Bonding of blockwork over heads

[OldieNewbie]

Good evening 

 

I was out for my lunchtime walk and I came across bricklayers setting a wall out. I was watching them as I was fascinated by it (I generally am with all things construction) 

 

There seemed to be some discussion about how the first level of blocks would not work out when it came to building over the concrete heads but yet it seemed to work out on the ground.

 

What did they mean by this? 

[Russell griffiths]

The door size wasn’t equal to block sizes so going over the top won’t work to the same bond as the blockwork already laid. 

[OldieNewbie]

Thanks for that Russel. In this situation, what would you do?

 

Blockwork goes up in 450mms doesn’t it? What if a doorway is 1000mms wide, which is the case for a lot of doorways in Ireland due to building rules. 

[Russell griffiths]

If it’s blockwork nobody cares as it’s normally rendered

if brickwork it should be set out correctly at damp course level, and a good architect should have worked the building and openings to brick sizes. 

[OldieNewbie]

23 hours ago, Russell griffiths said:

If it’s blockwork nobody cares as it’s normally rendered

if brickwork it should be set out correctly at damp course level, and a good architect should have worked the building and openings to brick sizes. 

This is fancy blocks. They look nice. The men are using some sort of tool to make it look good. 
 

I still suppose the same concept you spoke about still applies though. 
 

what would you do if a door or window for that matter is an unusual size?