Wall Weights and Areas

(Excerpted from 2015 Design of Reinforced Masonry Structures, published by CMACN)

Average Weight of Completed Wall¹ (psf) and Equivalent Solid Thickness (in)

		Hollow Concrete Block												Equivalent Solid Thickness² Inches
		Lightweight 103 pcf				Medium Weight 115 pcf				Normal Weight 135 pcf				Equivalent Solid Thickness² Inches
Wall Thickness		6″	8″	10″	12″	6″	8″	10″	12″	6″	8″	10″	12″	6″	8″	10″	12″
Solid grouted wall		52	75	93	118	58	78	98	124	63	84	104	133	5.6	7.6	9.6	11.6
vertical cores grouted at	16″ o.c.	41	60	69	88	47	63	80	94	52	66	86	103	4.5	5.8	7.2	8.5
	24″ o.c.	37	55	61	79	43	58	72	85	48	61	78	94	4.1	5.2	6.3	7.5
	32″ o.c.	36	52	57	74	42	55	68	80	47	58	74	89	4.0	4.9	5.9	7.0
	40″ o.c.	35	50	55	71	41	53	66	77	46	56	72	86	3.8	4.7	5.7	6.7
	48″ o.c.	34	49	53	69	40	51	64	75	45	55	70	83	3.7	4.6	5.5	6.5

Average Weight of Completed Wall¹ (psf) and Equivalent Solid Thickness (in)

		Hollow Concrete Block
		Lightweight 103 pcf
Wall Thickness		6″	8″	10″	12″
Solid grouted wall		52	75	93	118
vertical cores grouted at	16″ o.c.	41	60	69	88
	24″ o.c.	37	55	61	79
	32″ o.c.	36	52	57	74
	40″ o.c.	35	50	55	71
	48″ o.c.	34	49	53	69

		Hollow Concrete Block
		Medium Weight 115 pcf
Wall Thickness		6″	8″	10″	12″
Solid grouted wall		58	78	98	124
vertical cores grouted at	16″ o.c.	47	63	80	94
	24″ o.c.	43	58	72	85
	32″ o.c.	42	55	68	80
	40″ o.c.	41	53	66	77
	48″ o.c.	40	51	64	75

		Hollow Concrete Block
		Normal Weight 135 pcf
Wall Thickness		6″	8″	10″	12″
Solid grouted wall		63	84	104	133
vertical cores grouted at	16″ o.c.	52	66	86	103
	24″ o.c.	48	61	78	94
	32″ o.c.	47	58	74	89
	40″ o.c.	46	56	72	86
	48″ o.c.	45	55	70	83

		Equivalent Solid Thickness² Inches
Wall Thickness		6"	8"	10"	12"
Solid grouted wall		5.6	7.6	9.6	11.6
vertical cores grouted at	16" o.c.	4.5	5.8	7.2	8.5
	24" o.c.	4.1	5.2	6.3	7.5
	32" o.c.	4.0	4.9	5.9	7.0
	40" o.c.	3.8	4.7	5.7	6.7
	48" o.c.	3.7	4.6	5.5	6.5

NOTE: The pcf values as shown above are examples, and are not intended as exact criteria for specifications. CMU must meet ASTM C90, which provides density ranges for each weight classification.

¹ The above table gives the average weights of completed walls of various thickness in pounds per square foot of wall face area. An average amount has been added into these values to include the weight of bond beams and reinforcing steel. Weight of grout is assumed at 140 pcf.

² Equivalent solid thickness means the calculated thickness of the wall if there were not hollow cores, and is obtained by dividing the volume of solid material in the wall by the face area of the wall. This Equivalent Solid Thickness (EST) is for the determination of area for structural design only, e.g. fs = P/(EST)b. It is NOT to be used to obtain fire ratings. Fire rating thickness is based either on equivalent solid thickness of ungrouted units only or solid grouted walls.

CMU per Square Foot of Wall Area

		Unit Length
Unit Height		16	18	24
	4	2.25	2.00	–
	6	1.50	1.33	–
	8	1.125	1.00	.75

Example:
Wall Area	=	12,500 Sq. Ft.
Unit Face Size	=	8 x 16
12,500 x 1.125	=	14,063 Units

Angelus Block Co., Inc. supplies this information as an educational aid in understanding the benefits of concrete masonry construction and our products. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain engineering or other advisory services from licensed professionals as the basis for incorporating into any project any information, detail, or product offered herein.

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