Understanding Block Types and Core-Filling

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14:50

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Retaining walls- SPOTTING short cuts & BAD work

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What happens here

An important consideration when selecting retaining wall blocks is whether they are hollow or solid. The narrator demonstrates the difference between a hollow concrete block and a solid Versa-Lok block. Hollow blocks often require core-filling with 3/4 inch angular rock to enhance their strength and stability. This process involves filling the internal cavities of the blocks with aggregate. The video emphasizes that if hollow blocks are used, they must be completely core-filled to ensure proper performance and to interlock them effectively, particularly when installers build multiple layers before backfilling.

Goal: Select the appropriate block type and understand core-filling requirements.

Tools and materials

Hollow Concrete Block N/A — Demonstrating core-filling requirements
Versa-Lok Standard Unit Block Versa-Lok — Demonstrating a solid retaining wall block that does not require core-filling
3/4 inch Angular Rock N/A — Core-filling hollow retaining wall blocks

What they say

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[Music] so not everybody's gonna have these versa lock standard units available and that's okay if you understand how to pick the right block what you may have available in your area may be a hollow block and it's not the end of the world if this is what you're going to be working with but one of the things to be aware of is these hollow blocks require you to core fill them all the way up so as you lay these side by each now these aren't retaining wall blocks but they're very similar in design to a retaining wall block as you lay these blocks aside by each you're required to use three quarter inch angular rock now this is less than three quarter inch and you're supposed to core fill them all the way up and when you do that what happens is it locks these blocks together but a lot of times what installers will do is they'll build then backfill and they don't just build one layer they'll build two or three layers so if they take another block and they put it right over here now when they go to chlorophyll they're depending on this angular rock trickling its way down and through the wall and 100 filling it up and more times than not i've seen that become a problem but if

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