Block Up To Grade, Or Pour Concrete To Grade??

ruskent

I've done a decent amount of masonary. I am designing my first patio with masonary seating walls and built in grill.

Our frost line is 42" here. I almost think I am better off digging the 2' wide trench and pouring the concrete to about 1 course below grade.

I know I will spend more money on concrete. But I save on excavation, block, labor to block, dirt removal, backfilling and compacting walls after they are built.

It sounds like this is the way to go. What do the experts think?

concretemasonry

If you are worried about strength, both poured concrete and block can be the same strength. If you have an unbalanced load, you may need more rebar.

As far as backfilling, you have the same requirements for backfilling materials and compaction requirements for either wall.

The footing width will be dictated by the thickness of the wall. Usually, no matter what kind of wall material, it good to have 4" wider on each side, but you go wider within reason if it makes you feel good. If you have a rigid wall (concrete or block) as a retaining wall it is usually better to hav a footing that is offset from the wall to make it work better (engineered).

You may have some local code "quirks", so it god to check, but usually landscape walls are not controlled by a code (IBC or IRC). - Some local codes can always increase the requirements an arbitratily include landscaping into the residential codes.

__________________
Dick

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

ruskent

I don't think you are understanding what I mean. Instead of digging a 42" deep trench wide enought to work in, pouring a 8" thick footing and then installing cmus.

I would dig a 2" wide trench 42" deep and fill the trench right up with concrete.

concretemasonry

That will work. You certainly do not have to worry about a part load charge, depending on the length of the wall.

Some inspectors would let it fly unless you have the right soil. If you are in sand, forget about it.

__________________
Dick

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

tkle

A 2" trench would be pretty narrow.
A 2' wide trench would be wide enough to lay block. Underground it doesn't have to look good. Either way would work.

eekie34

how much MASONARY have u done?

concretemasonry

eekie34 -

I agree with your question and capitalizing.

Too many masonry concractors think i is actually spelled "masonary" . They also think concrete is masonry.

I gave years ago as long as they seemed to be in the masonry trade.

__________________
Dick

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

tkle

You mean the position?

Chris Johnson

Isn't that a group of guys who get together once and while?

__________________
Chris