfaces other than weather-exposed surface. (U BC)
VERTICAL ECCENTRICITY. The eccentricity of a resultant axial load required to produce axial and bending stresses equivalent to those produced by applied axial loads and moments. It is normally found by dividing the moment at a section by the summation of axial loads occurring at that section.
VITRIFICATION. The condition resulting when kiln temperatures are sufficient to fuse grains and close pores of a clay product, making the mass impervious.
VOIDS. Empty spaces in sand, mortar, or grout.
VOUSSOIR. One of the truncated, wedge-shaped masonry units which form an arch ring.

Back to WSCMC Home

Masonry Institute of Washington

You are visitor number since May 21, 1998