Skip to main content

Tip of the Week Archive

IR Inspections of CMU Walls

May 02, 2016

Sponsored by:

II_logo
IR Inspections of CMU Walls

Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) walls are a common construction detail frequently used in single –story and low rise commercial block wall construction. An infrared imager can be used to quickly perform quality assurance inspections of reinforcing grout details which are critical to the strength of finished CMU walls.

During the construction of CMU walls, concrete grout is used to fill the cavity spaces of the blocks in order to provide structural integrity. Vertical details extending from the foundation to the top of the wall are usually placed at regularly spaced intervals along the length of the wall. Reinforcing grout is also placed around openings for doors and windows or in areas where extra wall strength is required.

Thermogram shows incomplete vertical grout details and insufficient grout around doorways in newly constructed wall . Images courtesy Stockton Infrared.
Thermogram shows incomplete vertical grout details and
insufficient grout around doorways in newly constructed
wall. Images courtesy Stockton Infrared.

Because grout details change the thermal capacitance and conductance of the wall, temperature differentials will occur wherever grout details are present. Infrared inspections may be performed under solar loading, heat loss, or cooling conditions depending upon local climate and time of day. Properly installed grout details will appear as uniformly cool or warm unbroken lines in the subject wall areas according to time of day and whether the inspection is performed from the interior or exterior of the building.

Infrared inspection of CMU walls is one of the many topics covered in the Infraspection Institute Level I Certified Infrared Thermographer® training course. For more information on class locations or our Distance Learning program, visit www.infraspection.com or call 609-239-4788.

Advertisement

Latest Tips

Temperature Differentials for Infrared Building Inspections – Part 1

December 02, 2024

Thanksgiving Safety Tip

November 25, 2024

Gauging When IR Inspection Window Opens/Closes

November 18, 2024

Is Distance Learning Right For You?

November 11, 2024

Standards for Infrared Thermography

November 04, 2024