Masonry Products and Industry in the UAE - Term Paper Example

Running Headers: MASONRY PRODUCTS AND INDUSTRY IN THE UAE Title: Masonry products and industry in the UAE Name: Course: Institution: Tutor: Date: Historical overview (background) Introduction Masonry is the building configurations from single units laid in and bound mutually by mortar. The general materials of masonry construction are stone (like marble, travertine, granite, and limestone), brick, glass block, concrete block, and tile. Masonry is a long lasting form of construction that used all over the globe (Massart, Peerlings, and Geers, 2007). But, its durability is been determined by the quality of workmanship and mortar, material used and the pattern in which the units are assembled. Masonry units, like tile, brick, stone, concrete block or glass brick commonly conform to the requirement that was set in the year 2003; that is the International Building Code (IBC) Section 2103. History Masonry began in the Middle Ages, where freemasons were hired as free agents to construct castles and cathedrals in Scotland and England. Due to higher risk of their work, they came together and formed an organization that was known as lodges (Mitchell, 2003). This organization was responsible for taking care of sick and injured affiliates, together with their orphans and windows of those who lost their jobs while working. The initial Grand Lodge was formed in 1717 in London. But, in 1718, English Freemasonry extend to Spain and France, and later in 1729, it spread to Italy, India, Sweden and Poland. Freemasonry extended to the other regions of Europe and ultimately it passed on to the American colonies. In 1733, the foremost American Lodge was launched in Boston, beneath the power of the Grand Lodge of England. Out of thirty nine men who signed the U.S constitution, thirteen of them were masons (Redding, 1997). In 1849, Freemasonry made its way to California, and in this state was fully occupied by settlers who were looking for fortune. A lot of these men were masons, and they ended up by establishing Masonic lodges, which they launch it in the mining towns of the Gold Country (Massart, Peerlings, and Geers, 2007). The idea of masonry spread in California at fast rate, when compared to other parts of the world. Within one decade, the number of Masonic Lodges had grown from 11 to 130, and partnership from 258 to more than 5,000. Good governors in the region also played a big role in this development. From 1700 until now, masonry industry have been growing fast with a lot changes, which is an outcome of the new technology (Mitchell, 2003).   Applications Masonry is usually used for the buildings of walls, retaining monuments and walls. Concrete block and brick are the most masonry building materials that are used in industrialized countries and can be either a veneer or weight-bearing. Concrete blocks, particularly those that have hollow cores, have varieties of possibilities in masonry construction, as they normally offer a great compressive strength, and are best applied in structures that have light transverse loading whilst the cores linger unfilled. When some of the cores or all cores are filled with concretes, or when someone uses concrete then he add steel reinforcement, this act like a booster by adding more great tensile and lateral strength to structures (Massart, Peerlings, and Geers, 2007). Advantages of masonry The use of materials, like stone and brick can raise the thermal mass of construction, thereby making a proper comfort during cold of winter and the heat of summer, and be applicable ideal for the passive solar. The appearance, specifically when it is properly crafted can convey an impression of permanence and solidity. Generally, brick don’t necessitate painting, and as result, it can offer a structure with decreased life-cycle costs, even though some components, such as sealing will appropriately decrease the potential of spalling because of the frost damage (Jai, Springer, Laszlo, Kollar, and Krawinkler, 2000). . However, non-decorative concrete block when they become expose require been painting or stuccoing. Masonry is poor conductor of heat, thus it can assist to protect against fire. The walls of masonry are good resistant of projectiles, like tornadoes than walls of wood or debris from hurricanes or other softer that have less dense substances. Disadvantages Masonry wall surface are normally affected by extreme weather which causes degradation. As a result, the frost damage usually occurs with certain types of brick, but it is rare with concrete block. In case non-concrete brick (clay-based) are applied, a lot of care have to be taken by choosing the appropriate bricks for all climatic condition, (Jai, Springer, Laszlo, Kollar, and Krawinkler, 2000). Masonries are normally heavy and as result, they have to be build upon a brawny foundation (like reinforcing with concrete) in order to avoid cracking and settling. If the construction site soils contain adobe clay, the foundation necessitate to be quite convoluted and this services needs a qualified structural engineer, due incidence like earthquake (Lowe, Curwell, Bell, and Ahmad, 1994). Structural limitations Masonry increases a striking compressive potency (vertical loads); however it is lower in tensile potency (stretching or twisting) if not reinforced. The tensile potency of masonry walls might be strengthened by coagulating the wall or constructing masonry piers (ribs or vertical columns) at intervals, whereby you can include steel reinforcement (Redding, 1997). Component material Specifics Veneer masonry A wall of masonry veneer contain of masonry units, mostly clay-based, applied on both or one sides of a building autonomously wall normally constructed of masonry or wood (Sandberg, 1995). Brick masonry in this case is a primarily decorative, but not structural. Brick veneers are attached to the wall by brick ties (that’s the metal strips, which are connected to the structural wall, together with the mortar joints of the brick veneer), (Gannon, 1995). Betwixt the structural wall and brick veneer, there is normally an air gap, where as clay-based brick is normally incompletely waterproof, the wall of the structure regularly have a water resistance surface (mostly tar paper) and weep holes might be left at the bottom of the brick veneer in order to drain moisture that gathers inside the gap of the air. Real and cultured stones, veneer adobe, and concrete blocks are occasionally used in a very equivalent veneer manner (Redding, 1997). Majority of insulated buildings, which make use of concrete block, adobe, brick, veneers, stone or some amalgamation thereof element interior insulation in the manner of fiberglass batts betwixt drywall or in the outline of rigid insulations boards enclosed with plaster or wooden wall studs (Sandberg, 1995). This insulation is more effective in most of climates on the outer side of the wall, thus permitting the inner side of the wall to be more advantageous of the abovementioned thermal mass of the masonry. What’s more, this technique does not necessitate some kind of weather-resistant outer surface over the insulation and as a result, it is mostly more expensive (Hens and Carmeliet, 2002). Dry set masonry The dry set masonry usually gives a backup to a rustic log bridge, whereby it offers a well-drained prop up for the log (the advantage of this is that it increases the service life). The masonry wall strength is not completely relies on the bond betwixt the mortar and the building material. This is because the friction betwixt the interlocking blocks of masonry is regularly brawny enough to offer a huge deal of potency on its own (Hens and Carmeliet, 2002). Sometimes blocks contain grooves or other surface elements that are added in order to improve this interlocking, and a number of dry set masonry structures do without mortar altogether (Al-Salloum and Almusallam, 2005). Below is a picture of a dry-stone wall that is supported by a rustic log bridge, whereby it offers a well-drained backup: Solid masonry Solid masonry which doesn’t have any steel reinforcement leans to have a limited relevancy in up to date wall construction (Lowe, Wingfield, Bell, and Bell, 2007). But on other hand, this wall can be moderately economical and appropriate in some applications; defenselessness to earthquakes and fall down is a major problem. Solid unreinforced masonry wall leans to be thick and low as an outcome (Hens and Carmeliet, 2002). Brick Solid brickwork is formed from two or more layers of bricks, where their unit runs horizontally (this is known as stretcher bricks) bound jointly with bricks that runs transverse to the building wall (known as header brick). Every row of bricks is called a course. The pattern of the stretchers and headers applied offers an increase to distinct bound like the English bond, common bond (where after sixth course, it is composed with headers), and the Flemish bond (whereby it contained alternating header and stretcher bricks on each an every course). However, bonds can diverge in insulating ability and strength (Carter, 2010). The vertical staggered bonds lean to be somehow stronger and less prone to main cracking when made comparison with non-staggered bond, (Lowe, Wingfield, Bell, and Bell, 2007). Below is a structural made up of bricks: Uniformity and rusticity The broad selection of brick types and styles commonly available in industrialized countries permits more variety in the manifestation of the concluding merchandise. In some of the buildings that were built between 1950s and 1970s, had a higher degree of uniformity of brick and accuracy in masonry was typical (Chiovitti, Gonçalves, and Renzullo, 1998). From there, this technique was though to be too disinfected, and as a result, there were various efforts that were endeavored in order to emulate older, rougher exertion. There are some brick surfaces which are formed to look especially rustic by incorporating burnt bricks that contain an irregular shape or a darker color (Whittemore, 2003). There are others who may use antique savage bricks, or new bricks can be synthetically aged through application of various surface treatments, like tumbling. The endeavors at rusticity during the 20th century have been applied by masons concentrating in a free, artistic technique, whereby the courses are not deliberately straight, but instead weaving to create more organic consciousness (Al-Salloum and Almusallam, 2005). In replacing the mashed out bricks, the problem is that the house wouldn’t look uniform any more as the new brick will look brighter than old one. Below is a diagram that shows the difference: Serpentine masonry A crinkle-crankle wall is under the category of brick wall that tag along with a serpentine path, but not a straight line (Whittemore, 2003). This category of wall has much resistant to toppling when made comparison with a straight wall. Therefore, it might be formed of a solitary thickness of unreinforced brick and even if it has a longer length, it can be much more economical when compared to a straight wall (Al-Salloum and Almusallam, 2005). Concrete block The cinder concrete blocks sometimes called breezeblocks, cinder blocks, hollow tile or ordinary concrete are basically known as Concrete Masonry Units (CMU)s. Concrete block are more bigger than ordinary bricks, and therefore, they are more fast to lay for a wall of certain size. Moreover, concrete and cinder blocks have low water absorption rate when compared to bricks (Whittemore, 2003). They mostly applied in the structural foundation for veneered brick masonry, or they can be used individually for the constructions of walls in garages, factories, and other industrial style constructions, where such manifestation is applicable or desirable. This type of blocks normally receives a stucco surface for embellishment. Surface-boding cement that has synthetic fibers for strengthening is sometimes applied in this application and might impart an additional strength to the wall block. Surface-boding cement is normally non-colored, but it can be painted or stained in order to become concluded stucco such as surface (Chiovitti, Gonçalves, and Renzullo, 1998). The foremost merit of structural made of concrete blocks in assessment to minor clay-based bricks is that the wall of CMU can be strengthened by adding the block voids with concrete by including a steel rebar or not. There are some voids which are particularly designated for reinforcement and filling, mostly at wall-ends, corners and opening, whereas other voids stay empty. This reinforces the wall strength and firmness much economically when compared with the cost of reinforcing and filling all voids. The structures which are made of CMUs usually have the crest course of blocks in the walls tied jointly with steel reinforcement and filled with concrete to create a bond beam. Generally, bond beams are the requirement of the current building controls and codes. Other brand of steel reinforcement is the ladder reinforcement, whereby it can also be entrenched in horizontal mortar joint of the walls made from concrete block. The launching of steel reinforcement has its outcome in a CMU wall by adding greater lateral and tensile strength when made comparison with unreinforced walls. To elaborate the concepts, below is graph that demonstrates two lines for every wall thickness of CMU part: the solid symbol signifies fully grouted walls (but they don’t have steel reinforcement bars) and the open symbol signifies ungrouted walls. As indicated in the figure, when the wall thickness increases, grouted walls are capable of carrying more loads when the load is used axially, or next to the center if the wall. On other hand, grount is stronger in solidity and increases the load-carrying ability of the wall. However, when the cores don’t have anything (ungrouted), the thickness of wall forms little dissimilarity in load-carrying ability. The CMUs can be formed to offer a number of surface appearances. They can be painted or stained after installation or colored when they are manufactured. Also, they might be split as segment of the manufacturing procedure, thus giving the blocks a rough face duplicating the natural stone appearance, like brownstone. CMUs can also be ribbed, scored, polished, sandblasted, striated (brushed or raked), be permitted to slump in a permitted style during curing, comprise decorative aggregates, or add a number of techniques when manufacturing in order to offer a decorative manifestation. Glazed concrete masonry units are formed by putting together an enduring colored in front of (composed of silica sand, polyester resins, and other chemicals) in a concrete masonry unit, thereby offering a smooth impermeable surface. The glass brick or glass block are manufactured from glass and offers a translucent to clear hallucination by the block. Below is diagram of concrete masonry units (CMUs) A-Jacks A-jacks are normally applied in erosion control walls and also the sea walls. They are highly steady, like concrete 6-pronged shell units formed to interlock into a lithe, decidedly permeable matrix. There are two ways of installing them that is either in a homogeneous pattern or randomly. Their appearance is similar to giant 3-foot editions of the metal jacks, which kids likes playing with. In the homogeneous placement pattern, every unit is in touched with the six adjacent units, offering high permanence. They are manufactured after the buckyball replica. Stonework The stone blocks which are used in masonry may be rough or dressed. The stone masonry that applied with dressed stones is also called ashlar masonry, while masonry that uses haphazardly shaped stones is called rubble masonry. The two methods can be laid in courses (rows of unknown height) by the cautious selection or cutting of stones, however a huge deal of stone masonry is not coursed. The natural stone veneers larger than CMU, tilt-up concrete walls or cast-in-place are broadly applied in order to offer the appearance of the stone masonry. In some cases, river rocks, which are smooth oval-shaped stones, may be applied to a veneer. This category of textile is not good for solid masonry since it necessitates a huge amount of mortar and might not have intrinsic structural strength. Cultured stone or manufactured stone, veneers are the most substitutes to natural stones. At the moment, there are some regions across the globe where attractive natural stones have become more expensive but others are not. Mostly, manufactured stone veneers are made from concrete. The natural stones which are found from quarries all over the world are recreated and sampled using aggregate, molds, and colorfast pigments. If you are a casual observer, you might not be able to differentiate betwixt manufactured stone and veneers of natural stone. Below are picture of different types of stones: Rustic use of sandstone of varying size and color Wall made from river rock Ancient stonework Ancient Inca wall Gabions Gabions are rectangular shaped wire baskets that are added with fractured stone of an average size. Mostly, gabions are made of zinc-protected steel that is galvanized (Colantonio, 1997). This act as solitary unit, but they are added with setbacks to create a retaining or revetment wall. Their merit is that they have a well drained and flexible, therefore they are able to resist from flood, soil flow, water flow from above, and frost damage. Their duration depends on whether the wire which was composed of is strong enough, and if it is applied in severe climate like shore-side in a salt water environment, they have to be manufactured suitable corrosion-resistant wire, (Kussmaul, Wilimzig and Bock, 1998). Bagged concrete A less quality concrete can be positioned in woven plastic sacks equivalent to the one used in sandbags and alter emplaced. Afterward, the sacks are watered and emplacement then turns out to be sequences of artificial stones which match to one another and to contiguous soil and structures. Due to this conformation, they become resistance to disarticulation. The sack turns out to be non-functional and ultimately goes to wrack and ruins (Colantonio, 1997). This kind of masonry is normally applied to the exits and entrances of water channels where a boulevard passes over a dry wash or a stream. Also, it is used to shield stream banks from erosion, particularly where a boulevard passes close by, (Kussmaul, Wilimzig and Bock, 1998). Curing Curing is duration from consolidation to the position where the concrete attains its design strength. In curing concrete, a lot of care has to be taken in manufacturing in order to attain hardness and strength. Curing is made from cement, and it requires a moist and limited environment for it to gain strength and become totally harden. At initial, the cement cannot be rigid, but with time, depending on your preservation, it will gain the strength and hardness. This can take a period of three weeks, as many data’s shows that after three weeks 90% have already attained heat. The process of strengthening may continue for decades. It is essential to harden and hydrate concrete during the initial three days. A strong concrete can be obtained by increasing leaving the concrete as wet for a long duration while still in curing process. When the concrete becomes dry fast, or excess cement is applied, then this will increase cracking and shrinking. During this episode, concrete requires to be monitored and controls the humid atmosphere and temperature (Rita, Kiss, Laszlo, Kollar, Jai and Krawinkler, 2002). This is obtained by ponding or spraying the concrete with water, thus shielding concrete mass ailing effects of ambient states. The required temperature is approximate 730 F. A well curing concrete will result to increased strength and decreases the permeability and cracking where the surface becomes dry prematurely. There have to be a lot of care in order to avoid freezing or excess heating because of the exothermic setting of the cement. Poorly curing can cause decreased strength, scaling, cracking and poor abrasion resistance. Passive fire protection The walls of masonry have an endothermic impact of its hydrates, the same as in chemically bound water, in addition with unbound humidity from the concrete block, in additional to the poured concrete in case the hollow cores which are in the interior of the blocks are filled (John and Wall, 1967). United Arab Emirates (UAE) Factories The UAE is one of the nations that have the tallest building in the world. The cost for construction materials in United Arab Emirates (UAE) was predicted in 2007 to reach AED 40 billion. In a bid to influence the booming market, Danube Building Materials FZCO, a boss in construction, construction materials, and shop fitting commerce, supported the in recent times accomplished Building Materials Trading Group (BMTG) Networking Dinner. The experience, which was prepared by BMTG, an institute created beneath the sponsorship of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), searches to provide the growth of neighboring and provincial building materials companies (Jai, George, László, Kollár and Krawinkler, 2000). The primary edition of the high-effect networking matter, that was conducted at the India Club, Dubai on November 28, 2007, observed the partaking of 150 representatives from diverse sectors correlated to the building materials operate in the area. Besides, cheering more UAE-based companies to join the Group, the occasion also provided pertinent information on the surfacing of new merchandises, cost issues and market challenges, which will lend a hand to both new and time-honored competitors to advance the present industry standards in terms of usefulness in business practices. Mahendra Patel, Chairman, BMTG, said that the founding of the Building Materials Trading Group has formed a positive partnership among the colleague companies, which will promote the expansion of the building substance sector in terms of adequately addressing the escalating demands of the possessions growth market. The EUA is immeasurably pleased with the collaboration, which affiliates have displayed in attaining a common objective of lifting the market to even superior heights. Despite the direct merits of creating extroverted business opportunities, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry will offer abundant reimbursement to these enterprises as a reward for their considerable contributions to the encroachment of the industry (Bishop and Koor, 2000). Getting familiar with the necessitate to supply further competitive benefit to Dubai-based building materials suppliers, the DCCI created the BMTG with an objective to offer more business chances by providing networking between companies and potential consumers. From its founding in 2002, the Group has developed to encompass 11 board affiliates and more than 3,000 affiliates, who are dedicated towards further developing the building materials trading industry in the area, which is at present the second biggest industry in the Middle East behind the oil industry (Rita, Kiss, Laszlo, Kollar, Jai and Krawinkler, 2002). “Danube has been a division of a number of the most important property growths, which polish the extraordinary skyline of Dubai and other commercial districts in the UAE, “ said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube. “A leader in the area’s construction materials market, we are incessantly looking for opportunities to enlarge our reach and institute significant partnerships that focus on the high quality building materials that we tender (Bishop and Koor, 2000). Our contribution as the main supporter at the BMTG Networking Dinner remains as an evidence to our dedication towards the entirety growth of the industry, which we anticipate will encourage more companies to become a part of this very important movement.” These are the strategies that UAE have been applied over years in order to keep construction industry growing higher (Rita, Kiss, Laszlo, Kollar, Jai and Krawinkler, 2002). Below is a picture which shows Dubai skyscrapers: Efflorescence Efflorescence is the gathering of salts and minerals on masonry surface, like cement, brick, and in some moments the stone. It is the work inspectors to inspect in order to prevent against and confiscate this hideous residue (Rankine, 1856). Also, they have to know that efflorescence isn’t hazardous, but it is an indication of the existence of water that can result to more serious structural damage and health issues (Carter, 2010).. How Efflorescence Forms The earth have a natural salts that are available in the raw materials which forms masonry merchandises, such as stucco, concrete and asphalt (Gannon, 1995). This salt continue to be trapped inside the masonry in form of solid up to the time they are dissolved into water, and eventually enters into the material through tiny pores. Water can come from sprinklers, rain, household leaks or other sources. Cold, dry air will absolve this liquid back from the material where it evaporates, making the salt as a white crystalline development on the surface (John and Wall, 1967). Efflorescence is normally formed during the cold and dry weathers soon after it has rained and the moisture have makes its way into masonry. It might happen year-round, however it usually forms during the winter as a result of low temperatures (Carter, 2010). Identifying Efflorescence The appearance of efflorescence usually varies to the highest degree. It can have different edges, it may be powdery, or it may have sharp edges and simple to spot (Gannon, 1995). It can occupy a huge area as a fine dust or create huge solitary crystals. The appearance will depends partially on the kind of salt from which it was formed, but also humidity plays a big task in this fortitude (Lin, Quek, Nguyen, and Maalej, 2010). In extraordinarily dry climates, the evaporation of water can took place before it reaches the surface, and in this case, water will gather unseen underneath the surface. When comes to humid conditions, moisture can delay before it evaporate, thus permitting the slow development of whispers foretelling the surface (Carter, 2010). Consequently, inspectors must understand how to differentiate efflorescence from mold, but it is more possible for the property holders to bamboozle the two. The cost of a mold test can be escaped by identifying the substance if it’s efflorescence. Below are some of the tips that inspectors can provide to customers so that they are able to differentiate between the two: Pinched betwixt the fingers, mold will not turn into a powder, while efflorescence will. Mold forms on organic substances, while efflorescence forms on inorganic construction materials. But, it is not easier for mold to absorb dirt on cement or brick. Mold cannot dissolve in water, while efflorescence will. The color of efflorescence is mostly yellow, white or brown, whereas mold might be any imaginable color. Aside from the mold, the following stipulations might occur due to excessive moisture in a residence: Water smash up to sheetrock. Fungi that rot wood. Decreased effectiveness of insulting. Inspectors must understood that the occurrence of efflorescence in their inspection reports since it mainly appears due to overkill moisture, and this condition can also stimulate the growth of mold (Lin, Quek, Nguyen, and Maalej, 2010). However, they can make an exception during the initials years after the construction as efflorescence will occur due locked moisture within the masonry in procedure known as new building bloom. The moisture originates from water that was added during the mixing or manufacturing process, which will automatically result to efflorescence (Hurst, 1963). This kind of efflorescence will appear to the entire masonry material and will prolong to gathers until the preliminary water supply is diminished, which can take even a duration of one year. Below is a wall that has a bad case efflorescence (Cooke, 2003). The white minerals leaching from the mortar have gravely stained both the mortar and the stone: Prevention of Efflorescence In order to prevent water intrusion, an impregnating hydrophobic sealant might be used to the surface. Also, it will control water from running to the surface from within. However, in cold climatic regions, this sealant may cause the material to smash especially during thaw/freeze cycles. When constructing the building, bricks that are left out overnight have to be covered and kept on pallets. This is to prevent rain and moisture from damp soil that might be absorbed into the brick (Hurst, 1963). Removal of Efflorescence Pressurized water can be applied to dissolve or remove efflorescence. Also, an acid, like diluted muriatic acid may be used to liquefy efflorescence, but before you apply the acid, you have to apply water first in order to prevent acid from discoloring the bricks. You can neutralize the acid using bases such as the baking soda and many more (John and Wall, 1967). When using acid, like muriatic acid, they are toxic and this means that if they get contact with eyes or skin, they can damage someone, and as a result, you have to handle them with care. Below is diagram on how to remove efflorescence: Brick standard The United Kingdom signed an agreement with the European Standards to form EU’s Construction Products Directive. This law permitted free passage of construction materials in the EU economic region, hence rising economic activity and easier to trade merchandises across Europe. All materials for construction are covered in this process. The demand for clay brick is still high in Europe, and as result, the British Standard Specification (BS 3921), has been replaced by a fresh new European CEN Standard Specification (BS EN 771-1). This standard has been current published in the UK as the construction standards (Lin, Quek, Nguyen, and Maalej, 2010). The shape, size and color of bricks in England have significantly contributed to the urban environment which has grown over decades. The kind of the product and construction style varies enormously. Consequently, the new European CEN Standards have been in frontline to assist by providing the relevant information to each an every country. The UK has published its own guidelines known as National Annex (BS EN 771-1), which guides the users. There is also a National Annex 1344: 2002 for clay pavers that have been published. This provides guidelines betwixt the previous BS 6677: Part 1 (currently withdrawn) and BS EN 1344 in UK (Cooke, 2003). The specification guidance that are found in the annex on HD sort clay brick are: dimensions and tolerance configuration and format density compressive strength freeze/thaw resistance active soluble salts content durability designations water absorption reaction to fire bond strength appearance clay engineering and DPC bricks Conclusion Masonry industry started in the middle ages, and since then, it has been growing very fast with a lot of changes. One of the greatest causes of changes is the technology. There are many materials which are used in masonry. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it will depend on consumer preference. Masonry building has a long life when compared to others, such wood, and many more. However, the cost of constructing masonry building is much higher than others. Also, masonry building has to be regularly monitored and maintained (Cooke, 2003). Work Cited Antonio Colantonio, Thermal Performance Patterns on Solid Masonry Exterior Walls of Historic Buildings. Journal of Building Physics, Oct 1997; 21: 185 - 201. Bishop and N. P. Koor, Integrated geophysical and geotechnical investigations of old masonry retaining walls in Hong Kong. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, Nov 2000; 33: 335 - 349. C. Padovani, G. Pasquinelli, and M. Silhavy, Processes in Masonry Bodies and the Dynamical Significance of Collapse. Mathematics and Mechanics of Solids, Sep 2008; 13: 573 - 610. 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