Transporting used concrete block walls

[Zygnoth]

Hey all,

I am wondering whether it is possible to transport a block wall from an old house and use it in a new building - by con-sawing until it is loose, strapping it for support and moving it on to a lorry.

I know there are precast concrete walls but, for cost reasons, the reuse of an older house would suit better.

Any pointers are greatly appreciated!

Z

 

[concretemasonry]

Block wall panels have been transported from a factory (where they were built) to a construction project by truck. These walls were made to be hoisted and moved, so there was some extra strategically located steel and pick-up points.

I was involved on a 7 story load bearing project about 30 years where the bearing wall panels were manufactured on-site and moved into place by forklifts and cranes.

For your situation, much depends on the condition of the walls and amount and placement of reinforcing (if any).

What type of wall construction? Is it a double wythe(leaf)wall, usually solid blocks or is it a single wythe wall of hollow blocks?

 

[Zygnoth]

I was interested in the sustainability of deconstructing a typical (Irish!) house and reconstructing another house from its pieces. A typical house here consists of double leaf solid concrete block outer walls with solid block single leaf inner walls.

I know that the roof (slates/tiles) are often recycled in modern jobs and roof/floor joists would be suitable for reuse (especially if connected using hangars). Any concrete flooring could be used as new aggregate on another site.

I definitely agree with the point about reinforcement for movement though. A solid concrete wall has very little tensile strength so would have to be tied very carefully before transport would be possible.

The current situation in Ireland is that a housing boom has suddenly come to an end with a huge surplus of buildings around the country. What I'm interested in is a method of removing these surplus houses from places they are no longer wanted (some not wanted in the first place!) and rebuilding them where people want them.

I know this is quite theoretical and very ambitious but I've always found that experienced people have heard of things I'll never find otherwise! Thanks for the thoughts though concretemasonry...

Z