Masonry Magazine July 2006 Page. 33
Not only is grouted masonry an efficient system, it's easy to accommodate the amount of reinforcement needed to strengthen the wall as desired.
Conventional grout has a slump ranging from eight inches to 11 inches, which is more fluid than either concrete or mortar.
The concept is simple: masonry walls are constructed and steel bars are placed in certain horizontal and/or vertical cores, which are then filled with grout, often by pumping. Masonry units are made from concrete or clay, though concrete units are more common for this application. The grout is a fluid mixture of cement, aggregates and water. It is specified per ASTM C 476, Specification for Grout for Masonry. Slump of conventional grout is between eight inches and 11 inches to give the material adequate workability to be placed. The grout ties the elements together, in effect creating a reinforced concrete structure.
Walls can contain columns (ie., piers) and beams of grout (i.e., bond beams) - referred to as partial grouting-or can be solidly grouted. Not only is grouted masonry an efficient system, it's easy to accommodate the amount of reinforcement needed to strengthen the wall as desired. Limiting grout placement time to 1-1/2 hours or less assures that cement hydration has not advanced too far when grouting occurs, thus making it possible to place grout in the cores so it can properly bond to both the masonry units and reinforcement.
Building Better, Cheaper, Faster
THAT OLD CONSTRUCTION RULE states that you can choose one thing to optimize, maybe two, but to go for all three-better, cheaper and faster-you are asking for a lot. For instance, if you want something built better and faster, you can probably expect to pay more. But that rule doesn't always apply; due to innovations and advancements in materials and construction methods, grouted masonry may be one of the few exceptions.
There are several trends in grouted, reinforced masonry that are making the system even more appealing to masons, designers and building owners. These include both material trends and installation trends. Ultimately, this will mean that reinforced masonry can be built faster, with less equipment, or with better control over the quality of the completed construction.
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