Benefits of Hollow Blocks and Bricks


The construction technique is evolving day by day. From mud houses to red clay buildings: the manufacturing procedure has changed a lot. One of the most vital building construction materials is brick. You could assume that a brick is a brick, so why is choosing them difficult? 

Until a few years back, no one would have thought anything could possibly replace the most basic building block. But many of us are not aware of the various kinds of bricks that are offered on the market, including hollow bricks, red bricks, fly ash bricks, concrete bricks, calcium silicate bricks, etc. And today, in this blog we will focus on hollow bricks and their advantages.



What to choose - Hollow Blocks or Solid Blocks?


Concrete Blocks are rectangular concrete masonry units that can be used for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures. These blocks can be either hollow (open or closed cavity) or solid (other than units used for bonding, such as a half block).


There are 2 major types of concrete blocks available:

  • Solid Concrete Blocks

  • Hollow Concrete Blocks



What Are Hollow Bricks?


Hollow bricks are horizontally perforated bricks having hollow spaces or holes which for at least 25%-60% of their bed area. The hollow spaces may be cores, cells, deep frogs, or combinations of these.


A core is a void having an area less than or equal to 1.5 inch² (968 mm²), while cells are voids larger than a core. A deep frog is a groove in the bed surface of the brick that is deeper than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm).


Hollow bricks are widely gaining popularity in the construction industry due to their several advantages.


Composition:


Hollow Concrete blocks are made of Portland cement, aggregate and sand. Usually fly ash or bottom ash is mixed with the concrete mixture. Hollow concrete blocks have


Size Availability:


Length: 400, 500 and 600mm

Height: 200 or 100 mm

Width: 100, 150, 200 mm


Advantages Of Hollow Bricks and Hollow Blocks :


1. Strength & Durability


Hollow bricks are durable and have high compressive strength (3.5 N/mm2). They are suitable for reinforced masonry construction where the increased strength of the unit can allow thinner wall sections to handle the same loading.


The compressive strength of hollow brick masonry depends on several factors such as unit strength, type of mortar, mortar bedding area, grouting, and thicknesses of face shells and webs.


2. Lightweight


Due to having hollow space, these bricks are lighter in weight than solid bricks. They are almost 60% lighter than a solid concrete block. Hence, the dead load of the structure is thereby reduced.


3. Dimensional Accuracy


Hollow blocks are best for load-bearing structures and partition walls for accuracy and consistent finish.


3. Electrical Installation


One of the major advantages is that the presence of holes in bricks makes it easier to pass the electrical wires and plumbing fixtures through them.


4. Thermal Insulation


The air present in the hollow area of these bricks makes them thermal insulators. They keep the interiors cool in summer and warm in winter, especially the ‘clay hollow bricks’.


5. Energy Efficient


The thermal insulation properties of hollow bricks help to reduce energy consumption by air-conditioning or room heaters, thus saving extra spending.



6. Sound Insulation


The air in the construction building block does not allow heat, cold or sound in or out of the building. No wonder hollow concrete blocks are insulated against heat, dampness, and sound.


7. Fire Resistance


These bricks are fire-resistant.


8. Speed Of Construction


Hollow bricks are much lighter therefore the ease of working with them gives faster construction and early project completion. Even semi-skilled or unskilled labourers can work with hollow bricks.


9. Mortar Consumption


Since these bricks are larger in size, it reduces the mortar quantity and also the number of joints that need to be filled during the construction process.


10. Carpet Area


They provide more carpet area.


11. Cost-effective and low maintenance


Affordable price is another major advantage of hollow bricks. The construction requires less mortar and saves labour hours, which automatically reduces mortar and labour costs.


Due to very little or no efflorescence on the brick surface, they are very low maintenance.


12. Eco-Friendly


Hollow bricks are eco-friendly since they are produced by using non-toxic recycled waste materials/natural substitutes like fly ash, coal ash, granite slurry, rice husk, etc.


13. Earthquake Resistant


Concrete hollow blocks are lightweight thus these are highly earthquake resistant. The strong foundation reduces building load stability and vulnerability during natural disasters like earthquakes.


14. Less Jointing Mortar Requirement 


Due to less surface area of application, Jointing Mortar Requirement is less in hollow blocks.


15. Better Usage 


Hollow blocks are made up of more versatile materials and display good compressive strength making them suitable to install heavy wall compartments, cabinets, geysers, etc. The presence of hollow space serves as conduits for electrical wiring and HVAC piping. Best of all, their cost-efficient design also pools back more money for the project. 


What are Solid Blocks?


Solid concrete blocks, which are highly heavyweight and formed by aggregates, are primarily utilised in construction projects. They're sturdy and give structures a lot of solidity. These solid blocks are ideal for large-scale projects such as force-bearing walls.


Composition:


Solid Concrete blocks are made of portland cement, aggregate and sand. Usually fly ash or bottom ash is mixed with the concrete mixture.


Size Availability: 


Length: 400, 500 and 600mm

Height: 200 or 100 mm

Width: 100, 150, 200 mm



Advantages of Solid Concrete Blocks:


1. Economical


Solid bricks are economical as their raw materials are easily available.


2. Low Maintenance Cost


Solid bricks are of very low maintenance cost.


3. Recyclable


Solid bricks can be reused and recycled easily.


4. High Density


Solid bricks are suitable in areas where the water table is high. Due to their high density, the bricks don't resist the water table.


5. Durability


Solid bricks are believed to be more durable, and constructions built with them are stronger. They can be used in the construction of large structures and foundations of buildings. Solid bricks can stand stiff for years if the construction is done in accordance with the proper methods.


6. Free of Maintenance 


Solid bricks require almost no upkeep. They don’t require as much care once they’re built. They have no long-term maintenance costs.


1. Solid bricks do not need large complicated manufacturing facilities.


2. Their different orientations and sizes give different surface textures.


3. The load-bearing capacity of solid bricks is high.


The hollow brick vs. solid brick debate is a tight one, and anyone planning to undertake a construction project will have to weigh the advantages of both. However, a lot relies on the builder’s location, cost, and situation. 


Some people may prefer the advantages of hollow blocks over solid blocks. Hollow brick masonry projects demand less upkeep in the long run, even if the cost of construction is more.


On the other hand, some people would prefer solid bricks because of lower construction costs and more frequent upgrades to keep the blocks in good repair.


Conclusion 


High-quality, cost-effective and eco-friendly concrete hollow blocks are now a hit among builders and constructors. Jindal Mechno Bricks is committed to building a greener future with their eco-friendly construction bricks. Go for eco-friendly construction for a better tomorrow. Their state-of-the-art infrastructure delivers uncompromised quality on time. Explore the website to know more.

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