Name: sizing a storeroom with masonry blocks
Uploaded: 2024-11-07T14:48:54.000Z
Duration: 1 min 13 s
Channel: JoVE

Consider a construction site that needs a storeroom to be constructed.
The site has a stack of concrete masonry blocks with nominal dimensions of 8 inches in width and depth and 16 inches in length used for the storeroom construction.
The site engineer has to design the storeroom to have the 16-inch length blocks placed precisely in the walls without having to cut the blocks.
The room&#39;s dimensions in the plan are 12 feet in length and 8 feet in width, measured from the outer corners.
The actual dimensions of the block are slightly less than the nominal dimensions. The block dimensions and mortar thickness together give a length of 16 inches.
Now, precisely 9 blocks are needed for the longer dimension of the wall and 6 for the shorter.
With this arrangement, the inner dimensions of the room become 10 feet 8 inches in the longer direction and 6 feet 8 inches in the shorter direction.
This practice avoids cutting the blocks and assures faster construction and a perfect finish.

design example: dimensioning of concrete masonry construction

For the construction of a storeroom using concrete masonry units, it&#39;s essential to align the dimensions of the structure with the actual sizes of the blocks and the intended mortar joints. On the site in question, there&#39;s a stockpile of concrete masonry blocks with a nominal size of eight by eight by sixteen inches, which are to be used in the construction of the storeroom.
The site engineer has laid out a plan for the storeroom with external dimensions of twelve feet in length and eight feet in width. To align with these dimensions, the plan specifies the use of nine blocks for the length of the walls and six blocks for the width. However, the actual size of each block is seven and five-eighths inches in height and width and fifteen and five-eighths inches in length, with a three-eighths inch allowance for the mortar joint. When combined with the mortar, this will provide an effective block length of sixteen inches.
This calculation ensures that when laid end to end, the blocks will fill the planned dimensions without the need for cutting, which facilitates a more rapid construction process and achieves a professional finish. Accordingly, the internal dimensions of the storeroom walls will measure ten feet eight inches along the length and six feet eight inches along the width once construction is completed. This methodical approach to the use of materials ensures efficiency in building and a clean aesthetic outcome for the storeroom.

Design Example: Dimensioning of Concrete Masonry Construction

Consider a construction site that needs a storeroom to be constructed.
The site has a stack of concrete masonry blocks with nominal dimensions of 8 inches ...

design-example-dimensioning-of-concrete-masonry-construction

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sizing a storeroom with masonry blocks

Sizing a storeroom with concrete masonry blocks starts with matching the wall plan to the actual block size and mortar joints. The site has concrete masonry units with a nominal size of 8 by 8 by 16 inches. The storeroom is planned with external dimensions of 12 feet long and 8 feet wide.

The wall layout uses nine blocks along the length and six blocks along the width. Each block is actually 7 and 5/8 inches high and wide, and 15 and 5/8 inches long. A 3/8 inch mortar joint is included, so the effective block length becomes 16 inches when the blocks are set together.

This sizing method lets the blocks fit the planned dimensions without cutting. That makes construction faster and gives the storeroom a clean, professional finish. After the walls are built, the internal dimensions measure 10 feet 8 inches in length and 6 feet 8 inches in width.

Sizing a Storeroom with Masonry Blocks

Sizing a storeroom with concrete masonry blocks starts with matching the wall plan to the actual block size and mortar joints. The site has concrete masonry units with a nominal size of 8 by 8 by 16 inches. The storeroom is planned with external dimensions of 12 feet long and 8 feet wide. The wall layout uses nine blocks along the length and six blocks along the width. Each block is actually 7 and 5/8 inches high and wide, and 15 and 5/8 inches long. A 3/8 inch mortar joint is included, so the...

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key terms and concepts

Learn how concrete masonry units and mortar joints are used to size a storeroom wall layout, avoid cutting blocks, and match planned dimensions.

Sizing a Storeroom with Masonry Blocks | JoVE K12

JoVE Core Civil Engineering offers a foundational exploration of essential construction materials such as bricks, stones, steel, wood, and concrete, along with fluid mechanics topics like flow over immersed bodies, open channel flow, and dimensional modeling. It also covers key surveying concepts, including leveling, traverse adjustments, curve design, topographic mapping, and geospatial technologies (GPS & GIS). Science-in-action videos showcase laboratory research on materials, fluids, and surveying practices in real-world engineering systems.

Sizing a Storeroom with Masonry Blocks

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