Concrete block masonry and this is generally known as concrete masonry unit (CMU) have advantages over brick and stone masonry.
Concrete blocks are manufactured in required shape and sizes and these might be solid or hollow blocks.
The normal size of concrete blocks is 39cm x 19cm x (30cm or 20 cm or 10cm) or 2 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, 8 inch, 10 inch and 12-inch unit configurations.
Cement, aggregate, water is utilized to organize concrete blocks.
The cement-aggregate ratio in concrete blocks is 1:6. Aggregate used is of 60% fine aggregate and 40% coarse aggregate.
Their Minimum strength is approximately 3N/mm2. ASTM C-90-91 specifies the compressive strength requirements of concrete masonry units.
Varieties of Concrete Blocks or Concrete Masonry Units
Depending upon the framework, shape, size and manufacturing processes concrete blocks are mostly classified into 2 types plus they are:
Solid concrete blocks
Hollow concrete Blocks
Solid Concrete Blocks
Solid concrete blocks are generally used, which can be heavy in weight and constructed from dense aggregate. They may be very strong and provides good stability towards the structures. So for giant work of masonry like for load bearing walls these solid blocks are preferable. One can choose from large sizes when compared with bricks. So, it takes a shorter time to develop concrete masonry than brick masonry.
Hollow Concrete Blocks
Hollow concrete blocks contains void area higher than 25% of gross area. Solid part of hollow bricks must be over 50%. The hollow part may be split into several components based on our requirement. They are produced from lightweight aggregates. They are lightweight blocks as well as simple to put in.
Varieties of Hollow Concrete Blocks:
Stretcher block
Corner block
Pillar block
Jamb block
Partition block
Lintel block
Frogged brick block
Bullnose block
Concrete Stretcher Blocks
Corner blocks are utilized with the ends or corners of masonry. The ends could be window or door openings etc. they're arranged in ways that their plane end visible out as well as other end is locked using the stretcher block.
Concrete Corner Blocks
Corner blocks are utilized with the ends or corners of masonry. The ends might be door or window openings etc. they may be arranged in a way that their plane end visible facing outward along with other end is locked using the stretcher block.
Concrete Pillar Blocks
Pillar block is additionally called as double corner block. Generally these are used when two ends with the corner are visible. In the event of piers or pillars these blocks are widely used.
Jamb Concrete Blocks
Jamb blocks are used if you find an elaborated window opening inside the wall. They are associated with stretcher and corner blocks. To the provision of double hung windows, jamb blocks are extremely helpful to provide space to the casing folks window.
Partition Concrete Block
Partition concrete blocks are generally used to build partition walls. Partition blocks have larger height than its breadth. Hollow part is divided into two to three components in case there is partition blocks.
Lintel Blocks
Lintel block or beam block is utilized for the purpose of provision of beam or lintel beam. Lintel beam is mostly provided on the top area of windows and doors, which bears the burden originating from top. Concrete lintel blocks have deep groove over the duration of block as shown in figure. After placing the blocks, this groove is loaded with concrete in addition to reinforcement.
Frogged Brick Blocks
Frogged brick block includes a frog on its top in addition to header and stretcher like frogged brick. This frog will helps the block to support mortar also to develop the strong bond with top laying block.
Bullnose Concrete Block
Bullnose blocks act like corner blocks. Their duties also same when we would like rounded edges at corner bullnose bricks are preferred.
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