Dear All,
This is a good discussion on Cement blocks vs Bricks vs Compressed Earth blocks
Im also in same confusion on which one to choose. Here my views & inputs so far found.
(1) Solid Cement Blocks - Most of the villas in bangalore are constructed with this.
Please make site visit and review them.
I find these blocks to be EXTREMELY heavy compared to any blocks used (hollow, compressed bricks or red bricks).
One needs to lift with both hands and for a wall which is raised 10-12 feet, with 9-10 SCBs piled one above other, the load
it gives on the load bearing wall gives an uncomfortable feeling for me. Though everyone says, they increase the foundation,
somehow when we go for G+2, with such heavy blocks, more deeper the foundation, more better.
Also noticed is comparitively hot inside, compared to my friends who are building using bricks and CEB (Compressed earth blocks)
Villa builders prefer this for faster construction compared to bricks i suppose. Price wise also it comes to 25-35 per SCB depending upon
brand.
(2) Bricks: I love bricks over SCB just for the strength it contributes when compared to its individual weight.
When one takes the Individual-Brick-Strength Vs Individual-Brick-weight,
brick is the clear winner compared to SCB, but loses out on cost.
(3) CEB (compressed earth block): Seem to combine pros of both SCB and brick.
It has the cost advantage similar to SCB, (or may be even cheaper than SCB), and stability wise as per many of the videos below, it
is much better than a brick.
Making & Stabiltiy videos
(1) Since they're mixture of 5-10% cement, 80% clay 10% red soil, and compressed, the first feeling i got is,
will they be water/rain resistant. But since they're mixed with binding element like cement, i think they jel-up during
the inital 4 days of curing. Following video answers it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YX6mEypDUs
(2). Block should not break if dropped from height of 2 mts (thought it may chip away in edges)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV0zoDKrl_I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAdZmlwmveQ (watch from 2:16 onwards for comparision with hollow block)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zqmQ895MhM
My friend built his full G+2 house using CEB, and interiors are really cooler.
He used 10% cement instead of 5% and his drop test passed
(3) Load bearing capacity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeVqM3gcntA
(4) Wall strength
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyKx6b2NOoU
@kraghum, what is the average per block price ? Though you might have saved on per-block price, did you loose for labour.
How many bricks they made per day.
Did you ask your architect regarding stability reports before going ahead. Please share some details if you have any.
This will help everyone of us.
Regards
Hari