8" Block Question

lukachuki

Hey guys,

I've got to figure out how much concrete to order for a 8" block wall 150' x 5' pumping all the cores.

Any simple formulas you guys use when it comes to grout pumping cores on a block wall. I suppose I'm just being lazy and should go out and measure the core of a block sitting in my yard but I thought there might be a rule of thumb you guys, who do this a lot, use.


I'm not so lazy that i'm asking for you to do the math just looking for the voices of experience here.

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Tscarborough

.26 CuFt per Blk.

concretemasonry

Good number!

Why fill all the cores? - Do you just find it easier?

It is hard to find a code engineering reason unless you have steel at 8" or 16". Is this a privacy wall that has to meet a perscriptive local standard?

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Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

lukachuki

I hate saying this, because I went about this project all wrong, in not getting an engineer involved, but this wall is going to retain 5' of properly drained fill sand! I am nervous about this whole project as the liability is with me if it turns into a sidewalk so I thought the best thing I could do is fill it with steel and pump it full. For your info we also put 5' x8' block kickbacks every 10' into the slope and all this is on a monster reinforced footer 34" x 12" or so.

Is this to much overkill or should I plan on replacing it in 5 years when it poops out. By the way this is just one end of a 300'x150' block arena polo ring that we built.

Gotta get back to work and thanks for the replies.

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stacker

here are a couple calculators i found on the net.hope they help.
http://www.concrete.com/calculatorsmaterials.htm#volume

http://www.concreteblockcentral.com/grout.htm

good luck

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Tscarborough

Whenever I hear the words "concrete block" and "retaining wall" used in the same sentence, I get nervous. It sounds like you did the right thing with the pilasters, though, so you should be all right. You did key them in and use plenty of horizontal reinforcing, right?

The most important thing on a retaining wall, though is drainage. You have to get the water out of the retained soil, period.

stacker

one thing we use here when we build a block retaining wall is a dead man.

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lukachuki

Yes, i hear you, like I said next time I will not stick my neck out quite so far and i will get an engineer involved. Durawall every other course and as far as drainage draintile behind with 57 stone ontop and fabric to keep the dirt out and then fill sand to the top. I will also put a bond beam on the top course...and yes the pilasters are are keyed in every other course... I really wish I would've bid and put in 12" block I don't like having that nervous feeling at all, and I never want it again.

Do you stack your dead men in front or behind the wall Stacker, and what is the best configuration for stacking...and where do you get enough bodies....and how important is it that they are men?

Actually what exactly are you talking about? I think I know but fill me in.

__________________
"The problem with internet quotes is, you never know if they are authentic." -Abraham Lincoln-

Less with the jaw more with the paw!

Tscarborough

A deadman is an anchor with it's major chord parallel to the face of the wall. We do not generally have that luxury here, as most retaining walls are actually facings; i.e. there is solid rock 1-4 foot behind the face of the wall.

stacker

i have a good freind who works in the funeral industry.he keeps me supplied with dead men.

i think tscar answered you question perfectly.

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tkle

3' footing with an 18"x1' keyway.#4 bar horizontal on top of first course,midway and bond beam.Weep holes and gravel or drainpipe and gravel.No deadmen if backfilled after 7 days.1 yard/100 6x8x16.

CJKarl

Your footing with rebar tied into the wall is the most important thing. You want to build a cantilever wall. The footing should extend about 4" into the bank with rebar running from the rear of the footing then bent upwards and run through the cores of the block. Grout solid and you won't have any problems. The weight of the soil on the back of the footing keeps it from rolling forward. So the most important part of the whole project is making the block wall "one" with the footing.
Personally, around here we would pour the whole thing.

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Tscarborough

Around here we use segmental retaining walls. They are better overall than a poured or CMU retaining wall for many reasons.