December 21, 2006 11:08 AM CST

ASTM Meetings held in Atlanta, GA

By Rashod R. Johnson, P.E.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) held its semi-annual fall meetings at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta from Dec 4-7th, 2006. Committees C12 on Masonry Mortars and C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units held task group, subcommittee and main committee meetings over these three days and debated a variety of topics.

A new subcommittee was formed on Manufactured Stone Veneer. This subcommittee has the charge of developing a manufacturing and installation standard for manufactured stone veneer. While the subcommittee is just getting started, there are many industry experts that have joined ASTM as a result of this pending Standard and it should result in a very technically sound ASTM document.

The workmanship standard task group’s leadership has shifted from Jerry Painter to Rashod Johnson, P.E. C15 committee chairwoman Diane Throop, P.E. charged the task group with the challenge of completing this standard within a year’s time. While this charge may seem daunting, Rashod is confident he can lead this standard to completion.

Lastly, Committee C12 on Masonry Mortars and Grouts celebrated its 75th Anniversary by hosting a banquet on December 6th, 2006. There were archives of the first ASTM C12 Standards on mortars and grouts, meeting minutes from the first committee meeting in 1937, and copies C12 standards throughout its 75 year history. Dr. John H. Matthys served as Master of Ceremonies and the distinguished speakers included Anthony Fiorato, ASTM Chairman of the Board; John Heslip, for Masonry Institute of Michigan Executive Director and former National Concrete Masonry Association President; Colin Munro, Chartered Masonry Consultant and former C15 Chairman; and Jerry Painter, President of Painter Masonry and MCAA technical committee chairman. The evening was capped off my presenting to Albert W. Isberner, Jr., the first ever J Ivan Davison Award. Congratulations to Committee C12 on an excellent event.

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About the Author

Rashod R. Johnson, P.E., is president of The Roderick Group in Chicago. He is the former Director of Engineering for the Mason Contractors Association of America and currently serves as a technical consultant to the association.