Civil Engineering/No. of Blocks

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Expert: - 9/22/2011


Question
Sir, I want to ask that How can we calculate the number of blocks for a block masonary work as size of the blocks are 6 x 8 x 12 and 4 x 8 x 12? Please tell me in detail.

Answer
Hi Rashid,

Assuming that the wall is 8 (inches?) wide, then basically you work out the elevation area of the wall first.

Say it is 20 ft (240 inches) long and 10 ft (120 inches high). Then the face area is 240 X 120 = 28,800 sq inches. The net face area of the first block is 6 x 12 = 72 sq inches. But with mortar joints of say 1/2 inch, the gross block face area becomes 6.5 x 12.5 = 81.25 sq ins

So the number of blocks will be 28,800/81.25 = 354.5 blocks.

You can do a similar calculation for the 4 x 8 x 12 blocks.

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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