DESIGN OF MASONRY

STRUCTURES

Dr. Ratnesh Kumar

Associate Professor
Department of Applied Mechanics
VNIT NAGPUR, www.vnit.ac.in

Department of Applied Mechanics, VNIT NAGPUR

 CONCRETE BLOCK

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 Concrete blocks are used in masonry work that may be solid,
hollow.
 Concrete blocks are also called cinder blocks and cement blocks
and they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
 They are made out of a mixture of Portland cement, sand, gravel
and water.
 General specifications for these masonry work is given in
following Indian Standards
IS 2185 (Part1) : 1979,
IS 2185 (Part 2) : 1983,
IS 2185 (Part3) : 1984 and
IS 3115 : 1978.

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 Because of its high density these blocks are used for load
bearing walls only.

 These blocks can also be used in construction of masonry

compound wall.

 Other common uses for concrete block wall is interior fire-

rated partition walls, and exterior backup wall for attachment
of building envelope systems and façades.

 There are two kinds of concrete block, hollow and solid.

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 CONCTRETE BLOCK

SOLID BLOCK HOLLOW BLOCK

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 HOLLOW CONCRETE BLOCKS
 Hollow concrete blocks have one or more hollow cores.
 These cores reduce the total cross-sectional area of the block
by at least 25 percent.
 A hollow-core concrete block is more than 50 percent solid.
 Standard hollow concrete blocks come in full and half sizes.
 Full-size blocks are rectangular and have two cores. Half size
blocks are cubical and have one core.

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 HOLLOW CONCRETE BLOCKS
IS2185 (Part – 1):2005

 Can be used for load bearing as well as non – load bearing

structures.

 Eco – friendly product.

 Excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

 Lower density and weight.

 Permits easy concealment of electrical and sanitary conduits.

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 Dimensional accuracy.

 Pre – cured product.

 No adhesives required.

 Fire resistant.

 Minimum breakage/wastage during transportation.

 No chance of efflorescence.

 Various colors available.

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 HOLLOW CONCRETE BLOCKS
IS2185 (Part – 1):2005

* Can be manufactured to required strength

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Department of Applied Mechanics, VNIT NAGPUR
 COST COMPARISION OF HOLLOW BLOCK
MASONARY WITH CLAY BRICK MASONARY

ALL UNITS RS PER SQUARE FEET

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 ADVANTAGES OF HOLLOW CONCRETE BLOCKS
OVER CONVENTIONAL CLAY BRICKS
I. ECO – FRIENDLY PRODUCTS:

 FLY ASH is used as a raw material, thus RECYCLING IT.

 LESS ENERGY INTENSIVE manufacturing process.

II. ECONOMICAL:

 Dimensional Accuracy and larger size of the hollow block

therefore REDUCTION IN PLASTERING AND JOINTING COSTS.

 REDUCTION IN LABOUR COSTS due to faster and easier

construction process.

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 Lower density and lighter weight reduces the dead load thus
REDUCTION IN THE REINFORCEMENT REQUIRED.

 High Strength leads to MINIMUM BREAKAGE / WASTAGE

during transportation and application.

 Excellent thermal insulation and acoustic insulation properties

which leads to DECREASED AIR CONDITIONING COSTS.

 Reduced wall thickness therefore increase in carpet area i.e

INCREASED SALEABLE / USABLE AREA.

 Pre – cured products hence SAVE WATER during construction.

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 SOLID CONCRETE BLOCKS

 Contrary to what their name indicates, solid concrete blocks

are not necessarily solid.

 They are merely less hollow than the blocks that are normally
called hollow.

 Solid blocks have core holes that take up less than 25 percent
of the cross-sectional area of the block.

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 Some solid concrete blocks are in fact fully solid.
 Some of these blocks are called stackable stones, and
some are called paving blocks.
 Stackable stones have two sides that are made rough and
irregular to mimic the appearance of natural stone.
 The other four sides are perfectly flat and square to each
other.

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 USES OF SOLID BLOCK
 Concrete blocks are often pressed into surface in the
construction of foundations.
 They are used to easily build strong walls that look like they
are made of stone.
 Paving blocks are flat and regular, made to be put together
like tiles to form paths.
 Fully solid blocks are used for paving and other projects where
holes would be dangerous or inconvenient.
 Solid blocks can also hold more mortar between them than
their hollow counterparts.

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 Solid concrete blocks can be set on end to create a circular fire
pit for a patio barbecue.
 solid concrete blocks are to build a garden wall is cheaper and
easier than forming the wall with poured concrete.
 Solid concrete blocks can be arranged to create planters for
your backyard garden.
 Concrete cinder blocks are very effective when used to build a
retaining wall.

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 AAC BLOCK
(Autoclaved Aerated Concrete)

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 History

 The Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) material was

developed in 1924 in Sweden.

 It has become one of the most used building materials in

Europe.

 Soon started spreading to other parts of the world though its

main hub remained at western Europe.

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 Introduction

 AAC is produced from the common materials lime, sand,

cement and water, and a small amount of rising agent.

 After mixing and molding, it is then autoclaved under heat

and pressure to create its unique properties.

 AAC has excellent thermal insulation and acoustic absorption

properties.

 AAC is fire and pest resistant, and is economically and

environmentally superior.

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 Multi storey AAC block building

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 Composition

 Fly ash – 59%

 Cement ( usually OPC grade 53 ) – 33%
 Lime – 8%
 Aluminium Powder – 0.07%

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Department of Applied Mechanics, VNIT NAGPUR
 Benefits

Fire Resistant

 Depending upon the thickness of the Autoclaved Aerated

Concrete (AAC) Blocks.

 They offer fire resistance from 2 hours up to 6 hours.

 These blocks are highly suitable for the areas where fire safety
is of great priority.

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 Moisture Resistance
 AAC has a very porous structure which is characterized by
"macro" pores.

 Macro pores are small air bubbles evenly distributed

throughout the material.

 Therefore, absorption of water into the AAC material is

minimal.

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 Sound Proof
 The porous structure of the AAC blocks results into enhanced
sound absorption.

 The Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of the AAC blocks

up to 45 db.

 Thus, AAC blocks have been the most ideal material for the
construction of walls in auditorium, hotels, hospitals, studios,
etc.

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 Earthquake Resistant
 The light weight property of the AAC blocks results into higher
steadiness of the AAC blocks in the structure of the buildings.

 As the impact of the earthquake is directly proportional to

the weight of the building.

 The building constructed using AAC blocks are more reliable

and safer.

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 High Compressive Strength
 The block has an average compressive strength of (3-4.5)
N/mm2.

 Which is superior to most types of light weight blocks, 25%

stronger than other products of the same density.

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 Thank You

Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur

Department of Applied Mechanics, VNIT NAGPUR

 Contact

Dr. Ratnesh Kumar

Department of Applied Mechanics
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur
South Ambazari Nagpur
Maharashtra – 440010
Email: ratnesh.eq@gmail.com
Tele. +91 712 280 1582

Department of Applied Mechanics, VNIT NAGPUR