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Research Project

Precast concrete block masonry

Introduction

Concrete has a wide application in construction across various parts of a building from

foundation to columns to roof, because it can be formed into various shapes. Concrete blocks

are precast masonry units which are rectangular in shape and made with plain cement

concrete of a lean mix-proportion that mixture of cement, sand and stone aggregates. In

addition to the basic components, the concrete for making blocks may also contain additives

like mixtures to increase compressive strength or improve workability. They have also been

produced with improved textures for better durability and appearance.

Speed of construction is enhanced since the blocks could be 5-10 times bigger than burnt

bricks. Commonly available dimensions are length 30cm, width 150cm and height 175cm.

Figure 01: Precast concrete masonry building wall

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Problem identification

Now a day’s speed of the construction is major thing. So, bricks and blocks are the main wall

construction materials. When any wall construct with using brick or block it is get the more

time. But when using concrete masonry it easy to do the construction work. Also concrete

blocks are bigger than the other bricks and blocks. Therefore it will speed the any wall

construction.

Figure 02: Sizes of concrete blocks

Another thing is when transport them to the site some of them can be break. So that is waste

and client has to bear that loss. It also a one of the construction wastes. Durability is also very

higher that the bricks and blocks because concrete is the most strength material in

construction industry.

Figure 03: brick waste

When construct any wall there may have some corner parts. At that time have to break the

brick or block in to pieces and then fix it. But then the other part of the brick is waste. But

concrete blocks can be having various sizes. Therefore there may not have construction waste.

So the main target of this research project is to find out about can use concrete block masonry

instead of brick and blocks to the construction industry.

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Objective of Studies

Through this research project, we can be able to find some several options for ways of

increasing the construction works and save the money.

1) Which can use instead of bricks and blocks.

2) Introduce this method for the construction industry with proper way.

3) How re-use Waste materials like stone dust and quarry dust.

4) Save construction time by using this method.

5) Can make the number of Marketing Opportunity.

6) Reduce the transport cost with comparing other masonry materials.

7) Increase the durability than other masonry.

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Scope of study

When we do this research project, we have to consider about the several factors. One of them

is what the particular ways to handling are and placement of the manual masonry works in

construction. Because of, this concrete blocks not like the other masonry. So there may have

some particular ways to handling and placement comparing with the bricks and blocks.

Therefore this report is about the concrete block masonry instead for the brick and block. So

through this research project I will find out about the how can we use the concrete blocks

instead of bricks and blocks.

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Data collection

When do this research project I have to collect many data about the concrete works. In that

case I able to get the data from following sources

1) Engineering student in University of moratuwa.

2) Internet sources.

3) ICC Construction Company.

4) Concrete workers.

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Research Tools Applied

1) Questionnaire's

2) Microsoft word

3) Auto CAD software

Organization of study

1) Chapter one: Introduction about the concrete blocks masonry instead for brick and

block.

2) Chapter two: Identifying the problems that from using bricks and blocks.

3) Chapter three: Identifying the why use another material instead for bricks and blocks

by considering the problems.

4) Chapter four: concrete block masonry new method finding for use concrete blocks.

5) Chapter five: Conclusion and recommendation

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Reference and Bibliography

1) https://www.google.lk/search?q=break+bricks&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=i

sch&sa=X&ei=85aeUviYB8qQkAWe9YHYCA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=676#es_s

m=122&espv=210&q=brick+waste&tbm=isch

2) http://www.ruralhousingnetwork.in/technical/precast-concrete-block-masonry/Introduction

3) http://www.amano.lk/amano_cement_concrete_blocks.php

4) http://www.icc-construct.com/web/