Concrete masonry units (CMUs), still often and affectionately referred to as cinder blocks, are a common building construction material. They are economical and are often the best solution for structural elements like commercial building walls and elevator shafts.
What is the difference between a CMU wall and a concrete wall?
The Pros of Poured Concrete Wall Foundations
Poured concrete walls have better lateral strength than CMU block foundations, which improves their resistance to pressure from water and soil. A poured wall doesn’t have joints like a block wall, so it is easier to waterproof.
What is the meaning of CMU wall?
concrete masonry unit
Concrete block is made from Portland Cement, aggregates and water. It is also known as a concrete masonry unit (CMU). As a building material, concrete offers several attractive characteristics to designers and builders, including the following: Durable. Easy to install.
What is the difference between CMU and cinder block?
Cinder blocks are light-weight low-density construction blocks, or concrete masonry units (CMU). They are manufactured from a mixture of Portland cement and an aggregate of cinders from burned coal; hence, their name. The mixture is poured or pressed into molds and either heated to dry, or air-dried.
What is the purpose of CMU?
Functions of CMU Walls:
Concrete masonry units act as bearing wall, which helps for residential properties or buildings. It helps the vertical loads such as flooring joists, arches, vaults, roof rafters, and horizontal loads like wind and seismic activity.
What does CMU stand for in construction?
Concrete masonry units (CMU) and insulated concrete form (ICF) walls have several features in common: energy-efficiency, durability, and good indoor environmental quality (IEQ).
Are CMU walls load bearing?
Concrete masonry units act as bearing wall supports for residential homes and buildings, supporting vertical loads such as floor joists, arches, vaults and roof rafters, and horizontal loads like wind and seismic activity.
What is the advantage of CMU over brick?
Because they do not rust, rot or burn, concrete masonry structures can easily last up to 100 years. Wood structures are more susceptible to damage over time, leaving your building weak and vulnerable.
What is exterior CMU?
CMU Wall Details (concrete masonry unit)
Also known as a concrete block or cinder block. Like brick, this is a durable and time tested material for an exterior finish. CMU is non-combustible, long lasting, can be reinforced to act as a structural element and does not require painting.
What is cheaper block foundation or concrete?
Poured Concrete and Block Wall Foundation Costs
Is a poured concrete foundation cheaper than a block wall foundation? Usually, the cost of construction varies from place to place. But as a matter of fact, poured walls cost about 20% less than the block foundation walls.
Is a concrete block foundation good?
Prior to the 1970s, cinder block foundations were the norm. Nearly every house was built with a masonry foundation. While the poured wall wins for lateral strength, the cinder block wall built correctly beats out poured wall for compression strength. Meaning it can hold more weight on top of the foundation.
How long will a cinder block foundation last?
Foundations. Poured concrete block bases and slab foundations will last for a lifetime, 80 to 100 years or more, given they have been constructed with precision. The termite proofing of the base, 12 years, provided the chemical barriers remain intact.
Is CMU the same as brick?
Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) Specifications
Concrete brick is made from concrete similar to concrete block, but concrete bricks are fabricated in sizes that match traditional clay bricks (i.e. 2 2/3″ tall). The weight of concrete masonry units varies depending on the density of concrete mix used.
What is unique about CMU?
Carnegie Mellon is perhaps best known for its computer science program. That said, it is the rare school that is both a top-notch technical school as well as a leader in the arts. Both mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. (whom the movie Beautiful Mind is about) and artist Andy Warhol are CMU grads.
Can you build a house on cinder block foundation?
Partition walls in any home can be put up quickly using concrete blocks, and their cores or voids can be filled with steel reinforcing rods and concrete for additional strength. Concrete block is unaffected by termites or extreme temperatures and is virtually soundproof, depending on construction quality.
Can you build a foundation with cinder blocks?
Block foundations use cinder blocks (8 x 8 x 16 inches) that are stacked on each other and cemented in place with mortar. The process starts on the top of the footings with each row forming its own course. The blocks are then reinforced with rebar placed vertically in the holes or cells and filled with concrete.
Can you replace a cinder block foundation with poured concrete?
Replace the block wall completely – You can also remove the block wall and replace it with a poured concrete wall. This is typically the most expensive option, but sometimes a necessary one and a more permanent solution too.
What are CMU blocks filled with?
Concrete blocks are made from cast concrete (e.g. Portland cement and aggregate, usually sand and fine gravel, for high-density blocks). Lower density blocks may use industrial wastes, such as fly ash or bottom ash, as an aggregate.
How do you reinforce a CMU wall?
The typical method of reinforcement of a CMU pier is to use several vertical hooked dowels embedded in the foundation and spliced in the same manner as with walls.
How thick is a CMU block?
Typically, concrete masonry units have nominal face dimensions of 8 in. (203 mm) by 16 in. (406 mm), available in nominal thicknesses of 4 , 6, 8, 10, and 12 in. (102, 152, 203, 254, and 305 mm).
How long do CMU buildings last?
As such, cinder block walls need the application of a waterproof coating and a damp-proof membrane at least once a decade. It is important to note that a house constructed using concrete blocks that use sand as aggregate will last anywhere between 50 and 100 years.
