Masonry Costs

[AnimusVox]

Hello all,

I am but a lowly EIT that started two weeks ago and I'm looking at a Masonry wall that has already been built - 8" CMU, grouted 32" on center with (1) #6, etc etc. It's for a retail store. Well, the building has almost opened but now the owner needs a screen wall to cover the HVAC equipment on the roof, and to do so the architect has proposed a screen wall system that fastens to the exterior wall. In doing so, however, would effectively add a 7' parapet where previously there was none, so there's a bunch of stuff now that's in the red (the wall, deck shear, etc etc.)

Specifically though, for the sense of brevity, I've calculated that the wall reinforcement needs twice as much (#6 grouted @ 32" O.C., offset from the existing vertical reinforcement, so it will now me #6 @ 16" O.C.) Therefore I'm looking into the cost of doing this and I'm not sure where to start. I have an RS Means in front of me but could someone enlighten me the process of adding more grouted cells with reinforcement goes and how that works, so I have somewhere to start estimating?

Thanks a bunch everyone!

 

[Teguci]

First, do your research - web search, eng-tips (

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=303304

) etc...

Next, find a local masonry contractor and talk to him about this exciting, up and coming opportunity and then ask him how he'd fish and grout new rebar into an existing wall. How long did it take him, pitfalls, etc...

Third, put a sketch together detailing what exactly you are estimating. Do you really want to reinforce every 32" or can you increase the spacing by increasing the rebar size? Do you want to add another bond beam at the top or try to splice in to the existing one? How will that mesh with the new parapet?

Forth, going step by step, what are the cost/time items - scaffold, cutting, disposal, rebar, forms, concrete

When I had it done, I told the contractor to blow out all of the cores, add reinforcement, form and then cast. But, there are other options that a local contractor might be familiar with.

 

[KootK]

I'd call some local masonry contractors to get a feel for this. Normally, a masonry wall is constructed in shorter lifts, to the tune of four feet or so. In your case, you'll have to do something like:

1) Thread bars in down the entire height of the wall, grouting the cells and somehow enforcing quality control or;

2) Breaking open face shells and installing vertical bars from the side (probably not an option if the wall is exposed on the side that you'd be doing the work.

Either way, it'll be expensive and the costing isn't likely to well reflected in any standard costing reference material such as RS Means.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[BUGGAR]

Means might not be appropriate because you have a special situation. The masonry contractor will likely have to set up scaffolding, bring in the grout pump, the whole setup as if it were original construction. I totally agree to talk to a masonry contractor.
Welcome to the world of working with Architects and owners. You will be old soon.

 

[XR250]

Could you add some kickers on the screen wall to brace it?