1.

BLOCKWORK

1.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of this method statement is to detail the methodology of Block work.

2 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

2.1 Contract Specification - Brick and Block Masonry

2.2 Quality Control Plan

2.3 Bill of Quantities

2.4 Approved for Construction Drawings

3.0 DEFINITIONS

PPE - Personnel Protective Equipment

MAS - Material Approval Submittals

TBT - Tool Box Talks

4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Project Manager: Responsible for the entire operations complying with the quality and
safety requirements.

4.2 The Site Engineer: Responsible for the Supervision of Block work activities as per the
approved method statement and drawings.

4.3 The QA/QC Engineer: Responsible for inspections in co-ordination with client
Representative and monitoring the execution to confirm it complies with the approved
method statement and contract specification.

5.0 MATERIALS

5.1 Before proceeding with work, make sure the materials are approved by client and material available
at site is of approved manufacturer and type.

5.2 Check and make sure that the materials available at site are sufficient to carry out the work.

5.3 All the material shall be stored in accordance with contract standard.
6.0 EQUIPMENTS

6.1.1 Check the working condition of all equipment required at site and make sure they are in
working condition.

7.0 HSE REQUIREMENT

7.1 Suitable PPE shall be worn during execution of works.

7.2 Equipments like JCB, Crane will be provided with Banks man for giving directions.

7.3 People will be kept away from the work area of the equipment.

7.4 Proper access to the work areas shall be maintained throughout the working period.

7.5 TBT shall be conducted regularly prior to start of work.

7.6 All Contract safety norms shall be compiled by concern.

8.0 PROCEDURE

8.01 Materials

8.01A Blocks (10 N/mm2)

8.01A 1 Before procuring blocks, test report on the type of cement used, quality and specified
strength to be approved by Client/Consultant.

8.01A 2 When blocks are delivered at site, check the delivery order to confirm the type of cement
used, type, size, and specified strength. Blocks supplied at site should be dry after proper
curing. Wet blocks/blocks under curing period should not be unloaded at site.

8.01A 3 Unloading of blocks should be done carefully; mishandling may result in cracks in the
blocks internally, which will affect the safety of the structure/building. Blocks should be
unloaded as near as possible to the working area, so that double handling and damages
due to that can be avoided.

8.01A 4 Blocks should not be allowed to stack for a height more than 1500 mm from Ground level
because of safety reasons.

8.01A 5 Blocks should be protected from weather, contamination and physical damages.

8.01A 6 No damaged blocks should be used for construction.

 8.01B Cement - Sand Mortar

(1) Cement, sand and water used for the mortar should be approved type and quality.

(2) The mix proportions (1:3) should be as per the specification.

(3) Mixing of cement and sand should be done properly, then the required quantity of water
should be added into the mixer to get the mix with proper workability.

(4) Mortar kept for a time beyond initial setting or dried mortar should not be used.

(5) Remixing of mortar by adding water to get workability is not advisable. In such cases, add extra cement
to keep the water-cement ratio constant.

02. Workmanship

(1) Dry blocks will absorb water from mortar and it will adversely affect the bonding properties of
mortar. So before placing blocks, it should be soaked with water.

(2) Setting out has to be done as per drawings and specification.

(3) Thickness of mortar at the bottom of first layer block work should be adjusted to get the top
surface level.

04) Block should be placed in plumb.

05) All mortar joints to be kept of nominal thickness 10 mm.

06) All vertical joints should be filled properly.

07) The alignment, plumb and level should be checked for each layer.

08) 200 mm wide block work should not be constructed more than 6 layers and 100 mm block
work should not be constructed more than 4 layers in a day.

09) The mortar joints should be raked out to get a groove 10 mm deep, before the mortar dries
up, which will give proper bonding for the plaster and block work.

10) In hot seasons, blocks should be protected from immediate drying of mortar/false setting of
mortar, by covering the wall with wet Hessian cloth.

11) After initial setting of mortar, curing can be started by covering with wet Hessian cloth. Curing
should be continued for a minimum period of 3 days.