Concrete Block

Concrete Block A Concrete Block is primarily used as a Building Material in the Construction of Walls. A Concrete Block is one of several precast Concrete products used in construction. Most Concrete Blocks have one or more Hollow Cavities, and their sides may be cast Smooth or with a design.

Raw Materials: The Concrete commonly used to make Concrete Blocks is a Mixture of Powdered Portland Cement, Water, Sand, and Gravel. This produces a light gray Block with a fine surface texture and a high compressive strength. A typical Concrete Block weighs 38-43 lb (17.2-19.5 kg).

Concrete Mixture: used for Blocks has a higher percentage of Sand and a lower percentage of Gravel and Water than the Concrete Mixtures used for general construction Purposes. This produces a very dry, Stiff Mixture that Holds its Shape when it is removed from the Block Mold.

Granulated Coal or Volcanic Cinders are used: Instead of Sand and Gravel, the resulting Block is commonly called a Cinder Block. This produces a dark Gray Block with a Medium-to-Coarse surface texture, good strength, good sound deadening Properties, and a higher thermal insulating value than a Concrete Block. A typical Cinder Block weighs 26-33 lb (11.8-15.0 kg).

Concrete Mixture used to make Blocks: May also Contain various Chemicals, called Admixtures, increase Strength. The mixture may have Pigments added to give the Blocks a Uniform Color throughout, or the surface of the Blocks may be Coated with a Baked-on Glaze to give a Decorative effect or to Provide Protection against Chemical Attack. The Glazes are usually made with a Thermosetting resinous Binder, Silica Sand, and Color Pigments.

Design: The most common Block size in the United States is referred to as an 8-by-8-by-16 Block, with the Nominal Measurements of 8 in (20.3 cm) high by 8 in (20.3 cm) deep by 16 in (40.6 cm) wide. This Nominal Measurement includes room for a bead of mortar, and the Block itself actually measures 7.63 in (19.4 cm) high by 7.63 in (19.4 cm) deep by 15.63 in (38.8 cm) wide.

The Manufacturing Process: The production of Concrete Blocks consists of four basic processes: Mixing, Molding, Curing, and Cubing. Some Plants are Capable of Producing 2,000 or more Blocks per hour. The following steps are commonly used to manufacture Concrete Blocks.

Mixing: The Sand and Gravel are stored outside in Piles and are transferred into storage Bins in the Plant by a Conveyor Belt as they are needed. The Portland Cement is stored outside in large Vertical Silos to protect it from moisture.

Dry Materials then flow into a Stationary Mixer: Where they are Blended together for several minutes. There are two types of mixers commonly used. One type, called a planetary or Pan Mixer, resembles a shallow pan with a lid. Mixing Blades are attached to a Vertical Rotating Shaft inside the Mixer. The other type is called a Horizontal Drum Mixer. It resembles a coffee can turned on its side and has Mixing Blades attached to a Horizontal Rotating Shaft inside the mixer.

Molding: Once the load of Concrete is thoroughly mixed, it is Dumped into an inclined Concrete Blockbucket Conveyor and Transported to an Elevated Hopper. The Mixing Cycle begins again for the next load. In the Block Machine, the Concrete is Forced downward into Molds. The Molds consist of an outer Mold box containing several Mold liners. The liners determine the outer shape of the Block and the inner shape of the Block Cavities. As many as 15 Blocks may be Molded at one time.

Compacted Block are pushed down: Out of the Molds onto a Flat Steel Pallet. The Pallet and Blocks are pushed out of the Machine and onto a Chain Conveyor. In some operations the Blocks then pass under a Rotating Brush which removes Loose Material from the top of the Blocks.

Curing: The Pallets of Blocks are Conveyed to an Automated Stacker or Loader which Places them in a Curing rack. Each rack holds several hundred Blocks. When a rack is full, it is rolled onto a set of Rails and moved into a Curing Kiln.

Cubing: The Racks of cured Blocks are rolled out of the Kiln, and the Pallets of Blocks are unstacked and Placed on a Chain Conveyor. The Blocks are Pushed off the Steel Pallets, and the Empty Pallets are Fed back into the Block Machine to receive a new set of Molded Blocks.

Quality Control: The Raw Materials are weighed electronically before they are placed in the mixer. The trapped Water Content in the Sand and Gravel may be measured with Ultrasonic Sensors, and the amount of Water to be added to the Mix is Automatically adjusted to Compensate. In areas with Harsh Temperature Extremes, the Water may pass through a Chiller or Heater before it is used.

Blocks Emerge from the Block Machine: Their height may be checked with laser beam Sensors. In the curing Kiln, the Temperatures, Pressures, and Cycle times are all controlled and recorded automatically to ensure that the Blocks are Cured Properly, in order to achieve their required Strength.

What are Concrete Blocks used for: Today, the immense versatility of Concrete Blocks is demonstrated in their use throughout a building from its foundation walls, through cavity walls, monolithic walls, partition walls, separating walls and as a component of beam and Block flooring.

How much does a 2x2x6 Concrete Block cost: Furthermore, how much does a 2x2x6 Concrete Block cost: Retaining Wall Cost The cost of retaining wall materials ranges from $3 to $40 per square foot. Wall Block prices fall between $10 and $15 per square foot, while precase, Poured Concrete runs $20 to $25.

Difference between a cinder Block and Concrete Block: Cinder Blocks are hollow rectangle-shaped structures usually made of Concrete and coal cinders which find use in construction sites. Concrete Blocks often, on the other hand, are flattened constructs made of Steel, Wood or Cement.

Are Concrete Blocks Waterproof: Standard Concrete Blocks, and lightweight Concrete Blocks are not Waterproof. Water flows through them very easily.

How high can a Concrete Block wall be: 6 feet, 8 inches. You are correct. A 4-inch-thick, nonreinforced Concrete masonry screen wall should not be built higher than 6 feet, 8 inches unless it is supported laterally in the horizontal or vertical direction every 6 feet, 8 inches.

How long do Concrete Blocks last: 100 years. Concrete Block is a great material when it's made correctly. It is artificial rock, when you think about it. Your builders statement about it lasting at least 100 years is not far off when you look around you.

How do you waterproof a Concrete Block wall: How to Waterproof a CinderBlock Wall:
Introduction. Ensure That Wall Is Clean and Dry. Scrape off any peeling paint and sweep down walls to remove dirt or debris.
Patch Holes. Patch any holes in the wall with expanding hydraulic Cement. Allow Cement to dry for 24 hours.
Add Finish Coats. Cover the wall with a second thick coat and, if needed, a third coat.

How thick do Concrete walls need to be: 10 inches. As a practical consideration, residential designers need to keep in mind that Concrete foundation walls are typically 6, 8 or 10 inches thick (nominal). The typical Concrete Compressive Strength used in residential construction is 2,500 or 3,000 psi, although other strengths are available.

Are Poured Concrete walls cheaper than Block: Poured Concrete and Block Wall Foundation Costs.
Is a Poured Concrete foundation cheaper than a Block wall foundation? Usually, the cost of construction varies from place to place. But as a matter of fact, Poured walls cost about 20% less than the Block foundation walls.

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