Concrete Blocks

If 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 11.8-15.0 kg
In addition to the basic components, the

concrete mixture used to make blocks may also
contain various chemicals, called admixtures,
to alter curing time, increase compressive
strength, or improve workability. 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
Stabilized Mud Block
Earth block is a construction material made primarily from soil. Types of earth block include
compressed earth block (CEB), compressed stabilized earth block (CSEB), and stabilized earth
block (SEB).
Stabilized mud block (SMB) or pressed earth block is a building material made primarily from
damp soil compressed at high pressure to form blocks.
If the blocks are stabilized with a chemical binder such as Portland cement they are called
compressed stabilized earth block (CSEB) or stabilized earth block (SEB).
Creating SMBs differs from rammed earth in that the latter uses a larger formwork into which
earth is poured and manually tamped down, creating larger forms such as a whole wall or
more at one time rather than building blocks and adobe which is not compressed.
Stabilized mud block uses a mechanical press to form block out of an appropriate mix of
fairly dry inorganic subsoil, non-expansive clay, aggregate, and sometimes a small amount of
cement.
Soil Identification
The main points to examine are:
Grain size distribution
Plasticity characteristics, to know the quality and properties of the binders (clays and silts)
Compressibility, to know the optimum moisture content, which will require the minimum of
compaction energy for the maximum density.
Humus content, to know if they are organic materials which might disturb the mix.
Soil stabilization
Many stabilizers can be used. Cement and lime are the most common ones. Others, like
chemicals, resins or natural products can be used as well.
The selection of a stabilizer will depend upon the soil quality and the project requirements:
Cement will be preferable for sandy soils and to achieve quickly a higher strength.
Lime will be rather used for very clayey soil, but will take a longer time to harden and to give
strong blocks.
Preparation of Raw Materials
The Requirements for Preparation
The basic materials required for the production of compressed stablised earth building
blocks are soil, stabiliser, and water.
The stabiliser, whether lime or cement or some other material, is usually available in
powder or liquid form, ready for use.
The soil may be wet or dry when it is first obtained, and will probably not be homogeneous.
In order to have uniform soil, it is often necessary to crush it so that it can pass through a 5
to 6mm mesh sieve.
Proportioning
Before starting production, tests should be performed to establish the right proportion of
soil, stabiliser and water for the production of good quality blocks.
To achieve maximum strength, compressed stabilised earth blocks need a period of damp
curing, where they are kept moist. This is a common requirement for all cementitious
materials. What is important is that the moisture of the soil mix is retained within the body
of the block for a few days. If the block is left exposed to hot dry weather conditions, the
surface material will lose its moisture and the clay particles tend to shrink. This will cause
surface cracks on the block faces. In practice, various methods are used to ensure proper
curing. Such methods include the use of plastic bags, grass, leaves, etc. to prevent moisture
from escaping.
Testing Soil Prior to Block Production
Various soil-testing methods are described which are used to determine the suitability
of different soils for block making and the type of stabiliser required. For block
production, the soil mix must be checked for each batch of blocks so as to attain the
optimum moisture content (OMC).
Two simple field tests can be carried out. These are explained below:
Take a handful from the soil mix for block production and squeeze it in the hand, the
mix should ball together. When the hand is opened, the fingers should be reasonably
dry and clean.
Drop the ball sample onto a hard surface from a height of about one metre. If the
sample:- completely shatters, this shows that it is not sufficiently moist,- squashes into
a flattened ball or disc on impact with the hard surface, this implies too high a
moisture content,- breaks into four or five major lumps, this shows that the moisture
contents or the soil mix is close to the optimum moisture content (OMC).
To manufacture blocks of uniform size and density, special precautions must be taken
to fill the mould with the same amount of mix for each compaction by using
a small wooden box as a measuring device.
To facilitate development of the pressed blocks and to ensure good neat surfaces it is
advisable to moisten the internal faces of the machine mould with a mould releasing
agent (reject oil) which can be applied with either a rag, brush or spray
DISADVANTAGES
Proper soil identification is required or lack of soil.
Unawareness of the need to manage resources.
Ignorance of the basics for production & use.
Wide spans, high & long building are difficult to do.
Low technical performances compared to concrete.
Untrained teams producing bad quality products.
Over-stabilization through fear or ignorance, implying outrageous costs.
Under-stabilization resulting in low quality products.
Bad quality or un-adapted production equipment.
Low social acceptance due to counter examples (By unskilled people, or bad soil &
equipment).
ADVANTAGES OF CSEB
A local material
Ideally, the production is made on the site itself or in the nearby area. Thus, it will save the
transportation, fuel, time and money.
A bio-degradable material
Well-designed CSEB houses can withstand, with a minimum of maintenance, heavy rains,
snowfall or frost without being damaged.
Limiting deforestation
Firewood is not needed to produce CSEB. It will save the forests, which are being depleted
quickly in the world, due to short view developments and the mismanagement of resources.
A transferable technology
It is a simple technology requiring semi skills, easy to get. Simple villagers will be able to learn
how to do it in few weeks. Efficient training centre will transfer the technology in a week time.
A job creation opportunity
CSEB allow unskilled and unemployed people to learn a skill, get a job and rise in the social
values.
Market opportunity
According to the local context (materials, labour, equipment, etc.) the final price will vary,
but in most of the cases it will be cheaper than fired bricks.
Reducing imports
Produced locally by semi skilled people, no need import from far away expensive materials
or transport over long distances heavy and costly building materials.
Energy efficiency and eco friendliness
Requiring only a little stabilizer the energy consumption in a m3 can be from 5 to 15 times
less than a m³ of fired bricks. The pollution emission will also be 2.4 to 7.8 times less than
fired bricks.
Cost efficiency
Produced locally, with a natural resource and semi skilled labour, almost without transport,
it is cost effective.
Social acceptance
Demonstrated, since long, CSEB can adapt itself to various needs: from poor income to well
off people or governments. Its quality, regularity and style allow a wide range of final house
products.

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Concrete Blocks

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If granulated coal or volcanic cinders are used

instead of sand and gravel, the resulting block

In addition to the basic components, the

Unawareness of the need to manage resources.

Ignorance of the basics for production & use.

Wide spans, high & long building are difficult to do.

Low technical performances compared to concrete.

Untrained teams producing bad quality products.

Over-stabilization through fear or ignorance, implying outrageous costs.

Under-stabilization resulting in low quality products.

Bad quality or un-adapted production equipment.

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