1.

0 Objective
To provide general instructions for Concrete Block masonry works at site.
2.0 Scope
This work procedure covers Concrete Block masonry work to be executed in the substructures/super structures of different
buildings as specified in the approved drawings.
3.0 Materials
3.1 Concrete Blocks (Including Hollow Block, Solid Block and Insulated Block all sizes): Blocks shall be regular in size &
shape and shall be of specified strength & quality conforming as per approved specs.
3.2 The texture of the blocks shall be such that plaster will adhere to it. They shall be sound, free from cracks,
honeycombing, broken edges and other flaws. They shall have plane rectangular faces with parallel sides and sharp
straight angled edges. They shall have a fine, compact, uniform texture and thoroughly dried.
3.3 Cement: as per approved specifications.
3.4 Sand: as per approved specifications.
3.5 Water: Water used for masonry shall be clean and free from injurious amount of deleterious materials.
3.6 Jointing Mortar: Mortar application as per manufacturer recommendation.
3.7 Dimensions and Mix Proportions: As per the approved specifications.

4.0 Handling and Storage

4.1 Transporting Concrete blocks in such a manner that the units are adequately protected during transportation. The units
shall be handled in a manner, which will prevent soiling, chipping or damage of any kind. Broken, chipped or otherwise
damaged units will be rejected and shall not be used in the work.
4.2 The blocks shall be stored in a place, which shall not be disturbed or damage by construction activities.
5.0 Sampling
5.1 A sample of blocks shall be taken from every consignment of 30000 blocks of the same size, batch and manufacturer
for conducting tests for Quality Department.
5.2 All blocks shall be checked for dimension and inspected for visual defects, and to send it for laboratory for testing the
compressive strength.
6.0 Tolerances in Block work
As per approved specifications.
7.0 Preparatory Work
7.1 Mark on the surface to establish the wall lines to attain proper layout of block work & maintain mark till the first course
is fully laid.
7.2 Scrub & clean with proper tool, Hack the concrete surface where new block work is to be done.
7.3 Before commence block work, check reference point such as bench mark, damp proof course level, lintel level, bed
block level, cross beam level etc. & be sure where to terminate the top most block course, after the same is studied in
detail as stated above.
7.4 Mix quantity of mortar, which will be consumed in next 2 hours only. Mixing shall be done with proper measurement of
ingredients. Mixing platform must be clean.
7.5 These blocks need not be wetted before or during the laying in the walls; in case the climatic condition so required, the
top and the sides of the blocks may be slightly moistened so as to prevent absorption of water from the mortar and ensure
the development of the required bond with the mortar.
8.0 Laying Block Masonry
8.1 Proper hacking shall be done for all concrete surfaces before starting of the job.
8.2 Each block shall be set with bedding joints and vertical joints filled thoroughly. The wall shall be taken up truly plumb.
All courses shall be laid truly horizontal and vertical joints truly vertical. Vertical joints in alternate courses shall come
directly over the other. Thickness of the block courses shall be kept uniform.
8.3 The base layer of the block work shall be done with cement mortar of approved mix to align the undulations & to
maintain the top-level uniform.
8.4 From the second layer, the joint thickness in between blocks and above layers shall be around 3mm with approved
make adhesive.
8.5 Excess mortar coming out on the edge to be taken by trowel & buttered to the cross directional joint or head joint
surface of the next block being laid.
8.6 Use straight edge & sprit levels on the top of the blocks laid & check the top level. Make sure that the spirit level is in
working condition & read the bubble carefully.
8.7 Repeat the above points for building more courses. After every two courses of block work laid, check the verticality &
level by plumb bob and level tube, sight down the wall.
8.8. Blocks can be easy cut/sawn, drilled, nailed and routed at site using recommended tools. Cutting of blocks can be
done by using suitable cutting machine.
8.9 Necessary tools comprising of wooden straight edge, mason's spirit level, square, foot rule, plumb line and pins etc.
shall be frequently and fully used by the masons to ensure that the walls are taken up true to plumb line and levels. All the
connecting block masonry work shall be carried out at nearly one level and no portion of work shall be raised more than 1m
above the rest of work. Any dislodged block shall be removed and reset in fresh adhesive.
8.10 The construction of walls may be started either at the corners first, or started from one end and proceeding in the
other direction. If the corners of the walls are built first, they shall be built four or fine courses higher than the centre of the
walls. As each course is pre-laid at the corner, it shall be checked for alignment, level and for being plumb to ensure truly
straight and vertical walls. Each course in building shall be stepped back by half block and the horizontal spacing of the
block shall be checked by placing a mason's level diagonally across the corners of the block, the mason's line shall be
stretched from corner to corner for each course and the top outside edge of each block shall be laid to this line. Handling or
gripping the block shall be such as to position the block properly with minimum adjustment.
9.0 Mortar for Construction:
The recommended mortar mix for construction, mortar shall not be spread so much ahead of the actual laying of the blocks
as it tends to stiffen and lose its plasticity there by resulting poor adhesion and bond. Mortar consistency to be maintained
at the time of laying block masonry.

10.0 Joining of Dissimilar Materials:

All the contact surfaces should preferably be separated from those of dissimilar materials like concrete or steel, by filling
with a resilient material along the contact area and edges filled with sealant. Provide chicken/ synthetic mesh firmly over all
dissimilar joints of concrete/block masonry prior to plastering. For external wall joints need to be grouted or properly treated
to avoid water ingress and crack formation.
11.0 Joints
11.1 Horizontal (bedding) joints: Adhesive shall be spread over the entire top surface of the block including front and rear
shall as well as the webs to a uniform layer of around 3mm thickness.
11.2 When filling in the wall between the corners Vertical (cross) joints for vertical joints, adhesive shall be applied on the
vertical edges of the front and rear shall the blocks. The adhesive shall be applied on the edges of the succeeding unit
when it is standing vertically and then placing it horizontally well pressed against the previously laid unit so as to provide
well compacted vertical joints. In the case of two cell blocks, depression on either vertical sides shall also be filled with
adhesive.
11.3 The thickness of both horizontal and vertical joint shall be around 3 mm. Ranking & pointing is not required. The face
of concrete block masonry shall be kept cleaned and all adhesive droppings removed promptly.

11.4 All block work shall be plumb, square and properly bonded. The thickness of the courses shall be uniform with
courses horizontal. All connected work shall be carried out at nearly one level and no portion of the work shall be left more
than one course lower than the adjacent work.

13.0 Lintels:
Precast or cast –in-situ concrete shall be used in block masonry, over all openings. Lintels shall always rest on full block
with minimum bearing as under.
Nominal Bond Beam: Nominal bond beam shall be built in the manner as the structural bond beams with a minimum
Reinforcement 8mm dia rods shall be inserted into surrounding columns for load transmission as shown in below fig Two
number of reinforcement shall be inserted integrally with a masonry wall and column with C/C spacing 600 mm for 100mm
thick wall and 1200 mm for 200mm thick wall for anchorage . Their value for this purpose is due to the increased strength
and stiffness they provide to a masonry wall. As a means of crack control, the area of influence of a bond beam shall
normally be presumed to extend 600 to 1200 mm above and below its location in the wall
Structural Bond Beam: A reinforced concrete beam built integrally with a masonry wall as a structural member and
designed in accordance with structural engineering practice, primarily to transmit lateral loading on the wall to other
connecting structural elements. Reinforcement rods shall be inserted into surrounding columns for load transmission as
shown in below fig, two number of 8mm dia reinforcement shall be inserted integrally with a column with C/C spacing 600
mm and 1200 mm respectively and it will have laid throughout the wall preliminary to transit lateral loading on the wall to
other connecting elements for 100 & 200mm thick wall.
15. Precautions to be taken for laying of Concrete Block Masonry:
 Do not store the blocks on un-levelled surface
 Do not use wet blocks for masonry construction
 Do not make the holes on block masonry for scaffolding supports
 Do not soak the blocks before use
 Do not hammer the block masonry for service lines, chases etc.
 Do not completely wet the block masonry before plastering works.