Concrete block: Difference between revisions
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They are fun to throw at people :D |
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[[File:Concreteblocks.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A stack of rectangular CMUs]] |
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{{redirect|Cinder block|the American singer|Cinder Block (musician)}} |
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In the United States, a '''concrete masonry unit''' ('''CMU''') – also called '''concrete block''', '''cement block''', and '''foundation block''' – is a large rectangular [[brick]] used in [[construction]]. Concrete blocks are made from [[Casting|cast]] [[concrete]], i.e. [[Portland cement]] and [[Construction aggregate|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 [[American English|US]], '''breeze blocks''' (''breeze'' is a synonym of ash)<ref>{{cite book |title=The Oxford English Dictionary |url=http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/50027165/50027165se1 |accessdate=2007-11-30 |edition=2nd |year=1989 |publisher=Oxford University Press |chapter=breeze, ''n.<sup>3</sup>''}}</ref> in the [[British English|UK]] and are also known as '''besser blocks''' or bricks in Australia. '''Clinker blocks''' use [[Clinker (waste)|clinker]] as aggregate. In non-technical usage, the terms ''cinder block'' and ''breeze block'' are often generalized to cover all of these varieties. Lightweight blocks can also be produced using [[Aerated autoclaved concrete|aerated concrete]]. |
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==Sizes and structure== |
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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 staggered blocks. Blocks come in many sizes. In the US, with an R-Value of 1.11 the most common size is {{in to cm|8|8|16|abbr=yes}}; the actual size is usually about {{in to cm|3/8|abbr=yes}} smaller to allow for mortar joints. In Ireland and the UK, blocks are usually 440 mm × 215 mm × 100 mm excluding mortar joints (approximately 17.3 in × 8.5 in × 3.9 in). |
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In New Zealand, blocks are usually 390 mm × 190 mm × 190 mm excluding mortar joints. |
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==Uses== |
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Concrete block, when reinforced with concrete [[columns]] and tie [[Beam (structure)|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 (architecture)|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-beam|{{ibeam}}-beams]]. [[Tilt slab|Tilt-wall]] construction, however, is replacing CBS for some large structures. |
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== Gallery == |
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This gallery shows images of 200 series (190 x 190 x 390 full blocks) modular concrete blockwork used in residential construction in a cyclonic region of Northern Australia. Typically there is a vertical reinforced (N12 [1/2" or #4 U.S.] or N16 [5/8" or #5 U.S.] [[rebar]]) concrete core at every corner, alongside each opening and at 600mm (24") centers elsewhere. Bond beams (typically 2/N12 [1/2" or #4 U.S.] rebar) occur continuously around perimeter and over all openings and under windows. Corefill concrete is typically 15MPa (2,200 psi) compressive strength. For more photos of similar construction see [[hurricane-proof building]]. |
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<gallery heights=175px> |
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Image:Starter-bars.JPG|N12 starter bars cast into concrete raft slab. |
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Image:Clean-out-blocks.JPG|Clean out blocks to flush out debris prior to placing corefill. |
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Image:Blocklayers.JPG|Wall under construction, metal door jamb and one aluminium window in position at the left. A pallet of knock out bond beam blocks on the right. |
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Image:Bond-beam.JPG|Short (three blocks high) retaining wall ready for corefill. All core will be filled. |
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Image:CMUs.jpg|8in.x8in.x16in. hollow-core CMUs in a basement wall prior to burial |
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Image:Dupont mississauga 1986 hvac shaft.jpg|[[HVAC]] shaft with 2 hour [[fire-resistance rating]] under construction at [[DuPont]] Canada, [[Mississauga, Ontario]], [[1986]]. |
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Image:How joint3.jpg|Head-of-Wall [[Joint (building)|building joint]]. |
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Image:Mortar firestop.jpg|[[Firestop]]ped [[cable tray]] [[Penetration (firestop)|through-penetration]]. |
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</gallery> |
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== See also == |
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* [[Aerated autoclaved concrete|Aerated blocks]] |
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* [[Brick]] |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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{{Commons category|Concrete blocks}} |
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* [http://www.ncma.org http://www.ncma.org - National Concrete Masonry Association] |
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* [http://www.cmacn.org http://www.cmacn.org - Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada] |
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* [http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Concrete-Block.html How Products Are Made: Volume 3 Concrete Block] |
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* [http://www.masoncontractors.org/ Mason Contractors Association of America] |
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* [http://www.cba-blocks.org.uk/ Concrete Block Association] |
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* [http://www.masonryinstitute.org/ Masonry Institute of America] |
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[[Category:Building materials]] |
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[[Category:Masonry]] |
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[[de:Betonwerkstein]] |
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[[es:Bloque de hormigón]] |
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[[fr:Bloc de béton]] |
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[[nl:Betonblok]] |
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[[ja:コンクリートブロック]] |
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[[ru:Бетонит]] |
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[[th:คอนกรีตบล็อก]] |
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[[uk:Бетоніт]] |
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[[vi:Gạch không nung]] |
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[[wa:Mwelon]] |
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Revision as of 04:57, 12 June 2011
They are fun to throw at people :D