What is a cement block?
cement block can also be called concrete block, foundation block or concrete masonry unit (CMU). This is also known as a breeze block, a cinder block or a block of slim. These blocks are made with a mixture of Portland cement, aggregate and water. The standard size is listed as 8 inches x 8 inches x 16 inches (20 cm x 20 cm x 41 cm) in the US and 44 cm x 21.5 cm x 10 cm (17.3 inches x 8.5 inches x 3.9 inches) in the UK, although the blocks are actually slightly smaller to allow melting joints. Some cement block companies will make other sizes on request.
The most common unit for cement blocks is a mixture of sand and gravel. This is mixed as a relatively dry mixture of low decay, which results in a hard and durable cement block. Aeration concrete can be used to make blocks that have lighter weight but still very strong.
Industrial waste is sometimes used as aggregated, but cement blocks will have lower density and therefore less resistant. PopBlocks, Called Breeze blocks in the UK have cinders in the aggregate and the blocks of the slim have jumps. These blocks have less pressure force and are not suitable for the work of the foundation.
The first cement block was made in 1882. Concrete blocks are now produced using a machine that forms a wet concrete mixture into standard shapes. The blocks are cured inside a special chamber at high temperatures. They are then stored to dry completely.
Most concrete blocks are produced with hollow chambers. This makes the block a little lighter weight and is easier to handle. Even more importantly, hollow chambers allow you to pass reinforced sticks through the wall, allowing added force. The chambers are then filled with wet concrete, which dries and creates a strong wall with large thermal properties.
Because threading open chambers of cement block above the reinforcement was controlled to the site is a slow processinut a special type of concrete block to make the procedure accelerated. These open blocks are often called speed blocks and are shaped as the letter H. Instead of being lowered on the wall from above, these edges between the reinforcing bars can be and slip into the site. As a result, work is much less time consuming.
The construction of the cement block is often considered an ecological building material. Cement blocks are resistant but are not too portable. Most concrete blocks are produced up to 50 miles (80.5 km) from the construction site and most of them are made of local materials.