| Author(s) | Abdulrahman M. Alhozaimy*, Abdulsallam M. Alshogeir* , Abdulaziz I. Al-Negheimish*, Saleh A. Al-Sulaiman** and Saud Al-Swaida ** |
| Affiliation | * Civil Engineering Department, King Saud University, P.O.Box 800, Riyadh, 11421, Saudi Arabia ** General Directorate of Operation and Maintenance, Municipality of Riyadh |
| Title | Quality of Concrete Blocks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Engineering Sciences. Volume 17, No 2. (2005/1425) |
| Abstract | Concrete blocks are extensively used in buildings construction in Riyadh. The number of concrete block factories operating in Riyadh are 42 with an average production capacity of 500,000 units/day. Most concrete blocks produced in Riyadh are non-load bearing as it is used for partitions and external walls of buildings. The Municipality of Riyadh has started a quality scheme for ready-mixed concrete and concrete blocks factories in Riyadh since 1416H. The quality of concrete blocks is checked by 6 to 12 surprise visits annually to each factory where random samples of blocks are collected and tested. In the past three years, 810 samples were collected. For each sample, the dimensions, compressive strength and absorption were measured and the results were compared with the requirements of the Saudi and ASTM specifications for non-load bearing blocks. The results of statistical analysis showed that all factories satisfied the specifications’ requirements with regard to compressive strength and absorption. However, 30% of the samples did not meet the tolerance requirements for height. The volume of internal voids constitutes 30% of the block volume. The weight per block ranges between 20-26 kg for the 20 cm wide blocks and between 17 and 21 kg for the 15 cm wide blocks. |
