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What size concrete blocks?
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| Jordan 2006-05-23, 4:21 am |
| What are the conventions regarding sizing of standard concrete blocks?
(Not the lightweight aereated type.)
Would a single skin of 6 inch (150mm) nominal be OK for the bottom level
of a 2-level house? (the upper will be timber framed).
Or, do I need 8 inch (200mm)?
Also, do the cores need to be concrete-filled?
Thanks
Jordan
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| marson 2006-05-23, 8:21 am |
| i'm not one to suggest "call an engineer" for every question on this
site. however, this would be one of those critical structural issues
where an engineers advice would be invaluable.
there are a lot of failed block foundations out there. also, a
timberframe imposes point loads on a foundation. off hand, i'm
thinking you'd want 8" block, core filled with a bond beam or two. but
again, check with an expert.
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| Jordan 2006-05-23, 9:21 am |
| marson wrote:
> i'm not one to suggest "call an engineer" for every question on this
> site. however, this would be one of those critical structural issues
> where an engineers advice would be invaluable.
>
> there are a lot of failed block foundations out there. also, a
> timberframe imposes point loads on a foundation. off hand, i'm
> thinking you'd want 8" block, core filled with a bond beam or two. but
> again, check with an expert.
>
Thanks, and yes an engineer must be involved before building.
I'm just at the sketching stage, and thickness of walls is something
that affects other things I'm planning.
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| JerryD\(upstateNY\) 2006-05-23, 11:21 am |
| I am sure it is different everywhere, but in Irondequoit, New York, you have
to use at least 10" block below grade.
Check with the town and see what they recommend.
If there is going to be a basement in the bottom level, 6" block will not be
strong enough.
The basement will cave in as soon as the wall is backfilled.
--
JerryD(upstateNY)
What are the conventions regarding sizing of standard concrete blocks?
(Not the lightweight aereated type.)
Would a single skin of 6 inch (150mm) nominal be OK for the bottom level
of a 2-level house? (the upper will be timber framed).
Or, do I need 8 inch (200mm)?
Also, do the cores need to be concrete-filled?
Thanks
Jordan
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| Needing Advice 2006-05-23, 12:21 pm |
| Being such a critical feature of your structure I would go with the
largest reccomended for your design. I don't know about where you live
but around here often times the reinforcment of the concrete wall is
spread out every so many feet. The rest of the cores can be filled
with vermiculite or some other form of fireproof insulating material.
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| Bob Morrison 2006-05-23, 12:21 pm |
| In a previous post Jordan wrote...
> Thanks, and yes an engineer must be involved before building.
> I'm just at the sketching stage, and thickness of walls is something
> that affects other things I'm planning.
>
>
Plan for 8 inch walls.
--
Bob Morrison, PE, SE
R L Morrison Engineering Co
Structural & Civil Engineering
Poulsbo WA
bob at rlmorrisonengr dot com
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| Glenn 2006-05-23, 12:21 pm |
|
"Bob Morrison" <SpamFighter@junk.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1edcba434b5e2664989b78@news.west.earthlink.net
> In a previous post Jordan wrote...
>
> Plan for 8 inch walls.
Poured and reinforced.
>
> --
> Bob Morrison, PE, SE
> R L Morrison Engineering Co
> Structural & Civil Engineering
> Poulsbo WA
> bob at rlmorrisonengr dot com
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| tmurf.1@juno.com 2006-05-23, 11:21 pm |
| 8" block are the standard. Ordinary horizontal block reinforcing is
plenty but bund beams add more strength. Is this above grade?
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| Jordan 2006-05-24, 3:21 am |
| tmurf.1@juno.com wrote:
> 8" block are the standard. Ordinary horizontal block reinforcing is
> plenty but bund beams add more strength. Is this above grade?
>
It won't be underground, but the ground will be bulldozed up to 6 feet
to level it out. The ground will be tapered up on the high side, as
there's plenty of room so won't need a retaining wall.
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