What are the pros and cons of CMU?
Pros. Cybersecurity faculty are knowledgeable and trying to grow the program. Cons. ... Cons. Didn't find any cons at CMU. ... Cons. Leadership does not communicate vision well, strategic decisions are made without consideration of operations, extremely lean staffing, employee development is significantly lacking ...
How to lay CMU?
The locations of the barriers are:
- Hill Street
- Rear end of Parliament on Ballantrae Place
- Molesworth Street near Pipitea Street
- Murphy Street and Aitken Street
- Kate Sheppard Place
- Bunny Street near the railway station
- Corner of Whitmore St and Lambton Quay at the bottom of Bowen Street
- Lambton Quay and Mulgrave Street
What does CMU stand for?
For the song by Alt-J, see Breezeblocks (song) A concrete masonry unit ( CMU) is a standard-size rectangular block used in building construction. CMUs are some of the most versatile building products available because of the wide variety of appearances that can be achieved using them.
What companies recruit at CMU?
The Tepper School offers doctoral degrees in eight functional areas of business:
- Accounting
- Business Technologies
- Economics
- Financial Economics
- Marketing
- Operations Management
- Operations Research
- Organizational Behavior and Theory
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).
What is a CMU foundation wall?
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 CMU block foundation?
Concrete block foundations, or Cinder Masonry Units (CMUs), are made from stacked cinder blocks. Using the CMU method, the footings are coated with mortar—a mixture of sand, water, and fillers to bind masonry—then cinder blocks are layered evenly on top. The process is repeated until a foundation wall is formed.
What does CMU mean in concrete?
concrete masonry unitConcrete 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.
How do you build a CMU foundation wall?
0:004:00Building a Concrete Block Foundation - Bob Vila - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay the first first step in putting in any foundation is to get a footing in the ground. Usually atMoreOkay the first first step in putting in any foundation is to get a footing in the ground. Usually at 16 inches wide.
Is block foundation better than concrete?
Poured concrete wall foundations are arguably stronger than cinder blocks. Poured walls have a better lateral strength, which means they are able to resist more pressure from the water and the soil from the outside. A poured wall doesn't have joints like a block wall so it is easier to waterproof.
Is a block foundation cheaper than poured?
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.
How long will a 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.
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, 12, 14, and 16 in.
Is CMU the same as cinder block?
Concrete masonry units are colloquially known by many names, most predominately “concrete block”, “cinder block”, “CMU”, or simply “block”.
What is CMU exterior wall?
A concrete masonry unit (CMU) is a standard-size rectangular block used in building construction. CMUs are some of the most versatile building products available because of the wide variety of appearances that can be achieved using them.
What is the advantage of CMU over brick?
A big advantage of using concrete block masonry walls is its durability. Concrete is one of the strongest materials available and is not susceptible to rotting, mold, or damage from various types of pests. Concrete is also fireproof and is often used as a firewall between rooms and other structures.
Why use CMU?
Because concrete masonry units are larger than traditional bricks, it is cheaper to lay a CMU system. Galvanized steel reinforcements strengthen CMU walls, helping it to bear more weight without cracking. CMU walls' high tolerance for heavy loads allows it to support a stone facing, or other brick, plaster and tile building components. CMU walls are also beneficial in areas that experience severe weather such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Moreover, the durability of CMU systems extends the lifetime of buildings and minimizes the need for constant maintenance.
What is CMU wall?
CMU walls are laid out along a line and elevation. If you are looking to construct a building that will last for years or possibly even generations, concrete masonry unit, or CMU, walls will help it endure the test of time. CMU walls' wide range of patterns and textures make them not only attractive options for exterior and interior walls, ...
Why are CMU walls important?
CMU walls are also beneficial in areas that experience severe weather such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Moreover, the durability of CMU systems extends the lifetime of buildings and minimizes the need for constant maintenance. Advertisement.
What are the drawbacks of CMU walls?
One of the drawbacks of CMU walls is that they absorb significant amounts of moisture. As a precaution, CMU walls are usually covered with a protective glaze or "weatherproofed" to prevent water penetration. CMU systems are heavier than wood or metal and lack flexibility for walls with different shapes and dimensions. Concrete blocks also occupy large amounts of space, since their low thermal resistance value makes them difficult to insulate. Finally, hiring contractors can be expensive depending on the geographic region.
What is a CMU block wall?
A CMU block wall often requires installing an air and moisture barrier, which adds another trade and more labor to the foundation project. Improperly reinforced CMU blocks produce weak foundations. Water and weather wear down the mortar used to join the CMU blocks together - this can cause leaks.
How big is a CMU block?
CMU block foundations often use large (8-in or 10-in wide and 16-in long), hollow concrete blocks. However, sizes can vary depending on the building's weight load. To optimize strength and stability, workers install the blocks in a running bond pattern and may insert steel reinforcing bars in the core of the blocks.
What is the best way to build a foundation?
Structural foundations are the backbone of every new building, which is why it’s critical to make sure that they are done right. Two of the most effective methods for creating wall foundations are poured concrete walls and cinder blocks — more professionally known as Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs). These materials are easy to install ...
Why do CMU blocks buckle?
CMU block foundations may bow and buckle if the water in the soil around a structure builds up, resulting in costly repairs. CMU block foundations have good load-bearing strength; however, the foundation will lose its lateral strength if not fully grouted with rebar. CMU block walls have low R-values ranging from 2 to 3.
What is poured concrete foundation?
Traditional poured concrete foundations involve constructing and properly securing large, heavy, wooden walls. Next, in one continuous pour, workers pour concrete into wooden forms to harden (cures) on site. Rebar, installed in the footing, limits weak points and joints.
Is poured concrete better than CMU?
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 a CMU in Alt J?
For the song by Alt-J, see Breezeblocks (song) A concrete masonry unit ( CMU) is a standard size rectangular block used in building construction. CMUs are some of the most versatile building products available because of the wide variety of appearances that can be achieved using them. Those that use cinders ( fly ash or bottom ash) ...
How long is a CMU block?
In the US, CMU blocks are nominally 16 in (410 mm) long and 8 in (200 mm) wide.
What is a crawl space foundation?
One of the common foundation types for American suburban houses is the "crawl space foundation" which consists of a concrete block wall around the perimeter on which dimensional lumber floor joists are supported.
Can a CMU be grouted?
Concrete mason ry walls may be ungrouted, partially grouted, or fully grouted, the latter two enhancing their structural strength. Additionally, steel reinforcement bars ( rebar) can be used both vertically and horizontally inside a CMU wall to maximize its structural performance. The cells in which the rebar is placed must be grouted for the bars to bond to the wall. For this reason, high seismic zones typically only allow fully grouted walls in their building codes. The American design code that guides design engineers in using CMU as a structural system is the Masonry Standards Joint Committee's Building Code Requirements & Specification for Masonry Structures (TMS 402/ACI 530/ASCE 5). The compressive strength of concrete masonry units and masonry walls varies from approximately 1,000 psi (7 MPa) to 5,000 psi (34 MPa) based on the type of concrete used to manufacture the unit, stacking orientation, the type of mortar used to build the wall, and other factors.
What is the difference between a cinder block and concrete block?
Cinder blocks are hollow rectangle-shaped structures usually made of concrete and coal cinders which find use in construction sites. Concrete blocks often, on the other hand, are flattened constructs made of steel, wood or cement.
Are CMU walls filled with concrete?
CMU block foundations often use large (8-in or 10-in wide and 16-in long), hollow concrete blocks. However, sizes can vary depending on the building’s weight load. To optimize strength and stability, workers install the blocks in a running bond pattern and may insert steel reinforcing bars in the core of the blocks.
Is block foundation better than concrete?
Poured concrete wall foundations are arguably stronger than cinder blocks. Poured walls have a better lateral strength, which means they are able to resist more pressure from the water and the soil from the outside. A poured wall doesn’t have joints like a block wall so it is easier to waterproof.
Do you fill cinder blocks with concrete?
Whenever you are working with cinder block, you can strengthen them significantly by filling them with concrete. This is something that is not difficult to do and will strengthen your cinder blocks quite a bit. The concrete blocks that are used to build block foundations are hollow.
How long do concrete block homes last?
Concrete and poured-block footings and foundations will last a lifetime, assuming they were properly built. Waterproofing with bituminous coating lasts 10 years, but if it cracks, it is immediately damaged.
Which block is best for construction?
Solid concrete blocks are commonly used, which are heavy in weight and manufactured from dense aggregate. They are very strong and provides good stability to the structures. So for large work of masonry like for load bearing walls these solid blocks are preferable. They are available in large sizes compared to bricks.
How much weight can a hollow cinder block hold?
As per standards published in 2003 by ASTM, an international building standards non-profit, all concrete blocks must support at least 1,700 pounds of weight per square inch (PSI). This standard only describes minimum requirements, however.
What is a masonry foundation?
Masonry foundations must be large and sturdy enough to support the weight of a structure. A masonry foundation is a structural foundation made from masonry. Historically, bricks or dressed stone were often used to create this type of foundation. Today, concrete masonry units (CMUs) are a common choice of building material for a new masonry ...
Why is it important to make sure a foundation is large?
It is important to make sure that the foundation is large and study enough to support the weight of the structure, and to address issues such as groundwater seepage. A masonry foundation is at risk of a number of problems which can be addressed during the design phase to make the foundation more stable. A poorly designed foundation can fail, ...
Why do foundations crack?
Foundations may crack over time due to settling. Today, concrete masonry units are often used for structure foundations. Batter boards may be used to keep the foundation square while the masonry is being laid.
Can you retrofit a foundation?
While the foundation is being retrofitted, it is usually possible for people to continue using the structure , although they may need to exercise caution to avoid disturbing the jacks used to hold the house up.
Does water intrusion affect foundations?
Water intrusion is also an issue, especially when a house is built into a hillside, in which case water runoff will tend to erode the foundation. The depth of a foundation varies, depending on the size of the structure. High rises need very specialized foundations which penetrate deep into the ground to anchor and support the structure.
Who is Mary McMahon?
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer . Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Do high rise homes need a foundation?
High rises need very specialized foundations which penetrate deep into the ground to anchor and support the structure. Homes need much smaller foundations, and have less stringent design requirements. It is also much easier to retrofit the foundation of a home, with the home simply being jacked up while the foundation is replaced.
What is concrete masonry used for?
Concrete masonry is used to construct various foundation wall types, including full basement walls, crawlspace walls, stem walls and piers. Concrete masonry is well suited for below grade applications, because of its strength, durability, economy, and resistance to fire, insects and noise. The modular nature of concrete masonry allows floor plan ...
What is a foundation pier?
Foundation piers (see Figure 7) are isolated structural elements used to support the building above. Structural design ensures the piers are sized and spaced to carry the necessary building loads. Piers typically are in enclosed crawlspaces, so recommendations for moisture and soil gas resistance for crawlspaces should be followed for piers as well. Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (ref. 7) requires a foundation pier to have a minimum nominal thickness of 8 in. (203 mm), with a nominal height not exceeding four times its nominal thickness and a nominal length not exceeding three times its nominal thickness. Note that the International Building Code, (ref. 8) allows foundation piers to have a nominal height up to ten times the nominal thickness if the pier is solidly grouted, or four times the nominal thickness if it is not solidly grouted.
Why are control joints not used in foundation walls?
Control joints are not typically used in foundation walls due to concerns with waterproofing the joint and the fact that shrinkage is less significant in below grade walls due to relatively constant temperature and moisture conditions.
Where do footings go in a basement?
Footings lie under the basement, crawlspace or stem wall and transfer structural loads from the building to the supporting soil. Footings are typically cast-in-place concrete, placed beneath the frost depth to prevent damage resulting from heaving caused by freezing of water in the soil.
What type of foundation is used for heavy building?
The rest of the space is filled with concrete gravel. This type of masonry foundation can carry significant weight to support heavy building materials and/or many stories rising above the foundation. The concrete block foundation was prevalent in the 1970s and before.
What are the three things that are needed to build a foundation?
Protect yourself against the chance of foundation failure by remembering that your home’s foundation requires 3 important ingredients for success: Concrete (wet or in cinder block form) Steel reinforcement. Experienced contractors to design and build the foundation properly.
What is the best concrete for a foundation?
Poured concrete over steel rebar foundations are best due to their: 1 Strength: This method of foundation construction can have more lateral strength, holding up better against the expanding/contracting forces of ground soil and water pressure over the years. 2 Water resistance: Poured foundations are simpler to waterproof, since there are no joints (like stacked cinder blocks have). 3 Versatility: You can create any shape wall or foundation with poured concrete. 4 Adaptability: While concrete is drying/curing, you have time to adjust or make last-minute changes to perfect the foundation. 5 Efficiency: It’s typically quicker to pour a foundation than build with cinderblocks, so you could save time, and save money on labor. One exception might be if the building site is far from the cement plant, which can raise costs.
Is a pour foundation waterproof?
Water resistance: Poured foundations are simpler to waterproof, since there are no joints (like stacked cinder blocks have).
Is steel a strong foundation?
For both types of concrete-based foundations, steel is the second critical ingredient for a strong build. Although concrete alone is strong, it has strength primarily when compressed. Concrete’s compression strength is great, but it lacks lateral strength. Concrete cannot bend and stretch (or expand and contract) as the earth below it does, ...
Is it cheaper to pour a foundation or build with cinderblocks?
Efficiency: It’s typically quicker to pour a foundation than build with cinderblocks, so you could save time, and save money on labor. One exception might be if the building site is far from the cement plant, which can raise costs.
Can air entrained concrete be used for curing?
Contractors must ensure the right, relatively dry, concrete mix with the correct amount of water, monitor weather conditions during construction and allow for sufficient curing time. If needed, air-entrained concrete may be used.
What is the best foundation for a concrete truck?
If the concrete truck has to travel farther than 90 minutes, a cinder block wall foundation would probably be the better choice. It really depends on the circumstance, availability of concrete and skilled workers.
What is a cinder block foundation?
Meaning it can hold more weight on top of the foundation. For this reason, a cinder block wall foundation is often the choice of engineers and architects. A good block wall does need skilled bricklayers translating into more labor costs. Plus skilled masons are hard to come by. Block wall foundations are more prone to bowing and buckling ...
Which is stronger, a concrete foundation or a cinder block?
Poured Concrete Foundations. Poured concrete wall foundations are arguably stronger than cinder blocks. Poured walls have a better lateral strength, which means they are able to resist more pressure from the water and the soil from the outside.
Is cinder block foundation better than concrete?
It is hard to say which one is better; however, most builders choose poured walls for new homes. According to a survey by the Portland Cement Association, 72% of new homes with full basements are built with poured concrete wall systems while concrete block walls hold 25% of the national market. Each type has its advantages and drawbacks.

Overview
General information
Concrete block, when built with integral steel reinforcement, is a very common building material for the load-bearing walls of buildings, in what is termed concrete block structure (CBS) construction. One of the common foundation types for American suburban houses is the "crawl space foundation" which consists of a concrete block wall around the perimeter on which dimensional lumber floor joists are supported. Retaining walls, which also can be constructed of concrete blo…
Composition
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. Recycled materials, such as post-consumer glass, slag cement, or recycled aggregate, are often used in the composition of the blocks. Use of recycled materials within blocks can create different appearances in the block, such as a terrazzo finish, and may he…
Sizes and structure
The use of blockwork allows structures to be built in the traditional masonry style with layers (or courses) of staggered blocks. Concrete blocks may be produced with hollow centers (cores) to reduce weight, improve insulation and provide an interconnected void into which concrete can be poured to solidify the entire wall after it is built. Blocks come in modular sizes, with the most popular typically referred to (by their thickness) as "4-inch", "6-inch", "8-inch", and "12-inch". In the …
See also
• Concrete bricks
• Gypsum block
• Rusticated concrete block
• Fly ash brick
Sources
• Beall, Christine (1987). Masonry Design and Detailing for Architects, Engineers and Builders. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 61–63. ISBN 0-07-004223-3.
External links
• How Products Are Made: Volume 3 Concrete Block
• Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada
• National Concrete Masonry Association
• Mason Contractors Association of America