Concrete block masonry which is also known as concrete masonry unit (CMU) have advantages over brick and stone masonry.

Concrete blocks are manufactured in required shape and sizes and these could be solid or hollow blocks.

The common sized 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 is utilized to get ready 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.

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’re:

Solid concrete blocks

Hollow concrete Blocks

Solid Concrete Blocks

Solid concrete blocks are normally used, which are heavy in weight and constructed from dense aggregate. They may be very strong and offers good stability towards the structures. So for big work of masonry like for load bearing walls these solid blocks are preferable. They come in large sizes compared to bricks. So, it takes much less time to make 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 greater than 50%. The hollow part might be separated into several components according to our requirement. They are made of lightweight aggregates. They may be light-weight blocks and simple to set up.

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 on 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 out along with other end is locked with all the stretcher block.

Concrete Corner Blocks

Corner blocks are employed in the ends or corners of masonry. The ends may be door or window openings etc. they’re arranged in ways that their plane end visible facing outward and other end is locked using the stretcher block.

Concrete Pillar Blocks

Pillar block is additionally referred to as double corner block. Generally these are generally used when two ends with the corner are visible. In case there is piers or pillars these blocks are widely used.

Jamb Concrete Blocks

Jamb blocks are widely-used when there is an elaborated window opening inside the wall. These are connected to stretcher and corner blocks. For 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 usually used to build partition walls. Partition blocks have larger height than its breadth. Hollow part is split into two to three components in the case of partition blocks.

Lintel Blocks

Lintel block or beam block is utilized when considering provision of beam or lintel beam. Lintel beam is normally provided in the top part of doors and windows, which bears the load coming from top. Concrete lintel blocks have deep groove across the duration of block as shown in figure. After placing the blocks, this groove is full of concrete as well as reinforcement.

Frogged Brick Blocks

Frogged brick block has a frog on its top as well as header and stretcher like frogged brick. This frog will helps the block to support mortar and also to provide the strong bond with top laying block.

Bullnose Concrete Block

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

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