vtsnowedin wrote:Quality concrete mixed from the right materials is such a durable product that it is worth the extra cost to ship in the aggregates rather then use lessor materials and have a product prone to failure at first stress. Look at the earthquake resistance of reinforced concrete structures vs. brick and block construction.
True for purely masonry structures, however when I was observing the construction of the new dorm at BGSU as I drove past for an appointment I noticed the masons were including mesh reinforcing between at least some courses and tying the reinforcing mesh into the wood frame structural members. Funny what you can see when stuck at a stop light waiting for university students to get out of the crosswalk already instead of dawdling along.
I imagine if you were using manufactured sandstone blocks putting layers of wire mesh between courses would go some way toward earthquake survivability though I have no idea how far an improvement it actually is. Code: Reinforced Masonry
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