How to Build a Large Radius with AB Courtyard
The AB Courtyard Collection is designed to let you build a variety of radiuses from circles to sweeping curves. If building on soils see
How-to sheet #120 for more information.
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 Watch the Video
 Print Project Instructions
 Estimating Calculator
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Build a Full Circle:
You can build a complete circle with AB York blocks. Build the circle by placing 28 AB York blocks with their long side facing the outside of the circle to complete the first course. Make adjustments as needed to fit the blocks. This is the tightest circle that can be made. Stack additional courses as desired. Finish with Wall Caps.
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Build a Large Radius Curve:
To build a large radius curve you will use a pattern of blocks that is repeated throughout the curve. This pattern uses three AB York blocks to create a radius of 112 in. (2.8 m). See the other patterns for larger radiuses below:
Step 1: Build First Course
Once the location is determined, start the first course by placing two AB York blocks with their long sides facing out. Place the last block in the pattern with its short side facing out. Repeat this pattern for the length of the curve. When building curved walls it is best to build the first two courses at the same time. This helps align the blocks so additional courses continue to stack up properly.
Step 2: Build Second Course
Use the same pattern on the next course. To start, place an AB York block with its long side facing out centered over two AB York blocks, with their long sides facing out. Place the next block with its long side facing out next to it followed by one with its short side facing out to complete the pattern. Again, repeat this pattern for the length of the curve. Adjust the blocks as necessary to align them along the curve and equalize the small spaces between them.
Step 3: Continue Building
Using the same pattern, continue building additional courses to the top of the wall. Always start the pattern on a new course with a AB York block, long side facing out, centered over two AB York blocks with their long sides facing out.
Step 4: Wall Cap Pattern
Finish with Wall Caps using the same pattern as done with the AB York blocks. Place the first Wall Cap with its long end facing out centered over two AB York blocks, with their long sides facing out. Place the next cap with its long end facing out next to it followed by one with its short end facing out to complete the pattern. Repeat this pattern for the length of the curve.
Step 5: Finish
Once all the Wall Caps are in place, secure them in place with a bead of masonry adhesive along both sides of the raised rings and along the side of each Wall Cap (adhesive optional).
Wall Caps
Install the Wall Caps in the same pattern as chosen for the wall. Wall Caps also have a long and short end similar to the AB York blocks.
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Alternate Pattern
This example showed how to build using only the AB York blocks. You can also build this same curve with a mixture of AB York and AB Dublin blocks by replacing two York blocks for one Dublin block that have matching angles. Use the following two patterns to build larger radiuses. When building curved walls it is best to build the first two courses at the same time. This helps align the blocks so additional courses continue to stack up properly. The radiuses of the blocks are preset. For a specific radius, the blocks may need to be cut.
Pattern 2: 75.5 in. Radius (1.9 m)
Use the pattern below to build a 75.5 in (1.9 m) radius. Start by laying out this pattern using the AB York blocks. If you would like to incorporate AB Dublin blocks in the pattern replace two AB York blocks with one Dublin block where the angles match.
Pattern 3: 184.0 in. Radius (4.7 m)
Expand on the pattern above by adding two more AB York block to the pattern which will increases the radius to 184 in. (4.7 m). To incorporate AB Dublin blocks replace two AB York blocks where the angles match.
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