Making Mansory Concrete Blocks

[CWEngineer]

I am looking into possibly making mansory concrete blocks as a very small business.

Does anyone know what kind of machinery is out there than I need to make these concrete blocks, also information about the process and material, proportions used, etc.

Thanks, Appreciate your help.

 

[Ron]

You've got to be kidding! Concrete masonry is a high production product, fabricated by code mandated standards on pretty expensive equipment. Your products will require agency approval and fairly tight QA/QC.

Unless you're shooting for a third world market, I wouldn't bother. Many concrete masonry products are produced by concrete ready mix companies.

 

[CWEngineer]

My dad and I are always thinking about business stuff that we can do in the small town he was born in mexico to somehow bring some kind of business there and give a year round job for some of the people that live there.

So we were thinking if we could somehow find a regular machine and process too start off, which was of course reasonably affordable. We are not looking to mass produce at first. And of course, for me a high product its going to be our priority, would not feel comfortable otherwise. We were thinking of getting a machine that could maybe make two blocks at a time or, and we were looking into maybe keeping two people busy all day making blocks.

I did quick google search and found some small machines, but I don't know much about them, so I was trying to get some info. here.

 

[Ron]

gman1...OK, that makes sense.

Those low output machines can produce the block, but you'll have to be concerned about the mixes that go into the block. The aggregate sources can easily be contaminated with the wrong types of particles and that can create lots of problems for you. I would suggest that you carefully research the following items:

1. A consistent source of coarse sand
2. A consistent source of small gravel, preferably a lightweight aggregate.
3. A consistent source of potable water with few sulphates and chlorine.
4. A consistent source of portland cement (Cemex or similar).

You will then need to develop repeatable mix designs to give you the strength and durability you need.

Good luck.

 

[kenvlach]

Hi gman1,
Get ASTM C90-06a, "Standard Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units."

http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/DATABASE.CART/REDLINE_PAGES/C90.htm?L+mystore+mrkh4215

Use materials of required quality, and make sure that the product meets required standards. Otherwise, it will not be acceptable per building codes, plus you have liability if some collapse is blamed on your product.

You may need a humidified atmosphere curing shed, or it may merely help in meeting strength & shrinkage requirements. I don't know more, just remember an earlier thread:

Corrosion at a concrete plant
thread338-148760