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3ce7: Civil Engineering Material Lab: Experiment No.:-12

The document discusses the manufacture and use of concrete hollow blocks. It describes the process of making concrete blocks using a mix of cement, fine aggregates, and coarse aggregates. The blocks are typically cured for 14 days then dried for 4 weeks before use. Concrete blocks commonly have a nominal size of 300 x 200 x 150 mm and hollow cores which make them lighter and improve insulation. They are widely used in construction for walls due to benefits like lower cost, faster construction, and greater strength compared to brick walls. Testing of blocks includes checking for dimensions, density, compressive strength, water absorption, and shrinkage.

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sita ram Jat
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72 views

3ce7: Civil Engineering Material Lab: Experiment No.:-12

The document discusses the manufacture and use of concrete hollow blocks. It describes the process of making concrete blocks using a mix of cement, fine aggregates, and coarse aggregates. The blocks are typically cured for 14 days then dried for 4 weeks before use. Concrete blocks commonly have a nominal size of 300 x 200 x 150 mm and hollow cores which make them lighter and improve insulation. They are widely used in construction for walls due to benefits like lower cost, faster construction, and greater strength compared to brick walls. Testing of blocks includes checking for dimensions, density, compressive strength, water absorption, and shrinkage.

Uploaded by

sita ram Jat
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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3CE7 : CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIAL LAB

Experiment no.:-12

Object: - To study the manufacture & use of concrete hollow blocks.

Introduction: - Concrete blocks is nowadays replacing bricks in masonry


construction especially in many multistoried buildings. They are extensively
used for construction of boundary walls and as filler walls in R. C. framework.
They are available in three types namely solid, hollow and cellular. These
blocks are extensively used for compound walls and non-load bearing walls.
Specially made hollow blocks are also used for load bearing walls. Such works
are useful in reducing the dead load of masonry in buildings. In block work the
mortar strength should not be high.

Manufacture of Concrete Blocks: - The concrete mix for concrete blocks


shall not be richer than one part of cement to six parts of volume of combined
aggregate. Bureau of Indian Standard recommends a fineness modulus of the
combined aggregate between 3.6 to 4. Coarse aggregate of size 6 to 12 mm is
generally used. Sixty percent fine and forty percent coarse aggregates is the
mix recommended. They can be hand-made and also preferably machine-
made. A simple machine can make up 1600 blocks in an eight-hour shift. The
cast block is then cured in a water tank or yard for at least 14 days. After
curing, the blocks are dried for a period of 4 weeks before being used on the
work. They should be stacked with voids in the horizontal direction to
facilitate easy drying. Otherwise, they should be steam cured and dried. This
process allows the complete shrinkage of the block to take place before they
are laid on the wall.

Sizes & Shape: - Concrete blocks are generally produced with hollow cores.
This results in lighter weight, easier handling, and improved insulation
properties; and facilitates placing the reinforcement through the cavities. The
most common nominal size typically is referred to as a 300 x 200 x 150 mm

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3CE7 : CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIAL LAB
block in India. The actual size is usually about 10 mm smaller to allow for
mortar joints. Hollow concrete blocks nominal length 390 mm and height 190
mm, thickness for load bearing walls 190 mm, compound walls 140 mm and
filler walls 90 mm. The maximum variation allowed is ± 5 mm in length and ±
3 mm in height and width. The width of blocks meant for load-bearing walls
will be 200 mm and for parapet or filler walls, it is usually 100 mm.

Table-Minimum Face shell and Web Thickness


S. No. Block width Face shell thickness Web thickness
(mm) (mm) (mm)
1. Over 200 35 30
2. 200-150 30 25
3. 150-100 25 25
4. 100 or less 25 25
Blocks can also be made with decorative facings also.

Typical Concrete Blocks: - For a typical concrete block manufactured by


macro level producer properties are:
Typical concrete block size : 300 x 200 x 150 mm (Gray)
Average compressive strength at 28 Days : 5-11 MPa
Mix Properties : 1: 12-14
(1 part cement: 12-14 parts sum of graded aggregates)
Water absorption in 24 hours : <10 percent (by weight of block)
Weight of a concrete block : about 18-19 kg.

Application of Concrete Blocks: - The most common application of concrete


masonry is walls for building. However, other uses for concrete masonry units
include retaining walls, chimneys, fireplaces, and fire safe enclosures of
stairwells, elevator shafts, and storage vaults. Split-face blocks units have
been fractured lengthwise or crosswise by machine to produce a rough stone-
like texture. The split face exposes the aggregates in the various planes of
fracture. A patented slotted concrete block provides high sound absorption,
making it ideal for use in places where noise generation is high. Glazed

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3CE7 : CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIAL LAB
concrete masonry units are used in swimming pools where sanitation and a
durable, attractive finish are needed.

Classification of Concrete Blocks:-


1. Hollow Concrete Blocks (Open and closed cavity types):- These blocks are
classified by I.S. into the following three grades.
(i) Grade A: - These blocks are used for load-bearing walls. They
should have a minimum density of 1500 kg/m 3. They should be
manufactured for minimum specified compressive strength of
3.5, 4.5, 5.5 and 7.0 N/mm2 in 28 days.
(ii) Grade B: - These are also used for load-bearing walls. They
may have a density below 1500 kg/m3 but not less than 1000
kg/m3.They are made for specified compressive strength of 2.0,
3.0 and 5.0 N/mm2 in 28 days.
(iii) Grade C: - These are used for non load, bearing walls, and its
density is not less than 1000 kg/m 3. They are made for
specified strength of 1.5 N/mm2 in 28 days.
These blocks can also be made with decorative facings like fluted facing to
give aesthetic effects.
2. Solid Concrete Blocks: - These blocks are used as load-bearing walls. They
should have a density not less than 1800 kg/m3 and should be
manufactured for specified concrete strength of 4.0 and 5.0 N/mm 2 in 28
days.
3. Paver Blocks: - These blocks are solid concrete blocks of various shapes
specially made for exterior ground paving on side walls, parking lots,
industrial floors, petrol pumps, etc.

Use of Block Masonry in Building: - Hollow block masonry is used


extensively in India as filler walls for framed building. They weigh less than
the brick walls and are cheaper than the brickwork in overall cost. The work
can also be executed faster. In compound wall construction, they need not be
plastered. However, it is difficult to fix fittings like washbasins, etc. to these
walls so that such portions of a building are usually constructed with
brickwork. Walls made of hollow concrete blocks are more rigid, strong,
durable and fire resistant. They also have good thermal and sound insulation
properties. Hollow blocks can also be made strong by introducing steel
reinforcement or core filling of cavities. Hollow blocks are available in

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3CE7 : CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIAL LAB
different shapes and sizes. The nominal size of hollow block most commonly
used is 400 x 200 x 200 (mm).

As compared to the normal brickwork, construction with hollow blocks has


following advantages:-
(i) Lesser number of blocks as compared to bricks are used.
(ii) Hollow block construction consumes less.
(iii) Work is carried out at a very faster rate.
(iv) Overall the strength of the structure increases.
(v) Concrete blocks are more environments friendly.

Testing of Blocks (IS: 2185):-


The usual tests prescribed for concrete blocks are the following:-
1. Appearance 2. Dimensions 3. Block density
4. Compressive strength 5. Water absorption 6. Drying shrinkage
7. Moisture movement

Questions: -

Q.1 What is the nominal size of concrete hollow blocks?


Q.2 What are the usual tests specified for cement concrete hollow blocks?
Q.3 What are the advantages of using of concrete hollow blocks?
Q.4 Why are hollow cores or cavities provided in concrete blocks?
Q.5 Why shrinkage is important in concrete blocks?

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