38 MMA Yearbook 2007 by Professor Geoff Edgell, CERAM Masonry research review When asked to write this review, I spent some time wondering how to approach it and then it dawned on me that it was for the 2007 yearbook. That is just 10 years on from the production of Masonry 2007 by the Masonry Industry Alliance, the Innovation and Research Strategy into the 21st Century. What better, I thought, than to try to map activity against the priorities as set out 10 years ago. Of equal interest was the supplement to the strategy document produced by the Masonry Research Advisory Committee (MRAC), which tried to relate research priorities to the business plans of the Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions. The masonry industry could identify research topics, discuss them with government at the MRAC and, if there was relevance to government interest, especially in relation to Building Regulation issues, funding possibilities would be sought. Similarly, in the annual calls for proposals under the Partners in Technology and Partners in Innovation schemes, themes appeared which had been under discussion and research was properly targeted. The industry had a voice and the government had a forum in which to receive concerns. Contrast that with today, where construction and the built environment are consumed in the Key Technology Area of Advanced Materials within the DTI Technology Programme. So masonry sits alongside automotive and aerospace, healthcare, organic electronics, energy production and distribution, security and defence, and nanotechnology. What chance do we have of agreeing practical developments that aid the economy and safety of masonry construction with government, researching them and having the results reviewed? Very little. The needs that were identified by the MRAC were grouped under the following headings: . Craft skills base . Education and training . Codes and standards . Sustainable construction . Innovative masonry systems . Improved masonry process . Technology of material interfaces The Masonry Industry Alliance deliberately took a very broad view in establishing what was required under the heading innovation, including, for example, education and training initiatives. Let’s focus on the progress in just three key areas. Sustainable construction . To prepare the necessary information regarding the whole-life benefits of masonry – such as whole-life costs, recycling, energy use, maintenance and waste – and to co-operate with other researchers; . To ensure that the correct information regarding the sustainable use of masonry is included in research; and to publicise and propagate the results of this work. Sustainability is certainly at the heart of government thinking at the moment and there have been a lot of developments in this area, not least the consultation on the proposed Code for Sustainable Homes and the MMA response to it. In relation to the needs identified in Masonry 2007, the industry has worked with BRE to try to ensure that correct information is used in the development of Ecohomes. Issues that are under manufacturers control are easily dealt with and, for example, verified data exists for energy use in the manufacture of clay bricks and, from their cement contents, concrete blocks, as the Climate Change Levy requires regular submission of data to DEFRA. However, whole-life costs are not as simple and the inclusion of a 60-year life for masonry in the Ecohomes scheme is damaging. We learnt at the Sustainable Masonry Construction session at the British Masonry Society AGM that studies of 860 buildings carried out by Leeds Metropolitan University showed that the average period for replacement of clay bricks was more than 150 years. We also now know from the Arup study into lightweight vs heavyweight construction that, due to climate change, lightweight structures will enable unacceptably high internal temperatures to be reached as early as 2020. In heavyweight construction, such a situation might arise some 50 years later. Clearly these facts need to be absorbed into building ratings schemes and hopefully the Europe-wide approach now being developed will take due account of these facts. A good example of the promotion of sustainability information is the BDA response to the government’s Sustainable Development Strategy. A Sustainable Strategy for the Brick Industry sets out the “Sustainability is certainly at the heart of government thinking at the moment and there have been a lot of [masonry] developments in this area.”

MMA Yearbook 2007 39 case well and through the inclusion of Key Performance Indicators, which are regularly reported, has the means to track industry performance against published objectives. Improved masonry systems . To produce innovative systems of masonry construction to improve its performance, quality and economy; and to publicise and propagate the results of this work. There has, in recent years, been a lot of pressure from government to use Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), which have generally been interpreted as involving greater levels of offsite prefabrication. One could well be of the opinion that little has happened by way of innovative systems in what is a fairly traditional masonry industry. However, that is not the case. The introduction of thin layer mortars in aircrete has helped meet new thermal insulation requirements, but also provides enhanced structural performance. Research is also in hand on the use of lower-density aircrete. The ancillary component industry has played its part as the thin-joint system needed new designs of ties, bed joint reinforcement and anchors to suit the new joints. Another development is the introduction of larger units made from aircrete or calcium silicate, which together with thin layer mortars offer the possibility of increased production rates. Larger format clay units are also being made where, together with bed joint reinforcement, the use of stack-bonded construction offers architects a new aesthetic in a way that can be engineerdesigned. Larger and wider clay units have also been made for the new housing system Traditional Plus, whereby wellinsulated walls are produced from singleleaf construction on pile and ground beam foundations with timber floors supported on novel joist hangers. In aggregate concrete blockwork, retaining walls can now be built from hollow blocks. These are filled with flowing concrete, which cascades across the internal webs to fill all of the voids. There has also been an explosion in the development of lightweight manufactured stone, and its use as quoins, cills, mullions etc. makes the detailing of modern masonry interesting and cost-effective. Regulatory changes in relation to acoustic testing, air leakage testing and the use of robust standard details have arguably improved the quality of all types of system. Small improvements – for example sealing the ends of built-in joists to restrict air leakage – are incrementally improving performance, now often tested on whole buildings. Improved masonry process . To produce improved and innovative techniques of masonry construction to improve its quality and economy, and to propagate the results of this work. Clearly some of what has been said about innovative systems does relate to improved or innovative techniques, for example, thin-joint masonry involves the use of a new type of applicator rather than a trowel. Perhaps two of the main improvements in technique in the period have been in the field of mortars. The rapid increase in the use of silo mortars and ready-to-use, retarded mortars have led to improvements in the accuracy of mix proportions in comparison to site-batched mixes. The appointment of an Engineering Doctorate student at Loughborough University by the MMA to study re-engineering of the masonry process is a significant development in trying to meet the MRAC’s needs. Conclusion These few examples demonstrate that progress has been made in the masonry sector against the strategy. Many dictionary definitions of strategy talk of military strategy, the art of war. Perhaps the most relevant to Masonry 2007 is that it is “a scheme to lead to an advantage”. Sadly, the scheme has now been lost. The Masonry Industry Alliance was set up with government sponsorship and it planned to review and update the innovation and research programme on a regular basis. A key loss is the objective to use the report to support investment discussions by the government’s business managers and for it to be a framework stimulate funding from all sources. Hopefully, masonry construction, which has been so key to the development of both historic structures and more simple accommodation in the UK, will reappear on the government agenda and that the MMA can encourage that to happen. . Reader enquiries to: enquiries@ceram.com