DUS 2032

UGANDA STANDARD
First Edition
2018-09-10

Concrete hollow block — Specification

Reference number
DUS 2032: 2018

© UNBS 2018
DUS 2032: 2018

Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations

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 DUS 2032: 2018

Contents Page

Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................ iv
1 Scope ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................ 1
3 Terms and definitions ........................................................................................................................... 1
4 Specification, types, grades and marks .............................................................................................. 2
4.1 Specification .......................................................................................................................................... 2
4.2 Category ................................................................................................................................................. 3
4.3 Classification ......................................................................................................................................... 3
4.4 Mark ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
5 Raw material .......................................................................................................................................... 4
5.1 Cement ................................................................................................................................................... 4
5.2 Aggregate ............................................................................................................................................... 4
5.2.1 Fine aggregates ..................................................................................................................................... 4
5.2.2 The coarse aggregates, ........................................................................................................................ 4
5.3 Fly ash .................................................................................................................................................... 4
5.4 Granulated blast-furnace slag powder ................................................................................................ 4
5.5 Water ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
5.6 Admixtures ............................................................................................................................................. 4
5.7 Other materials ...................................................................................................................................... 4
6 Technical requirements ........................................................................................................................ 5
6.1 Dimension deviation ............................................................................................................................. 5
6.2 Appearance quality ............................................................................................................................... 5
6.3 Hollow rate ............................................................................................................................................. 5
6.4 External wall and rib thickness ............................................................................................................ 5
6.5 Strength grade ....................................................................................................................................... 5
6.6 Water absorption ................................................................................................................................... 6
6.7 The linear dryness shrinkage ............................................................................................................... 6
6.8 Frost resistance ..................................................................................................................................... 6
6.9 Carbonization coefficient ..................................................................................................................... 6
6.10 Softening coefficient ............................................................................................................................. 6
6.11 The radionuclide limitations ................................................................................................................. 6
7 Test method ........................................................................................................................................... 7
8 Inspection rules ..................................................................................................................................... 7
8.1 Classification of inspection .................................................................................................................. 7
8.2 Batching rules ........................................................................................................................................ 7
8.3 Sampling ................................................................................................................................................ 7
8.4 Acceptance rules ................................................................................................................................... 8
9 Product certificate, stacking and transport ........................................................................................ 8
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................................ 9

© UNBS 2018 – All rights reserved iii

DUS 2032: 2018

Foreword

Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and
Cooperatives established under Cap 327, of the Laws of Uganda, as amended. UNBS is mandated to co-
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and

(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and

(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT Agreement of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of key stakeholders
including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties.
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.
The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee UNBS/TC ###, [name of committee],
Subcommittee SC ##, [name of subcommittee].
This second/third/… edition cancels and replaces the first/second/… edition (US nnn-n:yyyy), which has been
technically revised.
US nnn consists of the following parts, under the general title Introductory element — Main element:
  Part n: Part title
  Part [n+1]: Part title
  Part [n+2]: Part title

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 DUS 2032: 2018

© UNBS 2018 – All rights reserved v

UGANDA STANDARD DUS 2032: 2018

Concrete hollow block — Specification

1 Scope
The standard regulates the terminology and definition of normal concrete block, size, type, grade and mark,
raw material, technological specification, test methods, inspection standard, qualification certificate, storage
and transportation.

The standard applies to the industrial and civil concrete block (“Block”).

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

US 310: 2016, Cement — Part 1: Composition, specification and conformity criteria for common cements

DUS 2107:2018, Test methods for concrete block and brick

US 1681: 2017, Chemical admixtures for concrete — specification

DUS 2108:2018, Sand for construction

DUS 1691, Aggregates for concrete — Specification

US EAS 12:2014, Potable water — Specification

DUS 2109:2109, Radionuclide limitations

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp

3.1
concrete hollow block
The concrete, mineral admixture, rubbles, sands, water and etc. are mixed and formed via the vibration into
the small blocks including hollow and solid ones.

3.2
main shape block
The shape is right angle hexahedron. The length is 400mm vertical brick work joint thickness and height is
200 mm horizontal work joint thickness. The side face is enclosed block.

© UNBS 2018 – All rights reserved 1

3.3
auxiliary block
The special shaped blocks, which are used associating with the main shape blocks are divided into hollow and
solid, including non-standard shaped blocks, girth blocks, blocks with one opening end, 7 percentile blocks,
half blocks and etc.

3.4
blocks without mortar
When the wall is constructed with the blocks, no slurry is needed. The blocks are interconnected with
structures.

4 Specification, types, grades and marks

4.1 Specification

4.1.1 The part names of main shape block

Refer to figure 1 for the part name of main shape block

Note:
1 Side face;
2 bedding face (smaller rib thickness)
3 top face (bigger rib thickness)
4 end face
5 length
6 width
7 height
8 wall
9 rib
Figure 1 The part name in block

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 WDUS 2032: 2018

4.1.2 The preferred shape for the block is right angle hexahedron. The typical block size and specification
are listed in table 1.

Table 1 The specification and size of blocks

Length (mm) Width (mm) Height (mm)

90
120
90,
140
390 140,
190
190
240
290
Note Other specifications and sizes can be decided by the buyers and sellers.
If the blocks are used in the think brick wall joint, the sizes can be adjusted.

4.2 Category

4.2.1 Based on the hole rates, the blocks can be divided into hole blocks (whose hole rate is above 25%
with a code name H) and solid blocks (whose hole rate is below 25% with a code name S).

4.2.2 Based on the block wall structure and force bearing, the blocks can be divided into weight bearing
structure blocks (code name: L, “weight bearing blocks”) and non-weight bearing structure blocks (code name
N, “non-weight bearing blocks”)

4.2.3 The auxiliary block includes: half blocks—50，7 percentile blocks —70，girth blocks—U, and blocks
with a cleaning hole —W.

4.3 Classification

The classification of blocks based on the compressive strength is listed in table 2.

Table 2 The grades of compressive strength

Load bearing blocks （L） non-load bearing blocks（N）

Block type
(MPa) (MPa)

7.5
10.0 5.0
hollow blocks （H） 15.0 7.5
20.0 10.0
25.0
15.0
20.0
10.0
25.0
solid blocks （S） 15.0
30.0
20.0
35.0
40.0

© UNBS 2018 – All rights reserved 3

4.4 Mark

The sequence numbers on blocks are listed in the following orders: block type, size, strength grade (C),
standard code name

Examples of marks:

a) For a weight bearing solid block whose size is 390 mmX190 mm X190 mm and strength grade is
C15.0, the sequence number will be LS 390X190 X190 C15.0 US 2032—2018.

b) For a non-weight bearing hollow block whose size is 395 mmX190 mmX194 mm and strength grade
is C5.0, the sequence number will be NH 395X190 X194 C5.0 US 2032—2018.

c) For a weight bearing half block whose size is 190 mmX190mmX190 mm and strength grade is C15.0,
the sequence number will be LH50 190X190 X190 C15.0 US 2032—2018.

5 Raw material

5.1 Cement

It shall comply with the provisions of US 310-1.

5.2 Aggregate

5.2.1 Fine aggregates

shall follow DUS 2108

5.2.2 The coarse aggregates,

rubbles and pebbles shall follow DUS 1691. The maximum particle size of coarse aggregate shall not exceed
10 mm,

5.3 Fly ash

It shall comply with the provisions of US 310-1.

5.4 Granulated blast-furnace slag powder

It shall comply with the provisions of US 310-1.

5.5 Water

which shall follow US EAS 12.

5.6 Admixtures

It shall comply with the provisions of US 1681

5.7 Other materials

Other raw material shall follow the relevant standards and produce no harm to block life, environment, and
humans.

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 WDUS 2032: 2018

6 Technical requirements

6.1 Dimension deviation

The permissible variation in dimension shall follow table 3. For the blocks used in thin brick joint, the allowable
tolerance shall be controlled within + 1 mm and -2 mm.

Table 3 Permissible variation in dimension

Item Name Technical index (mm)

Length ±2
Width ±2

Height +3，-2
Note The permissible variation in dimension for the blocks
without mortar shall be given by the individuals. The size tolerance
shall not impact the stacking capability and wall performance.
6.2 Appearance quality

The appearance quality of blocks shall meet the requirements in table.

Table 4 Appearance quality

Item Name Technical index

Bending not higher than 2 mm

The missing Qty. shall not exceed 1

edges and the maximum value of projected
corners not higher than 20 mm
dimensions at three directions
The aggregated projected dimensions of crack
not higher than 30 mm
extension

6.3 Hollow rate

The hollow rate for hollow blocks shall be below 25% (H) and above 25% (S) for solid blocks.

6.4 External wall and rib thickness

6.4.1 For weight bearing hollow blocks, the minimum external wall thickness shall not be less than 30 mm
and the minimum rib thickness shall not be less than 25 mm.

6.4.2 For weight bearing hollow blocks, the minimum external wall thickness and the minimum rib thickness
shall not be less than 20 mm.

6.5 Strength grade

The strength of blocks shall follow table 5.

© UNBS 2018 – All rights reserved 5

 Table 5 Strength grade

Compressive strength (MPa)

Strength grade
Average value ≥ Minimum value of a single block ≥

C5.0 5.0 4.0

C7.5 7.5 6.0
C10 10.0 8.0
C15 15.0 12.0
C20 20.0 16.0
C25 25.0 20.0
C30 30.0 24.0
C35 35.0 28.0
C40 40.0 32.0

6.6 Water absorption

The moisture absorption for L type blocks and N type shall not exceed 10% and 14% respectively.

6.7 The linear dryness shrinkage

The linear dryness shrinkage for L type blocks and N type shall not exceed 0.45 mm/m and 0.65 mm/m
respectively.

6.8 Frost resistance

The frost resistance shall follow table 6.

Table 6 Frost resistance

Service Conditions Freezing resistance indicator The quality loss rate The strength loss rate

The region with hot

D15
summer and warm winter
The average value ≤5% The average value ≤20%
The region with hot
D25
summer and cold winter The maximum valve for The maximum valve for
single block ≤10% single block ≤ 30%
Cold region D35
Severe Cold Area D50

6.9 Carbonization coefficient

The iodization coefficient for blocks shall be above 0.85.

6.10 Softening coefficient

The softening coefficient of blocks shall be above 0.85.

6.11 The radionuclide limitations

It shall comply with the provisions of DUS 2109.

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 WDUS 2032: 2018

7 Test method
The test for the radionuclide limitations of blocks shall follow DUS 2109. Other performance test methods shall
follow DUS 2107. If a sample in right angle hexahedron with an enclosed hole cannot cut from the blocks, the
strength test can adopt DUS 2107 appendix B. For the blocks whose length is less than 290mm, the distance
from the tested block and the portable deformeter during the measurement of linear dryness shrinkage shall
be 150mm.

8 Inspection rules

8.1 Classification of inspection

The product inspection includes ex-work inspection and model inspection.

8.1.1 Ex-factory inspection

The inspection shall focus on the appearance quality, size tolerance, minimum rib thickness and strength.

8.1.2 Type inspection

The inspection conducted shall cover all the inspections listed in section 6 of the standard. Type inspection
shall be carried out in any of the following situations.

a) Putting-into-production or approval appraisal of new product;

b) After the normal production, when the raw material, recipe and process change;

c) Once a year during normal production;

d) When the production resumes after offline for more than 3 months

e) When the results of delivery inspection have relatively large difference with the results of the last type
inspection;

8.2 Batching rules

The blocks shall be inspected and accepted by the type, specification, age and strength. Less than 30,000
500m3 blocks with the same speciation, age and strength and material shall be considered as one batch. Less
than 30,000 500 m3 per week.

8.3 Sampling

8.3.1 32 samples shall be selected randomly per batch to inspect size tolerance and appearance.

8.3.2 For the qualified lot, the following sample size shall be selected to conduct the listed inspection below:

© UNBS 2018 – All rights reserved 7

 Table 7 Sample quantity

Sample Quantity (Per piece of block)

Inspection item
（H/B）≥0.6 （H/B）<0.6
Hole rate 3 3
External wall and rib thickness 3 3
Strength grade 5 10
Water absorption 3 3
The linear dryness shrinkage 3 3
Frost Resistance 10 20
Carbonization coefficient 12 22
Softening Coefficient 10 20
Radionuclide Limited Standard 3 3
The note：H/B（ height and width ratio ）refers to the ratio between weight bearing
height （H）and minimum horizontal size （B）under the operation condition.

8.4 Acceptance rules

8.4.1 Only when the samples meet the requirements in table 3 and 4, the products are considered to be
qualified.

8.4.2 Among the 32 samples, when the nonconforming item blocks are more than 7, the batch is
considered rejected.

8.4.3 When all the inspection results meet the requirements in section 6, the batch is considered qualified
or it will be rejected.

9 Product certificate, stacking and transport

9.1 The blocks are allowed to be shipped out of factory when the nursery period turns into 28 days.

9.2 The shipped blocks shall include a qualification certificate, including

a) Manufacturer name and trademark;

b) lot size number and block number(pieces)

c) Product sequence number and manufacturing date

d) The ex-work inspection report and model inspection report within the effective date

9.3 The blocks of the same sequence number shall be stored together to avoid confusion. 10% of blocks
shall bear the sequence numbers.

9.4 Proper water-proof measures shall be taken during the storage, transportation, and construction. The
blocks shall be packaged with films.

9.5 During the unloading, care shall be paid to blocks to avoid throwing, dropping. No tipper hopper shall be
allowed.

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 WDUS 2032: 2018

Bibliography

[1] GB 8239-1997, Normal Concrete Small Hollow Blocks

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Certification marking

Products that conform to Uganda standards may be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.

The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those licensed under the certification mark scheme operated by
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods comply with the
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with the
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are
continually checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.

Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda
National Bureau of Standards.

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