Hollow Block

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 and breeze blocks (breeze is a synonym of ash) in the UK. Clinker blocks use clinker as aggregate. Concrete blocks that do not contain cinders are often mistakenly called cinder or breeze blocks in everyday speech. Lightweight blocks can also be produced using aerated concrete.

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 overlapping blocks.

Blocks come in many sizes. In the US, the most common size is 8 in × 8 in × 16 in (20 cm × 20 cm × 41 cm); the actual size is usually about 3/8 in (1 cm) smaller to allow for mortar joints. In the UK, blocks are usually 44 cm × 21.5 cm × 10 cm excluding mortar joints (approximately 17.3 in × 8.5 in × 3.9 in).

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.

The holes inside concrete block allow rebar and concrete (creating reinforced concrete) to run vertically through the block to compensate for the lack of tensile strength. Because most people find the appearance of concrete block to be drab and unattractive, exposed surfaces are generally given a decorative finish of stucco, brick, paint or siding.

This makes glazed masonry an ideal fit for areas in which special attention must be paid to moisture issues and sanitation codes. This includes car washes, pools, locker rooms, shower stalls and dining areas such as cafeterias and commercial kitchens.

In the United States, concrete masonry standards are maintained by the National Concrete Masonry Association.

Breeze blocks are no longer used in the UK because of their low compressive strength. Despite this, the term is still widely used to refer to concrete blocks more generally.







Hollow Block 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 and breeze blocks (breeze is a synonym of ash) in the UK. Clinker blocks use clinker as aggregate. Concrete blocks that do not contain cinders are often mistakenly called cinder or breeze blocks in everyday speech. Lightweight blocks can also be produced using aerated concrete. 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 overlapping blocks. Blocks come in many sizes. In the US, the most common size is 8 in × 8 in × 16 in (20 cm × 20 cm × 41 cm); the actual size is usually about 3/8 in (1 cm) smaller to allow for mortar joints. In the UK, blocks are usually 44 cm × 21.5 cm × 10 cm excluding mortar joints (approximately 17.3 in × 8.5 in × 3.9 in). 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. The holes inside concrete block allow rebar and concrete (creating reinforced concrete) to run vertically through the block to compensate for the lack of tensile strength. Because most people find the appearance of concrete block to be drab and unattractive, exposed surfaces are generally given a decorative finish of stucco, brick, paint or siding. This makes glazed masonry an ideal fit for areas in which special attention must be paid to moisture issues and sanitation codes. This includes car washes, pools, locker rooms, shower stalls and dining areas such as cafeterias and commercial kitchens. In the United States, concrete masonry standards are maintained by the National Concrete Masonry Association. Breeze blocks are no longer used in the UK because of their low compressive strength. Despite this, the term is still widely used to refer to concrete blocks more generally.
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