Oriana Villas Phase 2

METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00

CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 1 of 14

METHOD STATEMENT
FOR
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS

If, despite best endeavours, a conflict should arise between this Method Statement and the Project
Specification the requirements of the latter shall be observed and this document revised, accordingly.

Prepared Checked
Authorised
Issue Date Senior Site
HSE (PSM) Quality (PQM) (Project Manager)
Engineer

00
 Oriana Villas Phase 2
METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 2 of 14

CONTENTS

CONTENTS................................................................................................................................ 2

1.0 SCOPE............................................................................................................................. 4

2.0 REFERENCE....................................................................................................................4

3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES........................................................................................................ 4

4.0 SEQUENCING..................................................................................................................5

5.0 METHODOLOGY............................................................................................................. 5
5.1 Pre-Works.........................................................................................................................................................5

5.1.1 Engineering works:...........................................................................................................................................5

5.1.2 Site works..........................................................................................................................................................5

5.2 Works.................................................................................................................................................................5

5.3 Post-works.......................................................................................................................................................11

6.0 PLANT & EQUIPMENT..................................................................................................12

7.0 MATERIALS...................................................................................................................12

8.0 HEALTH , SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS..............................12

9.0 RISK ASSESSMENT......................................................................................................12

Attachment 1: Key to Safety Symbols.......................................................................................................................13
 Oriana Villas Phase 2
METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 3 of 14

Amendments History
Rev Clause Changes Made
00 Original issue of document
01
02
 Oriana Villas Phase 2
METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 4 of 14

1.0 Scope
The intention of this document is to describe the various steps involved to be carried out to
execute the block works to meet the requirements of specification.
Note: Emphasis of required safety measures will be inserted throughout, generally in the
following format, pictograms are to be found in Attachment 1:

2.0 Reference
2.1 Project specifications 04810
2.2 Egyptian code of practice
2.3 Approved shop drawings.

3.0 Responsibilities
 Construction Manager:

o The Site Manager shall be responsible for the overall implementation of this Method statement,
and for ensuring that Site and Section Engineers are well informed of its requirements.

 Senior Site Engineer:

o Assigning site engineers to specific task and ensuring that tasks are performed according to the
projects plans and specifications.

 Site Engineers:

 To ensure construction of the Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) block walls is carried out to the
required Contract Specifications and approved shop drawings.
 Notifying Quality Control Engineer when work is ready for inspection
 Ensuring that notification time to QCE is sufficient to meet notification times required by the
Engineer’s Representative through the Works Inspection Request Form.
 Liaison with Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing trades foremen for marking out and installation
of embedded items and cutting holes and chases for embedded items.
 Surveyors:

o In contact with Site Engineers to mark the locations of wall offsets.

 QC Manager:

 Reviewing all relevant documentation and test reports and prepare all handing over reports.
 Clearing all non-conformances relevant to the activity.
 Ensuring that the Engineer’s Representative / Inspector clears all discipline activities that must be
inspected and tested.
 Organizing and allocation of inspection works to Quality Control Inspectors.
 Ensuring all inspection are performed and recorded as per project specifications.
 Oriana Villas Phase 2
METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 5 of 14

 Ensuring inspections are carried out in a timely manner and documented as per project inspection
plan.

 QC Engineers:

 Informing Engineer’s Representative by works Inspection Request as and when his presence is
required to carry out inspections as per the approved project inspection plan.
 Inspect the work as per approved project inspection plan and approved shop drawings and
make sure the work is ready for Owner’s representative inspection if required.
 Accompanying Owner’s Representative / Inspector to carryout inspections and release hold
points.
 Preparing, Signing and obtain signatures from Owner’s Representative/ Inspector on the
relevant Check lists and ITP.

4.0 Sequencing
Below Grade:
Case 1: After Basement/ Ground columns have been cast
Case 2: After Basement / Ground Slab Shuttering is dismantled.
Above Grade:
Directly after Shuttering/ Scaffolding of The Floor slab has been dismantled.

5.0 Methodology

5.1 Pre-Works

5.1.1 Engineering works:

o Approved shop drawings
o Approved materials
o Approved accessories
5.1.2 Site works
o Reinforced Hollow block walls:
o Verify the installation of the reinforcing steel dowels at the locations shown in
the design.
o Verify the overlaid offsets.
o ACE to witness the offsets as outlined in relevant ITP.
o Solid bricks / Hollow blocks above grade
o Verify the overlaid offsets.
o ACE to witness the offsets as outlined in relevant ITP.
5.2 Works

Concrete Masonry Units

 Block must be dry before placing.

 Oriana Villas Phase 2
METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 6 of 14

 Select CMU from those having the least amount of chipped edges or other defects.
Cracked and defective units shall not be installed.
 Full CMU unit shall be used wherever possible
 CMU maybe cut wet or dry.
 Proportion and mix mortar as outlined in project specifications and/ or ECP 1:3-4 by volume.
 The first course will usually be a cut block to ensure that the lintel above the door is
bearing on full height blocks.
 To form a layout, block lining the wall only shall be laid with mortar:
o Properly space blocks equal to the bond thickness at around 1 cm thick.

 Place the blocks with full mortar bed as shown in figure below. To be spread well with the trowel
ensuring plenty of mortar under the bottom edges of the first course.

 Place the first block, bedding it gently with the rubber mallet until it is level using the string
lines as a guide and salvage the excess mortar.

 Mortar is then applied on the sides of the blocks standing as shown below to provide the vertical
joints
 Oriana Villas Phase 2
METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 7 of 14

 The joints are made 1 cm thick and blocks are placed in their final position by pushing the block
into the mortar bed. (See below for a well-tilled vertical mortar joint)

 Align the blocks accurately using a spirit level to check the alignment in each direction.
Care taken to ensure the blocks are true and plumb at this stage will result in fast accurate
erection of subsequent course. Maximum bedding thickness to be 10 mm.

 The level or plumb bob is then used to proper the verticality and grade of the block.

 Inspection request to be submitted as per Relevant ITP.

 Then four to five courses high are built at the corners of the wall; each course is stepped
back one-half a block.
 For the horizontal joint, mortar is put on the block previously laid and for the vertical joints,
both side of the blocks are buttered with mortar or one side of them.
 Oriana Villas Phase 2
METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 8 of 14

 Blocks should be laid as close to their final alignment as possible and a rubber mallet used
to level and align the blocks.
 The spirit level / Plumb bob is also used for ensuring that all the block faces are in the
same plane to provide true, straight walls.

 The block is aligned and levelled using the trowel handle.

 A string is stretched from corner to corner to act as a guide before installing the
blocks remaining. Block should never be laid hard to the line, that is, against it, but
the top edge of the brick should come approximately 4mm behind it. "Crowding the
line" throws the line out of position, tending to make a bulging wall.
 The block is installed by tilting it towards you so that the edge of the new block is
lowered exactly on the edge of the block below.

 Last block installed to close the wall to that course is buttered with mortar from all
adjoining sides and its opening as well is filled with mortar from all adjoining sides
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METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 9 of 14

 Any mortar falling out will lead to an open joint so, if this is the case, the block is
removed and the procedure shall be repeated
 Over-spilled mortar is removed while it is still wet.
 The mortar joint, as said before, shall be 1 cm thick. The excess mortar is cut and
put back on the mortar board for rework (see below). The mortar fall on the floor or
scaffolding shall not be used for rework.

 Joint in all surfaces shall be tooled using a jointer

 Proper striking of the wall joints is then made. It is called tooling where the tool is used to
form concave or V-joints in the horizontal mortar joints then it is done in the vertical mortar
joints. Remains from the tooling are then removed by a soft bristle brush or a trowel to
provide a clean surface. Striking not to be less than 15 mm .See below

 Pointing is then made to correct defective joints and filling any remaining holes. Pointing is
the process of inserting mortar in vertical and horizontal joints after the units are laid.
 Install masonry accessories as shown in the projects plans
 Concrete masonry block walls shall be tied into existing concrete vertical elements using
galvanized steel dovetail ties every 3 courses (fixation of dovetail ties using nail guns)
 Oriana Villas Phase 2
METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 10 of 14

 Place mesh every 4 courses

 Reinforcing steel dowels should be placed either by tie wire to rebar or while pouring the concrete
elements at the positions indicated on the drawings.
 Where dowels in the concrete elements are missing, subject locations will be drilled and reinforcing
bars shall anchored using approved anchoring material.
 Cells containing reinforcing steel will be grouted. Reinforcement shall be placed prior to grouting.
 Reinforcement shall be cleaned of loose, flaky rust , scale, grease, mortar, grout, or other coating
which might destroy or reduce its bond prior to placing mortar.
 Vertical bars shall be accurately placed within the cells at the positions indicated on the drawings.
 Vertical reinforcing may be spliced using tie wire and if inapplicable non-contact splice may be
used.
 If units are moved after mortar takes initial set then clean units of mortar and replace with
fresh mortar
 Cells containing reinforcing bars shall be filled with mortar
 Door frames shall be adjusted for location and plumb and properly supported
 Block cells to be filled with mortar below lintel / sills by 600 mm.
 Control joints shall be provided as indicated
 Cut masonry units with motor-driven saws to provide clean, sharp, unchipped edges.
 Cut blocks to be no less than 100 mms.
 The vertical mortar joint at control joint locations shall be continuous, including through all bond
beams. This shall be accomplished by utilizing half blocks in alternating courses on each side of
the joint. The control joint key shall be interrupted in courses containing continuous bond beam
steel.
 All electrical boxes will be saw cut in place and installed level.
 Mortar age: two and a half hours (ASTM C-270)
 Any missed sleeves in walls will be core drilled
 Sand will be screened before use.
 Bonds for internal walls to follow architectural details in specifications
 Submit Inspection requests for finished plot/ floor according to approved ITP.
 Oriana Villas Phase 2
METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 11 of 14

TOLERANCES

Variation from the plumb in the lines and surfaces of columns, walls and arises
In 3 m = 6 mm
In total 12 mm
____________________________________________________________

Variations from horizontal lines

In 3 m = 6 mm
In total 12 mm
____________________________________________________________

Variations in cross sectional dimensions of CMU:

Solid units Hollow blocks

Length (+3 , -2) (MM) ± 3 (MM)
Width ± 2 (MM) ± 3 (MM)
Height ± 2 (MM) (+3 , -5 ) (MM)

5.3 Post-works

 Joint pointing
 Curing: after work is finished water to be applied immediately , and sprayed the
following day in the morning

6.0 Plant & Equipment

Power saw
Plumb.
Straight edge.
Measuring boxes for sand.
Snips for cutting galvanized mesh.
Drills for forming holes to the rebar anchor dowels.
Total station to set out wall lines and levelling instrument for establishing correct datum points.
Spirit levels for establishing plumb and level of block walls at corners and piers.
String lines for maintaining horizontal alignment between corners and piers.
Mason trowels for applying and removing excess mortar.
Rubber mallets for bedding blocks.

7.0 Materials
(40 x 25 x 20) cm CMU Hollow block
(25 x 12 x 6) cm CMU solid units
Reinforcing steel
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METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 12 of 14

Cement, sand and steel RFT

Accessories (, dove tail ties – Galvanized steel mesh)
Potable water for mixing and curing

8.0 Health , safety and environmental considerations

o Refer to HSE plan.

o Key to Safety Symbols

9.0 Risk Assessment

o Risk Assessment
 Oriana Villas Phase 2
METHOD STATEMENT Ref Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date Feb-2018 Page 13 of 14

Attachment 1: Key to Safety Symbols

Use safety boots Use safety harness

Use hard hat Use lifejacket

Use protective clothing Use welding helmet

Use high visibility jacket Lift heavy objects correctly

Use eye protection Stack correctly

Use safety gloves Wash hands

Use ear protectors Use guard

Use face guard

Use face mask

Use respirators
 Oriana Villas Phase 2
METHOD STATEMENT Ref MS-04 Rev 00
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS Date FEB 2018 Page 14 of 14

RISK ASSESSMENT
Initial Risk (With existing Residual Risk
controls)
Activity

Control Measures
Health and
Job Safety S P R Risk S P R Risk
Steps Hazards Effect Level Level
 Safe access and egress will be provided and an
established safe route will be designated by the
foreman.
 Employees must maintain alertness at all times
Personnel  Maintain job cleanliness on a daily basis in order to
Personnel 3 3 9 M 3 2 6 L
injuries prevent tripping, collisions, dumping or dropping of
hand carried loads.
 Hard hat and other appropriate PPE must be worn and
used
Injuries of Personnel 3 3 9 M  Safety gloves shall be worn 3 2 6 L
hand
Injuries of Personnel 3 3 9 M  Safety glass shall be worn 3 2 6 L
eyes
 Work area shall be maintained free from oil, grease
Slipping and water to avoid slips. Materials shall be stacked
Personnel 3 3 9 M 3 2 6 L
hazards in proper manner and keep high standard of
housekeeping
 Workers engaged in operations in the vicinity of dust
Dust pollution areas should wear dust masks, dust control
Masonry Works

Personnel 2 2 4 L 2 1 2 L
pollution measures such as spraying water on all dusty roads and
areas will be implemented as required
Falling Personnel 4 2 8 M  Safety harness should be used 100% tie off . 4 1 4 L
from height  Workers should maintain alertness at all times.
(if
working at
height)
Severity (S) Values: 1-5 Probability (P) Values: 1-5 Note: Use the RAM when determining the values of S and P
Risk (R) = S x P Risk Ranking: 1– 8 – 12 = Medium (M) 15 – 25: High (H) Page 1 of 1
6 = Low (L)