MORTARLESS BUILDING SYSTEMS > FORM BLOCK®
C&M are the Australian licensee for the internationally acclaimed Form Block® building system.
Utilising mortarless concrete block construction as formwork for reinforced concrete, the system
offers considerable site efficiencies, reduces construction cost and is very user friendly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
FORM BLOCK® BROCHURE NSW/ACT (960KB) |  |
|
|||||||||
 DOWNLOAD BROFORMBLOCKNSWACT.PDF |
|
||||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
FORM BLOCK® BROCHURE VIC/SA (924KB) | |
|
|||||||||
| DOWNLOAD BROFORMBLOCKVICSA.PDF |
|
||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
FORM BLOCK® - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. How many storeys can we build using the Form Block® system?
A. Approximately 15, using 190mm Form Block®. It does however depend on the load bearing wall configuration.
Q .You say “no mortar” but does that really mean that all walls can be laid with no mortar course?
A. The first course is laid with a bed of mortar in order to level and straighten the base course. No other mortar
is used or is necessary throughout the wall construction.
Q. Can we use Form Block® as lintels over openings?
A. Yes, your engineer will specify steel locations. If using Form Block® then no ligatures are required as all steel
reinforcement is held in position by way of the plastic Form Bridge®.
Q. Can the Form Block® be laid in the rain with wet blocks?
A. Yes, as there is no mortar required between the blocks, water will not affect the laying procedure. However,
as the first course requires a mortar bed it will need to be dry before laying further blocks above it.
Q. We have noticed that a clean-out block is not supplied with the Form Block® system. Why not?
A. The shape of the Form Block® allows for the insertion of the Form Bridge®, which holds the steel both laterally
and vertically in place whilst pouring the grout into the wall. The starter bars are set in block modules within the
slab and up through the plastic Form Bridge®. Tests reveal that the vertical bars remain within the acceptable
distance from each other during the pour thus eliminating the need to tie the steel rods together. As no mortar
is used between the blocks within the wall structure there is no need to ‘wash-out’ the wall before grout pour.
Q. Is there a need to wet the blocks prior to pouring the Formfill® grout?
A. Yes, especially in hot climates. The block, when in a wall can get quite warm and will suck a great deal of
moisture out of the grout as it is being poured. Wetting the block wall prior to grout pour will allow the grout
to flow correctly.
Q. Can we cut the Form Block® in order to make a wall length as we do with standard blocks?
A. Yes, blocks can be cut to obtain set wall measurements, however care must be taken to wire or brace the
cut blocks at the time of the pour.
Q. Can the blocks be used as a screed on the first and subsequent floors?
A. Yes, as with standard blocks the inside shell can be cut in order to allow the floor concrete to lock into the block
work. Use timber outside the outer shell and wire to the slab reinforcement.
Q. Does the wall require vibration whilst pouring?
A. No, using vertical rods within the core is ample to get the grout to all points within the courses of the wall.
Q. Do you use specific grout?
A. Yes. The concrete grout must be free-flowing and cohesive with a maximum aggregate size of 10mm for 190mm
Form Block® and 7mm for 140 Form Block®. The flow characterisitics of the grout go beyond the normal slump
measurement. Instead, we specify a "spread" of 600mm. Grout strengths range from 20MPa to 50MPa depending
on the environment. Ask your engineer or contact C&M for further information.
Q.Is it possible to insert services inside the wall prior to the grout pour?
A. Yes, this will save chasing the services which ultimately weakens the wall structure.
Q. How does the final cost of a Form Block® wall compare with standard blockwork?
A. The system can be laid two to three times faster than conventional mortared blockwork (subject to training),
saving much time and money. For example, three weeks savings on a job can save three weeks crane hire, three
weeks scaffold hire and three weeks in outgoing loan monies… and the list goes on.
Q. What about cost when comparing post and beam construction?
A. The savings are enormous! Recent studies in the Middle East have shown a 60% saving in steel and an
overall saving of 42% on structural costs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION please contact C&M.