MINISTRY OF WORKS STANDARD SPECIFICATION FOR

MERIC SIZED CONCRETE BLOCKS FOR BUILDING

MATERIALS:

Blocks shall be made from clean sharp sand graded up to 5mm size, the sand to be free from clay,
or silt, stones and dust, earth, vegetable or other matter.

Where coarse aggregate is required in the specification, this shall be of one size only 7, and shall
also be free from dust, earth or other deleterious matter.

Cement used shall be fresh, and free from lump hardened by moisture, and to 20:76

Where pumice or other light-weight fine aggregate is used, this should be of uniform consistency
and free of all stones, dust, earth or other deleterious matter. Where light –weight aggregates
other than pumice are to be used, (for example expanded clay products etc.) examples must be
submitted to the materials branch Ministry of Works for testing prior to use in block making.
Water used in mixing shall be clean, fresh water, free from silt, mud, vegetable matter, salts or
acids.

CASTING:

Blocks shall be cast in suitable block making machines either power driven or hand operated.
The moulds shall be of steel, and accurately made to size to give the required shape and
squareness of block.

The mould and contents should be subject to vibration and the material in mould subject to
pressure during casting, so as to form a dense and uniform concrete block.

The material should only contain sufficient water to obtain full chemical reaction of the cement
and to give proper work-ability of the constituents.

MIXING OF MATEIALS:

The mixing proportion will not be laid down in this specification, but the maximum ratio of
combined aggregate to cement shall not be greater than 9:1.

Mixing shall take place in mechanical mixers so as to thoroughly mix the constituents to a
uniform consistency before casting.

CURING:

The blocks on removal from the machine shall be carefully deposited on edge on boarding or a
clean concrete floor under sheds so as to prevent drying out by sun for 3 days. During this time
blocks shall be kept constantly damp.

The blocks may then be laid on edge in the open and kept damp by spraying or covering with wet
hessian or by other means for a further 5 days.

The blocks may then be stacked if required, but not more than one metre high, and in such a way
as to prevent damage to the edges or corners.
No blocks may be used in building or transported to site until 28 days old.

BLOCK SHAPE AND CONDITIONS

All concrete blocks shall be of even texture and of properly mixed ingredients and all portions of
the block shall be of properly sit and hardened concrete.

Blocks shall be free from cracks or blemishes, and shall be true to shape and size with clean sharp
edges and corners, truly square.

BLOCK DIMENSIONS:

The following sizes of blocks shall be manufactured: -

Overall Dimensions:

390 mm long x 190 mm high x 70 mm thick.

x 90 mm thick
x 140 mm thick
x 190 mm thick
x 240 mm thick

TOLERANCES:

Any dimensions of block should not deviate individually more than 3 mm from the correct size.
The average length, width and height of a sample of 15 blocks should not be longer nor less than
2 mm than the correct size.

BLOCK SHAPES:

Blocks can be of 3 different shapes:

(1) Solid Blocks: - (containing no voids).

(2) Hollow Blocks: - These shall have voids not exceeding 50% by volume, and shall have all
all walls min. 30 mm. Thick and at least one cross wall in the length of
the length of the block.
(3) Cellular Blocks: - These shall also have voids not exceeding 50% by volume, but one end
on plan shall be effectively closed.

Walls shall be min 30 mm. thick and at least one cross wall in the length of block. Cellular
Blocks shall be laid with the closed end upwards.

DENSITY AND STRENGTH:

In the following specification of strength and density the definitions of strength and density shall
be:
Density: Density will be obtained in all case solid and hollow and cellular – by dividing the
weight of the block by the overall volume including holes and cavities.

Strength: The strength of the block is calculated by dividing the applied load at failure by the
Plan area i.e. length by thickness (This includes area of cavity).
BLOCK TYPES:

Blocks shall be produced in three different categories and for all the sizes aforementioned.

The categories shall be according to density and strength.

Blocks shall be of the following types:

TYPE A: HIGH DENSITY – LOAD BEARING BLOCKS:

Minimum Density – 1500 kg/m3.

Blocks may be solid, or cellular (see definition).
All grades of blocks shall be made of 3 constituents:
Coarse aggregate maximum 7 mm, sand and cement.
Maximum ratio of combined aggregate to cement to be 9:1.
Blocks may be made in all thicknesses: 70mm to 240 mm.

STRENGTH:

Grade: Min. Average Comp. Strength: Strength Lowest Max. Shrinkage:

Individual block.

A1. 7.0 N/mm2 5.6 N/mm2 0.05%

A2. 10.5 N/mm2 8.4 N/mm2 0.05%
A3. 14.0 N/mm2 11.2 N/mm2 0.06%

NOTE: Type A should be used for all multi-storey work and solid.
Type A for all work below ground level.

TYPE B: MEDIUM DENSITY: LOAD BEARING BLOCKS.

Density less than 1500 kg /m3 and not less than 1000 kg/m3

The density may be obtained by use of cavities within the block or light density materials.

Blocks may be solid or cellular.

Blocks may be made of cement and sand – or cement, sand and coarse aggregate – Max. 7 mm.

The low unit density may be obtained by use of pumice concrete cheecolite aerated concrete or
other approved light-weight or aerated block.

STRENGTH:

Grade: Min. Average Comp. Strength: Strength lowest Maximum

Individual Block. Shrinkage:

B: 3.5 N/mm2 2.8 N/mm2 0.07%

Note: Type B blocks should only be used for load bearing structures of one storey, but may
Be used in the top storey of a multiple storey structure.
(should medium density blocks of higher strength be required these will be subject to special
mix design and specification).

TYPE C: MEDIUM TO LOW DENSITY: NON LOAD BEARING BLOCK :

Density Maximum 1500 kg/m3 not less than 625 kg/m3

Blocks may be solid, hollow or cellular.

Density may be obtained by use of cavities within the blocks or light density materials.

Blocks may be cement/sand – or cement, sand, coarse aggregate max. 7mm .

The low unit density may be obtained by use of Pumice concrete cheecolite aerated concrete or
other approved light-weight aggregate or aerated block:

Strength: Min. Comp. Strength: Max. Shrinkage:

2.5 N/mm2 0.08%

IDETIFICATION OF BLOCKS:

Block Type A: All Blocks type A shall be identifiable by a stripe of paint along one of the
vertical faces.

For type A1 – this shall be blue.

For type A2 – this shall be green.
For type A3 – this shall be red.

BLOCKS TYPE B:

All blocks type B shall be identified by a stripe of Yellow paint along one vertical face.

BLOCKS TYPE C:

These blocks need not have any identification mark. All blocks with no marks will be assumed
to be type C and shall be used accordingly. However they will be liable to be tested for
compliance with this specification for type C.

MANUFACTURING REQUIREMENTS:

Not all sizes and types will be required.

The following table shows the required types and likely demand.

Table showing Block and sizes, and occurrences of demand.

 THICKNESS.
TYPE. COLOUR
70mm 90mm 140mm 190mm 240mm

S S S S S
A1. H Blue.

S S S
A2. Green.
H H

S S S
A3. Red.

S S S S S
B Yellow.
H H

S S S S S

C H H H Nil.

LEGEND

Common Delivered Not (S) Solid

Type Special Required (H) Cellular or
Stocked Order. Hollow.
CONCRETE BLOCK WALLING

Concrete A Concrete blocks shall be solid, hard, true to size and shape with sharp
Blocks arrises in accordance with B.S. 2028 Type “A” and approved by the D.R.

They shall be obtained from an approved manufacturer or manufactured

On site in approved block making machines. The mix used shall not be less
Than (1:9) by volume and the maximum size of aggregate shall not exceed
½” size.

All solid and hollow concrete blocks used in the walling must be capable
Of withstanding a crushing pressure of not less than 400lbs per square inch
After 28 days.

The blocks on removal from the machine shall be carefully deposited on

Edge on racks under sheds erected by the contractor and left for 3 days
During which period they shall be kept constantly wet after which they shall
Be placed on edge in the open on racks and protected by sacking or other
Approved covering and kept wet for a further 5 days. Thereafter the block
Shall be left in the same position without wetting for a further 20 days.

No blocks will be allowed to be used in the work until 28 days old and
Until have been taken and approved by the D.R.

They shall be laid dry except for the top face, which shall be wetted
Immediately before mortar is spread on. After laying no further water shall
Shall be applied.

The concrete blocks shall be 9” high to bond in satisfactorily with all

Other walling .

Internal B Except where plastered finish is required internally the internal faces
Facings of walls shall be finished fair with beds and joints neatly flush pointed as
As the work proceeds.

Pulls left C All walls to be plastered to the joints raked out ½” deep as key for
For plaster plaster.

Joints D The concrete blocks shall be bedded and jointed in gauged lime
Motor as described with beds and joints not more than ½” less than ¼”
thick
All flushed and routed solid as the work proceeds, or pointed as required.

Bath E Baths shall be enclosed in 3” concrete blocks plastered externally with

Paneling access opening and paneled as described in Clause 49/D