Essentials of
Masonry

PLANNING THE CONCRETE-BLOCK WALLS

You should lay out concrete-block walls to make maximum use of full- and half-length blocks, since this minimizes cutting and fitting blocks on the job.

2-7. Economical Construction. The most economical concrete-block walls are made of standard stretcher and corner blocks (Figure 2-3).

Figure 2-3. Standard blocks

To estimate how many full- and half-size blocks are required, plan the length and height of the wall, the width and height of the openings, and the wall area between doors, windows and corners (Figure 2-4).

Figure 2-4. Planning concrete-wall openings

2-8. Nominal Length and Height. All horizontal dimensions should be in multiples of nominal full-length blocks. Both horizontal and vertical dimensions should be in multiples of 8 inches. Table 2-1, lists the nominal height of concrete-block walls by stretchers. Table 2-2, lists the nominal length of concrete-block walls by course.

Table 2-1. Nominal height of concrete-block walls

Table 2-2. Nominal length of concrete-block walls

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