What types of building blocks are there?

Building blocks are essential elements in construction and are available in a range of varieties, each suitable for a particular project or set of requirements. Knowing the different kinds of building blocks that are available can be very helpful, whether you’re building a strong wall, designing a decorative element, or you’re just interested in the materials used in construction. The most prevalent kinds of building blocks, their traits, and their typical applications will all be covered in this article.

The traditional concrete block is one of the most widely used kinds of building blocks. Concrete blocks are frequently used for walls, foundations, and other structural components because of their strength and durability. They are readily stackable to form a sturdy, dependable structure and are available in a range of sizes. They are a popular option for numerous construction projects because of their adaptability.

The brick block is another kind to take into account. For centuries, bricks have been a mainstay in construction due to their admirable aesthetics and ability to insulate heat. Their ability to serve as structural elements as well as decorative elements makes them appealing to a wide range of individuals. Bricks come in a variety of hues and textures, which opens up endless design possibilities.

There are also blocks made of materials like glass or foam for more specialized uses. Glass blocks are frequently used in partitions and walls to let in natural light while preserving privacy. On the other hand, foam blocks are well-known for being lightweight and insulating, which makes them perfect for building solutions that use less energy.

Every kind of building block has a unique set of benefits, and the decision is frequently based on the particular needs of the project. Comprehending the various alternatives can facilitate well-informed decision-making and guarantee that your construction endeavors satisfy both utilitarian and visual objectives.

Concrete Blocks	Standard blocks made from concrete, often used for walls and foundations.
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)	Blocks with built-in insulation, providing better energy efficiency for buildings.
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks	Lightweight blocks with excellent thermal and sound insulation properties.
Segmental Retaining Wall Blocks	Designed for creating retaining walls, often used in landscaping.
Architectural Concrete Blocks	Blocks with decorative finishes or textures, used for aesthetic purposes.

Building blocks – what are they?

These days, building blocks are made in the shape of a parallelepiped that is rectangular. The elements’ dimensions are significantly larger than those of regular bricks.

There are several differences between different types of building blocks:

• dimensions;
• designs;
• type of filler used;
• purpose;
• manufacturing technology;
• masonry features;
• technical parameters.

Benefits of most building block varieties over bricks:

• minimum construction time;
• reduced labor requirements;
• reduced loads on the foundation;
• improved thermal insulation properties;
• no need for a finishing coat.

There are many kinds of building blocks, and each is appropriate for a particular purpose and demand in construction. Knowing the various types of concrete blocks can help you select the best one for your project. There are traditional concrete blocks that provide strength and durability, as well as versatile and lightweight aerated blocks and even eco-friendly options like recycled material blocks. Whether you’re a novice do-it-yourselfer or a seasoned builder, this guide will go over these popular building block types, their special advantages, and the best applications for them.

Construction blocks: types and characteristics

Taking into account the various kinds of building blocks, the material’s origin is the primary criterion for grouping:

• artificial. Manufacturing is carried out by mixing mixtures. They are convenient due to the possibility of obtaining various sizes, the mixture is poured into the desired forms, after hardening the blocks are ready for use;
• natural. For manufacturing, grinding technologies of natural materials are used, usually based on various types of stone. They are intended for finishing works.

Artificial building blocks come in the lowest price range and can be used for:

• concrete;
• mixture of expanded clay with concrete;
• blocks with polystyrene and concrete;
• aerated concrete;
• foam concrete.

The uses of construction blocks are varied and include:

• laying the foundation;
• erecting walls;
• thermal insulation of the room.

There are various kinds of blocks by design:

• solid. They are integral and have no voids, which is why they have a large weight and increased strength. Used for the construction of walls and the formation of foundations. Dimensions of such blocks: width – 30-60 cm, length – 88, 118, 238 cm and height – 28, 58 cm;
• hollow. They are distinguished by the presence of several air pockets, they are less durable, but light and have increased thermal parameters. Dimensions: width – 40-60 cm, length – 238 cm, height – 58 cm;
• smooth. They are used for decorative coating, as they have a perfectly smooth surface, do not need finishing work;
• corrugated. They are made with one or more rough surfaces. They are always used for the construction of load-bearing structures and further processing. The main advantage is better adhesion to plaster.

Contemporary building blocks come with a variety of fillers.

Nearly all contain some sand and Portland cement, and some additional ingredients:

• clay;
• slaked lime;
• expanded clay granules;
• slags of various origins;
• wood chips or sawdust;
• granite inclusions;
• polystyrene chips.

It can be confusing to consider the different kinds of blocks available for wall construction if you are unfamiliar with the fundamental selection criteria.

When building a structure, building blocks are chosen based on the following qualities:

• strength. Indicates the resistance of the material to compressive loads without damage;
• thermal conductivity level. As the indicator decreases, the amount of heat retained inside the room increases;
• frost resistance. The indicator reflects the number of freeze-thaw cycles while maintaining the original structure of the material;
• density. Depending on the density level, the strength changes. Denser varieties are highly durable, used for the construction of walls in heavily loaded buildings, but lead to an increase in thermal conductivity;
• water absorption coefficient. Reflects the ability to absorb moisture. Types with a high coefficient require additional cladding.

Expanded clay concrete blocks

GOST 6133-99 is the technical standard used in the manufacturing of expanded clay concrete building blocks. According to the standard, the group must consist of concrete that is light, heavy, and finely grained and is always hollow. The external wall thickness measures 2 cm or more, and the weight does not exceed 31 kg.

The following construction uses are for expanded clay concrete elements:

• creation of partitions;
• laying walls in low-rise buildings;
• construction of soundproof partitions;
• organization of natural ventilation;
• formation of foundations of wooden log houses.

There are two kinds of blocks used in construction:

• facing. Has one (side) or two (side and end) facial planes;
• row. There are no surfaces with a decorative appearance.

The elements are categorized into corner, ligament, and row depending on where they are laid. The blocks in the assortment have the following measurements:

• width: 7-49.5 cm;
• length: 12-45 cm;
• height: 19 and 24 cm.

The strength of the material is 400–18,000 kg/m3.

Polystyrene concrete blocks

Polystyrene concrete production is governed by GOST 51263-99. The standard states that polystyrene granules are a necessary component of polystyrene concrete, which is composed of sand, cement, and water.

The following are the primary uses for polystyrene foam:

• construction of load-bearing walls;
• creation of enclosing, frame buildings;
• house insulation.

The foundation, facade, roof, and insulation of the house are all made of polystyrene concrete; these blocks stand out for their excellent heat exchange and simplicity of installation. Although foam block is substantially weaker than polystyrene concrete elements, it is comparable to them in terms of heat conductivity. The material’s density varies between 150 and 600 kg/m^3.

Most frequently utilized in the construction of any size building where thermal insulation is required.

Offered for sale as:

• slabs: 60x30x9-20 cm;
• wall blocks: 60x30x20-25 cm;
• elements for partitions: 60x30x8-12 cm.

Gas silicate building blocks: types and properties

For walls and floors, they like slabs or blocks made of aerated concrete with gas silicate elements. It is governed at the legislative level by GOST 31360-2007. Cellular concrete that is not reinforced is used to create gas silicate elements. designed to be used in wall and partition construction.

With the use of manufacturing technology, blocks with grip pockets and blind and through holes may be produced. Limited editions of U-shaped forms are produced by manufacturers.

There are two production techniques:

• autoclave method. The material is dried using steam, which is supplied under high pressure. The result is high strength characteristics and resistance to shrinkage during drying;
• non-autoclave method. Hardening is performed under natural conditions. Characterized by significant shrinkage during hardening. It is used less often in buildings due to its reduced strength, but it is cheaper.

The batch marking will indicate the type of aerated concrete block that it is. If air humidity is less than 75% during the laying process, vapor barrier film is not needed. The standard dimensions of the blocks are 62.5 x 50 x 50 cm. The following dimensions of the slabs are available: 150x100x60 cm.

The material’s technical qualities make it valuable.

• arithmetic mean density – up to D700;
• The compression force to deformation is from B1.5;
• Thermal conductivity level: 0.08-0.1 W/m;
• shrinkage in the process of hardening and steamenability – corresponds to GOST 31359;
• Frost resistance: for external walls F25, for other tasks F15.

One block has a mass that ranges from 17 kg to 40 kg.

Foam concrete blocks

GOST 21520-89 serves as a guide for manufacturers. Three primary categories of the material are identified based on its density:

• structural. They are used to build structures with high bearing capacity (foundation, bearing walls, base). The groups are reckoned with D1000-D1200 brands with a density of 1-1.2 t/m3;
• Thermal insulation. Used in the process of creating an insulation layer. The category includes: D300-D500 with a density of 150-400 kg/m3;
• Structural-heat-insulating. Combine the qualities of previous groups, are used during the construction of the supporting walls of low buildings and partitions. The type includes materials with the marking: D500-D900 and a density of 500-900 kg/m3.

Blocks made of foam concrete are very strong and resistant to frost. The porosity of the material gives thermal insulation its characteristics; savings on heating bills can occasionally reach 50–70%. With foam concrete, you can construct a dependable, warm, and high-quality structure that will last for at least a century.

Types of reinforced concrete wall blocks

Reinforced concrete is the most widely used concrete product. You cannot overlook the most well-known construction choice when thinking about the different kinds of wall building blocks available. Similar to other wall block varieties, reinforced concrete has benefits and drawbacks. High strength and durability are among the benefits; on the other hand, heavy weight and a limited capacity for thermal insulation are the drawbacks.

Using reinforced concrete, one can create:

• elements for forming a foundation;
• blocks with technological holes for laying communications;
• Hollow elements.

A large variety of sizes are available for the material:

• Length: from 880 to 2380 mm;
• width: from 300 to 600 mm;
• Height: from 280 to 580 mm.

Features of panels made of reinforced concrete:

• high strength;
• the minimum amount of solution for masonry;
• effective sound absorption;
• moisture resistance;
• insinuity to temperature drops.

The drawbacks are ordered:

• slight thermal insulation capacity;
• Light weight and dimensions, there is a difficulty with transportation and installation;
• High cost of building.

What are the blocks of the groove type?

The small weight of the elements is the reason behind the increasing demand for the grooves. Gypsum is added to the composition; this has no effect on technical or operational parameters.

Principal attributes:

• low weight;
• high -quality noise insulation;
• low thermal conductivity;
• Corrosion resistance;
• correct shape and dimensions;
• easy installation.

The tongue and groove elements don’t need to be finished because of their flawless appearance and spotless smooth surface.

Designed for interior use and typically made using two techniques:

• standard. Has a clean, white color;
• moisture-resistant. Made in green color.

The blocks measure 66.7 x 50 x 8 cm, and their dimensions are set. A typical pallet can accommodate up to 30 items, each weighing up to 29 kg, at once. The pallet containing the blocks has a volume of 0.8 m3. It is feasible to construct a 10 m2 partition using just one pallet.

Building blocks – which are better?

It is impossible to say with certainty which building block is superior because there are so many variables to consider:

• region of residence;
• specifics of use;
• technical properties of the material;
• required strength;
• construction budget.

You can select the preferred material for construction based on specific objectives, a comparison of materials, and an estimate of cost.

There are many different kinds of building blocks, and each has special qualities to meet various construction requirements. Whether you’re working on a commercial project, a new home, or just a do-it-yourself project, knowing these options will help you select the one that best suits your needs.

For example, concrete blocks are very well-liked because of their strength and longevity. Because of their superior resistance to fire and weather, they are frequently used in construction projects. However, clay bricks have a timeless appearance and excellent insulating qualities, making them perfect for both modern and historic structures.

There are also lightweight, easily handled blocks like aerated concrete that are suitable for more specific applications and offer good thermal insulation. Additionally, there are environmentally friendly options that support sustainable building practices, like compressed or recycled earth blocks.

In conclusion, the kind of building block you select can have a big impact on how well your structure works and looks. Your project’s unique requirements, such as structural integrity and environmental impact, will help you choose the best building block to accomplish your objectives quickly and effectively.

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