![]() ![]() These projections create a basketweave effect which may or may not contribute to the aesthetic value of the wall. Walls laid up in running bond (with offset head joints), on the other hand, exhibit a similar geometric configuration at the individual courses with the exception that the ends of units in alternating courses project out beyond the faces of the units immediately above and below (Figure 2). Curved walls laid up in stack bond (i.e., with vertical head joints aligned) possess the geometric properties of a regular polygon (Figure 1). ![]() The bond pattern also impacts the overall appearance of a curved wall section. The curvature of these walls depends on variables such as the length and thickness of the concrete masonry unit, the width of the vertical head joints at the interior and exterior wall faces and whether the units will be used as is, beveled at the ends, or cut to conform to the desired radius. The greater the radius, the more closely the surface formed by the chords approaches that of a true arc. The end result is a series of short chords rather than a smooth arc. Where curved walls once were formed from hand-hewn stone carved to fit a predetermined radius, radial walls of concrete masonry are usually formed from rectangular units of fixed shape and dimension. The use of concrete masonry in the design and construction of radial walls presents a unique challenge to the design professional. In addition, the relatively small unit size lends itself to unique applications, such as radial walls. The almost limitless variety of sizes, shapes, textures, colors and surface treatments has made concrete masonry one of the most versatile and sought after building materials today. Concrete masonry units are uniquely suited to distinctive aesthetically-pleasing architectural features. ![]()
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