SANDCRETE BLOCK

SANDCRETE BLOCK

Sandcrete blocks are products of fine aggregate, Portland cement and water in specified or prescribed mix ratio or proportion. The strength of sandcrete blocks depend upon two major factors, namely: mix proportion and method of curing (Aiyewalehimi and Tanimola, 2013). The other factors include the quality of the constituents used and the mode of manufacturing (i.e. hand mould and machine mould) according to NIS 87 (2007).

FORMS OF SANDCRETE BLOCK

Sandcrete blocks are usually hollow or solid core and vary in sizes. The standard sizes that are commercially available in Nigeria in accordance with BS 6073 (2008) are:

·         450mm x 225mm x 225mm used for external walls

·         450mm x 225mm x 150mm used for internal walls

·         450mm x 225mm x 112.5mm used for partition only

·         102.5mm x 215mm x 60mm brick for erecting external and partition walls.

Other decorative blocks are available and used for fencing work, ventilation and other aesthetic works (FAO, 1988).

Sandcrete blocks provide thermal and sound insulation in buildings and because of its light weight, larger units for building structures can be made easily when compared with ordinary bricks thus making the operation of erecting building structures faster as they can be readily cut and shaped and also permits the ease of driving in of screws and nails into them Oyekan and Kamiyo (2011).