Masonry Magazine March 1977 Page. 30
The Western Auto Co. distribution center in Temple, Texas, covers 600,000 sq. ft. It is the largest single project in the nation to date using Owens-Corning's BlocBond system for concrete block wall construction.
New Masonry System Speeds Construction Of Large Auto Distribution Center
Economics, strength, and the speed of construction were the primary reasons officials of Law Company, Inc. chose the Fiberglas BlocBond system of wall construction for the huge, 600,000 sq. ft. Western Auto Co. distribution center in Temple, Texas.
BlocBond is a masonry surface bonding material which is gaining nationwide acceptance in the construction industry. Developed by Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., BlocBond eliminates the need for mortar between concrete blocks above the first course. Instead, the concrete block is simply dry-stacked to the desired height, length and configuration. Then a %-in. coat of BlocBond mix is troweled on the interior and exterior wall surfaces.
The result is a wall built faster and stronger than conventionally mortared walls, plus built-in water resistance and greater finishing flexibility, according to Owens-Corning. BlocBond carries major code approvals for above and below grade walls, both loadbearing and non-loadbearing. It is being used in both residential and commercial construction.
The 600,000 sq. ft. Western Auto Co. distribution center in Temple covers an equivalent of six city blocks. The interior fire walls are approximately 540 ft. long by 32 ft. high. It is the largest single BlocBond project in the nation to date.
It was agreed by the owner to allow one fire wall as a test for BlocBond. Watching the application procedure closely were Bob Bryant, project architect, and Wendell Jack, project manager, both of the Law Company, designer-builder, headquartered in Wichita, Kans.
The mason contractor, Gene Lee Masonry (MCAA) of Hamilton, said it took his men a short time to adapt to the BlocBond system. Upon completion of the first wall, the contractor examined the results. He agreed that this was faster than conventional masonry construction and gave the green light to proceed on the project, using the Bloc-Bond system in total.
More than 3,000 bags of BlocBond mix were used during construction. Each premixed 80-lb. bag provides approximately 100 sq. ft. of coverage. BiocBond is a mixture of camentacious materials, specially formulated alkali-resistant glass fibers, and a water-resistant agent. Water is added and it is ready for use. The tiny Fiberglas "reinforcing rods" throughout the BlocBond mixture create a uniformly strengthened material.
For the perimeter walls of the Western Auto Co. distribution center, concrete block was dry stacked to a height of 10 ft. and a 1 in. coat of BlocBond mix troweled on the interior and exterior wall surfaces. Here the exterior surface is being faced with brick. The remaining 22 ft. from the top of the block wall to the roof line will consist of insulated ribbed steel paneling.
masonry • March, 1977