MCAA Key Accomplishments 2012-2013

By Jeff Buczkiewicz

 

Membership dues paid to the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is the largest source of funding that we have. Its importance cannot be understated…it's a vital part of the association that enables us to continue to fight for our industry on behalf of all mason contractors. Our involvement on all fronts (from regulatory reform to education and training) continues to ensure the survivability and viability of our industry for generations to come. Below is a list of some our recent successes supported by MCAA Membership dollars followed by a brief outlook for the year ahead.

BIM software development

Phase One of the BIM Software Development program is complete. Phase one has given the industry a roadmap forward to implement a fully operational BIM for Masonry program. Phase Two of the process is formally going to be kicked off June 1, 2013. Phase two will see contractor education and input is a major emphasis. Phase two will have contractor education initiatives rolled out and will take up to 18 months to complete. It is during this time that the vast majority of "what contractors need from BIM" will be developed, then the tools for contractors to access those wants will begin in the form of education. This is an exciting step forward in the process and will offer huge opportunities for contractors. The entire process is projected to be about a five-year process. When complete masonry will level the playing field with competing systems and will be at the very beginning of the development process in building design.

Single wythe wall study

The MCAA has partnered with the IMI and the Canadian mason contractors to engage the University of Louisville to conduct a study, which will help make it possible to design single wythe masonry walls in climate zones 3-6 in spite of the new IECC code. We expect to receive results of this study this summer June/July and expect to begin to promote those results soon thereafter. A large component of this study will deal with thermal mass and it's impact on R-values. The results of the study are showing that thermal walls with lower R-values perform better than walls without thermal mass at higher R-values. This research will be invaluable in fighting for changes to energy codes that impacted single wythe walls and getting better designs, that are more energy efficient with thermal mass walls and lower R-values.

Learning experiences for contractors

The MCAA introduced new "Networking Sessions" at our two face-to-face meetings. These new sessions replaced our old educational programs. At our mid-year meeting we broke into five breakout sessions by employment classification. Participants discussed some pre-developed questions about best practices within their company and then had an open forum on topics the participants wanted to learn more about. It was so popular it was carried over to our convention and these sessions were conducted in a mobile classroom on the show floor. In addition to this experience, the MCAA introduced the "webinar season pass". This concept offer's programs and educational opportunities for your entire company all year long. We are looking to reach beyond a key contact and give benefits to your entire firm. New programs are offered weekly and are recorded for on demand viewing. This brings the educational experience to your doors and gives great opportunities to everyone within your company.

MasonrySystems.org

MasonrySystems.org was re-launched Feb. 7, 2013, during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas. The site allows visitors to determine which masonry wall system is right for their next building, learn why masonry structures outlast and outperform every other building system, and discover the beauty and versatility of brick, block and stone. The goal for the redesign was to create a user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and informative website that would be used as a masonry resource for architects, owners, contractors, masonry suppliers, and other decision makers. Masonry wall systems along with an updated and easily visible Details, Benefits, Gallery, Knowledge, Communication, and Resources sections are highlighted on the website. Each section includes updated graphics, links to other resources, and cross-references to other sections on the site. Since re-launching, over 400,000 visitors have viewed the new MasonrySystems.org and the site has received over 1,000,000 hits.

A Look to the Year Ahead

Silica initiatives

It is expected that OSHA will finally release a new silica rule this year. In preparation for this rule, the MCAA has reconvened and been active in the silica coalition made up of over 20 construction associations including the Home Builders, AGC, ABC, ASA, Roofers and many more. This coalition will shortly hire a law firm to develop an independent economic impact study of construction, as well as develop a response and questions about the new required PEL level. This level is believed to be half of the current PEL, which would be 50 (from the current 100) with an action level of 25. This would be economically devastating to the construction industry and very harmful to our industry in particular. In addition to the economical issues, there are great concerns about the technological feasibility of our industry to be able to meet these new PEL levels. Those arguments will be discussed in detail in the industries response to the new rule.

MQI redevelopment

Another very exciting program happening in 2013-14 is the re-development of our Masonry Quality Institute program. This program will be redeveloped and designed in consultation with eight different contractors from around the country. Their knowledge and experience will be the basis of the course. In addition to a great program, attendees will also take away from the program an outline of a company quality assurance program. As they work through the program, they will fill in the outline to make it company specific. We have had numerous requests for Quality Assurance programs and this class will now offer that opportunity. In addition the class will be more economical for attendees and will likely see webinar based learning opportunities.

Contractor-to-contractor education

The MCAA is committed to bringing more educational opportunities to contractors which give them real life experience and learning opportunities from one another. The MCAA is in the process of developing a new opportunity for contractor-to-contractor learning by visiting each other's job sites, facilities, yards, etc. Look for the first opportunity late this winter (of course in a warm climate), sometime soon after the convention. It will be a unique experience for all to enjoy.

As the year develops there will be undoubtedly more exciting opportunities for our association to participate in. We need your continued support to maximize our opportunities and serve the needs of our industry.

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About the Author

Jeff Buczkiewicz is the President and CEO of the Mason Contractors Association of America. Jeff has worked in the masonry industry for several years as the Executive Vice President of the Building Stone Institute and the Director of Marketing and Membership for the Mason Contractors Association of America. Jeff has also served as Secretary on the Board of the Natural Stone Council and is a former Board Member of the StonExpo Federation.

Creating BIM-M: Building Information Modeling for Masonry

By David T. Biggs, P.E., S.E

Hopefully, by now, you have heard of the national initiative to develop Building Information Modeling (BIM) for everyone in the masonry industry. As an industry, we have to recognize that:

a) BIM is being used by the construction industry

b) BIM is being adopted by owners and construction managers at an accelerating pace

c) The masonry industry is not ready for BIM

d) Without BIM capabilities, masons and mason contractors will lose work or find their contracts being back charged for not providing BIM services

e) Everyone who embraces BIM for masonry could benefit.

As previously reported, an association of masonry groups has combined to create the National BIM for Masonry Initiative (BIM-M). See “Masonry and BIM: The Next Level,” Masonry, January 2013, for the background. Since that article was published, the momentum has continued to build. Significant activity has occurred on many fronts.

One significant milestone recently was achieved, with the completion of an industry Roadmap to guide us on this multi-year, multi-project venture. The roadmap was developed with industry input by the Digital Building Laboratory of Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), led by Professors Chuck Eastman (the Father of BIM) and Russell Gentry. 

The entire roadmap text is available online at www.masonryfoundation.org/pdf/a-roadmap-for-developing-and-deploying-building-information-modeling-bim-for-the-masonry-industry.pdf. However, we’ll highlight some of the major results here, and provide some insight to where we are going.

The Roadmap preparation was officially Phase I of our journey. Going forward, the Roadmap includes Phase II – Preparation, Phase III – Specification, and Phase IV – Implementation. 

Phase II has just started and is scheduled to run through 2014. Phase III begins January 2015 and runs through May 2016. Phase IV begins June 2016 and runs through January 2018. The dates are optimistic and highly dependent upon industry funding; cooperation of volunteers and industry groups; and the willingness of software vendors to participate.

SUBHEAD: Phase II comprises four projects:

Project 1 - Masonry Unit Model Definition

Project 2 - BIM-M Benchmark

Project 3 - Masonry Wall Model Definition

Project 4 - BIM-M Contractor Input

Project 1 includes a major industry effort to develop guidelines and a format for suppliers to specify their materials in a common digital format. The primary emphasis will be to include masonry unit information and, subsequently, will be extended to include accessories. Jeff Elder, P.E., of Interstate Brick will lead this effort for the masonry industry. Georgia Tech will be the prime consultant and will work with volunteers from the Material Suppliers Working Group.

Project 2 will be conducted by Georgia Tech. It includes inviting the major software vendors to create BIM models of actual masonry buildings using their current software. The goal is to highlight how BIM-M is underrepresented by current software and to open a dialog with the vendors for further development.

Project 3 involves yet another major effort on the masonry design side by the Architectural Modeling Working Group and the Structural Modeling Working Group. This effort is led by Ms. Jamie Davis, P.E., Ryan-Biggs Associates. These groups are tasked, in 2013, with researching, developing and detailing 10 masonry wall types that represent commonly used systems throughout the United States. Once completed, Georgia Tech will take the information, develop a digital representation of the systems, interface it with the materials information from Project 1, and feed it to software vendors.

Together, Projects 1 through 3 develop and document the knowledge required for the “front end” of BIM-M, so that architects and engineers can produce BIM models that embed substantial, actionable information about masonry into the design deliverables.

Project 4 is the first major project that directly addresses the needs of the mason, the mason contractor, the construction manager and general contractor. We feel that mason and contractor involvement are so critical to the success of BIM-M that one-third of all the projects in the Roadmap are dedicated to educating masons and improving masonry construction processes. BIM-M can be a tool that raises the bar for all who embrace it.

Tasks within Project 4 involve surveying the contractor community for input on critical issues such as defining best practices and improvement through the use of BIM-M. In addition, such topics as construction safety, project planning, material procurement, quantity take off, cost estimating, wall bracing, and more will be reviewed for possible inclusion in BIM-M software and can help the mason contractor.

The Construction Activities Working Group will be asked to investigate new delivery methods for putting the software tools into the hands of the mason and the contractor. Today, these tools are smartphones, laptops and tablets. On the horizon are hands-free headsets and whatever else the imagination can create.

Another significant aspect of Project 4 is the mason and contractor education program. A task is underway to develop educational programs to introduce masons and contractors to increasing complex digital tools and software, so they will be prepared to use the coming BIM-M software, once it moves to implementation. The industry is partnering with the Association of General Contracting to leverage their educational programs on BIM, and developing additional programs directly targeted to masons and contractors. Art Theusch of Collaborative Consulting Inc. is the lead consultant on this task.

Once Phase II is completed, Phase III will see Georgia Tech take the information developed and prepare proposals for software vendors to include more masonry capabilities into their products. Design and construction workflows will be included. Software vendors will be asked to respond with new or modified products specifically for the masonry industry.

Then the wait begins: How long will it take for the software vendors to respond to our needs? It will be a function of the degree of partnering developed throughout the process by the Executive Committee, the working groups and with our consultants at Georgia Tech.

Phase IV will begin with the implementation of a new era of software for the masonry industry. What follows will be the forever updating and improvements that accompany any software and technological advances.

There is much to be done, and opportunities exist for those willing to volunteer. 

David Biggs is masonry industry coordinator for BIM-M. You can contact him at biggsconsulting@att.net.

Update: Funding for BIM for Masonry

 

The national groups behind the BIM for Masonry (BIM-M) project are working to raise dollars to help cover the costs of the BIM-M program. One part of the contractor side of this equation is working through the established charitable foundation, “The Masonry Foundation,” a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

All contributions made to the foundation that are designated “BIM” will be used exclusively for BIM development. Any contributions to the Masonry Foundation are tax deductible as a charitable gift, so donors will get the best available tax advantage permitted by the IRS.   

The project is estimated, preliminarily, to cost about $2 million. While that sounds like a lot of money – and it is, our industry is a large industry, which means a lot of small contributions can go a very long way. If half the people who receive this magazine committed to give just $50 a year for five years, we would raise nearly $1 million for the effort.

We ask that you consider giving to this effort today. We truly feel that without a robust BIM plan, our industry will lose market share instead of gain it. You can contribute using credit cards online at www.masonryfoundation.org. You also may give over the phone, by calling 800-536-2225 during regular business hours. Thank you in advance for your support.      

~ Jeff Buczkiewicz