The TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specifications for Masonry Structures, 2016 offers comprehensive coverage of both the design and construction aspects of masonry structures. TMS 402-16 sets forth structural requirements for a wide range of masonry systems, including reinforced and unreinforced masonry, masonry veneers, and glass unit masonry, using three recognized design methods: allowable stress design, strength design, and empirical design. It addresses key structural behaviors such as axial load, flexure, shear, and combined loading conditions. TMS 602-16 complements this by specifying detailed construction practices, material properties, and workmanship standards to ensure safety, durability, and performance in the field. This includes requirements for mortar, grout, reinforcement, tolerances, inspection, and testing. The standard also includes companion commentaries for each section, offering interpretation and rationale behind code provisions. Together, TMS 402/602-16 serves as a foundational reference for engineers, architects, contractors, code officials, and educators involved in masonry design and construction.

Design Code (TMS 402-16)

• Design of:
  • Reinforced and unreinforced masonry
  • Masonry veneer systems
  • Glass unit masonry
• Three design approaches:
  • Allowable Stress Design (ASD)
  • Strength Design
  • Empirical Design
• Structural performance topics:
  • Axial load, flexure, shear, torsion, and in-plane/out-of-plane loading
  • Wall and column design
  • Load combinations
  • Design for lateral loads (wind and seismic)
• Special design provisions:
  • Shear friction (new in 2016)
  • Updated anchor bolt design
  • Interaction equations for combined loading

Construction Specification (TMS 602-16)

• Material requirements:
  • Masonry units, mortar, grout, reinforcement, and ties
• Workmanship standards:
  • Masonry unit laying, jointing, grouting, and reinforcement placement
• Construction tolerances and joint tolerances
• Field practices:
  • Cold and hot weather construction
  • Protection of materials and completed work
• Quality assurance/quality control:
  • Inspection levels (Level A, B, C)
  • Testing procedures
  • Consolidated and simplified QA/QC tables
• Responsibilities of contractor and inspector

The TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specifications for Masonry Structures, 2016 serves as a critical tool in the practical design and construction of masonry structures. Engineers use it to calculate and verify the strength, stability, and safety of masonry elements such as walls, columns, and shear systems under various load conditions, including gravity, wind, and seismic forces. Architects and structural designers apply its guidelines to ensure that buildings meet both performance and aesthetic requirements while remaining code-compliant. Contractors rely on the specification section (TMS 602) to guide masonry unit placement, mortar and grout selection, reinforcement installation, and to comply with workmanship and tolerances. Inspectors and building officials use the document’s quality assurance provisions to verify that materials and construction practices meet code expectations, ensuring safe and consistent construction. In education, the standard is used as a foundational reference for teaching masonry design in civil and structural engineering programs. Overall, TMS 402/602-16 bridges the gap between structural design intent and field execution, ensuring that masonry structures are both technically sound and practically buildable.

For Engineers

• Design masonry structures using ASD, Strength Design, or Empirical methods.
• Analyze walls, piers, beams, and foundations for axial, flexural, shear, and seismic loads.
• Calculate reinforcement, grout spacing, and bearing capacities.

For Architects & Designers

• Incorporate structural and aesthetic requirements of masonry into architectural plans.
• Ensure wall systems meet code and material compatibility requirements.
• Coordinate with engineers for integrated load paths and details.

For Contractors

• Follow clear construction guidelines for masonry unit placement, grouting, and reinforcement.
• Meet material specifications for mortar, grout, and reinforcement.
• Apply tolerances and field practices, including in hot/cold weather conditions.

For Inspectors & Code Officials

• Use QA/QC tables to verify compliance with construction and material standards.
• Enforce inspection levels and documentation during key stages of construction.
• Ensure building code compliance per IBC and referenced TMS standards.

For Educators & Students

• Teach masonry behavior, design approaches, and construction techniques.
• Use real-world examples and commentary to reinforce theory.
• Prepare students for professional licensure and design practice.

The TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specifications for Masonry Structures, 2016 is an essential reference for licensing exam preparation in structural and civil engineering, particularly for candidates taking the NCEES PE or SE exams in the United States. The standard is often included in the list of approved references for the Structural Engineering (SE) exam and may appear on breadth or depth portions, especially those focused on buildings. It provides the basis for masonry-related problems involving wall design, reinforcement detailing, allowable stresses, and load combinations. Exam candidates use the code to solve design problems involving axial, flexural, and shear loading, interpret construction specifications, and apply quality assurance requirements. Understanding how to navigate and interpret both the code (TMS 402) and specification (TMS 602) sections—along with their respective commentaries—is crucial for answering multiple-choice and essay-style problems efficiently. Familiarity with the layout, design provisions, and typical code equations is key to success on timed exams.

Exam Topics Based on TMS 402/602

• Design using:
  • Allowable Stress Design (ASD)
  • Strength Design (SD)
• Determine:
  • Required reinforcement for masonry walls
  • Grouting requirements and spacing
  • Section capacity under combined loading
• Apply:
  • Construction tolerances
  • Mortar and grout properties
  • Inspection levels (Level A, B, C)

The TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specifications for Masonry Structures, 2016 offers a variety of visual and organizational tools that can be applied to enhance navigation, comprehension, and recall—especially valuable for design professionals, students, and exam candidates. A well-structured table of contents and clearly labeled section headers allow users to differentiate between code (TMS 402) and specification (TMS 602) content quickly. Flowcharts and process diagrams are helpful for understanding the design steps for masonry walls, veneers, and shear walls, making them particularly useful in practice and test scenarios. Summary tables and comparison charts consolidate key information such as design method criteria, material requirements, and reinforcement spacing, aiding both study and field application. The side-by-side code and commentary layout provides insight into the rationale behind provisions, making interpretation easier. Highlighting and the use of physical or digital tabs can further speed up reference during open-book exams. Additionally, digital versions of the standard allow for quick keyword searches and bookmarking. Tools like the Masonry Designer’s Guide (MDG) and worked examples add visual context, while flashcards, cheat sheets, and mind maps serve as excellent memory aids.

•  Table of Contents & Section Organization
• Flowcharts & Process Diagrams
• Summary Tables & Comparison Charts
• Side-by-Side Code and Commentary