Construction Work process

• Site investigation
• Site preparation- site clearance & setting out by 3-4-5 method
• Earth work- Excavation, fill & disposal
• Structural work- sub str.(foundation) & super str.(beams,
column & slab ) & roofing structure.
• Wall & installation- wall(internal & external) installation
(sanitary & electric line)
• Roofing works- roof covers, ceiling & water proofing
• Door & window works- metal, wooden, aluminum & glass works
• Finishing works- wall, floor & other finishing
• Electrical & Sanitary works- fixture & appliances work
• External site works
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 Steps in Construction
• Start building a concrete masonry wall by locating the corners of the
structure.
• In locating the corners, also make sure the footing or slab formation is
level so that each Builder starts each section wall on a common plane.
• This also helps ensure that the bed joints are straight when the
sections are connected.
• If the foundation is badly out of level, the entire first course should be
laid before Builders begin working on other courses.

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Cont’d

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4
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5
 Cont’d

• For the vertical joints, apply mortar only to the block ends by placing
several blocks on end and buttering them all in one operation, as
shown in Figure 8-16. Make the joints 3/8 inch thick.
• Then, place each block in its final position, and push the block down
vertically in to the mortar bed and against the previously laid block.
This ensures a well filled vertical mortar joint.

6
Cont’d

7
Cont’d

8
Cont’d

9
Cont’d

10
Cont’d

11
Cont’d

12
Cont’d

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Cont’d

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 Cont’d

• Make all position adjustments while the mortar is soft and plastic.
• Any adjustments after the mortar stiffens will break the mortar bond
and allow water to penetrate.
• Level each block and align it to the mason’s line by tapping it lightly
with a trowel handle.
• Before installing the closure block, butter both edges of the opening
and all four vertical edges of the closure block with mortar.

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 Cont’d

• Then lower the closure block carefully in to place as shown in Figure

8-26. If any mortar falls out, leaving an open joint, remove the block
and repeat the procedure.

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 Cont’d

• Weather tight joints and the neat appearance of concrete masonry

walls depend on proper striking, or tooling.
• After laying a section of the wall, tool the mortar joint when the
mortar becomes thumb print hard.
• Tooling compacts the mortar and forces it tightly against the masonry
on each side of the joint.
• Use either concave or V-shaped tooling on all joints, as shown in
Figure 8-28.

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 Cont’d
• Tool horizontal joints as
shown in Figure 8-29 with a
long jointer first, followed
by tooling the vertical
joints as shown in Figure 8-
30.
• Trim off mortar burrs from
the tooling flush with the
wall face using a trowel or
a soft bristle brush or by
rubbing with a burlap bag.
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•A procedure known as pointing may be required after
jointing.
•Pointing is the process of inserting mortar in to
horizontal and vertical joints after the unit has been laid.
•Pointing is done to restore or replace deteriorated
surface mortar in old work; this is called tuck pointing.
•Pointing may be necessary in freshly laid masonry to fill
holes or correct defective joints.
•When you complete the top course, insert the bolts in to
the cores of the top two courses and fill the cores with
concrete or mortar.
•The metal lath underneath holds the concrete or mortar
filling in place. 20
Cont’d

21
Patching and Cleaning Block Walls
• Always fill holes made by nails or line pins with fresh mortar and
patch mortar joints.
• When laying concrete masonry walls, be careful not to smear mortar
on the block surfaces.
• Once they harden, these smears can not be removed, even with an
acid wash, nor will paint cover them.
• Dry and hardened droppings can be chipped off with a small piece of
broken concrete block, as shown in Figure 8-49, or with a trowel, as
shown in Figure 8-50. A final brushing of the spot removes practically
all the mortar, as shown in Figure 8-51.
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Cont’d

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