FORM CONCRETE STEPS FOR ACCURATE ESTIMATING

(HEIGHT 16”) CORE WIDTH LENGTH RETURN AREA

VOLUME
1. Divide wall height by 16” and round up. This is the number of
PRIOR TO POUR CHECKLIST
4” 9” 48” .065844 yd3
102 mm 229 mm 1219 mm
N/A
.050341 m3 courses required. ‰ Are walls straight, plumb, square
6”
152 mm
11”
279 mm
48”
1219 mm
N/A
.098765 yd3
.075511 m3 2. Multiply the # of 90° corners in the structure by the # of courses. and level?
This is the number of 90° corner forms required.
8”
203 mm
13”
330 mm
48”
1219 mm
N/A
5.33 ft2
.4951 m2
.131687 yd3
.100682 m3
‰ Are window and door openings
sized and located correctly?
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3. Multiply the # of 45° corners in the
10” 15” 48” .164609 yd3
254 mm 381 mm 1219 mm
N/A
.125852 m3 structure by the # of courses. This ‰ Are they plumb and square?
Straight 12” 17” 48” .197529 yd3 is the number of 45° corner forms
N/A
305 mm 432 mm 1219 mm .151022 m3 required. ‰ Are they cross-braced
4” 9” (e) 31”/787 mm (e) 19”/ 483 mm 5.56 ft2 .054574 yd3 sufficiently?
102 mm 229 mm (i) 22”/559 mm (i) 10”/254 mm .5165 m2 .041725 m3 4. Use the table to determine the total
6” 11” (e) 33”/838 mm (e) 21”/533 mm 6.00 ft2 .086528 yd3 square footage of all 90° forms ‰ Is reinforcing steel placed in
152 mm 279 mm (i) 22”/559 mm (i) 10”/254 mm .5574 m2 .066155 m3
to be used. (Number of 90° forms accordance with local building
8” 13” (e) 35”/889 mm (e) 23”/584.2 mm 6.44 ft2 .121517 yd3
203 mm 330 mm (i) 22”/559 mm (i) 10”/254 mm .5983 m2 .092906 m3 multiplied by sq. ft. per form.) Do the requirements and/or Project
90° Corner 10” 15” (e) 37”/940 mm (e) 25”/635 mm 6.88 ft2 .151444 yd3 same for the 45° forms. Engineer?
254 mm 381 mm (i) 22”/559 mm (i) 10”/254 mm .6391 m2 .115787 m3
5. Determine the total square foot area ‰ Is bracing & alignment / scaffold system installed
12” 17” (e) 39”/991 mm (e) 27”/686 mm 7.33 ft2 .191408 yd3
305 mm 432 mm (i) 22”/559 mm (i) 10”/254 mm .6809 m2 .146341 m3 of wall being formed (width x height, properly?
minus 80% of window and door
4” 9” (e) 28”/711 mm (e) 16”/406 mm .054985 yd3 ‰ Check all block cuts to make sure there are no loose
102 mm 229 mm (i) 24.272”/617 mm (i) 12.272”/312 mm .042039 m3 openings). Subtract total square foot
connections that concrete might push out. Screw wood
6” 11” (e) 28”/711 mm (e) 16”/406 mm 4.89 ft2 .080841 yd3 of all 90° forms to be used and all
152 mm 279 mm (i) 23.444”/596 mm (i) 11.444”/291 mm .4542 m2 .061807 m3 45° forms to be used.
over any such locations to secure.
8” 13” (e) 28”/711 mm (e) 16”/406 mm .105425 yd3
6. Divide the remaining square footage of the wall by 5.33 to ‰ Are all penetrations (electric, plumbing, HVAC, dryer
45° Corner 203 mm 330 mm (i) 22.615”/574 mm (i) 10.615”/270 mm .080600 m3
determine the number of straight forms required. Add a small vents) been placed and secured?
4” 9” 48” .101206 yd3
102 mm 229 mm 1219 mm
N/A
.077377 m3 number of forms for possible waste. ‰ Is the concrete acceptable for the method of placement
6”
N/A
48”
N/A
.134140 yd3 7. Estimate the concrete volume required by the following: Divide and engineering or code requirements? (See
154 mm 1219.2 mm .102557 m3
total square footage of wall to be formed, including corners, by Recommended Concrete Mix.)
8” 48” 4 ft2 .167074 yd3
203 mm
N/A
1219 mm
N/A
.3716 m2 .127737 m3 80 for 4”, 53 for 6”, 40 for 8”, 34 for 10”, or 27 for 12”. This ‰ Have anchor bolts and tie-down straps been located and
10” 15” 48”
N/A
.202748 yd3 equals the number of cubic yards of concrete required. Add 1.5 marked, ready to install?
254 mm 381 mm 1219 mm .152917 m3
Brickledge additional yardage for waste and the pump.
12” 17” 48”
N/A
.238421 yd3 ‰ Have all beam pockets been located and cut out?
305 mm

4”
432 mm

9”
1219 mm

48”
.178097 m3

.097206 yd3
RECOMMENDED TOOLS AND MATERIALS ‰ Is adequate labor prepared for pouring?
N/A
102 mm 229 mm 1219 mm .074318 m3
TOOLS LIST • Alignment & Bracing System
NOTE: Recommended minimum pouring temperature is 15°F
6” 48” .130128 yd3 • Foam Guns, Low Expansion
152 mm
N/A
1219 mm
N/A
.099489 m3 • Hand Saw (-9°C). Properly handled, specially formulated concrete can be
Foam Adhesive, Foam
• Power Saw poured at temperatures as low as -15°F (-26°C). Consult your
8” 48” 5.33 ft2 .163050 yd3 Cleaner
203 mm
N/A
1219 mm
N/A
.4951 m2 .124660 m3 • Keyhole Saw ready mix company. At temperatures below freezing, you
• Work Gloves
• Table Saw (Optional, For must cover all exposed concrete with insulating material.
10”
N/A
48”
N/A
.195972 yd3 • Sunscreen
254 mm 1219 mm .149831 m3 Convenience)
Double Taper Top • Broom And Floor Scraper
• Hammer Drill / Cordless Drill
12”
N/A
48”
N/A
.261816 yd3
This guide is intended for a contractor or installer of BuildBlock
305 mm 1219 mm .175002 m3
• Rebar Tie Tool MATERIAL LIST Insulating Concrete Forms. It is intended to supplement the basic
4” 9”
N/A
3.125 ft2
N/A • Hot Knife, Router • Reinforcing as required construction knowledge of a professional.
102 mm 228 mm PIECE LENGTH .2903 m2
52”/1321 mm • Hammer plus accessories, (rebar ties,
6”
152 mm
11”
279 mm
N/A
3.82 ft2
.3550 m2
N/A
• Framing Square For the latest version of this publication and our complete
NOMINAL LENGTH
stirrups) Installation & Technical Manual visit BuildBlock.com
BuildBuck
8” 13” 48”/1219 mm
N/A
4.51 ft2
N/A • Concrete Tools • Screws (1-5/8”, 2-1/2”,
203 mm 330 mm .4190 m2
• Level, Laser Level BUILDBLOCK BUILDING SYSTEMS LLC
#10 Course thread),
OUTER PANEL • Mason’s Line And Chalk Line 866-222-2575 | 831-597-0792 Fax | buildblock.com
48”/1219 cm 18“/6” 5.33 ft2 .056296 yd³ Concrete screws 1-3/4”
INNER PANEL 457 mm/152 mm .4951 m2 .043041 m3 • Rebar Bender And Cutter • BuildBuck window & door
BuildRadius 2 ft
30.75”/ 781 cm
• Scaffold Planks bucking material
• Internal Concrete Pencil • Sleeves for mechanical, BUILDBLOCK REPRESENTATIVE:
OUTER PANEL
Vibrator (Max 1” Head) electrical, plumbing.
POCKET
60”/1524 mm 12”/0 6.67 ft2 .105645 yd³
INNER PANEL 305 mm/0 .6197 m2 .080771 m3
6” 11” 42.75”/1086 mm

INSTALLATION
BuildRadius 4 ft 152 mm 279 mm
INNER PANEL .045099 yd3 RECOMMENDED CONCRETE MIX
19.75”/502 mm .03448 m3 (See our buildblock.com for mix designs and more information.)
INNER PANEL .04642 yd3 • 3000 psi: Higher psi can be used but lower psi is not recommended. In Canada,

GUIDE
OUTER PANEL 21.125”/ 537 mm 2.67 ft2 .035490 m3
minimum 20 mpa.
24”/610 mm INNER PANEL .2480 m2 .04715 yd3
21.8175”/554 mm .036048 m3 • Aggregate: 3/8” (10mm) rock chip or river rock is highly recommended. 1/2”
BuildRadius (12mm) aggregate can be used but will require more vibration.
8 ft,12 ft,16 ft,20 ft INNER PANEL .047606 yd3
22.25”/565 mm .036397 m3 • Slump: 5” - 6” (Keep in mind as the concrete is being pumped under pressure, it TECHNICAL SUPPORT
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT BUILDBLOCK.COM loses approximately 1/2-inch of slump.)
ITEM# BBM-2100 PSALMS 118:22-24 REV 02/22
technical@buildblock.com | (405) 212-3138
 STEP 1: FOOTING OR SLAB 3. Try cutting blocks on vertical lines (center between two interlocks)
in a manner that will not jeopardize the blocks functioning
5. Refer to engineering for all header/lintel steel placement and
stirrup requirements.
1. Footing or slab must be level for best results (within 1/4” in all interlock. If it is not possible to adjust wall dimensions, a
directions). “stacked joint” will be created which should be placed under a STEP 5: SUCCESSIVE COURSES
2. Establish wall locations on footing or slab with chalk line. window or at center of door to minimize its effect. If possible try
to keep this cut four to six feet from a corner. 1. Start second course by reversing direction of each corner
3. Place packaged forms inside perimeter of footing. form, creating a stagger of the vertical joints. Proceed around
4. Note that horizontal rebar must be placed as the BuildBlock perimeter in the same manner as the first course. Make sure
4. When pouring footing or slab, place reinforcing dowels as per
forms are stacked, per engineering requirements or design. (See blocks are pressed together completely.
Project Engineer and/or local building code requirements. The
following dowel spacing instructions will prevent dowels from
Step 4.) Complete first course.
2. Once the first three courses have been set, string walls and shim.
STEP 7: CONCRETE PLACEMENT
interfering with webs: 1. Use Prior to Pour checklist (see back).
5. 6” 90° Corner: Place first dowel 5-1/2” in from one outside
STEP 3: DOOR & WINDOW OPENINGS 3. For out-of-level footings or slabs, use wood door shims to level
low areas and trim bottom of block for high areas. 2. Order/use proper concrete mix (see back).
edge and 8-1/2” in from the other outside edge as shown in 1. BuildBuck is the perfect ICF bucking
material to create and insulate 4. Set additional courses the same way as the first two courses, 3. When ordering Pump Truck, make sure they have an “S” bend,
Diagram A. Reverse those measurements to place Dowel #2.
all window and door openings. reversing corners each course. Cut forms at window openings ram’s horn, or reducer before end of hose. If possible, final size
Space remaining dowels on 6” increments according to your
Dimensional lumber should be used and place reinforcement as required. of hose should be reduced to 3”.
engineering requirements (i.e. 6, 12, 18, or 24” apart.)
only on overhead garage doors. 5. Spot glue the bottom of each block on the final (top) course 6” 4. Begin pouring 4’ to 5’ from a corner; direct concrete flow
6. 8” 90° Corner: Place first dowel 6-1/2” in from one outside
2. Determine openings for doors and from the end of each block. This will lock the blocks into place. towards the corner, then move along the wall. Never pour
edge and 10-1/2” in from the other outside edge as shown in
windows: Mark footing or slab at Do not glue the entire length of the block to prevent lift and directly down a corner.
Diagram B. Reverse those measurements to place Dowel #2. BuildBuck window properly braced and
these locations. glued before a pour. interlock issues. 5. When filling around window and door bucks alternate pour
Then space remaining dowels on 6” increments as described
above. Note: Optimum location of steel is centered between 3. Determine window and door locations, and sizes. If needed, cut 6. Identify all building service penetrations and install appropriate from side to side so buck is not moved sideways by concrete
DOWEL PLACEMENT
webs. blocks horizontally for setting bucks between block courses. Be size pipes. pressure.
8 1/2” careful when cutting through block webs. Additional bracing of
DIAGRAM A: BB-690 6” FORM 7. Once wall is completely stacked, pop string line at desired wall 6. As the pour continues, make sure that the space below the
blocks may be required. height and trim top of wall level. Note: ICF walls may compress bottom of any window opening or pipe sleeve is filled entirely
up to 1/16” per course during the pour as the weight of the and vibrated.
51/2”

4. Window and door bucks may be pre-assembled with cross

bracing already in place. Please allow 1/2” oversizing of bucks concrete presses the blocks tighter together. 7. Proper consolidation of concrete can be accomplished by
DOWEL #1
6” in both directions over actual window or pre-built door frame internal vibration (3/4” or 1” pencil vibrator recommended).
DOWEL #2 sizes. Most manufacturers will provide the frame opening size STEP 6: WALL BRACING Vibrate all bucks completely, but do not over vibrate.
which may or may not be adequate to work with concrete walls.
Install wall alignment (bracing) system in the following manner 8. Concrete should be placed with a constant, moderate and
This will allow you the ability to plumb and level the window or
after the third or fourth course is completed: steady flow, using 4-foot lifts. A normal eight to ten foot wall can
door if things move slightly during concrete placement. Bucks
be completed using two or three passes around the structure.
may be installed piece by piece while stacking walls. Make sure 1. Regular Corners: Start 2 feet from inside regular corner going
all buck pieces are plumb and level and fit window and door one direction and 3 feet going the opposite direction. This keeps 9. Final alignment of each wall must be performed before the
rough opening sizes. braces from interfering with each other (see diagram below). concrete has set.
Inverse (inside) Corners: Start 4 inches from inverse corners (see 10. After finishing the concrete top, place anchor bolts or plate
5. Securely cross brace all buck openings. Foam glue bucks in
DOWEL #2 diagram). Attach braces to BuildBlock corner tie. straps into wet concrete at the proper locations as required by
place when installation is final before the pour.
code.
DOWEL #1 Review the BuildBuck Installation manual for more information. BRACING PLACEMENT DIAGRAM
6”
11. All walls, bucks, and floors should be brushed and swept clean
61/2”

before concrete hardens. Recheck wall alignment before leaving

STEP 4: REINFORCING STEEL REGULAR
CORNER jobsite.
1. Create 1-1/4” length rebar collars out of 1-1/4” PVC pipe
Start
101/2” DIAGRAM B: BB-890 8” FORM with Skill saw. Before stacking second course, place collars over
vertical dowels protruding from footing
4-inches
from an
Place
1st brace FINISHING THE JOB:
7. Where a step footing is required we recommend that the step or slab. NOTE: Some code officials REBAR FINGERS inverse
corner. INVERSE
2-feet from
the inside of VAPOR BARRIERS AND WATERPROOFING
be set at 16” increments to align with courses. If an 8” step is do not allow these collars. Check local a regular
CORNER 1. Proper installation of waterproofing (below grade) and
required, block may be cut in half horizontally. codes first. corner.
vapor barriers (above grade) according to your local code
8. Optional: Drop 1/2” or 5/8” rebar rod in circular hole of 2. Snap horizontal rebar into the web Place 2nd brace 3-feet from inside a regular corner.
requirements is vital to the success of your project. In regions
corner web for additional strength. fingers of the first course, alternating of heavy termite infestation, EPS insulation must be protected
2. Thereafter, place an alignment unit every 4-6 feet.
rebar courses left and right of center. by code approved materials or methods. Then your wall can
STEP 2: COURSING PLACEMENT Every other rebar course is placed in the 3. At every other course, fasten bracing to the wall, preferably at be clad with the exterior finish of your choice, such as EIFS,
1. Prior to setting forms, determine the exact wall height required same rebar finger positions. the stronger “BB” attach points. brick, rock, or siding. See the BuildBlock Comprehensive Guide
for the project. If the wall height required is not divisible by 16” 3. Continue to stagger in this manner. By 4. Braces should have at least one-inch vertical slots for screw to ICF Waterproofing available on buildblock.com for more
then one or two courses may need to be cut horizontally. When staggering horizontal rebar, it will hold BB-800 8” FORM attachments. Place screws at top of the vertical slots. To prevent information.
determining cut, care must be taken to preserve all cross web the vertical bar, once placed, between bowing from wall compression, do not over tighten screws when
members. attaching braces. Do not remove vertical bracing on walls for at least 48-96
the horizontal bars.
2. Set corner forms level and plumb. Set straight forms, starting
from corners and moving toward center of wall. (Run first course
4. Once entire wall is stacked, thread vertical rebar between 5. Proper installation of bracing system is critical to wall
alignment as well as crew safety. We advise contacting a
! hours. All vertical window and door header bracing must
remain for a minimum of seven days.
horizontal rebar and place end into PVC collar. Tie vertical
of corners with long side in same direction. Reverse every other rebar to top horizontal rebar. (Note: Vertical rebar must be 1” BuildBlock distributor for support.
course in the opposite direction. This offsets courses and makes FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE OUR INSTALLATION & TECHNICAL
shorter than top of wall. This steel can be pre-ordered to length.) MANUAL OR YOUR BUILDBLOCK® DISTRIBUTOR.
a one foot stagger.)