What Is Cinder Blocks?
Cinder blocks are hollow rectangle-shaped structures usually made of concrete and coal cinders which find use in construction sites.
Cinder blocks are similar in shape and construction to concrete blocks, except that, instead of sand or gravel, much of the aggregate filling material is ash – specifically coal cinder.
The ash component makes cinder blocks much lighter than traditional ones, but they don’t have nearly the same tensile strength or pressure-bearing ability.
Therefore, cinder blocks are ideal for projects such as a garden wall or retaining wall, but are not suitable for use in more substantial construction projects.
Cinder Blocks
Now, about the so-called “cinder blocks“. Cinder block is somewhat old-fashioned and the generic term for a type of structural block that can be easily manufactured from many different things.
At that time, when people burned coal to heat their homes, places like Bethlehem Steel had large coke ovens running 24/7, a lot of “cinder” was produced – a generic term for ash — left behind when coal or similar fuels are burned.
As in the ashes of today’s wood stoves, a typical winter would leave an owner with countless trash cans worth ashes; coal and steel mills would create tons of this waste every day.
So it was used to make ‘cinder blocks.’ These were – and in some cases still have – the same shape and size as concrete blocks, but with industrialized waste such as ‘aggregate‘ instead of the sand or gravel used to make concrete a reality concrete.
As I indicated earlier, the difference between concrete versus cement is that “concrete” is the term for the final product created when the filling component is kept together with the cement.
Therefore, those large trucks with cylinders in constant rotation are essentially concrete trucks and are not actually ‘cement trucks‘.
And while real concrete blocks are in the minority today, someone looking at a pile of what might more correctly be called “masonry units” or “breeze blocks” is much more likely to call them concrete blocks than they are concrete blocks.
Cinder blocks are also created from concrete, but the aggregate includes ash or cinder ash. Consequently, cinder blocks are much lighter than concrete blocks.
Cinder blocks are hollow rectangular structures, usually made of concrete and coal cinder, that are used in construction sites. On the other hand, concrete blocks are flattened constructions of steel, wood, or cement.
Cinder Blocks.
- It is usually made of concrete, in addition to coal cinder.
- Much lighter compared to the latter because of the proportion of aggregate
- It is not very strong, so it is often avoided in some places.
- They are more likely to bend, and buckling and repairs are often very expensive, so they are avoided.
- They were almost out of fashion, as they have not been mass-produced for about 50
- It does not have a significant amount of tensile strength.
Strength of Cinder Blocks
Concrete and cinder blocks are produced with open cells that can accept metallic reinforcement or additional concrete for greater strength.
Concrete blocks are much stronger than cinder blocks. Several building codes explicitly prohibit the use of cinder blocks in civil construction projects.
What Is Concrete Blocks?
Concrete blocks are comprised of water, cement, and aggregate loads, such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone.
When mixed and allowed to cure, these ingredients come together in a hard, strong, and durable substance, ideal for use in construction. Concrete blocks have various shapes and can be solid or hollow.
Types of Concrete Blocks
1. Hollow Concrete Blocks
Commonly used in the construction industry, hollow concrete blocks are generally manufactured with light aggregates with a certain design load, depending on the nature of the element in which it will be used.
Typically, hollow concrete blocks have gross voids in their gross area, and the solid area should not be less than half of its area to reach its maximum permissible load capacity, a study suggests.
The voids are usually filled with light aggregate mortar as well. There are two types of hollow concrete blocks; load-bearing hollow concrete blocks and non-load bearing hollow concrete blocks.
It is available in sizes such as 100x200x400mm, 200x200x400mm, 150x200x400mm and so on.
2. Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Block (AAC)
Ingredients as bricks, but with a different composition that made the material a container to reduce costs. Studies show that the use of an autoclaved aerated block has diligently reduced the overall consumption of steel and concrete by 15% and 10%.
Apparently, in terms of the cost-benefit factor, the autoclaved aerated block passes through bricks in several areas, such as construction time, adaptation to various surfaces, fire resistance, and cost.
For the installation of the AAC block, a method declaration must be sent for approval before work begins.
3. Concrete Bricks
Concrete bricks are usually small rectangular blocks arranged and stacked systematically to create a rigid wall. These bricks are usually made of baked clay or concrete. Some manufacturers use solid concrete, while others play with their proportion of cement and aggregates for economic purposes.
Other manufacturers have also created bricks with different colors, as requested by some customers. Concrete bricks are generally used in fences, facades, as they provide a good aesthetic and smooth appearance.
4. Solid Concrete Blocks
The path is denser and larger than concrete bricks, solid concrete blocks are made to be strong, heavy, and created from naturally dense aggregates. These solid concrete blocks are strong enough to be used in large masonry units that support load by nature.
Solid concrete blocks are similar to concrete bricks, but they are much more expensive and heavy and can withstand more forces compared to bricks.
5. Lintel Blocks
These concrete blocks are used in the preparation of lintel beams. These lintel blocks are manufactured in such a way that they serve as a masonry unit and a formwork.
Aesthetically, the lintel blocks have a deep groove, where reinforcement bars are placed together with the concrete.
That is, they serve as permanent formwork systems for the lintel beam member. This is considered efficient and useful by most builders, as they serve two different purposes. A two in one product is.
6. Paving Blocks
Paving blocks are usually just a rectangular or square box made up of reinforced concrete. As these blocks are used in paving and on the side of the road, they must be painted with high-visibility concrete paints so that drivers and drivers can see it immediately.
In addition, these blocks must be rigid and firm enough to receive car collisions. Paving blocks are also used in parks, walkways, and, sometimes, in parking areas. The common size of a paving block is 60 mm.
7. Concrete Stretcher Block
Again, somewhat similar to the corner block, concrete stretcher blocks are used to combine masonry units. With regard to appearance, the concrete stretcher block is relatively the same as a regular hollow block, but its faces are placed parallel to the face of the wall.
Concrete Block.
- They comprise steel, wood, or cement.
- Usually heavier than a cinder block.
- It can support much more than cinder blocks, and, in many places, the use of cinder blocks is prohibited on purpose.
- Very efficient compared to the previous one, as it can withstand a lot of pressure.
- Widely used for its undeniable strengths and advantages over the former.
- Used simultaneously as a mixture with cinder vertically to form a resistant structure at reasonable prices due to its significant tensile strength.
Cinder Block Vs. Concrete Block
The differences between cinder block and concrete block are as follows:
1. Cinder Block Vs Concrete Block: Fly Ash
Cinder Block: Ash is used as aggregate in the cinder block.
Concrete Block: In concrete blocks, ash is used in the construction of wall units.
2. Cinder Block Vs Concrete Block: Made
Cinder Block: Cinder block is made of concrete and cinder.
Concrete Block: Concrete block is produced from steel, wood, or cement.
3. Cinder Block Vs Concrete Block: Weight
Cinder Block: Cinder block is lighter than concrete blocks.
Concrete Block: Concrete block is heavier because it contains stone and sand.
4. Cinder Block Vs Concrete Block: Strength
Cinder Block: Cinder block does not have the strength to withstand high pressure.
Concrete Block: Concrete block is a hard building element with high strength.
5. Cinder Block Vs Concrete Block: Flexible
Cinder Block: Since Cinder block is not very flexible, its use is generally prohibited.
Concrete Block: Concrete block can be used in almost any structure as it is much stronger.
6. Cinder Block Vs Concrete Block: Use
Cinder Block: Cinder block is used more frequently in small projects such as garden walls.
Concrete Block: Concrete block is used in more important projects and large construction projects.
7. Cinder Block Vs Concrete Block: Life of Block
Cinder Block: Cinder block is an old-fashioned building element. Mass production has not been made for nearly 50 years.
Concrete Block: Concrete block is used more due to its harder structure and other advantages.
8. Cinder Block Vs Concrete Block: Cost
Cinder Block: Cinder block requires a lot of repairs, so its overall cost is higher.
Concrete Block: Concrete block is less costly since it does not require repair.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Cinder Blocks vs. Concrete Blocks:
What are Cinder Blocks?
Cinder blocks are hollow rectangular structures made primarily of concrete and coal cinders or ash. They are lighter than concrete blocks but lack the same strength and durability.
How are Concrete Blocks different from Cinder Blocks?
Concrete blocks are made from cement, water, and aggregates like sand, gravel, or crushed stone. They are heavier and much stronger than cinder blocks, making them suitable for a wide range of construction projects.
What are the main applications of Cinder Blocks?
Cinder blocks are commonly used in smaller projects such as garden walls or retaining walls due to their lighter weight and ease of handling. However, they are not suitable for structures requiring high strength or durability.
Where are Concrete Blocks typically used?
Concrete blocks are preferred for larger and more substantial construction projects where strength and durability are essential. They are used in foundations, load-bearing walls, and other structural elements of buildings.
Are Cinder Blocks still manufactured today?
Mass production of cinder blocks has significantly declined and is rare today. They are considered somewhat outdated compared to concrete blocks due to their inferior strength and durability.
Can Cinder Blocks and Concrete Blocks be used interchangeably?
No, building codes often restrict the use of cinder blocks in structural applications due to their lower strength. Concrete blocks are designed to withstand higher pressures and are therefore preferred for more demanding construction projects.
What are some advantages of Concrete Blocks over Cinder Blocks?
Concrete blocks offer superior strength, durability, and versatility compared to cinder blocks. They are more resistant to weathering and can be used in a wider range of applications without the need for frequent repairs.
Are there specific regulations regarding the use of Cinder Blocks and Concrete Blocks?
Yes, many building codes specify where and how these blocks can be used. Cinder blocks are typically limited to non-structural applications, while concrete blocks meet stringent requirements for load-bearing structures.
What should I consider when choosing between Cinder Blocks and Concrete Blocks?
Consider the specific requirements of your project, including structural needs, durability expectations, and building code compliance. Consulting with a professional builder or architect can help you make an informed decision based on your project’s requirements.
Can Cinder Blocks be reinforced for added strength?
While cinder blocks are generally less suitable for structural reinforcement compared to concrete blocks, they can accept metallic reinforcement or additional concrete fillings to enhance their strength in specific applications.
