SOLID / HOLLOW CONCRETE BLOCKS

DESCRIPTION
Concrete Block Technology is based on the principle of densification of a lean concrete mix to make
a regular shaped, uniform, high performance masonry unit. Concrete Block Technology can be easily
adapted to suit special needs of users by modifying design parameters such as mix proportion,
water/cement ratio and type of production system. It is an effective means of utilizing wastes
generated by stone crushers, quarrying and stone processing units. The technology has high
potential in areas where raw materials are easily available. The Concrete Block Technology package
is a highly profitable business for micro and small scale building material producers and construction
companies. The market for concrete blocks is growing at a rapid rate, especially in the areas where
burnt bricks are not easily available or are of poor quality.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
Appearance
Concrete blocks will have a light grey concrete colour, and on close inspection may show a granular
texture depending in the type of aggregate used. Machine production provides even finish which
offers savings on further cement plaster etc. Concrete blocks can be surface engineered by using
pieces of stone or ceramic waste on their face. Another common type is hollow concrete blocks.
They are made with a richer mix, but offer a number of advantages, such as lighter weight, easier
handling and facility for conducting or reinforcement through the hollows.
Structural Capability
Major advantage of concrete blocks is that their strength can be engineered as per requirement.
Thus making them relatively stronger than masonry with bricks walls by around 15-20%. The
specifications and the characteristics of a concrete block depend on the machine used to
manufacture concrete blocks. The basic raw material is cement, fine aggregate and coarse
aggregate. Very little water is used. This is possible only with mechanized compaction and vibration
and gives the block high quality in spite of the lean mix, which uses very little cement.
These blocks are 4-5 times bigger than burnt bricks; the size of the block or brick used has a bearing
on the strength of the masonry. As the bigger size accounts for reduction in the number of mortar
joints, thereby increasing wall strength. Weight of a concrete block is about 18-19 Kgs. High quality
machines provide optimum vibration in the mix so that the ratio of cement used can be reduced
substantially without compromising on the strength of the blocks. The machine also compacts and
consolidates the mix so that the blocks are uniform in size and attain desired physical properties.
The blocks are cured for a minimum period of 14 days, before they are ready to use.



Thermal properties
Concrete blocks have an excellent thermal property, comparable to other masonry blocks. The
cavities in the blocks provide better thermal protection and also do not need external or internal
plastering. The performance of these blocks increases with the increase in the number of hollow
cores, which may or may not be filled in with some insulating materials.

Sound insulation
Concrete blocks provide an acceptable degree of sound insulation. Fire and vermin resistance
Concrete blocks will not burn. They are readily incorporated into fire resistant rated construction. It
has no problems of vermin attacks or infestation.

Durability and moisture resistance
They are very popular as a long lasting, low maintenance masonry unit, with good compressive
strengths. They have a general lifes span of about 60yrs although may extend up to 80yrs or more.
They are robust and durable even if wetted. It water absorption is less than 10% of weight of block,
after just 24hrs, and may need a weatherproof coating to keep the moisture out.

Toxicity and Breath-ability
Concrete blocks are inert, non-toxic and not prone to off-gassing of volatile materials.
Sustainability
Cement contributes maximum to the embodied energy of the product and masonry. Production and
application procedures for concrete blocks have been optimized to maximize efficiency of cement
use. The emobodied energy in concrete blocks masonry is 270 MJ/Sqm as against 640 MJ/Sqm for
brick walls. Therefore concrete blocks, through efficient use of cement, consume less than 50% of
the energy, which is consumed by brick walls.
Buildability, availability and cost
It has been found that concrete blocks enable savings of approx 8-9% per sq m. of masonry as
compared with burnt bricks. This is primarily because of the savings in mortar and faster
construction speed, both due to the larger block size and also due to the savings in plaster. Size
optimization of concrete blocks also leads to increase in usable internal space, when compared to
conventional fired brick construction. Construction techniques involved is similar to other masonry
units thus easily adaptable. Through decentralized local production it is easily available through a
large number of manufacturers and distributors in most parts of India, in both rural and urban
areas.. Cost is almost equal or lesser than an equivalent number of bricks per sq m. of wall.

Applicability
Concrete blocks have various types like; solid, hollow, paving, tree-guard blocks, and each of them
are available in various shapes and sizes. This vast range of products offers a large market for
application.
In load bearing structures - low rise residential and office buildings, bungalows, shelter units for
rural housing, highway constructions, institutional buildings, godowns and warehouses etc
In frame structures High rise residential apartments, office buildings, market complexes,
hospitals and hotels etc
As ground laying units interlocking paving blocks for roadside walkways, garden pathways, curb
stones, exhibition grounds, fuel pumping stations, movement corridors, high traffic movement areas
like: bus and train stations etc.
Specific usage areas: tree guard blocks for roadside and garden tree plantations