Filling concrete blocks

[larrylwill]

Not really a question about a garage but I think you guys are the best to get the answer from.
I'm building a storm shelter on my bedroom floor (cement slab) which used to be a garage. I would like to use cement blocks and fill them with concrete and re-bar. It will be 3ft x 4ft and 5.5ft high inside. I will have to mix the concrete on the porch with a mixer and bucket it to the bedroom about 20ft. I planed on using construction glue to lay the blocks, bottom blocks anchored to the floor.
How can I figure how many 60 or 80lb bags of cement it will take to fill the blocks? Also what type of mix should I use? I suppose I will use 12" blocks.

 

[Cyberbear]

What you ask is mostly self explanatory, just do the math and figure out the cubic footage needed for your job based on the information always found on the bags of Redi-mix. If you can, use a wheelbarrow to bring the mud closer to where it's needed and simply scoop and pour with a tin can. You may want to investigate your choice for proper adhesion on that first course of block.

 

[larrylwill]

Thanks but that was 2011. I finished the tornado shelter the next month. I do not remember how many bags I used. I had a cement mixer I bought for $150 3 cu yards that did just fine. I also poured a 4" ceiling everything is tied together with rebar. The door is 2 layers of 2x4 at 90% with 3/4 plywood on each side.

 

[larrylwill]

Mine meets or exceeds fema specs.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

What you ask is mostly self explanatory, just do the math and figure out the cubic footage needed for your job based on the information always found on the bags of Redi-mix. If you can, use a wheelbarrow to bring the mud closer to where it's needed and simply scoop and pour with a tin can. You may want to investigate your choice for proper adhesion on that first course of block.

Thanks but that was 2011. I finished the tornado shelter the next month. I do not remember how many bags I used. I had a cement mixer I bought for $150 3 cu yards that did just fine. I also poured a 4" ceiling everything is tied together with rebar. The door is 2 layers of 2x4 at 90% with 3/4 plywood on each side.

Weird... A two year old thread revived, and a response from original poster in 8 minutes.... This should be in the WTF thread...

 

[larrylwill]

I work at home and have a computer in my office, I also have a laptop beside my TV chair and I answer emails almost instantly from 11am until 1am, unless I'm someplace else.

 

[TXDego]

Larry, post up a picture of two, love to see your finished project.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I work at home and have a computer in my office, I also have a laptop beside my TV chair and I answer emails almost instantly from 11am until 1am, unless I'm someplace else.

Wow.....

 

[larrylwill]

Its kind of hard to take pictures of such a small shelter.
Its in the closet. It sits 2ft below the bedroom floor on the concrete pad that used to be a garage. I raised the floor to the level of the rest of the house.
Its only 3'D x 5'W x 4'5"H. I used 1/8" steel pipe to hold the door from blowing in and it can't **** out because its surrounded by 2x6 lumber bolted to the block into the concrete.
There is electric to the back corner and a led bulb, and a Led light that comes on if the power goes out.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Its kind of hard to take pictures of such a small shelter.
Its in the closet. It sits 2ft below the bedroom floor on the concrete pad that used to be a garage. I raised the floor to the level of the rest of the house.

Oh no he didn't.........

Please tell me you still have a garage...

 

[larrylwill]

I built a new one 27ft long, 21ft wide and about 18ft high with a 19ft x 9ft door in front and a 2nd door in back. It sits part on the old parking slab and part on asphalt. I dug up sections and poured cement footers. The driveway slopes back so the front wall is about 14ft and the rear wall is about 17ft high. I did not pour a slab, since there was already asphalt. The bedroom was already there when we bought this 1962 house, but 3 steps down from the Living room. So far I gutted the kitchen and relayed it out and rebuilt it, changing the wall and door way, new windows in the whole house new 30ft window wall in the Living room. Wood on all the floors, gutted the pink bathroom and rebuilt it. Gutted the main bath off the bedroom and put in a steam shower. Got rid of the wall mounted toilets. I also built a garden room off the bedroom 16 x 26ft, using the 4 seasons windows that were on the back deck.
Just me and the wife. The motor home is in the shop, but it also fits. The poly is for a new green house, next project.