We design buildings with 45- or 135-degree corners in both exterior and interior CMU walls. Are these blocks that make up the corner custom blocks, or are they standard CMU blocks that get cut on-site? Does there always need to be a control joint at the corner (where it turns 45 degrees)? Thank you!

OLDCASTLE'S KEVIN CAVANAUGH RESPONDS: Good question. Thank you for your inquiry. Quik Brik are usually not available in 45 or 135 degree angle corners. This means that regular QB units would have to be saw-cut in the field. Some plants will have 45/135 degree corner units available in full high (7.625”) regular CMU, but not in Quik Brik units (3.625” high). Quik Brik are regularly made in 90 degree corner units. Control joints are recommended at inside 90 degree corners, but are not always used there depending on local practices and experience. We would also recommend CJs for 45/135 degree corners for saw-cut or manufactured 45/135 degree corner units. On exterior walls, CJs should be located no more than 25” apart. Depending on window and door openings, this may place a joint very near a corner, which is okay. In theory, without window or door openings, it would not be odd to see CJs 12.5” off both sides of an outside corner. There is some art to the science of control joint location. We hope this explanation helps. For more information you can review NCMA’s control joint Tek Note by clicking on the link below and typing "control joint" in the search box. Then select Tek Note 10-2B. Thank you for your interest in Quik Brik. “10-2B: CONTROL JOINTS FOR CONCRETE MASONRY WALLS-EMPIRICAL METHOD” http://www.ncma.org/etek/index.cfm?spdm=oldcastle.com.