Concrete block masonry which referred to as concrete masonry unit (CMU) have advantages over brick and stone masonry.

Concrete blocks are manufactured in required shape and sizes that may be solid or hollow blocks.

The regular size concrete blocks is 39cm x 19cm x (30cm or 20 cm or 10cm) or 2 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, 8 inch, Ten inch and 12-inch unit configurations.

Cement, aggregate, water can be 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.

Forms of Concrete Blocks or Concrete Masonry Units

Based upon the structure, shape, size and manufacturing processes concrete blocks are mostly classified into 2 types and they are:

Solid concrete blocks

Hollow concrete Blocks

Solid Concrete Blocks

Solid concrete blocks can be used, which can be heavy in weight and produced from dense aggregate. They are strong and provides good stability on the structures. So for big work of masonry like for load bearing walls these solid blocks are preferable. They are available in large sizes in comparison with bricks. So, it takes a shorter time to develop concrete masonry than brick masonry.

Hollow Concrete Blocks

Hollow concrete blocks contains void area greater than 25% of gross area. Solid part of hollow bricks ought to be a lot more than 50%. The hollow part may be split into several components according to our requirement. They may be produced from lightweight aggregates. These are light-weight blocks and straightforward to install.

Types 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 used in the ends or corners of masonry. The ends might be window or door openings etc. they’re arranged in a fashion that their plane end visible external and also other end is locked using the stretcher block.

Concrete Corner Blocks

Corner blocks are widely-used with the ends or corners of masonry. The ends could possibly be window or door openings etc. they’re arranged in a way that their plane end visible out and other end is locked together with the stretcher block.

Concrete Pillar Blocks

Pillar block can also be called as double corner block. Generally they’re used when two ends from the corner are visible. In case there is piers or pillars these blocks are trusted.

Jamb Concrete Blocks

Jamb blocks are used if you have an elaborated window opening in the wall. They are connected to stretcher and corner blocks. For your provision of double hung windows, jamb blocks are extremely useful to provide space to the casing folks window.

Partition Concrete Block

Partition concrete blocks are generally employed to build partition walls. Partition blocks have larger height than its breadth. Hollow part is divided into 2 to 3 components in case there is partition blocks.

Lintel Blocks

Lintel block or beam block can be used with regards to provision of beam or lintel beam. Lintel beam is normally provided on top part of windows and doors, which bears the strain received 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 in addition to reinforcement.

Frogged Brick Blocks

Frogged brick block has a frog on its top along with header and stretcher like frogged brick. This frog will helps the block to hold mortar and to get the strong bond with top laying block.

Bullnose Concrete Block

Bullnose blocks are like corner blocks. Their duties also same however when we wish rounded edges at corner bullnose bricks are preferred.

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