Published-January, 2004: This 88-slide PowerPoint presentation on the history of masonry was originally prepared as the first two lectures of a semester-long course in masonry engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. It was intended to give students an appreciation for the background of masonry construction. This presentation can be used for a variety of audiences, including architects, engineers, and the public in general.

After trying to enforce an “informal” brick requirement for years, Overland Park is putting its preference for brick on the books. The city’s design guidelines, which have been in the works for over three years and are expected to receive final approval in October 2002, require 40% brick or stone on all new multi-family and commercial construction...

This 6-minute video demonstrates how three different types of partition walls -- concrete masonry, gypsum, and fiber-reinforced gypsum -- perform during a rigorous fire safety test (ASTM E119).