Posted by CMPC on November 05, 1999 at 12:35:13:
In Reply to: residential concrete construction posted by Amanda Morris on October 30, 1999 at 22:41:52:
The use of lintel block as a dry stack form could be possible but may prove awkward. As standard block would tend to shift during a concrete pour due to the fact the joints are not mortared.
It is possible to use the block as a form and then pour concrete in to the cores of the masonry. There are numerous dry stack masonry systems on the market that promote the labor savings advantage of this method. The masonry becomes a finish material thus allowing the concrete to act as the load-bearing element. These systems are designed to interlock thus providing positive connection during the pour process. You should contact your local block manufacturer to find out which mortarless systems are on the market.
Another technique would be to parge the block instead of mortaring the joints. This method requires less skilled labor and can be faster and cheaper to perform. Parging the outside face of the block is actually stronger than standard mortar joints. This technique however does limit the aesthics options you would have with masonry.