Masonry Magazine May 1971 Page. 18
FIGURE 2
plane. Ground face units are sometimes employed to add interest in the form of color and texture.
It should be emphasized here that many of the fluted and ribbed units are so designed that the vertical flutes or striations will appear in the finshed wall as unwavering continuous straight lines for an indefinite height, even when laid up in regular running bond in which joints alternate over the center of units in courses above and below. This continuity contributes to creation of the soaring monolithic effect.
Special note should be made of a very popular unit not shown in the illustration. This is known as "slump block." It maintains the same basic standard dimensions as regular units. Or it can be made in other sizes and shapes to suit the need of the designer. To give these units their special character, the manufacturing process is changed and controlled so that the mix slumps within desired limits when removed from its mold. Because of the unpredictable roll in texture the units take the appearance of hand-made adobe. These units can often be used to create decorative contrasts when used in combination with other units.
In any configuration or texture which the designer may choose, it is most important to bear in mind that the over-all effect will be influenced and heightened by the play of lights and shadows, enchanced by control of color and textures, sometimes by introducing contrasts. Curved surfaces will produce interesting shadows caused by the broken surfaces. Vertical striations can produce a bold rugged effect. Sculpture is being created as a characteristic of the structure.
Naturalness in appearance is most often sought after. The color of natural sands and gravel will give the units an earthy look. Use of natural colors makes the structure appear to belong to the environment. Different colors can be produced by using different aggregates and/or different natural cements, or color can be changed by pigments or by surface painting. In a few instances use of a transparent sealer may be indicated. Use of natural
RIBBED OR SCORED UNITS ---
NUMBER OF RIBS VARIES
FROM TWO TO EIGHT.
FLUTED UNITS
SPLIT FACE UNITS