"Homemade" CMU Bond Beams?

[Bisbee_Structural]

I designed a 6" CMU block wall with bond beams at the usual locations (lintels, floor levels, top of wall, etc.)

Unfortunately the Contractor cannot get 6" CMU bond beam block anywhere; I've also made some calls and can't find any in stock, seems the block manufacturers in my area (NYC) will make it for a big enough run, but they don't keep it in stock.

I'm considering telling the Contractor to just take standard blocks and use a masonry cutting wheel to cut the webs so he can remove the top 4" of the webs to make a homemade knock-out block.

Has anyone run into this issue before? Are there any reasons why we shouldn't do this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[XR250]

Most masons in my area do the same thing

 

[Bisbee_Structural]

OK thanks for the quick feedback, appreciate it.

Am still shocked nobody's making 6" bond beam block now, especially in a city where every extra inch of wall thickness is a big deal.

 

[GC_Hopi]

Ditto for many of the masons in my region. A couple sawcuts to make a knock out section in the web.

 

[Bisbee_Structural]

Got it, thanks for the input and image.