Reinforced Concrete Wall vs. Block Wall
Reinforced Concrete Wall vs. Block Wall
(OP)
Our firm has been in the design stage of a three story office building for the last several months and is now in construction. We have specified a 10" reinforced concrete wall internal to the buidling envelope to resist the lateral loads on the buidling. The Owner has asked if we can revise this to a 10" block wall but I am hesitant to due so, mainly due to the structural inadequacy of a reinforced concrete block wall vs a reinforced concrete wall (height ~= 40' so h/t <=30, so block would have to be atleast 16" and this doesnt even include eccentricity). I am preparing a response but I believe his main concern is cost and speed of construction. Could any of you, in your experinces, please shed light on this issue of whether a reinforced concrete vs. reinforced masonry block wall is better in regards to cost and/or speed of construction?
Your comments are appreciated.
Thank you.
Your comments are appreciated.
Thank you.






RE: Reinforced Concrete Wall vs. Block Wall
This should of been finalized during design. Everything is going to have to stop while you redesign the building. How is this going to save any time?
RE: Reinforced Concrete Wall vs. Block Wall
RE: Reinforced Concrete Wall vs. Block Wall
I'm not sure how it all worked out, but I know it cost the inspector his job and the firm quite a bit of time/effort to 'make' the CMU cores work...along with the embarrassment.
RE: Reinforced Concrete Wall vs. Block Wall
See how the contractor feels about the situation when you hit him with a six-figure design change order.
RE: Reinforced Concrete Wall vs. Block Wall
Thanks for your comments.
RE: Reinforced Concrete Wall vs. Block Wall
Was there no dialog between you and your client during design? If he is the General Contractor and the Owner, he must have known what you intended from the beginning. Why did he not speak up earlier?
BA
RE: Reinforced Concrete Wall vs. Block Wall
RE: Reinforced Concrete Wall vs. Block Wall
10" concrete walls seem fairly thick for RC for a 3 storey building; I've done six storey buildings with 6" walls and 18 storey with 8" reinf conc block walls. Is there other structural support other than bearing walls?
Dik