Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

Hands on masonry at OSU

Words: Carl LeeOn February 5, 2015, the industry sponsored masonry engineering class at Oregon State University was treated to a hands on masonry session. Members from BAC local #1 traveled down to Corvallis, to demonstrate the knowledge and skills it takes, to change what is drawn on paper to an actual structure.

Students were first introduced to the tools that a mason uses out in the field, and then given a demonstration of the different techniques of mortar being applied to brick and concrete block. Each student was then given a trowel and a chance to practice what they had learned. After practice, demonstration areas were setup, in which students were given the chance to erect a CMU wall and place a brick cap on top. Keeping the wall straight and plumb seem to be the most challenging and most fun for the students.

The course instructor, Nathan Wallace from CH2M Hill, was not going to be left out, and grabbed a trowel to join in, much to his students delight. Toward the end of class, students were shown how to strike and finish the mortar joints and given a chance to build masonry prisms which were going to be tested during another class period.

Mutual Materials Company graciously donated the brick and CMU and the time and instruction given by BAC local #1 members was greatly appreciated.
 0
Australian Bricks vs American Bricks: What 24 Hours of Travel Teaches You About the Trade
June 2026

Bricklaying might not change simply because you cross a state line. It does change when you travel 24 hours to the other side of the world and lay bricks under lights, cameras, and a stopwatch. The fundamentals of the trade are universal. Brick, mortar,

Technical Talks
Read More
2026 Masonry Foundation Grants Now Open
June 2026

The Masonry Foundation is dedicated to advancing the masonry industry and is accepting grant applications for 2026. Proposals should have national reach and aim to generate substantial progress within the masonry industry. To explore examples of past gra

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More
The “Small Job” Safety Trap: Why Safety Sometimes Fades When the Spotlight Disappears
June 2026

Before I was fortunate enough to lead Malta Dynamics, I spent a couple of years as a traveling salesman for the company. My territory covered the entire country (and some beyond), and in a typical year, I visited more than 100 jobsites across nearly every

Greg Brown
Safety Library
Read More
Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace
June 2026

As a business owner and leader, taking the mental health of your employees seriously and understanding how it can impact their work is essential. In fact, one in five adults experiences a mental health condition annually. Addressing mental health is more

Patrick Cunningham
MAP Partner
Read More