A new low technology lightweight concrete block for reinforced masonry

The paper illustrates the design and fabrication techniques for lightweight concrete blocks for constructing reinforced masonry walls. The methods adopted do not require advanced technologies or high degrees of industrialization, and are therefore suitable for countries or areas where the transportation of prefabricated industrial products is either problematic or uneconomic. A form made up of two intersecting steel elements has been prepared for casting the concrete mixture into blocks. An expressly designed inert mixture has also been developed using volcanic lapillus or a light aggregate (expanded clay), so as to maintain the blocks’ shape soon after casting through bench vibration for about 20-30 seconds. Numerous blocks have been manufactured manually, some of which have been subjected to mechanical performance tests, and have yielded satisfactory results for a wide range of practical applications for masonry buildings.