Types of concrete blocks used in the construction industry

Everyone knows that concrete building blocks are mainly used as construction material in the construction of houses, offices, skyscrapers, etc. Basically, they are concrete masonry units that are used in the construction industry to form a concrete block structure.

These concrete building blocks are basically composed of concrete and aggregates.

Sometimes, these blocks can also be made of sand and fine gravel mixed with cement and aggregates for high density blocks. In addition, you can make blocks of expanded clay aggregates that are much lighter compared to other building blocks.

However, here are the different types of concrete blocks used in the construction industry.

Hollow concrete blocks

This type of blocks is produced using a lightweight aggregate with a certain design load depending on where it will be used. According to one study, hollow concrete blocks have gaps of 1/4 of their gross area and solid area and the solid area should not be less than their area.

Basically, there are two types of hollow concrete blocks: hollow blocks of concrete with load and hollow blocks of concrete without load. Hollow concrete blocks are available in many different sizes, such as 100x200x400mm, 200x200x400mm, 150x200x400mm and many more.

Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks (AAC)

Aerated autoclaved concrete blocks are much lighter. They are basically a larger version of bricks. They are mostly made with the same ingredients as bricks, but with a different composition to reduce costs.

The aerated autoclaved concrete has reduced the total consumption of steel by 15% and the consumption of concrete by 10%. In addition, these blocks are not only profitable, but also known to save construction time and also adapt to various surfaces along with properties such as fire resistance, and many more.

Concrete bricks

These are basically small rectangular blocks that are organized and stacked systematically to create a rigid wall. These concrete bricks are composed by heating clay or concrete. This type of bricks are generally used in the construction of fences and facades.

Solid concrete blocks

These blocks are larger and denser than normal concrete blocks, since they are made to be strong and heavy from the naturally dense aggregate. These concrete blocks are like ordinary blocks, but they are much more expensive and heavy and can withstand more forces.

Clay expanded solid aggregates building blocks

This type of blocks are made of expanded clay aggregates that are lightweight and have a dry density of up to 750 kg / m3. Expanded Clay Aggregate, ECASOLID CONSTRUCTION BLOCKS are masonry units manufactured using Expanded Clay Aggregate, ECA, Class F fly ash and cement. They are used for unloaded wall masonry units.

This means that the blocks made from this aggregate will not only be lightweight, but will reduce the structural load by 40-50%. The aggregate blocks of expanded clay also offer excellent thermal insulation properties together with excellent acoustic or acoustic insulation.

The ECA Solid Construction blocks, although a premium segment of solid green building blocks, are also economical compared to other building blocks due to several reasons. These ECA concrete blocks are easy to modify, as they can be easily cut, drilled, nailed and molded. Design flexibility along with concealed or conventional wiring and piping can also be easily installed.

They are easily coated with plaster or paint to decorate the walls as needed. Therefore, it saves construction costs in general, where the cost of mortar is reduced to 70% instead of the conventional blocks available in the market. The exciting thing is that it is NOT necessary to face vertically or horizontally up to 10 feet of masonry, which ultimately allows to save reinforcement costs. Finally it yields to an easy installation with regular cement mortar.

In addition, these blocks are also resistant to fire and resistant to water absorption. They also offer shrinkage reduction and superior chemical and fire resistance that adds to several advantages, including durability, versatility, speed and ease of use, as well as costs and environmental considerations.

Lintel blocks

As its name suggests, these blocks are specially designed to be used in the preparation of lintel beams. These blocks are produced in such a way that they serve as a masonry unit together with the formwork itself.

The lintel blocks have deep grooves to place rebar together with the concrete. These will serve as a permanent formwork system for the lintel member. Most builders consider lintel blocks useful and efficient because they serve two different purposes in one.

Cobbles

Paving blocks are commonly used as a decorative method to create pavements. The paving blocks are just a rectangular or square box that is made of reinforced concrete.

This type of blocks is used in parks, on foot and in parking areas.

Concrete stretcher

The blocks of concrete stretchers are similar to the corner blocks that are used to combine with masonry units. The only difference is that these blocks are placed parallel to the face of the wall.

Along with this, these blocks come with reinforcing bars and mortar and approved adhesive material.