Determination of the

Compressive Strength
of Concrete Hollow
Blocks
Concrete blocks are generally
made of cement, aggregate
and water. Which are usually
rectangular and are used in
construction of masonry
structure. They are available in
solid and hollow forms.
The nominal dimensions of concrete
masonry block vary as follows:

Length: 400 or 500 or 600mm

Width: 200 or 100mm
Width: 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250 or
300mm.
Concrete Hollow
Blocks (CHB)
Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB), are
one of the most extensively used
walling materials in the Philippines.
Some of the reasons for this is
their relative low cost when
compared to other materials and
speed of installation by semi-
skilled laborers.
CHB walls are very weak
against lateral loads
(pushing or pulling forces
from typhoon or
earthquake). Adding steel
reinforcing bars vertically
and horizontally inside the
CHBs can increase their
resistance to lateral loads.
These blocks also should
satisfy the strength requirement
of 4 N/mm2. They should have
truly right angled corners.
Advantages of Using CHB
• Readily available product
• Good thermal and sound resistance
• High fire resistance
• Can be reinforced to increase lateral
resistance against earthquakes and
typhoons
• 20+ years lifespan
Existing standards for CHBs and CHB wall
construction in the Philippines
National Building Code of the Philippines and National
Structural Code of the Philippines
Load bearing
6” CHBs
walls
CHBs used must be type I Class A or B unit, confirming
with ASTM C-90-70
5.41 MPa(800 psi) – For individual CHBs
Min compressive
6.89 MPa (1000psi) – Based on average gross area of 5
strength
units
Non- load bearing
4” CHBs
walls
Existing standards for CHBs and CHB wall
construction in the Philippines
National Building Code of the Philippines and National
Structural Code of the Philippines
To be laid in mortar 1 part of Portland cement and 3
parts of sand (1:3)
Steel Bars
Vertical and Horizontal spacing as specified by structural
engineer
Type 1,2,3 or Type 4 Portland Cement confirming to
Mortar and Grout ASTM C-150.
Standard mix to the building code specifications
Compressive Strength
Compressive strength
is the capacity of a material
or structure to withstand
loads tending to reduce
size, In other words,
compressive strength
resists compression (being
pushed together).
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength
withstands loads tending
to elongate. In other
words, tensile strength
resists tension (being
pulled apart).
Compressive strength is often
measured on a universal
testing machine; these range
from very small table-top
systems to ones with over 53
MN capacity.
 Measurements of compressive
strength are affected by the specific
test method and condition of
measurement. Compressive
strengths are usually reported in
relationship to a specific technical
standard.
 The 'strain' is the relative change
in length under applied stress;
positive strain characterizes an object
under tension load which tends to
lengthen it, and a compressive stress
that shortens an object gives negative
strain.
Tension tends to pull small
sideways deflections back into
alignment, while compression
tends to amplify such deflection
into buckling.
 By definition, the ultimate
compressive strength of a
material is the value of uniaxial
compressive stress reached when
the material fails completely. The
compressive strength is usually
obtained experimentally by means
of a compressive test.
The apparatus used for this
experiment is the same as that
used in a tensile test. However,
rather than applying a uniaxial
tensile load, a uniaxial
compressive load is applied.
As can be imagined,
the specimen (usually
cylindrical) is
shortened as well as
spread laterally. A
Stress-Strain curve is
plotted by the
instrument and would
look similar to the
following:
Compressive
Strength of Concrete
Hollow Blocks
Test Specimens

Eight full size units shall be

tested within 72 hours after delivery
to the laboratory, during which time
they shall be stored continuously in
normal room air.
 For the purpose of acceptance,
age of testing the specimens shall
be 28 days. The age shall be
reckoned from the time of the
addition of water to the dry
ingredients.
Capping Test Specimens
The bearing surfaces of units shall
be capped by gypsem. The gypsem and
water paste shall be spread evenly on a
non-absorbent surface that has been
lightly coated with oil. The surface of the
unit to be capped shall be brought into
contact with the capping paste.
The average thickness of the cap shall
be not more than 3 mm. The caps shall
be aged for at least 2 hours before the
specimens are tested.
 Procedure
Specimens shall be tested
with the centroid of their bearing
surfaces aligned vertically with
the centre of thrust of the
spherically seated steel bearing
blocks of the testing machine.
 The load up to one-half of the
expected maximum load may be
applied at any convenient rate, after
which the control of the machine shall
be adjusted as required to give a
uniform rate of travel of the moving
head such that the remaining load is
applied in not less than one nor more
than two minutes.
 The compressive strength of a
concrete masonry unit shall be taken
as the maximum load in Newton
divided by the gross cross sectional
area of the unit in square
millimeters. Report to the nearest 0.1
N/mm2 separately for each unit and
the average for the 8 full units.
ASTM C140 – 11a

Standard test methods for

Sampling and Testing Concrete
Masonry Units.
7. Compressive strength
7.1 Test Apparatus
7.2 Test Specimens
7.4 Compression Testing
Procedure
7.1 Test Apparatus

7.1.1 The testing machine shall have

an accuracy of 61.0 % over the
anticipated load range. The upper
platen shall be a spherically seated,
hardened metal block firmly attached
at the center of the upper head of the
machine.
7.1 Test Apparatus

7.1.1. The center of the sphere shall lie at the

center of the surface held in its spherical seat
but shall be free to turn in any direction, and
its perimeter shall have at least 1⁄4 in. (6.3
mm) clearance from the head to accommodate
specimens whose bearing surfaces are not
parallel.
7.1 Test Apparatus

7.1.1. The diameter of the upper

platen shall be at least 6 in. (150
mm). A hardened metal bearing plate
may be used beneath the specimen
to minimize wear of the lower platen
of the machine.
7.1 Test Apparatus

7.1.2. When the bearing area of the upper

platen or lower platen is not sufficient to
cover the area of the specimen, a single steel
plate with a thickness equal to at least the
distance from the edge of the platen to the
most distant corner of the specimen shall be
placed between the platen and the capped
specimen.
7.1 Test Apparatus

7.1.2. The length and width of the

steel plate shall be at least 1⁄4 in. (6
mm) greater than the length and
width of the units.
7.1 Test Apparatus

7.1.3. The surfaces of the platen or

plate intended for contact with the
specimen shall have a hardness not
less than HRC 60 (BHN 620).
7.1 Test Apparatus

7.1.3. The surfaces of the platen and

plate shall not depart from plane
surfaces by more than 0.001 in. (0.03
mm) in any 6 in. (150 mm)
dimension.
7.2 Test Specimens

7.2.1. Unless specified otherwise in

the applicable annex, test three
specimens in compression.
7.2 Test Specimens

7.2.2. When possible and unless

specified otherwise in the applicable
annex, specimens shall be full-sized
units.
7.2 Test Specimens

7.2.3. After delivery to the laboratory,

store compression specimens
(unstacked and separated by not less
than 0.5 in. (13 mm) on all sides)
continuously in air at a temperature of
75`15°F (24`8°C) and a relative humidity
of less than 80 % for not less than 48 h.
7.2 Test Specimens

7.2.3. Alternatively, if compression

results are required sooner, store
units unstacked in the same
environment described above with a
current of air from an electric fan
passing over them for a period of not
less than 4 h.
7.2 Test Specimens

7.2.3. Continue passing air over the

specimens until two successive weighing at
intervals of 2 h show an increment of loss not
greater than 0.2 % of the previously
determined weight of the specimen and until
no moisture or dampness is visible on any
surface of the unit.
7.2 Test Specimens

7.2.3. Specimens shall not be

subjected to oven-drying.
7.2 Test Specimens

7.2.4. Where saw-cutting of test

specimens is allowed or required by
the standard or applicable annex,
sawing shall be performed in an
accurate, competent manner,
subjecting the specimen to as little
saw vibration as possible.
7.2 Test Specimens

7.2.4. Use a diamond saw blade of

proper hardness. If the specimen is
wetted during sawing, allow the
specimen to dry to equilibrium with
laboratory air conditions before
testing, using the procedures
outlined in 7.2.3.
7.2 Test Specimens

7.2.5. If compression test specimens

have been saw-cut from full-sized units
and the net area of the compression test
specimens cannot be determined by
9.4.1, saw-cut an additional three units to
the dimensions and configuration of the
three compression test specimens.
7.2 Test Specimens

7.2.5. The average net area for the

saw-cut compression specimens
shall be taken as the average net
area of the additional three saw-cut
units calculated as required in 9.4.
7.2 Test Specimens

7.2.5. Calculated net volumes of saw-

cut specimens shall not be used in
calculating equivalent thickness.
7.4 Compression Testing
Procedure

7.4.1. Position of Specimens—Test

specimens with the centroid of their
bearing surfaces aligned vertically
with the center of thrust of the
spherically seated steel bearing
block of the testing machine*.
7.4 Compression Testing
Procedure

7.4.1. Except for special units

intended for use with their cores in a
horizontal direction, test all hollow
concrete masonry units with their
cores in a vertical direction.
7.4 Compression Testing
Procedure

7.4.1. Test masonry units that are

100 % solid and special hollow units
intended for use with their hollow
cores in a horizontal direction in the
same direction as in service.
7.4 Compression Testing
Procedure

7.4.1. Prior to testing each unit,

ensure that the upper platen moves
freely within its spherical seat to
attain uniform seating during testing.
7.4 Compression Testing
Procedure

7.4.2 Moisture Condition of

Specimens—At the time the
specimens are tested, they shall be
free of visible moisture or
dampness.
7.4 Compression Testing
Procedure

7.4.3 Speed of Testing—Apply the load (up to

one half of the expected maximum load) at
any convenient rate, after which adjust the
controls of the machine as required to give a
uniform rate of travel of the moving head such
that the remaining load is applied in not less
than 1 nor more than 2 min.
7.4 Compression Testing
Procedure

7.4.4. Maximum Load—Record the

maximum compressive load in
Pounds (Newtons) as Pmax.