RRL

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REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Hollow Blocks (Concrete block)
Concrete block construction has gained importance and has become a valid alternative to
fired clay bricks. The essential ingredients of concrete are cement, aggregate (sand, gravel)
and water. Concrete blocks are produced in a large variety of shapes and sizes. They can be
produced manually or with the help of machines. Hollow blocks, panels or units to a wall or
other surface.(Matero et al., 2001).Hollow blocks are defined as those blocks which have
core wide area greater than 25% of gross area having one or more holes open at both sides.
The most commonly used concrete blocks have a nominal length of 40cm, height of 20cm
and nominal width of 8,10,15 and 20cms. Hollow blocks will benefit the people, especially
the less privileged, who may want to spend less for their housing and other construction
needs. (Israel et al., 1995). Blocks were usually dowelled, cramped and anchored to a
substrate or frame by means of iron or steel fixings, accommodated by holes at the back of
blocks. (Matero et al., 2001). Many cities have regulations about the use of hollow blocks, all
the more strict because concrete is comparatively new as a building material. (Tappan, 2007).
Fly ash–lime–phosphogypsum (FaL-G) hollow blocks are one of the best substitutes for
conventional burnt clay hollow bricks or concrete hollow blocks in construction industry.
FaL-G hollow blocks are light in weight and being hollow, impart thermal insulation to the
buildings. In this paper, a study based on the results of an experimental investigation on FaL-
G hollow blocks is presented. The compressive strength, water absorption and weight of
FaL-G hollow blocks were determined. The durability of these blocks in terms of loss in
compressive strength in sulfate environments is also presented in this paper. It is observed
that FaL-G hollow blocks have sufficient strength for their use in general building
4
construction.(Kumar, 2002) Heavy use of electric power has become essential for cooling
purposes and comfort inside buildings in the Gulf area where outdoor temperatures in
summer can reach up to 60 °C. The use of insulating materials is not popular, despite their
long-term financial benefit, due to the fact that installation of such materials is expensive and
requires skilled labour. With the absence of obligatory legislation in most countries in the
region with regard to the use of material with high thermal resistance in construction,
development of simply handled concrete blocks with high thermal insulation properties
becomes a necessity. Description of the current systems used in construction to produce
masonry walls with high thermal insulation properties is presented in this paper. Research
concerned with the development of lightweight concrete (LWC) blocks for thermal insulation
either by using different hole arrangements or by using indigenous and by-product materials
is reviewed. The research currently conducted by the authors to develop lightweight concrete
blocks for thermal insulation is briefly highlighted.(Al-Jabri et al., 2004)
Molasses (Saccharumofficinarum)
Molasses is used to improve the palatability of the blocks because of its sweet taste. It
also provides energy and some other nutrients such as minerals like sulphur. (Omoniyi et
al., 2013). Molasses is a major by-product of the sugar industry and is considered a good
source of energy for feeding ruminants as it contains high levels of sugars. Molasses
multi-nutrient block that can last long on storage without growing any moulds.(Manta et
al., 2013). It is thick, dark brown syrup obtained from raw sugar during the refining
process, a version of which is used in baking.Molasses, an eco-friendly and relatively
cheap binder may be used as a substitute for chemical binders. For commercial
exploitation of the molasses–cement sand system it is essential to generate models for

4
predicting the properties of the sand mix from the composition. Central composite design
is used to develop regression equations for predicting compressive strength of the sand
mix when molasses is varied between 5.5% and 7.5% and cement between 2% and 4%.
Though central composite design is an effective tool for studying the complex effects of
number of independent variables on response factor it has quite a few limitations.
(Mandal et al., 2006)This paper investigates the viability of using beet molasses as a
grinding aid for blended cements with high volumes of mineral admixtures. Different
ratios of beet molasses (0.01–0.05% by weight of cement) were added into a blended
cement containing 41% of fly ash and GBFS. The influence of beet molasses on
performances of blended cement was studied by comparing with one commercially
available, triethanolamine-based grinding aid (TA). The results show that when
comparing with the blank cement mixture, the cement containing 0.02–0.03% molasses
shows a higher compressive strength at 3 days and 28 days, even exceeding the TA
mixture. The improved microstructure of the molasses modified cement paste was also
demonstrated by the pore structure and SEM measurements. (Gao et al., 2011)
Cement
Cement is a powdery substance made with calcined lime and clay. It is mixed
with water to form mortar or mixed with sand, gravel, and water to make
concrete.Cement is used to make the block hard. About 10 to 15% is sufficient. Higher
levels make the blocks too hard. Cement also provides calcium.(Meskel et al.,
2007).Cement based building materials like CSB's and concrete were originally promoted
as having an indefinitely long service life, and that they would require only minimum
maintenance. Many cement based materials have indeed given excellent service.
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However, as these structures continue to be left exposed, it is becoming evident over time
that even normal exposure conditions are actually more deleterious than originally
thought. (Kerali, 2001). Regarding earth construction wastes they can simply be
deposited at the site of its extraction without any environmental hazard involved .Even
when the soil is stabilized with cementer lime, it can be reused in this type of
construction, so we may thus consider earth construction hardly generates any waste. As
a comparison the traditional ceramic brick masonry implies a relevant amount of wastes
because the use of broken pieces takes place quite often in this kind of masonry. (Torgala
et al. 2011) Cement nowadays means Portland cement, which is produced from a mixture
of two thirds ground lime- stone, clay, iron oxide and a little
quartz,heatedto1500°C.(Berge,2001).
Clay
Clay is a product of the erosion of feldspar and other minerals.Clayey soil is often
found on site, so that the soil excavated for foundations can then be used for earth
construction.(Minke, 2006).Clay such as that used in brick making can be mixed with
cement to improve block hardness and reduce drying time. It can reduce cost of the
block.(Meskel et al., 2007).Clay soil is not available in all areas which are required for
preparing any type of mud stoves. People of the area mainly depend on biomass collected
from the forest and also on the agricultural residue, especially during winter when
residues are plentiful. (Arif et al., 2011).Clay is a kind of earth containing mostly alumina
and silica or sand, that can be mixed with water, moulded into any shape, retain that
shape after it is dry, and become hard by being burned.(Tappan, 2007).

4

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What are hollow blocks and what are their benefits?

What materials are commonly used to make concrete blocks?

4

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Hollow Blocks (Concrete block)

compressive strength in sulfate environments is also presented in this paper. It is observed

becomes a necessity. Description of the current systems used in construction to produce

blocks for thermal insulation is briefly highlighted.(Al-Jabri et al., 2004)

process, a version of which is used in baking.Molasses, an eco-friendly and relatively

exploitation of the molasses–cement sand system it is essential to generate models for

number of independent variables on response factor it has quite a few limitations.

performances of blended cement was studied by comparing with one commercially

shape after it is dry, and become hard by being burned.(Tappan, 2007).

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