MASONRY
2-1 CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCKS
Concrete Hollow Blocks are classified as bearing and non-bearing blocks. Load bearing blocks are those
whose thickness ranges from 15 cm. to 20 cm. and are used to carry load aside from its own weight.
Non-bearing blocks on the other hand, are blocks which are intended for walls, partitions, fences or
dividers carrying its own weight whose thickness ranges from 7.5 cm. to 10 cm.
FIGURE 2-1
Concrete Hollow Blocks has three whole cells and two one half cells at both ends having a total of four.
These cells vary in sizes as there are different manufacturers using different molds. The varying sizes of
the cells will affect the estimated quantity of materials. For this reason, it is recommended that the
bigger cell be adopted in the computations.
Estimating the materials required for concrete hollow block works, comprises of the following major
items:
1. Quantity of the blocks.
2. Quantity of cement and sard mortar for block laying.
3. Cement, sand and gravel filler of the hollow core or cell.
4. Cement and fine sand for plastering.
5. Cement, sand and gravel for CHB footing and Posts.
6. Reinforcing steel bars.
2-2 SPECIAL TYPES OF CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCKS
The common and ordinary type of concrete hollow blocks are those with three hollow cells as explained
in Section 2-1. However, There are concrete hollow blocks which are especially designed for
architectural and structural purposes, one of which is the concrete blocks with two cells.
The purpose of manufacturing the concrete hollow blocks with two cells is to fill the hollow core with
concrete not just by a mortar but concrete which is a mixture of mortar and gravel. This is how the
special type of CHB differs from that of the ordinary CHB.
Estimating procedure for these types of hollow blocks is similar with that of the ordinary blocks using
the constant value of 12.5 pcs per square meter. For the half block, the constant value is 25 pieces per
square meter although it is determined through direct counting.
The thickness of the blocks has no participation whatsoever in estimating the number of pieces required
because what is being considered is the exposed side of the blocks. The thickness however, has a direct
effect on the quantity of mortar and concrete filler for the hollow core or cells. Table 2-7 was prepared
for a more simplified methods of estimating.
Example of special types of concrete hollow blocks are:
1. 2- core Stretcher Blocks with thickness that varies from 15 cm. to 20 cm. thickness.
2. 2-core L-Corner Block
3. 2-core Single End Block
4. Half Block
5. Beam Block
ADOBE STONE
Adobe Stone is commonly used for fencing materials as substitute to concrete hollow blocks for
economic reasons. Lately however, the used of adobe stone is no longer limited to the ordinary zocalo
and fencing work but also extensively used as finishing and decorative materiais for the exterior and
interior of buildings.
The use of adobe stone for buttresses, cross footings, fences. and stairs minimizes the use of mortar
filler. Plastering is sometimes disregarded specially when the design calls for exposure of the natural
texture of the stones.
