Choosing the Right Hollow Block Bricks for Your Construction Project: Factors to Consider

The shelter is one of the three basic needs of man along with food and clothing. The prehistoric man lived in caves, and later, he began constructing walls from mud. In due course of time, many techniques for masonry were developed and it became a structural part of the shelter. In the early days, burnt brick masonry and stone masonry were popular. Now, with the growing demand for construction, cheaper and faster techniques and materials are the need of the hour.


Concrete blocks are one such construction material which helps in achieving cheaper as well as faster construction than conventional bricks. The concrete blocks are available in two variations. 1) Solid concrete blocks and 2) Hollow concrete blocks. In this article, we will discuss hollow concrete blocks in detail. The article deals with what hollow concrete blocks are, their advantages, properties, uses and various types.


What is Hollow Concrete Block?

They are standard-sized rectangular hollow blocks made of cast concrete of high or low density. For high-density blocks, Portland cement and aggregate, usually sand and fine gravel are used as raw materials. For low-density blocks, industrial wastes, such as fly ash or bottom ash are used as the primary raw materials and are often called cinder blocks /breeze blocks in different parts of the world.


Hollow block bricks have one or more large holes or cavities which either pass through the block (open cavity) or do not effectively pass through the block (closed cavity) and have the solid material between 50 and 75% of the total volume of the block calculated from the overall dimensions. These holes or cavities reduce the total cross-sectional area of the block and hence the weight of the block structure as a whole.


Hollow blocks are more commonly used in masonry construction. It accelerates the construction process, saves cement and steel and reduces the work expenses at the construction site. These blocks lower the natural weight of masonry constructions and improve the physical properties of walls, such as noise and thermal insulation. They also provide facilities for concealing electrical conduit, water and soil pipes.


Size of Hollow Concrete Blocks

Standard hollow concrete blocks are available in full size as well as half size. Full-sized blocks are rectangular and have two cores while half-sized blocks are cubical and contain one core.


The nominal dimensions of the concrete block are as follows:


  • Length: 400, 500 or 600 mm

  • Height: 200 or 100 mm

  • Width: 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250 or 300 mm


Uses of Hollow Concrete Blocks

Hollow concrete blocks are used in all types of masonry construction such as,


  • Exterior load-bearing walls

  • Interior load-bearing walls

  • Curtain walls

  • Partition wall and panel walls

  • Backing from brick, stone, and other facing

  • Fireproofing over a structural member

  • Fire-safe walls around stairwells, elevators

  • Piers, columns and retaining walls etc.

  • Boundary fences


Advantages of Hollow Concrete Block Masonry

The following are the advantages and uses of hollow bricks:


1. Hollow block masonry is the easier and faster construction practice as compared to any other masonry practice.


2. Hollow block masonry reduces the cost of construction labour and construction materials because using a larger concrete block reduces the number of joints in work.


3. Semi-skilled or unskilled labour can also work in this type of construction.


4. Hollow blocks need low maintenance and are durable.


5. They are eco-friendly materials as industrial wastes, such as fly ash or bottom ash are used as raw materials.


6. Reinforcing the hollow block masonry is possible as there is no additional formwork or construction machinery required.


7. Hollow block masonry is highly durable as the concrete is compacted by high pressure and vibration, which gives substantial strength to the block. Adequate curing increases the compressive strength of the blocks.


8. As the hollow blocks are light in weight, they reduce the weight of the structure and hence a light structural member or less percentage of steel is required for a given R.C.C building.


9. Presence of rough texture on blocks provides good bonding between cement mortar and concrete blocks.


10. It is possible to construct a thin wall by using hollow blocks. Therefore, it helps to save space and increase the floor area or carpet area, i.e. carpet area efficiency is better.


11. In hollow blocks, the voids or cores can be filled with steel bars and concrete for achieving high seismic resistance.


12. Hollow cement blocks have good insulating properties against sound, heat and dampness.


13. These blocks have lower water absorption than conventional bricks. If you want to know how to measure water absorption in bricks then read the water absorption test of bricks.


14. Hollow blocks can safely resist atmospheric action. This block doesn’t require protecting covering.


15. They have good fire resistance.


Different Types of Hollow Concrete Blocks

Hollow concrete blocks are available in different types according to their shape, needs and design such as:


1. Concrete stretcher blocks are the most commonly used hollow blocks in construction. These blocks are used to join the corner of masonry units. Stretcher blocks are placed with their length parallel to the face of the wall.


2. Lintel blocks are also called channelled blocks or beam blocks; they are U-shaped concrete masonry units. These blocks have a deep groove along the length of the block. After placing the blocks, these grooves are filled with concrete and reinforcement. Lintel blocks are used for the provision of the beam or lintel beam. A Lintel beam is generally provided on the top of the portion of doors and windows, which transfers the load coming from the top.


3. Partition concrete blocks are an ideal choice for the construction of partition walls. The hollow part of these blocks is divided into two or three components, and the height of the partition block is larger than its breadth.


4. Concrete pillar blocks are also known as double corner blocks as both of their corners are plain. Thus, they are mostly used when two ends of the corner are visible. As the name suggests, concrete pillar blocks are widely used in pillars or piers.


5. Concrete corner blocks are used at the corners of the masonry or at the end of windows or at door openings. As shown in the image, one corner of the block is plain while the other is a stretcher design. These blocks are arranged in such a manner that the plane end of the block is exposed to the outside and another lot is locked with the stretcher block.


6. Jamb concrete blocks are used when there is an elaborated window opening in the wall. They are connected to the stretcher and corner of the blocks. For the provision of double-hung windows, jamb concrete blocks are beneficial to provide space for the casing member of the window.


7. Bullnose concrete blocks are similar to corner blocks in structure and function. But especially when we want rounded edges at the corner, these blocks are chosen.


8. Frogged blocks, these frogged brick blocks have a frog on their top along with a header and stretcher. This frog will help the blocks to hold mortar and develop a strong bond with the top-lying block.


Conclusion

Summing up, hollow concrete blocks or hollow concrete masonry units are more beneficial building materials than conventional bricks. They speed up the construction practice and reduce the overall construction time. With all these benefits, they are durable as well. Thus, they have become the preferred material for today’s buildings. Hollow blocks are available at economical prices in various sizes and shapes at Jindal Mechno Bricks. Explore our website to know more.

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