More profitable and efficient for masons
ProBlock is a patented concrete masonry unit developed by Johnson Concrete Products. It is the final result of close collaboration between Johnson Concrete Products’ engineers and production team, block masons, and architects. That collaboration yielded the idea to redesign the standard “knock-out” or “A” block to be more efficient to manufacture and install.
ProBlock units are stronger and lighter than regular ASTM C90 lightweight units. Lightweight units increase durability, improve energy performance, and reduce a structure’s life cycle costs when compared to competing wall systems.
ProBlock is Lighter
If you are a mason contractor, the physical demands of block laying are not new. Before ProBlock, the basic design of a concrete masonry unit had not changed since the early 1900’s. ProBlock is on average 30% lighter in weight than other CMU’s of the same material mix. By reducing the amount of weight a mason has to lift, there is an opportunity for a mason to safely lay more units per day. A lighter block is easier and quicker to install.
Balanced Block Design
ProBlock has been engineered so that the center of gravity is where it should be: in the center web of the block. The finished result is a block that is balanced in the hands of a mason. Most open-ended CMU’s are unbalanced and can be troublesome to handle and can even cause injury. That is due to the center of gravity not actually being in the true center of the mass.
Open Ended CMU = Longer Vertical Rebar
On project sites, vertical rebar pieces have to be shortened to allow masons to lay block over the pieces. With ProBlock’s open ended design, masons can lay the block around vertical rebar by sliding the open end around the piece. This allows mason contractors to use longer lengths of vertical rebar which reduces the amount of rebar splicing and the total amount of steel needed for the project.
Enables High Lift Grouting
Legacy versions of A and H shaped open-ended block were not designed to withstand the force of high lift grouting. The patented, tapered face shell design of the ProBlock allows for high lift grouting and reduces the risk of grouting blowouts. Or, the mason can use long pieces of vertical rebar and still grout in low lifts.
Reduces Onsite Saw Cuts
ProBlock’s design saves time and money by reducing the frequency of onsite saw cuts.
Rebar Made Easy!
Ryan Shaver, former National Director of Sales & Training for ProBlock Masonry Wall System,
showcasing how easy it is to lay ProBlock around rebar.
– October 2016
ProBlock is safer than standard CMU
ProBlock Reduces Injuries
Did you know that over the course of one day, a single mason can have lifted approximately 2 tons in CMU weight? Additionally, with traditional CMU, the mason has to lift up and over tall rebar lengths. This is why back injuries are the leading cause of worker’s compensation claims and missed work days. When a mason is laying between 90 to 120 block per day, every pound matters. ProBlock’s light unit weight and its open-end design allows the mason to go around rebar instead of up and over, thereby reducing the risk of back and shoulder injuries. ProBlock allows masons to install CMU in the safest way possible.
No More Overhead Lifting
Overhead lifting and using unauthorized platforms is one of the leading causes for safety citations on masonry projects. ProBlock’s open ended design allows masons to lay block around rebar instead of having to lay block over rebar. A mason can now safely lay block without having to stand on ladders, buckets, other CMU, or use any other unauthorized platform to extend themselves overhead.
Reduced Onsite Block Cutting = Reduced Silica Exposure
ProBlock’s open ended units reduce the risk of silica exposure due to onsite block cutting.
Resources
ProBlock Specifications
Fire Ratings
