6 Inch Block Garage Foundation?????

Originally Posted by POOLMANinCT

now this a quality thread.

Originally Posted by concretemasonry

Dik -

That is a little much for reinforcement. Bad engineer, bad code or bad inspection. Almost any code will allow unreinforced block for garage foundation/stem wall. A bond beam makes sense since it gives you a chance to hold down the flimsy wood frame garage. From a practical standpoint reinforce and fill the cores where you have an anchor bolt.

A comparison with some good construction - They may have 32" or 48" reinforcement spacing for the lower one or two floors on a 20 story building. After that, it is less. Why go crazy on a garage?

Poor engineering is one of the reasons for the lack of masonry. Throw in an uneducated inspector in and you have a mess and less masonry.

Originally Posted by concretemasonry

Masonking02 -

Better yet, use 6" or 8" all the way and give the man a bigger garage.

Then there will be more work for masons everywhere.

12", 14" and 16" thick block walls are OK in their place, but they should not be used as an excuse for poor design or construction. - A waste of time and money.

Originally Posted by concretemasonry

In many places they make 12", 14" and 16" thick block for walls. There is a place for them if you have high lateral loads.

In places where they use a lot of 6" block for high rise buildings, they have no need for 12" block so they use 2-6" block on the first floor of a 20 story building. The need for 12" block is so low, the are only available on special order.

The 14" and 16" are for insecure engneers in the U.S. or for specal situations like a high garage wall in an apartment building or a foundaton wall under a 4" brick, 2" cavity and 8" back-up wall.