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CMT Module Unit 9 1

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49 views

CMT Module Unit 9 1

shhsja

Uploaded by

norikives
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Construction Materials and Testing (CMT 223)

Unit 9 Module: Determine the Compressive Strength of Concrete Hollow Blocks

Objectives:

1. Describe and classifications of concrete hollow blocks.


2. Explain the importance of testing concrete hollow blocks for compressive strength.

Content:

A. Description and Classifications of Concrete Hollow Blocks

1. Description of Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB)

Concrete hollow blocks (CHB) are the most common materials for walling in building construction
because of their availability, low cost and their ease in installation. CHB are classified as bearing and non-
bearing blocks and are compressive materials, fill with mortar in their hollow part, spread by mortar per
layer and reinforced horizontally and vertically to increase their resistance lateral forces. Load bearing
blocks ranges from 15 cm to 20 cm and are used to carry load aside from its own weight while non-bearing
blocks are intended for walls, partition, fences or dividers carrying its own weight with thickness ranges
from 7.5 cm to 10 cm.

Concrete hollow blocks play important role in the construction industry, blocks are measured 40
cm (length) x 20 cm (width) x 4 inches (thickness) or 40 cm (length) x 20 cm (width) x 5 inches (thickness)
have three cells and areas greater than 20% of the gross area and one half cells open at both ends.

1
Concrete hollow blocks are usually made of a mixture ratio of 1:3:6 concrete with cement and sand
mixture ratio of 1:7, 1:8 or 1:9 and a maximum size of 10 mm coarse aggregates.

2. Classifications of Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB) based on Compressive Strength (ASTM C90)

Compressive Strength Minimum


(psi)
Types of CHB ASTM Designation
Average of Three
Individual Units
Units
Load Bearing C90 1000 - 700 800 – 600
Non-Load Bearing C129 600 500

The minimum compressive strength standard for concrete hollow blocks construction in the
Philippines is shown below.

Minimum Compressive Strength


For Individual CHB 5.41 MPa (800 psi)
Based on the Average Gross Area of Five (5) Units 6.89 MPa (1000 psi)

B. Testing of Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB) for Compressive Strength (ASTM C140/140M -14)

1. Specimens Preparations:

a. Sample selections from unit samples to ensure the results of the testing.
b. Samples for testing must the same configuration and dimensions.
c. Weigh the samples for testing.

2. Testing Procedure:

a. Sample specimens age must be twenty eight (28) days.


b. Plates must be arranged on steel blocks in such a way that the center of the specimen coincide with
the centroid of the thrust block.
c. Proper capping of sulphur and granular materials coating or gypsum plaster on the bearing area of
the masonry units to maintain uniformity of the surface.
d. Maximum load is applied at a constant rate and the remaining load is applied in not less than two (2)
minutes on the masonry units in the machine.
e. Record compressive strength of the individual units and calculate the minimum average
compressive strength of the masonry units.

2
Compressive Testing Equipment

References:

1. Images are Retrieved from https://www.google.com


2. Materials of Construction by DN Ghose, 1989
3. Civil Engineering Materials by Technical Teachers Training Institute, 1992
4. Engineering Materials by Emmanuel F. Nino and Teresita G. Nino, 1983
5. Materials of Construction 4th Edition by Chandigarah, 1990
6. Testing of Engineering Materials by Gildey, Murphy & Bragman, 1982
7. Structural Engineering and Construction 4th Edition Volume 1 by Venancio I. Besavilla Jr., 1999
8. American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM)
9. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

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