De La Salle University

College of Engineering

LBYME3A
Activity 2

NAME : Nygel Gian G. Santillan

REMARKS: ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

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Part A

Pre-test Data of Hollow Block

Length (mm) Width (mm) Height (mm) Cross-Sectional Area (mm^2)

425 96 193 18528

Compression Test Data

Run No. Load (kN) Deformation

1 5.00 1.26

2 10.00 2.43

3 15.00 3.3

4 20.00 4.23

5 22.30 4.86

Compute for the

a. Engineering Stress

𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝐹𝐶
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆 = 𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠−𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
= 𝐴

Run No. 1 Compressive Load (kN) Engineering Stress (kN/mm2)

1 5.00 5.00 𝑘𝑁
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆 = 2
18,528 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆 = 0. 00027
𝑚
 2 10.00 10.00 𝑘𝑁
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆 = 2
18,528 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆 = 0. 00054
𝑚

3 15.00 15.00 𝑘𝑁
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆 = 2
18,528 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆 = 0. 00081
𝑚

4 20.00 20.00 𝑘𝑁
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆 = 2
18,528 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆 = 0. 00108
𝑚

5 22.30 22.30 𝑘𝑁
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆 = 2
18,528 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆 = 0. 00120
𝑚

b. Engineering Strain
𝐷𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ δ
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ε = 𝐺𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
= 𝐺𝐿

Run No. 1 Deformation (mm) Engineering Strain

1 1.26 1.26 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ε = 425 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ε = 0. 00296

2 2.43 2.43 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ε = 425 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ε = 0. 00572

3 3.3 3.3 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ε = 425 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ε = 0. 00776

4 4.23 4.23 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ε = 425 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ε = 0. 00995

5 4.86 4.86 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ε = 425 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ε = 0. 01144

Part B

Questions:
1. What's the typical composition or mixture used for manufacturing concrete hollow
blocks?

The typical mixture ratios used for manufacturing concrete hollow blocks range
from 1:7, 1:8, and or 1:9. The mixture ratio is defined as the amount of cement to sand in a
certain mixture. For example, 1:7 means that for every one portion of cement added to the
mixture, 7 portions of sand must be added to the mixture to keep the ratio at 1:7.
Alternatively, most concrete hollow blocks also follow a 1:3:5 or 1:3:6 ratio of cement, sand,
and aggregate material (usually stones).

2. Discuss in detail on how hollow blocks are made with aid of diagrams.

Concrete hollow blocks are made using 4 steps: mixing, molding, curing, cubing.

Figure 1.1 Weigh Batcher

Although mixing methods can differ from each manufacturer as some manufacturers
automate certain steps, the general idea is that cement, sand, and aggregates are brought to
a weigh batcher. An example of a weigh batcher can be seen in the figure above. A weigh
batcher is used to measure the amount of each material going into a mixture.

Figure 2.1 Pan Mixer and Figure 2.2 Horizontal Drum Mixer
 After weighing the materials they can then be put into the mixer. There are usually
two forms of mixers and those are the pan mixer and the horizontal drum mixer. In some
ways, the pan mixer is similar to a stand mixer you may find in a kitchen. It has blades that
rotate thanks to a rotating shaft in the center of the mixer. A horizontal drum mixer is
similar in nature to those mixers seen on cement trucks. Both use blades attached to a
rotating shaft inside the drum to mix the mixture as the drum rotates. The mixing process is
finished by adding water to the mixture after the dry materials have been mixed first. The
mixture is mixed again once water is added for around 6 to 8 minutes.

Figure 3.1 Block Machine

The mixture is then brought to a block machine by either a series of conveyors and
elevated hoppers or sometimes manually via wheelbarrow or any other manual means. The
goes through the machine into preset molds for a hollow block. The mixture is forced into
and fits into the mold. Once the mixture has fully fit into the molds, it is forced out of the
mold by the upper mold head. As it is forced out, the mixture retains the shape of the mold
giving it the appearance of a concrete hollow block.
 Figure 4.1 Kiln Tunnel

The mixture may look like a concrete hollow block already; however, the production
process is still incomplete. The hollow block must still be cured inside a kiln. A kiln can cure
the hollow blocks in one of two ways, low-pressure steam or high-pressure steam
depending on the type of kiln. Low-pressure steam kilns take longer as curing in this type of
kiln is much more extensive. The hollow blocks are initially held at room temperature after
which steam is applied to bring the hollow block into its curing temperature. Once this
temperature is achieved, the steam is cut off leaving the hollow blocks to soak in warm
moist air. The hollow blocks are then dried by increasing the temperature in the kiln.
High-pressure steam kilns are much more expensive but can cure the hollow blocks much
faster. Here the temperature and pressure inside the kiln are increased to a certain level,
after which the pressure is quickly released, forcing the moisture in the hollow blocks to
escape.

Figure 5.1 Cubing Station

After the hollow blocks are cured, they are brought to a cubing station before which
the blocks are split in half as the molds that are used for hollow blocks are two hollow
blocks joined together. The cubing station makes sure that the hollow blocks are aligned
and stacks them on top of each other.

3. Show a drawing of an equipment used in making hollow block and identify the function
of the major parts of the said equipment.

The figure above shows one of the most important machines in the production of
hollow blocks, the block machine. A traditional block machine is shown in the figure above.
It is comprised of several different components and a frame that holds the machine
together. The mixture is funneled through the hopper seen in the upper left corner. This
then falls into the feed box underneath which, as the name suggests, feeds the mixture into
the mold for the hollow blocks. The mold gives the hollow blocks their distinctive shape.
Before the mixture is compressed by the compacting head, a vibration table is used to force
the mixture into the molds to ensure that the entire mold is filled with the mixture. Now the
mixture can be compressed by the compacting head which forces out the mixture that has
now taken the shape of the mold.

4. What is the compressive strength range (min and max) of commercial hollow blocks?
Compare the result of Part A.

Depending on the type of hollow blocks, the compressive strength could range from
2.8 to 12.0 MPa. Looking at the maximum compressive load applied to the hollow block in
the experiment, we find that the hollow block only has a compressive strength of about 1.2
MPa. This is significantly lower than the minimum compressive strength in the range. This
would also mean that the hollow block used in the experiment would not be up to most
building standards set here in the Philippines as most non-load-bearing structures at least
require a minimum of 2.76 MPa for compressive strength in hollow blocks.
 Works Cited

Anupoju, Sadanandam. “Testing of Concrete Masonry Blocks for Compressive Strength and

Density.” The Constructor,

https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/compressive-strength-concrete-blocks-

masonry-units/13966/. Accessed 17 November 2021.

“Concrete Block.” How Products are Made,

http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Concrete-Block.html. Accessed 17 November

2021.

“Concrete blocks - sand - cement blocks.”

https://www.fao.org/3/s1250e/S1250E09.htm#:~:text=Concrete%20blocks%20ar

e%20often%20made,in%20a%20one%2Dstorey%20building. Accessed 17

November 2021.