Types of Concrete Blocks

The red bricks are the commonly used material in building construction.

The strength and durability of red bricks are so good, but those bricks are manufactured from natural resources (Soil), and it is very harmful to the environment.

At present, the M sand is the alternative construction material for river sand to reduce the usage of natural resources. In the same way, now many replacement coarse aggregate materials have come instead of present aggregates.

Concrete blocks are the best alternative material for bricks. The strength and durability of concrete blocks are better than the bricks. 

What are the concrete blocks?

The concrete blocks are manufactured by mixing of cement, fine & coarse aggregate with proper water-cement ratio. The mix ratio will be differ based on the size of the concrete blocks.

The cost of concrete blocks are lesser than the conventional bricks, and the strength and durability are also higher.  We can complete the construction in a short period by using concrete blocks.

Types of concrete blocks

The concrete blocks are available in different sizes and shapes. The standard sizes of concrete blocks 

• 80cm x 40cm x 10cm 
• 80cm x 20cm x 10cm 
• 40cm x 20cm x 10cm

The concrete blocks have been classified based on their material, usage and typical shapes as below.

• Solid concrete blocks
• Hollow concrete blocks
• Aerated Autoclaved concrete blocks
• Concrete bricks
• Paver blocks
• Lintel blocks
• Concrete stretcher blocks
• Corner block
• Pillar block
• Jamb block
• Partition block
• Frogged brick block
• Bullnose block

Solid Concrete blocks

The solid blocks used in the construction of the wall where the load occurs. The dead load of the structure will be increased due to the weight of the solid blocks.

The size of the solid blocks can be modified as per our requirement, and we can easily manufacture these types of blocks near to the site, so it reduces the construction cost.

Normally solid blocks are available in the size of 80cm x 20cm x 20cm, 40cm x 20cm x 20cm and 40cm x 20cm x 10cm.

The masonry method is the same as conventional bricks, but the workability of solid blocks is a little tough compared to the red bricks due to the weight of solid blocks. 

Hollow Concrete blocks

The hollow blocks are mostly used in the construction of high rise buildings. The lightweight concrete is used to mould blocks called hollow blocks.

The presence of voids in hollow blocks is 25% of its gross area, and the solid area is more than 50%. The lightweight aggregates are used to manufacture these blocks. The workability of hollow blocks is effortless because of its lightweight. 

Aerated Autoclaved Concrete blocks (AAC)

Very thin and lightweight aggregates are used to manufacture the aerated autoclaved blocks. The constituents of cement and aggregates are different compared to the solid blocks. 

The AAC blocks are used in high rise buildings. It reduces the dead load of the structure. So the usage of steel will be reduced at the range of 10% to 15%. The finishing of the AAC block wall gives a smooth finish, but installation work is slightly tricky.

Generally, the AAC blocks are available in the size of 60cm x 20cm x 20cm, 60cm x 20cm x 15cma and 60cm x 20cm x 10cm.

Concrete bricks

The concrete bricks are used to construct industrial buildings and compound walls. The constituents of concrete bricks are mostly the same as the solid blocks. 

The concrete bricks are available in size of 19cm x 10cm x 7.5cm, 22.5cm x 10cm x 7.5cm. The cost of concrete bricks is economical, and it may manufacture in different colours.

Paver blocks

You may know the paver blocks are used in the construction of street roads, car parking areas and pathways. Paver blocks are in the shape of rectangular and square, and installation has been done by interconnecting those blocks.

It is used where the soil is consolidated based on the monsoon, and it is economical. 

Lintel blocks

A certain length and width of groove have been provided in the lintel blocks. The lintel beam is provided over the door and window opening to furnish the wall work up to the ceiling. 

The groove will be filled with concrete along with the reinforcement. The depth and size of lintel provision are varied based on the length of the opening. 

Concrete stretcher blocks

The concrete stretcher block is a subtype of hollow concrete blocks. It is used to interconnect the masonry at the wall corner.

The constituents of these blocks are the same as the hollow blocks except the size and shape. The size of the stretcher block is lesser than the hollow concrete blocks.

Corner block

The concrete corner block is used at the end of the window and door. When the concrete stretcher block is used at the end of the openings, then the corner blocks are used to furnish it in the right manner. 

Pillar block

The composition of pillar blocks is the same as corner blocks. It is also used to join masonry at the window and door end. The pillar block is placed parallel to the face of the wall. 

Jamb block

It is another type of hollow concrete block. The function of jamb concrete blocks is the same as corner blocks that are used to connect the stretcher masonry wall near the window and door opening.

Partition block

The partition concrete block is used to build the partition wall. The block is divided into two-three segments with a deep hole.

It is very light in weight and easy to handle, but it demands more mortar.

Frogged brick block

It is a type of lightweight concrete block. It has a small pit on the top surface, which is used to place the mortar and make the masonry strong. 

Bullnose block

The bullnose blocks are used for aesthetic purposes where the round edge is required. The shape of the bullnose block is rectangular, and one face contains a sharp edge, and the other face is rounded.

Other Shapes

 

Happy Learning 🙂