In the United States, a concrete masonry unit (CMU) also called concrete block, cement block, and foundation

n block is a large rectangularbrick used in construction. Concrete blocks are made from cast concrete, i.e. Portland cement and aggregate, usually sand and fine gravel for high-density blocks. Lower density blocks may use industrial wastes as an aggregate. Those that use cinders (fly ash or bottom ash) are called cinder blocks in the US, breeze blocks (breeze is a synonym of ash) [1] in the UK and are also known as besser blocks or bricks in Australia. Clinker blocksuse clinker as aggregate. In non-technical usage, the terms cinder block and breeze block are often generalized to cover all of these varieties. Lightweight blocks can also be produced using aerated concrete.
Contents
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1 Sizes and structure 2 Uses 3 Structural properties 4 Gallery 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit]Sizes

and structure

Concrete blocks may be produced with hollow centres to reduce weight or improve insulation. The use of blockwork allows structures to be built in the traditional masonry style with layers (or courses) of staggered blocks. Blocks come in many sizes. In the US, with an R-Value of 1.11 the most 3 common nominal size is 8816 in (200200410 mm); the actual size is usually about 8 in (9.5 mm) smaller to allow for mortar joints. In Ireland and the UK, blocks are usually 440215100 mm (178.53.9 in) excluding mortar joints. In New Zealand, blocks are usually 390 190 190 mm excluding mortar joints. Block cores are typically tapered so that the top surface of the block (as laid) has a greater surface on which to spread a mortar bed.. There may be two, three or four cores, although two cores are the most common configuration. The presence of a core allows steel reinforcing to be inserted into the assembly, greatly increasing its strength. Reinforced cores are filled with grout to secure the reinforcing in proper relationship to the structure, and to bond the block and reinforcing. The reinforcing is primarily used to impart greater tensile strength to the assembly, improving its ability to [2] resist lateral forces such as wind load and seismic forces. A variety of specialized shapes exist to allow special construction features. U-shaped blocks or notches allow the construction of bond beams or lintel assemblies, using horizontal reinforcing grouted into place in the cavity. Blocks with a channel on the end, known as "jamb blocks", allow doors to be secured to wall assemblies. Blocks with grooved ends permit the construction of control joints, allowing a filler material to be anchored between the un-mortared block ends. Other features, such as radiused corners known as "bullnoses" may be incorporated. A wide variety of decorative profiles also exist. [3]

Concrete masonry units may be formulated with special aggregates to produce specific colors or textures for finish use. Special textures may be produced by splitting a ribbed or solid two-block unit; such factory-produced units are called "split-rib" or "split-face" blocks.[4] Blocks may be scored by grooves the width of a mortar joint to simulate different block modules (e.g., an 8" x 16" block may be scored in the middle to simulate 8" x 8" masonry), with the grooves filled with mortar and struck to [5] match the true joints.. [edit]Uses Concrete block, when reinforced with concrete columns and tie beams, is a very common building material for the load-bearing walls of buildings, in what is termed "concrete block structure" (CBS) construction. American suburban houses typically employ a concrete foundation and slab with a concrete block wall on the perimeter. Large buildings typically use copious amounts of concrete block; for even larger buildings, concrete block supplements steel I-beams. Tilt-wall construction, however, is replacing CBS for some large structures. [edit]Structural

properties

The compressive strength of concrete masonry units and masonry walls varies from approximately 1,000 psi (7 MPa) to 5,000 psi (34 MPa) based on the type of concrete used to manufacture the unit, stacking orientation, the type of mortar used to build the wall, reinforcement, and other factors. [6][7][8]

Concrete Block Technology offers a speedier, cost effective,

environmentally sound alternative to conventional walling materials. It is based on the principle of densification of a lean concrete mix to make a regular shaped, uniform, high performance masonry unit. Concrete Block Technology can be easily adapted to suit special needs of users by modifying design parameters such as mix proportion, water/cement ratio and type of production system. It is an effective means of utilizing wastes generated by stone crushers, quarrying and stone processing units. The technology has high potential in areas where raw materials are easily available.

Business
The Concrete Block Technology package is a highly profitable business for micro and small scale building material producers and construction companies. A total investment of about Rs. 1,75,000/assures a net profit of approximately Rs. 60,000/- per annum. The market for concrete blocks is growing at a rapid rate, especially in the areas where burnt bricks are not easily available or are of poor quality.

Product
The specifications and the characteristics of a concrete block depend on the machine used to manufacture concrete blocks. The most common size of solid concrete blocks is 300x200x150mm. The basic raw material is cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate. Very little water is used. This is possible only with mechanized compaction and vibration and gives the block high quality in spite of the lean mix, which uses very little cement. Weight of a concrete block is about 18-19 Kgs. Concrete blocks can be surface engineered by using

pieces of stone or ceramic waste on their face. Another common type is hollow concrete blocks. They are made with a richer mix, but offer a number of advantages, such as lighter weight, easier handling and facility for conducting or reinforcement through the hollows.

Unique features of Concrete Block Technology

Cost effective compared to other traditional walling systems Maximum utilization of wastes and local resources Structural performance can be engineered Decentralized local production Offers business opportunities

Production Process
Concrete blocks are usually produced using a semi-mechanized stationary type machine. The other production systems are - manual moulds that require hand tamping, a mobile semi-mechanized egglaying machine and fully mechanized system that combines compression and vibration. High quality machines provide optimum vibration in the mix so that the ratio of cement used can be reduced substantially without compromising on the strength of the blocks. The machine also compacts and consolidates the mix so that the blocks are uniform in size and attain desired physical properties. The blocks are cured for a minimum period of 14 days, before they are ready to use. On an average 600-800 blocks can be in 8 hours by 1 skilled and 6-8 semiskilled workers.

Building with Concrete Blocks

Concrete blocks can be used like any other masonry unit to build foundations, walls, arches and corbels, etc. A typical concrete block is equivalent to 4.5 bricks, thus construction is faster than with other masonry units. The mortar used is also, less which results in cost saving. Concrete blocks have been extensively used in combination with conventional roofing systems like RCC, RBC, GI sheets, ACC sheets etc. They are also compatible with other materials like fired bricks, dressed stone and compressed earth blocks for composite wall construction. Acceptability of concrete blocks is very high in urban areas for all types of buildings. They are very popular as a long lasting, low maintenance and investment for institutional and industrial buildings. The permanence of a cement-based product is making concrete blocks a preferred choice in rural areas as well.

Technical Specifications of Concrete Blocks

Parameter Typical size Average compressive strength at 28 days Mix Proportion Water absorption in 24 hours Description 300 x 200 x 150 mm 50-110 kg/sq.cm 1:12-14 (1 part cement : 12-14 parts sum graded aggregates) Less than 10% by weight of block