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CMU Running Bond Pattern I haven't seen before

CMU Running Bond Pattern I haven't seen before

CMU Running Bond Pattern I haven't seen before

(OP)
Hi All,

So I am doing retrofit lintels for an existing building and came across a unique Running bond pattern. See attached picture. It's almost like there are header courses but I'm 99% sure it's just one wythe of 12" CMU. I'm going to verify that one more time (access is difficult and there are no openings that are easily accessible) but I'm curious why anyone would do this type of running bond. Building was built in the 1960s in the Mid-Atlantic United States.

I believe it was GK Chesterton who said "Before you tear down any fence, you should find out why it was put there in the first place." Same applies for structures IMHO

Thanks!

Nick

RE: CMU Running Bond Pattern I haven't seen before

It's difficult to see the bond in the picture. Can you describe it a little, or sketch it? It looks like a half-block in in the wall in a couple of places.

RE: CMU Running Bond Pattern I haven't seen before

(OP)
Yes, Sorry about that. Try this. I outlined the joints in Red.

It's possible that there is an original 12" wall behind this, and that they tied an 8" wythe to the existing 12" Wall with these "header" type courses. Has anyone seen this before?

RE: CMU Running Bond Pattern I haven't seen before

Yeah, it looks like it could be a take on traditional common bond in brick.

"It is imperative Cunth doesn't get his hands on those codes."

RE: CMU Running Bond Pattern I haven't seen before

Running bond with every fourth course irregular. But the irregular courses are not uniform. I've seen neatly laid masonry with courses to be hidden by architectural features laid "sloppy" but not like this.

"Boss said we have to use up these irregulars. Just lay them like this and nobody will notice".

RE: CMU Running Bond Pattern I haven't seen before

I hope that isn't a 6" block with sideways blocks every 4 courses tying it together? similar to multi-wyth brick.

Very odd indeed, if all the blocks are solid my gut would be architectural reasons. But what do i know, I'm not an architect.

RE: CMU Running Bond Pattern I haven't seen before

There really is no definition of "running bond". It is "other than stack bond". There is no requirement that the alternating "head joints" be offset by 1/2 of the masonry unit length.

You might be looking at a wall with buttresses at the location on the smaller units. The smaller units (wall face lengths could be the ends of the buttress wall used to tie the walls together and you would likely have vertical steel at the location of the buttresses.

6" CMUs can be used for high loadings depending on the wall lengths and the lateral loads on the walls. There are 6" "L corner" units made to preserve the bonding of intersection partially reinforced walls on tall multi story buildings, but the building shown is likely one or two stories, especially with the joists parallel to the walls shown.

Dick

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

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