Vertical reinforcement is provided by lengths of steel rebar embedded in wet concrete that is poured into block cavities at prescribed intervals. Freestanding block walls can be subject to stresses that can crack joints and destroy walls, so both vertical and horizontal reinforcement is common. For greatest strength, most concrete block walls are assembled so the vertical joints are offset (staggered) from one course to the next. Each row of blocks is joined to the adjoining blocks with either type N (above grade) or type S (below grade) mortar. Most cement block walls will use several different types of blocks, especially stretchers and corner units. Block shapes and sizes are chosen to match the function of the wall and the configuration of the wall. The depth and size of the foundation will vary depending on the size of the concrete block wall and the weight it must support, but a typical freestanding wall requires a foundation that is about twice as wide as the wall itself and which extends about 1 foot down below the frost line. All concrete block walls must rest on a sturdy foundation of poured concrete.
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