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Masonry Calculators

· 3 min read

Masonry is the building of structures from individual units, which are often laid in and bound together by mortar.

masonry

Authors​

Dr. Mark D. Hagel is the Executive Director of Alberta Masonry Council and has kindly made his masonry calculators available on MecSimCalc. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science and Applied Mathematics, a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering all from the University of Calgary. Mark’s fields of expertise include thermal and hygrothermal modeling of building systems, corrosion modeling, Life Cycle Cost Analysis, structural analysis and design, and the durability of building components. In 2018 Mark served on the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) working group that developed the Guideline on Design for Durability of the Building Envelope.

John Yu is a university researcher who converted Dr. Hagel's excel files into MecSimCalc apps.

Thermal calculation apps​

Thermal calculation appDescription
BVCU Thermal Catalog AppAn App that calculates the clear field (Uo) and linear transmittance (psi) values for foundation, floor, parapet corner and window/doors for Brick Veneer Concrete Block Unit (BVCU) wall systems for any value of exterior insulation. These values are needed to thermal bridging calculations to comply with the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB).
BVWS Thermal Catalog AppAn App that calculates the clear field Uo and linear transmittance values for foundation, floor, parapet corner and window/doors for Brick Veneer Concrete Block Unit (BVCU) wall systems for any value of exterior insulation. These values are needed to thermal bridging calculations to comply with the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB).
BVSS Thermal Catalog AppAn App that calculates the clear field Uo and linear transmittance values for foundation, floor, parapet corner and window/doors for Brick Veneer Steel Stud (BVSS) wall systems for any value of exterior insulation. These values are needed to thermal bridging calculations to comply with the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB).
Thermal Bridging Assembly CalculationAn App based on the BC hydro/Fortis/Powersmart “Enhanced Thermal Performance Spreadsheet”. The app calculates the impact on the clear field of a wall elevation from the thermal bridging effects of linear transmittances (foundation, floor, roof, corner, window/doors) and point transmittances (signage, etc.)

Life cycle cost analysis apps​

Life cycle cost analysis appDescription
Cladding Life Cost ComparisonAn App that calculates the cost of up to three different cladding systems for a given building service life, inflation rate and discount rate using Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA).
Building Envelope Life Cost Comparison CalculatorAn App that calculates the cost of up to three different cladding AND roofing systems for a given building service life, inflation rate and discount rate using Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA).

Carbon sequestration apps​

Carbon sequestration appDescription
CMU Block Wall Carbon CalculatorAn App to calculate the amount of carbon sequestered when constructing with concrete block masonry.
Brick Veneer Carbon CalculatorAn App to calculate the amount of carbon sequestered when constructing with clay brick veneer.