NEW MEXICO NM GS-16 MASONRY EXAM
2026 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
◉ Maximum thickness for compacting concrete. Answer: Concrete
should be compacted or vibrated when layers or lifts are up to a
maximum 12 inches thick in reinforced concrete.
◉ Brick grade for freezing weather. Answer: Grade SW brick is used
in dry conditions and exposed to freezing weather.
◉ Brick grade for ground water and freezing conditions. Answer:
Brick that will come in contact with ground water and freezing
conditions should be Grade MW.
◉ Unit of measure in modular grid system. Answer: In masonry, 4
inches is the unit of measure used in a modular grid system.
◉ Nominal size of a modular brick. Answer: 4" x 2 2/3" x 8" is the
nominal size of a modular brick.
◉ Solid percentage for a brick to be considered solid. Answer: 75
percent of a brick must be solid for it to be considered solid.
, ◉ White powder on masonry wall after exposure to moisture.
Answer: Efflorescence is the white powder that forms on a masonry
wall after exposure to moisture.
◉ Stretcher and header course brick bond. Answer: Five stretcher
courses of brick with one header course describes a Running bond.
◉ Vertical joints alignment bond. Answer: When laying brick and all
the vertical joints align, this is a Stack bond.
◉ Weakest brick bond pattern. Answer: English cross bond is
considered the weakest bond in brick patterns.
◉ Recommended mortar joint for high winds and heavy rains.
Answer: Concave mortar joint is recommended in areas exposed to
high winds and heavy rains.
◉ Facing tile for high mechanical perfection. Answer: FTS unglazed
facing tile is used when a high degree of mechanical perfection is
required.
◉ Expanded aggregate types. Answer: Lightweight aggregate is
expanded shale or clay, expanded slag, coal cinders, pumice, and
scoria.
2026 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
◉ Maximum thickness for compacting concrete. Answer: Concrete
should be compacted or vibrated when layers or lifts are up to a
maximum 12 inches thick in reinforced concrete.
◉ Brick grade for freezing weather. Answer: Grade SW brick is used
in dry conditions and exposed to freezing weather.
◉ Brick grade for ground water and freezing conditions. Answer:
Brick that will come in contact with ground water and freezing
conditions should be Grade MW.
◉ Unit of measure in modular grid system. Answer: In masonry, 4
inches is the unit of measure used in a modular grid system.
◉ Nominal size of a modular brick. Answer: 4" x 2 2/3" x 8" is the
nominal size of a modular brick.
◉ Solid percentage for a brick to be considered solid. Answer: 75
percent of a brick must be solid for it to be considered solid.
, ◉ White powder on masonry wall after exposure to moisture.
Answer: Efflorescence is the white powder that forms on a masonry
wall after exposure to moisture.
◉ Stretcher and header course brick bond. Answer: Five stretcher
courses of brick with one header course describes a Running bond.
◉ Vertical joints alignment bond. Answer: When laying brick and all
the vertical joints align, this is a Stack bond.
◉ Weakest brick bond pattern. Answer: English cross bond is
considered the weakest bond in brick patterns.
◉ Recommended mortar joint for high winds and heavy rains.
Answer: Concave mortar joint is recommended in areas exposed to
high winds and heavy rains.
◉ Facing tile for high mechanical perfection. Answer: FTS unglazed
facing tile is used when a high degree of mechanical perfection is
required.
◉ Expanded aggregate types. Answer: Lightweight aggregate is
expanded shale or clay, expanded slag, coal cinders, pumice, and
scoria.
