Put another way: One shot from my .357 will completely destroy a 12"
concrete block, biggest piece is 6" or so. The 8"x10 tapered timbers I
use for car ramps wouldn't even notice. Same weight I might add. Net:
Concrete is very good in pure compression, wood is very fiberous,
concrete fails suddenly, wood fails gracefully.

Concrete blocks used in a basement are carefully bedded in mortar
tofully distribute the load. Block and brick cutters are nothing more
than a press with a concetrated load. Snaps blocks with very little
effort. They really don't handle a concentrated load at all well.

Nick Hull wrote:
In article ,
RoyJ wrote:


Problem with concrete blocks is that they crumble at unexpected times
and do it in a total failure mode.


If that were really true no one would use them for the foundation of
their house. In fact, when the ground slides and concrete block
foundations crack, they almost invariably crack in a zigzag line of the
mortar. If you are afraid to go under a vehicle PROPERLY supported by
concrete blocks, how do you get the courage to go into your house and
how do people manage to live & sleep in mobile homes supported by the
flimsiest of concrete block stacks?

Nick Hull wrote:

In article ,
"Bushy Pete" wrote:



As another poster said, don't use bricks, concrete blocks or similar as they
can crumble and collapse. You do not want to be underneath something heavy
trying to hold it up with the side of your head......


Actually concrete blocks are pretty strong, IF you put the holes
vertical and put a 2x on the top (and bottom unless dirt). Concrete is
very strong but will crumble if stress is allowed to accumulate at one
spot.