Delegated Design of CMU Masonry– The Paradigm Shift Has Begun

To view the figures and tables associated with this article, please refer to the flipbook above.

In May 2023, STRUCTURE magazine published my article, “Delegated Design of Masonry.” In that article I proposed a paradigm shift to move masonry to a delegated design workflow similar to so many other specialized structural systems.

Knowing that change is hard and it’s very difficult to overcome inertia, I had little expectation anything would come from that article.

I was wrong.

The timing was right. The industry was ready. And the paradigm shift has begun.

Masonry is one of those system designs that is not typically taught in an engineering curriculum. It is a system that requires not only technical expertise of the analysis and codes but also an understanding of the intricacies of masonry construction. A technically correct design can still be flawed if no thought is given to how the masons will build it. A cost-effective design merges technical savvy analysis with practical experience of constructability concerns, and no “one stop shopping” computer analysis software has it mastered yet.

Many engineering firms have this unique expertise, but many others simply don’t do enough masonry designs to be proficient. The result has been overly conservative designs that misinterpret the code and are difficult to construct. Over time, this has led to the perception that masonry is “too expensive” and can’t compete with other systems like cold-formed framing and precast.

Building designs have become increasingly complex and intricate, codes have tripled in size, schedules have become more fast paced, and fees have remained stagnant, so it is no surprise that a release valve is needed on the pressure cooker. That release valve is delegated design.
Delegated design has been used in the AEC industry for decades. AIA contracts have recognized and addressed delegated design since 1997. Most engineers have used delegated design for things like steel connection design, cold-formed framing, precast, wood trusses, pre-engineered metal buildings, steel bar joists, and many other nuanced structural elements and systems.

Delegated design is already being used for some aspects of masonry design. For instance, stone anchors are typically designed by a delegate engineer hired by the stone mason and some architects are delegating the design of clay brick veneer anchors. We are proposing expanding delegated design further to include structural masonry elements such as partition walls, lintels, bearing walls, and shear walls.

Delegating the design of certain systems to the Contractor allows the Contractor to engage delegate engineers that have the required knowledge, skills, experience and time to design and detail these systems more efficiently and economically.

So where does masonry stand with delegated design? The wheels are in motion.

A significant player in the shift is the Concrete Masonry Checkoff program. This Department of Commerce Checkoff program is devoted to the advancement of concrete masonry, and its Beauty of Block campaign and the Block Design Collective website offer much needed education, guidance, and design aids to architects, engineers, and masons. The Block Design Collective supports the shift to delegated design and has published a “Guide for the Delegated Design of Masonry.” This guide provides specific information on the role of the Engineer of Record, the Mason Contractor, and the Delegate Engineer. In addition, the Block Design Collective has established a Design Assist program for each region of the country where they now provide free project support by engaging with firms that have proven masonry expertise. These firms have agreed to work as consultants for the Block Design Collective and contribute regularly to guiding firms with less experience in masonry design and construction.

Masonry organizations like TMS (the Masonry Society), MCAA (Masonry Contractors Association of America ), MIM (Masonry Institute of Michigan), PCMA (Pennsylvania Concrete Masonry Association), and MISL (Masonry Institute of St Louis) as well as SEI (Structural Engineering Institute) have sponsored seminars and webinars educating the AEC community on delegated design of masonry. These educational sessions are crucial to address common questions and concerns.

In my first article, I suggested that consensus among mason contractors would be critical for delegated design to be successful. In talks with MCAA and various mason contractors, I believe there is agreement that change is needed. Of course a new path is daunting, but no one is more interested in having superior masonry designs than the masons.

Another earlier challenge was finding qualified delegate engineers across the country. Thanks to the Block Design Collective, this hurdle has been crossed. Masons can contact their regional directors from the Block Design Collective who will connect them with the talent that they need to perform successful delegated designs.

And lastly, I noted a transition period would be needed to overcome inertia. Continued education and promotion will be necessary to encourage engineers to make the change to a delegated design. Again, the Block Design Collective is that conduit to pave the way to a successful experience. They can provide the outreach to masons in your region and be a resource during the process.

Before implementing a delegated design approach on your next project, I recommend reaching out to the Block Design Collective to obtain a copy of the Guide and to discuss the project with your regional representative. Your representative can reach out to local masons to make them aware of the project and what aspects will be delegated. The Guide provides definitions, addresses responsibilities, liability and insurance, summarizes a sample workflow, and provides sample specification language.

The key to success for any delegated design is having well defined responsibilities and roles. The Guide for Delegated Design of Concrete Masonry clarifies the roles of the Engineer of Record (EOR) and the Delegate Design. It is important to note that the EOR remains responsible for the load path through the building and the Contract Documents must clearly identify elements that will be delegated and must provide the load demand and performance criteria for each masonry element to the Delegate engineer.

This checklist provides a general summary of the roles and responsibilities (see sidebar below).
The wheels are now in motion for fundamental change. The Masonry Checkoff Block Design Collective provides the framework for that change. Lessons will be learned along the way, but the path is leading in the right direction: delegated design.

Let’s get masonry design and detailing into the hands of those that do it the right way. Let’s shift to delegated design. ■

About the Author

Jamie Davis, BAE, PE, is the President of Ryan Biggs Clark Davis Engineering, DPC and can be reached at (jdavis@ryanbiggs.com)