I. Reinforcement of masonry or wall.

Proper bracing will ensure straight walls. A variety of wood, steel, and aluminum bracing systems and methods are available and, as mentioned above, we recommend the ReechCraft® Panel Jack® Alignment System for builders who use SmartBlockPlus frequently. Whatever bracing system is used, we recommend one that utilizes an adjustable turnbuckle that allows for adjustment of the bracing to properly align the walls.

As mentioned above, corner braces should be installed as soon as possible and checked periodically to ensure that the walls remain plumb. Once the walls are fully formed, intermediate vertical bracing should be placed at intervals of 8 to 10 feet. If bracing is also to be used for scaffolding, braces may need to be placed closer together (e.g. every 6 feet) to meet OSHA guidelines. If a top rail or in-wall brace is used (see below) to straighten the wall at the top, this is all the vertical bracing that is required. If no top rail is used, both sides of each opening should also have a vertical brace attached and secured.

Once the bracing is in place, set a string line at each corner and adjust the bracing so that the wall is plumb from end to end. To ensure that the wall is straight from end to end, corner to corner, we also recommend the installation of a top rail, or an internal brace (“in-wall brace“), that will keep the wall from moving out of alignment. The top rail can be constructed with 2x4 lumber, bridged across the top of the wall with 1x2 “ladder steps,” or, more effectively, with sections of 1/8” angle iron placed on both sides of the wall and clipped together every 120-200 cm. to secure the forms together. Consult with your SmartBlockPlus Representative on the use and availability of an internal brace for this purpose. The addition of this top rail system eliminates the need to add vertical bracing to each end of the window and door openings.