Concrete Concerns

[LinFox]

We are building a house on in the Mountain, actually a very very remote area with no electricty and it probably will never come through. The building is
22'7" square and 24 foot tall. We have the contractor going above and beyone when it comes to this building a sort of over kill which does NOT make the contractor very happy.

This is an all block building, we are putting rebar in the walls as well as durawall every course on the first floor and then every other course. As well as filling the blocks with concrete...

The footing was poured with 5000lb with fiber concrete and drains are being put in around the building. The first floor is a slab with 5000lb concrete. We will be putting in steel beams and such as well. Like I said over kill Im sure but its better to be safe than sorry.

My first set of questions are:

1. Any suggestions on other things we should do to ensure the building?
2. Are smooth end block stronger, not as strong, or the same as regular (not smoothed) block?

Thank you

 

[rimshot]

My first set of questions are:

1. Any suggestions on other things we should do to ensure the building?
2. Are smooth end block stronger, not as strong, or the same as regular (not smoothed) block?

Thank you

(Linfox)
============

First of all, you are truly building a bomb proof shelter. Why make any mason include durawall for every course? I Don't necessarily agree that dura wall in every course is helpful and may even take away from the workmanship and soundness of the wall. It is going to slow down the workmanship because technically the stuff is not supposed to just be laid on top of each course with mortar troweled on top but it is supposed to be pulled up so mortar completely surrounds it. If a concrete block wall fails it is strange but to me always seems to break at joint with durawall as opposed to courses w/o this supposed reinforcing.

I would further compare overuse of durawall with using a stronger grade of mortar like using "S" mortar over "type N". In many applications it is stronger but actually more brittle. In plain Engllish it might be overkill and detract from the actual durability of the structure.

Corner blocks are heavier than regular line blocks. Yes, they are probably even stronger because they are heavier because of a thicker corner web. But what is the sense of making your blocklayers have to work with something that is actually more dificult to work with. To me, the trade off takes away from the project in tems of workbility.

In the end however, you are signing the paycheck so the choice is yours. Just consider if the juice is worth the squeeze.

rimshot

 

[ray66v]

I will admit I am not a big fan of concrete blocks.

That being said, I am not sure filling the blocks with concrete is a good idea.

I would much rather have them filled with foam insulation, to cut down on the heat/cold transfer.

 

[biggerten]

First of all, you are truly building a bomb proof shelter.
rimshot

Bomb proof would require going underground.

This is a curious structure, I picture a young maiden (probably his daughter) locked up for her protection against suitors. But as I recall, she'll just let her hair grow, braid it, and lower it down for the eager young man guy to climb up to the waiting eager young woman. You can't fight Mother Nature.

 

[Pops15]

Most of the problems you see with older block buildings were caused by footings that failed. 5000# footings with fiber should hold up very well. Did you use rebar too? Why so much overkill for a house floor?
I agree with rimshot about the durawall. I also question filling the blocks with concrete. If you're going to do that why not just pour concrete walls? I understand your contractor's frustration. I certainly don't think you should cut corners, but I think you're throwing money at problems that don't exist.

 

[Egon]

What kind of foundation design did the foundation engineers come up.

Any slope stability issues with heavy rains?

Any flooding/washout possibility?

Does it meet earthquake/ high wind codes?

 

[rimshot]

<Bomb proof would require going underground.> (biggerten)
============================================

OK, if we are talking bunker busters and Linfox knows one is coming he better do more than just duck when he's inside his fortress (big smile).

I guess the point of all this is just what is needed and where to draw the line? Why wouldn't standard building workmanship and materiels handle the job? Maybe Linfox has a compelling reason for requiring any excess.

rimshot

 

[chucko]

if you are As well as filling the blocks with concrete. why not just pour the wall solid as that is what it will be anyhow?

 

[rimshot]

This point concerning block wall vs. Poured wall is a good one but actually needs some further discussion. If you go with a block wall and insist on filling all the cores that's fine but technically speaking it is not the same as having a poured wall.

You can lay up an eight foot high wall consisting of 8"X8"x16"blocks and then go ahead and fill all the cores but air locked areas will still be present. Why? Masons mud head joints and nearly all the mudded vertical joints seal up just another small air pocket. When you grout the cores this air pocket can not possibly be filled. Some will regard it as a weak spot compared with the grouted portions of the block. In almost all applications, block walls constructed with good workmanship are highly capable and sturdy for residential foundations. Poured walls are obviously even stronger but for most of us block walls have performed adequately. ymmv

rimshot

 

[LBrown59]

* I would never throw money into a house where elect wasn't available ?
If you ever want to sell it it will be worth next to nothing or worse yet you wont be able to unload it at all.

]*We are building a house on the Mountain, actually a very very remote area with no electricty and it probably will never come through. [/COLOR]
The building is 22'7" square and 24 foot tall. We have the contractor going above and beyone when it comes to this building a sort of over kill which does NOT make the contractor very happy.

This is an all block building, we are putting rebar in the walls as well as durawall every course on the first floor and then every other course. As well as filling the blocks with concrete...

The footing was poured with 5000lb with fiber concrete and drains are being put in around the building. The first floor is a slab with 5000lb concrete. We will be putting in steel beams and such as well. Like I said over kill Im sure but its better to be safe than sorry.

My first set of questions are:

1. Any suggestions on other things we should do to ensure the building?
2. Are smooth end block stronger, not as strong, or the same as regular (not smoothed) block?

Thank you