Technical characteristics of concrete blocks: reinforced, density, grade and more

Due to its strength, longevity, and versatility, concrete blocks are a fundamental building material that are frequently utilized in construction projects. They exist in a variety of forms, each with unique technical attributes suited to particular uses. It’s critical to comprehend these qualities in order to choose the appropriate concrete block type for your project.

Because they are made to add strength and stability, reinforced concrete blocks are perfect for load-bearing structures. Steel bars or mesh are embedded in these blocks to help distribute weight and prevent cracking. Their increased structural durability makes them a well-liked option for retaining walls, foundations, and other important building elements.

Another important thing to think about when selecting concrete blocks is density. A block’s weight, thermal characteristics, and capacity to insulate sound are all influenced by its density. Lower density blocks, which are frequently used in non-load-bearing walls and partitions, are lighter and easier to handle than higher density blocks, which offer superior strength and durability.

Additionally, the grade of concrete blocks is used to categorize them based on their compressive strength. The appropriateness of a block for various areas within a building is determined by its grade. Lower grade blocks are appropriate for less demanding applications, while higher grade blocks are used in areas that need stronger support. It’s important to know the grade of the blocks you’ll need to ensure that your construction meets the required standards for performance and safety.

Gaining knowledge of these technical features will enable you to make well-informed decisions that will improve the longevity, safety, and efficiency of your construction projects. Selecting the appropriate concrete blocks is a crucial step towards success, regardless of the size of the project—small-scale renovation or large-scale construction.

Technical properties of wall products

GOST 19010-82 provides a thorough explanation of the functions and technical specifications of wall concrete blocks and reinforced concrete. This standard covers all varieties of concrete blocks, including solid, hollow (occupying 28–40% of the total volume), light, heavy, autoclaved, and silicate. Concrete blocks are further classified as thermal insulation and structural.

GOST 23009-2016 is mentioned when identifying the GOST 19010-82 brand in one of the paragraphs.

The finest grades of cement (M300, 400, and 500), the smallest possible fraction of crushed stone, river sand, polymers, and other materials that enhance the solution’s structure and viscosity are thought to be the foundation of any kind of concrete block.

The image does a good job of presenting the various kinds of concrete blocks and includes measurements:

Product categories are based on the type of wall construction (inter-partition, external, internal, load-bearing, wall), as well as factors like size, shape, filling, purpose, and brand. They are as follows:

  • foundation – FBS (full -bodied, rectangular shape, often with internal reinforcement);
  • wall (outwardly reminiscent of brick, they are reinforced or with a recess for laying reinforcement);
  • septal (light, low weight, compared to previous types).

The material has the following distinguishing features: it is gray in color, has a dense or cellular structure, and is sized according to the varieties.

  1. Environmentally friendly – made from natural ingredients that are safe for human health and the environment.
  2. High thermal insulation properties and resistance to frost – retains heat well, protects against low temperatures.
  3. Seismic resistance, reliability, strength and density – allows you to maintain the structure in its original form, in case of any natural disasters and adverse external mechanical influences.
  4. Fire resistance – does not belong to the class of igniting materials, is not able to light up at high atmospheric temperatures or closes in electrical wiring.
  5. Good sound and noise insulation – reliably copes with external sounds, vibrations and loud noise.
  6. Durability – a building made from it will last more than 50 years.
  7. Versatility of use – suitable for creating any architectural ensembles, residential buildings and industrial enterprises.
  8. Good adhesion – interacts with a number of other materials without affecting their technical features.
  9. Ease of processing the surface of the block – this allows you to apply any type of finish you like to it.
  10. Simple and quick installation – blocks are installed in a short time.
  11. Moderate moisture resistance (to precipitation and groundwater). Applies waterproofing in areas with high levels of underlying water.
  12. Vapor permeability – the natural composition creates a “breathable wall” that does not form mold and mildew.

The class of compressive strength of concrete determines its grade. The fortress’s strength is evaluated in a lab setting using a variety of tests and material compression.

M is the grade of concrete (in Latin letters). There are numbers (50-1000) next to it that indicate strength in kg/cm2. M100–M500 is the most widely used range for building construction. Any grade of concrete can be used to create reinforced concrete blocks; the grades are FBS, FBV, FBP, etc.

For experts, the idea of class is crucial, and an average value represents the sample strength.

Weight

Per regulatory documents, the mass standard of one block is between 16 and 31 kg. This indicator is solely dependent on the product’s internal filling. The appearance of a hollow will be lighter than that of a full-bodied one. The weight will also rise if steel reinforcement is included in the composition.

Every species possesses both shared and unique characteristics. Light blocks and products with voids will always weigh no more than 16 kg, while continuous or reinforced concrete that is dense and heavy will weigh more than 20 kg.

Click here to learn more about concrete block weight.

Standard and custom sizes

The dimensions (H x W x D) of a standard concrete block, as per GOST 19010-82, are 20 x 20 x 20. Meanwhile, the blocks measure 390 x 190 x 190 (240, 290) mm. These dimensions make the blocks useful in construction.

This image shows examples of the sizes of cement blocks:

The material’s thickness is governed by SNiP 2.03.01-84 and GOST 19010-82.

Products made with reinforced concrete are engineered to produce sturdy supporting structures. You can disperse the load uniformly by using a solid surface for fastening blocks, or one with reinforced grooves. FBS blocks are available in standard sizes that range from 88, 118, 238 x 28, 58 x 30, 40, 50, and 60 (cm) and can even be made to order. However, the following dimensional types represent the walls:

  • 39 x 19 x 9 (cm) – used for partitions, have a low weight – 8 kg;
  • 39 x 19 x 19 (cm) – involved in the arrangement of load-bearing external and internal walls, has a mass of 17 kg.

The following measurements apply to reinforced concrete blocks with unique grooves: 88 x 30, 40, 50, 60 x 58 (cm).

This article contains more details regarding concrete block sizes.

Life time

Concrete blocks are strong materials that don’t mind temperature fluctuations in the surrounding air. However, keep them in a dry, well-ventilated space. Regardless of type, the peculiarity of concrete composition is that it becomes stronger the more it settles. As a result, the building is permitted to stand for roughly a month after the walls are built.

After that, they carry out communications, choose finishes, and continue working on the arrangement of the interior and exterior walls. It is advised to work with concrete slabs placed on construction adhesive or sand-cement mortar between +5 and +20°C.

Companies that manufacture blocks think that, with regular maintenance, the material can last over 50–100 years. Special compounds are ground, primed, and impregnated into the concrete surface.

Product strength

Concrete blocks have indicators ranging from 50 to 300, as per marking (M). Strength B (Latin) also depends on the type and weight of the block, and ranges from 75 to 25 kg/cm2. After construction, concrete begins to gain strength after a month and becomes extremely strong over the following seven years.

The concrete block grade classes are displayed in the table in the image below:

Harmfulness

Natural materials (cement, sand, crushed stone, water) with a natural, mineral origin are used to make concrete and reinforced concrete blocks. As a result, they are regarded as totally safe for human health and environmentally friendly.

It is the same with products that are reinforced. Iron ore is a naturally occurring fossil that can be smelted to produce steel and stainless steel.

Additionally, the concrete’s surface inhibits the growth of moss, mold, fungus, and insects that could enter the home. Block products can be treated with any antiseptic or composition that will shield the building from unfavorable natural elements after construction and the material has gained strength.

Frost resistance

It is 15-200 for concrete and reinforced concrete blocks and is based on the F indicator (Latin). The number of cycles that the block’s foundation, the presented concrete grade, can tolerate is indicated by digital indicators.

All varieties of concrete products have a frost resistance that can withstand up to 50 cycles. The F35 indicator, for instance, indicates that 35 freezing cycles were completed. Because of their dense structure, blocks provide good frost protection, but experts do not advise using them when building at low temperatures.

Fire resistance

The material’s resistance to spontaneous combustion is determined by this indication. Here, there are two ideas:

  • fire resistance – resistance to fire in case of fire, for a short duration;
  • heat resistance – preservation of properties and qualities under prolonged exposure to fire.

When exposed to fire for an extended period of time at temperatures between +250°C and +300°C, the concrete block’s surface quality may deteriorate and eventually fail. The material’s constituent materials are destroyed and transformed into tridymite at +550°C. An even higher temperature causes the wall to completely collapse.

Modern manufacturers produce refractory concrete by mixing in special fillers, which are always declared on the product packaging.

Thermal conductivity

This indicator, which measures the surrounding temperature at 1 °C, is characterized as a value that indicates a specific amount of heat passing through 1 m3 of concrete material in 1 hour. Its value is entirely dependent on the density and type of material. In W/(m*°C), thermal conductivity is expressed.

Only in laboratory settings can this indicator be computed. This is the work that manufacturers do. The indicator for a block made of reinforced concrete is 2.04. For concrete, the range is 0.14–1. Although concrete has a good heat conductivity, in the northern climate its qualities are improved by insulation, either inside or outside the built structure.

The composition of the concrete has a direct impact on the thermal conductivity index.

Density

The calculated value, which varies depending on the kind of block material, is 1350–2250 kg/m3. A concrete block that is solid or reinforced will be far stronger than one that is filled with air pockets. The maximum density for heavy materials is 2500 kg/m3.

The specific gravity must be mentioned after the density parameter, which displays the block’s operational characteristics as indicated by the Latin letter D. As an illustration, D300 displays a density of 300 kg/m3. The material will be more durable the higher the indicator parameters. However, there will also be a decrease in the thermal insulation qualities.

Insulation-grade blocks have a lower D than other products, which is indicative of a higher density and an impact on the wall’s ability to support weight. As a result, the subsequent guidelines have been implemented for concrete blocks:

  • D500 – build 1-story buildings;
  • D600 – erect 1-3 storey buildings;
  • D700 and above – recommended from the 4th floor.

The table below shows the properties of blocks for the three primary types with regard to density, strength, and resistance to frost:

Concrete grades

Use the table in the image below to describe concrete grades. It shows strength (B) by class and grade (M) from 50 to 1000.

I want to specifically call attention to the typical M100 concrete. This material, which is the least expensive, includes crushed stone (gravel, limestone, etc.d.). Experts advise against using it for anything other than concrete pads or curb stones due to its low qualities.

The higher the M value, the more robust and high-quality the block walls will be.

Reinforced and without reinforcement

The heavy type of blocks is classified by the characteristics of concrete products based on reinforcement. If the block is solid, steel rods or construction mesh may already be present, or the product may be specifically designed with holes for the reinforcement placement.

Block products have additional type-specific markings based on the presence of reinforcement:

  • FBS – unreinforced, suitable for arranging foundations;
  • FBV – complete blocks with recesses for jumpers and laying communications;
  • FBP are hollow, rods can be placed in them, they are also used as formwork;
  • FL – used only for strip foundations;
  • F – reinforced concrete blocks for the foundation base;
  • BF – durable blocks of the highest quality, designed for heavy loads.

It’s also important to note that the markings make use of the concrete’s P-porous, C-silicate, and T-heavy properties.

Modern construction relies heavily on concrete blocks, which are highly valued for their affordability, adaptability, and durability. Understanding the technical aspects of concrete blocks, such as grade, density, and reinforcement, is essential when selecting them. Blocks of reinforced concrete are more stable and strong, making them perfect for load-bearing structures. Density has an impact on the weight and insulating qualities of the block; blocks with a higher density are more durable but have less insulation. A concrete block’s grade denotes its compressive strength, which establishes whether or not it is appropriate for a given kind of construction project. Builders can guarantee the safety, effectiveness, and longevity of their projects by making well-informed decisions based on their comprehension of these crucial elements.

Manufacturers in the Russian Federation

The following businesses are regarded as some of the top Russian producers of GOST-compliant concrete products on the market:

  1. KubanElectroShield (Krasnodar).
  2. Kaluga plant of reinforced concrete products (Kaluga).
  3. Cherepanovsky building materials plant (Novosibirsk).
  4. Ulyanovsk Asphalt Concrete Plant (Ulyanovsk).
  5. Eletsky building materials plant (Lipetsk region).
  6. Bryansk building structures plant (Bryansk).
  7. Sochi Construction Materials Plant (Sochi).

Companies that generate enough goods in sufficient quantities offer to buy blocks at a predetermined market value (between 25 and 70 rubles per PC, depending on the type). Every company has a website where you can submit a request, determine the quantity of blocks needed, and request material delivery to your home.

Type Details
Reinforced Blocks with steel bars for extra strength
Density Measured in kg/m³, affects weight and strength
Grade Indicates compressive strength, usually from M5 to M50
Thermal Insulation Ability to resist heat transfer
Water Absorption Percentage of water a block can absorb
Dimensions Common sizes include 400x200x200 mm
Weight Varies based on density and size

Concrete blocks are an essential building material that are utilized in many different types of construction projects because of their strength, adaptability, and longevity. They are available in various varieties, such as reinforced blocks that have steel bars inserted into them to improve their ability to support loads and resist cracking. They are therefore perfect for building solid foundations and walls.

The density of concrete blocks is one of their primary features. A block’s weight and ability to withstand heat are influenced by its density. Lower density blocks offer superior insulation and are frequently utilized in non-load-bearing walls, whereas higher density blocks are heavier and more durable, making them appropriate for structural elements.

A further classification for concrete blocks is based on their grade, which represents their compressive strength. Higher grade blocks are appropriate for heavy-duty construction projects because they can withstand more pressure. Whether they’re building a multistory structure or a simple garden wall, these grades guarantee that builders can select the appropriate blocks for their particular requirements.

In general, choosing the appropriate materials for your building project requires an understanding of the technical features of concrete blocks, such as grade, density, and reinforcement. These elements guarantee that the blocks will satisfy the environmental and structural specifications of your project, resulting in safer and more effective building processes.

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