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Define concrete hollow block?

While concrete has been used as a building material for many centuries, concrete hollow blocks have only been manufactured since the early 1900s. These blocks are used in all types of building projects.


Advantages and disadvantages of concrete block?

Historical DisadvantagesIn the 1950s, when concrete block became popular for homes, there were a number of disadvantages. The walls were not fully finished on the interior or exterior, making the homes unattractive, were not insulated for northern climates and had problems with sound magnification. All of those problems are easily corrected today. The early reputation influences opinion today among those who are ill-informed with quality building practices.Construction StrengthThe Florida Concrete & Products Association of Florida cites the advantages at their website Concrete Block Homes. "In a concrete block home you and your family will enjoy increased safety and peace of mind during dangerous weather." Concrete block homes better withstand hurricane, tornado and earthquake when steel reinforcements and poured concrete are added in the central hollow space of the block walls.Insulation AdvantagesTim Carter the syndicated columnist of Ask The Builder, states that thick masonry walls "help to maintain comfort within the home, especially if they are well insulated." Every climate benefits from the thick wall construction that keeps the outside temperatures from entering interior spaces. Carter praises the many construction and savings advantages, adding: "The disadvantages of building with concrete block are few, in my opinion."Insurance AdvantagesLower insurance premiums are the among the financial advantages of concrete block homes. In addition to being more resistant to wind, concrete block is not vulnerable to fire, mold and termites. The less risk to the insurance company, the greater the savings to the homeowner. Savings will vary across the country and other individual factors of the home.Appraisal ValueThe materials and labor costs to construct concrete block homes are less expensive than a wood frame home, affecting the the price per square foot when establishing new home values. This may be a deciding factor for professional home builders in regions where the market lacks knowledge regarding the many advantages of concrete block homes.Environmentally FriendlyConcrete block homes are considered "green," or environmentally friendly. The blocks are made from sustainable resources that are recyclable. Since the homes are not subject to the same damage as wood, the fewer major repairs will lessen the impact on landfills. In addition, the long-term savings of electricity and heating fuels preserve valuable resources.


How many types of concrete are there?

10


Why concrete roads are laid in section with pitch between them?

Concrete, whether in a road or a building expands (gets longer) in hot weather and contracts (gets shorter) in cold weather. So the builders install an expansion strip every so many feet to allow the concrete to make these small but significant changes in length. If this were not done, the concrete, when warm, would expand, and having nowhere to go, would go up (roads) or out (buildings), thus ruining the road or building. These expansion joints are filled with pitch, tar, or mastic - they call it different things in different parts of the country - to keep out water. Water would freeze, and cause the same problems.


How many days required for concrete curing?

That depends on the concrete, as well as weather conditions, and the load the concrete would be subjected to. Concrete gains strength over time and the usual benchmarks are 7 days, and 28 days. At 28 days concrete has usually cured to nearly its maximum strength. For a concrete footing in a residential environment say a deck or home the concrete will usually cure for a minimum of three days before the formwork is removed and the rest of the structure is built. For a commercial or civil project the curing is subject to the engineers discretion.