- RMMI Technical Director Diane Travis will bring any of the Box-Lunch Seminars to present to a group of at least 5 people at your office at your request, free of charge. Feel free to invite another firm or help some out-of-work designers to get continuing ed credits by joining you at these seminars. Please give Diane a call at 303/893-3838 or email dianet@rmmi.org to schedule a box-lunch seminar.
Become an Instant Masonry Expert New in 2012
In this seminar Diane Travis will share all her trade secrets—the technical books that are easiest to understand, the most trusted resource people and the most complete web sites. This class will even tell you where to find free downloadable pre-drawn details to save yourself drafting time. In no time at all you too will be a masonry expert.
How to Insulate an Old House New in 2012
Massive load-bearing masonry walls of historic buildings typically included no insulation at all. Installing massive amounts of modern insulation in these old masonry assemblies can sometimes have disastrous results. This class will give you advice about the most cost effective approach to making old buildings more energy efficient without destroying them.
Rain Screen Walls New in 2012
Rain Screen Walls are the latest version of Cavity Walls. They not only have a gap behind the veneer to manage moisture penetration, they also have a vented cavity that allows this air gap to dry out. A Rain Screen Wall also allows natural convection to cool this cavity.
Building Single Wythe CMU Walls Without Tears—New in 2011
Single wythe masonry walls can offer significant cost savings but they must be very thoughtfully designed and carefully built in order to perform well. Single wythe walls do not have the redundancy and forgiveness of cavity walls.
New developments in manufacturing of both the block and the water repellent products have led us to rethink our original advice on detailing these walls. These changes are not based on conjecture. We built and aggressively tested a sample wall to verify our assumptions. We will share both our test results and our new advice with you.
Insulation Strategies in Masonry Walls New in 2010
Architects are putting more and more emphasis on well-insulated walls. The new International Energy Code for Conservation now requires a continuous layer of insulation in the wall assembly. This layer of rigid insulation, typically installed in the air cavity, can complicate installation of the air barrier and the masonry ties.
This seminar will present several workable detail options and will teach you how to build them right. The class will also help you weigh your insulation options…for efficiency, for water repellency, for fire rating and for cost. This seminar qualifies for SD credit.
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Load Bearing Masonry Walls New in 2009
The cost of steel has been sky-rocketing in the last few years. By comparison, the cost of brick and block has remained relatively stable. This seminar will compare the advantages and disadvantages of each wall system. It will also show you how to detail a masonry cavity wall with CMU back-up. Finally, we will give you up-to-date cost information about various wall systems and will help you select the right wall for your project.
Workmanship New in 2009
We produced this seminar for the Brick Industry Association to teach brick salesmen (and owners and architects) how to judge the quality of masonry work on the job site.
Flashing—The Most Important Masonry Detail
Since flashing is usually hidden, it is sometimes substituted or deleted. This can be a HUGE mistake. Although flashing is not a masonry material itself, it is the critical piece that makes the rest of your detail work. This seminar will help you compare different flashing materials (for cost as well as effectiveness). The class will also teach you where to put the flashing and how to install it so that it will work.
How to Maximize your LEED Credits with Masonry Construction
Masonry can make a significant contribution to meeting LEED Green Building certification. LEED is a rating system developed by the US Green Building Council to evaluate a building’s environmental impact and performance. Filling out LEED forms can be complex and confusing. This seminar will help you understand the system and get full credit for your masonry structure. This seminar qualifies for SD credit.
Diagnosing Masonry Failure
Historic Denver asked us to put this class together to educate realtors and investors who are considering purchase of an historic building. The class will help you evaluate masonry flaws and will teach you what is needed to repair and maintain a masonry building. Masonry buildings are built to last. One hundred years of age is just the beginning for a well-maintained brick, block or stone building.
Code Requirements for Masonry Design
Codes evolve year by year and it is important to keep up with the latest requirements. This class will cover the highpoints of the International Building Code, the International Energy Conservation Code and the Masonry Standards Joint Committee. Don’t get a nasty surprise. Learn about changes to the code before you build an expensive mistake. This seminar qualifies for HSW credit.
Calculating Fire Ratings for Masonry Walls
Although most wall assemblies get their fire rating from Underwriter’s Laboratory testing (UL assemblies), masonry products (brick and block) typically use calculations based on Table 720.1(2) of the IBC. These ratings are based on the materials in the unit and depth of the material. This seminar qualifies for HSW credit.
Quality Assurance for Masonry Construction
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This seminar tells you what to look for at the Job Site to make sure that your building has a long-lasting, trouble-free future. It also gives you the ground rules for judging a masonry wall. Finally, if serious problems develop on the job, this seminar tells you how to test the work for compliance.
Masonry 101
This introductory seminar is designed for people who are unfamiliar with masonry construction. If gives you the basic tools you will need to design with brick, block and stone. The class also gives you a list of resources you can consult if you need more advanced information.
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Designing Water Resistant Masonry Walls
It is very important to keep water out of masonry walls, and to design wall systems to allow for the release of moisture. Freeze-thaw cycles can destroy brick, block and stone. Water trapped in any wall system can lead to mold problems, an expensive problem to remedy. This seminar takes a broad look at the challenge and gives advice about: good materials; good design; good craftsmanship; and good maintenance.
Historic Preservation and Maintenance of Masonry
Denver has a rich legacy of masonry structures from the turn of the century which are ripe for remodeling and restoration. Learn about tuckpointing, safe masonry cleaning, stone consolidation and structural stabilization of deteriorating brick walls. Understanding the original construction techniques will help you repair and maintain existing masonry buildings.
Masonry in the Landscape—Planters, Pavers and Retaining Walls and Fences
Masonry used in the landscape and in site furnishings is repeatedly saturated, frozen, baked and vandalized. It leads a tough life. It must be carefully detailed if it is expected to last. This seminar will tweak your imagination with beautiful new designs. It will also show you “how to do it right”.
Masonry Detailing on a Budget
Budget limitations are a fact of life for most projects. Some details cost almost nothing. Some cost a lot. If you know the difference, you can save yourself a lot of re-design time.
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Choosing the Right Masonry Wall System for your Budget
This seminar is aimed at people who want to use masonry (brick, block and stone) but have a tight budget. Some value-engineering options work just fine, but others can significantly affect the long-term viability of the building. It is always better to understand your options before you build the structure.
Advanced Masonry Detailing
For those who want to expand their range of knowledge, this seminar tells you how to build such unusual masonry conditions as masonry corbels, masonry arches, coined corners, custom-molded brick units and Byzantine brick patterns. This is a strongly aesthetic presentation with tidbits of technical information sandwiched between slides of beautiful award-winning designs.
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Detailing with Stone Veneer
Architects and engineers have often complained to me that they cannot find good information about how to install stone veneer in a modern cavity wall system. This lecture will cover information about both natural stone and manufactured stone veneer systems. It will cover both anchored and adhered veneer. Attendees will receive a copy of our latest technical information on stone.
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Diane’s Top Ten Worst Masonry Details
This seminar covers the ten worst masonry details Diane has seen along with advice about how to modify these drawings into weather-tight construction details that can actually be built and will work for decades.