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Architecture Mathematics

How can I personally calculate the number of blocks

needed for my building?

6 Answers

Suzanka Bett, MSc Chemistry

Answered Nov 7, 2014 — Author has 156 answers and 420.9k answer views

I would suggest finding the length of each wall and that of each block. Then divide
the two to see how many blocks would fit. Note that you should round to the larger
number. This is an illustration of what I mean:
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I used a gridline to make the distances even. The length of the wall is 48 units and
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that of a block is 10 units. The height is 25 and 5 units respectively. This means that
the area is 1200 and 50 square units respectively. If you are not careful with the
calculations and simply divide the areas, you will obtain
[math] 1200/50 = 24 [/math] blocks. However, counting them by hand from the
picture, there are 25 of them. The error comes from the fact that there are pieces
which together add up to the area of one block but you can't use them in practice. I
am referring to the part I highlighted in yellow. As you can see, the area of the yellow
part is [math] 2 \times 25 = 50 [/math] square units - or the area of one block.
However, you wouldn't want to put those five small pieces on your wall to give you
the 25th block.

This is why I think using lengths is the safer approach. Divide the length of the wall
by the length of one block. [math] 48/10 = 4.8 \approx 5 [/math]. By taking 5 blocks
per row you will end up with enough whole blocks. Obviously, you should do the
same for the height. In my picture, there are no pieces left out because the division
gives and integer, [math] 25/5 = 5 [/math]. Finally, you multiply the approximate
values and you obtain the necessary number of blocks, that is
[math] 5 \times 5 = 25 [/math] blocks.
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Doria Arlin Ortega Michel, Architect, bookworm and hopefully trying to become the
best version of myself
Answered Nov 14, 2014 — Author has 161 answers and 98.7k answer views

1. You need to know the total area of the building walls that means measure every
wall and multiply it by the heigh of each one.
2. You need the area of the openings in the walls, windows, doors, frames, again take
the heights and lengths and the number of each opening.
3. If the building is made of concrete there must be columns and beams, take their
area in consideration.
4. To the area of the building walls subtract the area of the openings and the area of
the beams and columns (the structure area is in case you have not take it in
consideration since the beginning).
5. The area of the block to use, usually when buying the you can ask how many you
use in a square meter or which ever is the unit of area you are using.
6. If you want to be accurate use a 2 millimeter of mortar in each face of the block to
your calculations.
7. Divide the area of the building by the area of the block plus the the area of the
mortar.
8. To your results usually that is not a complete number, if you get 99.1 you account
it like 100, divide it by 0.97 and again make the number round by the most
immediate bigger number. That is in order to add the 3% for waste material. If you
take note in the example of Suzanka that last 3% leads you to the 25 blocks you need.
9. The 3% is used for the skilled masons if you are going to do it by yourself take that
in consideration and use a bigger range of waste material.
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I am architect and that is how I calculate the blocks in my projects and by the
moment I had not get it wrong, I think... No ones has told me they needed more
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blocks...
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Craig Gorsuch, Christian, Husband, Father, Musician, BIM Manger

Answered Nov 6, 2014 — Author has 365 answers and 74.1k answer views

Find the lebgth of each wall in your building that requires block. Then find the
height of each of those walls. Use LENGTH x HEIGHT for each wall to find area of
each wall.

Find length and height of each opening in each wall to find area of each wall opening.

Add areas of all walls for TOTAL WALL AREA

add areas of all openings for TOTAL OPENING AREA

subtract TOTAL OPENING AREA from TOTAL WALL AREA to find TOTAL BLOCK
AREA

Divide total block area by number of blocks that fit in one square foot. This number
should be the number of blocks required for your project. Add 5 to 10% to
accommodate breaking and cutting block as required for installation
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Astitwa Sharma, Civil Engineer (2016-present)

Answered Jul 11, 2017

If you have the drawing for your house, you can calculate the total volume of
Masonry works, on walls, cladding, steps(if any). Then divide the total volume of
blocks (cubic meter or cubic feet) by the volume of one block (cubic meter or cubic
feet). Note that both the volumes must be the same unit (cubic meter, cubic feet
whichever is more convenient). This will give you roughly the number of blocks
required for your house. Normally, you may want to increase it by 5–10% for
wastage.
1.9k Views — View Upvoters — Answer requested by G Michael

Cackmel Adjetey
Answered Dec 25, 2016

find the total lenght of the building, muitiply buy the hight of the building. again find
the lenght a block muitiply by it hight. finally devide the block area by the area of the
building. finally measure all the openings to the nearest square meter, finally deduct
the openings from the figure obtain from the building,and to the nearest whole
number.
1.8k Views

Kevin Finch, studied Architecture at Wilkes Community College (2002)

Answered Jul 11, 2017 — Author has 191 answers and 12.9k answer views

In addition to the other answers you need to know how deep the freeze line is.
Usually foundation blocks are 2x the width of the exterior walls. The blocks come in
different sizes.
680 Views — Answer requested by G Michael
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In the past, we needed a calculator to calculate,

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I always block unknown numbers. Is it right?

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