Concrete block masonry which referred to as concrete masonry unit (CMU) have advantages over brick and stone masonry.
Concrete blocks are designed 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 ” and 12-inch unit configurations.
Cement, aggregate, water is used 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 all about 3N/mm2. ASTM C-90-91 specifies the compressive strength requirements of concrete masonry units.
Types of Concrete Blocks or Concrete Masonry Units
Based on the structure, shape, size and manufacturing processes concrete blocks mostly are classified into 2 types plus they are:
Solid concrete blocks
Hollow concrete Blocks
Solid Concrete Blocks
Solid concrete blocks can be used, which are heavy in weight and manufactured from dense aggregate. They may be strong and provides good stability to the structures. So for giant work of masonry like for load bearing walls these solid blocks are preferable. These come in large sizes in comparison with bricks. So, it will take much less time to develop concrete masonry than brick masonry.
Hollow Concrete Blocks
Hollow concrete blocks contains void area higher than 25% of gross area. Solid division of hollow bricks needs to be more than 50%. The hollow part may be divided into several components depending on our requirement. They are produced from lightweight aggregates. These are light weight blocks and easy to install.
Forms 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 at the ends or corners of masonry. The ends could possibly be door or window openings etc. they may be arranged in a fashion that their plane end visible to the outside along with other end is locked with the stretcher block.
Concrete Corner Blocks
Corner blocks are widely-used at the ends or corners of masonry. The ends could possibly be door or window openings etc. they’re arranged in a way that their plane end visible external and also other end is locked with the stretcher block.
Concrete Pillar Blocks
Pillar block is also known as double corner block. Generally these are generally used when two ends from the corner are visible. In case of piers or pillars these blocks are popular.
Jamb Concrete Blocks
Jamb blocks are used when there is an elaborated window opening from the wall. They’re connected to stretcher and corner blocks. For the provision of double hung windows, jamb blocks are very useful to provide space for your casing folks window.
Partition Concrete Block
Partition concrete blocks are usually employed to build partition walls. Partition blocks have larger height than its breadth. Hollow part is split into 2-3 components in case of partition blocks.
Lintel Blocks
Lintel block or beam block is used when considering provision of beam or lintel beam. Lintel beam is usually provided on the top portion of windows and doors, which bears the load coming from top. Concrete lintel blocks have deep groove across the length of block as shown in figure. After placing the blocks, this groove is loaded with concrete together with reinforcement.
Frogged Brick Blocks
Frogged brick block posesses a frog on its top together with header and stretcher like frogged brick. This frog will helps the block to support mortar and develop the strong bond with top laying block.
Bullnose Concrete Block
Bullnose blocks resemble corner blocks. Their duties also same however when we want rounded edges at corner bullnose bricks are preferred.
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