You should always be considerate of the load bearing capabilities of any material you decide to use to create a structure. This is extremely important, as your building will collapse if you neglect to use any materials that are sufficently load bearing.
That’s why, in this blog we will be answering the question ‘Are interlocking concrete blocks load bearing?’
PPC Concrete Products is here to provide the answers you may be looking for whilst giving you an insight into the quality concrete options we supply. Our supplies are fit for purpose and generally provide no issues with building regulations, not to mention being safe to use for a variety of construction needs.
The demand for construction is only increasing, on a private and industrial level. Whichever side you fall into, An interlocking concrete block may be an option to help keep your site secure regardless of its shape.
Let us tell you more about the uses and benefits of interlocking concrete blocks below.
What are interlocking concrete blocks?
As building regulations came into being in England, the requirement of having fireproof dwellings was compulsory, this was achieved by subsequent houses being made of stone and brick. Interlocking concrete blocks present a modern alternative.
Interlocking Concrete Blocks are a unique form of pre-cast concrete blocks that are designed to hold together by using pre-measured studs and recesses. These concrete blocks are built with unique profiles and features, which allow them to fit perfectly into each other.
What are the advantages of interlocking concrete blocks?
- Longer lasting and more durable than a Gabion basket
- Quicker and less hassle to install
- No need for mortar, saving you money and time
- No need for steel reinforcement or shuttering
- Resistant to extreme weather conditions
- Fire-resistant properties, mitigating the spread of fire depending on the structure
- Little maintenance required
- Often, no foundation is needed before installing
- Sound resistant
- Sustainable
- Ability to stack them upon each other
- Flexibility in sizes
- Appropriate for temporary and/or permanent buildings
- Unlikely to be displaced due to the interlocking function
- Can be moved with standard lifting equipment
Disadvantages of using interlocking concrete blocks
- Can’t be moved without machinery
- Can topple over if not placed on level ground
What are interlocking concrete blocks used for?
PPC Concrete Products supply interlocking concrete blocks, we can share with you what they are used for.
- Material Storage bays
- Blast walls
- Salt stores
- Crash protection
- Push walls
- Security barriers
- Segregation bays i.e recycling centres
- Retaining walls
- Industrial buildings
- Fire breaks
- Counterweights
- Roadblocks
Do Interlocking concrete blocks need cement?
No, interlocking concrete blocks bypass the need for any binding elements such as cement. As the name suggests, the ‘interlocking’ part refers to the ability of these blocks to create a secure connection between each other through studs and recesses.
In instances where you want to build a wall with interlocking concrete blocks, you just need to stack them, making sure the studs on top of the base block have connected with the recesses on the block above it and so forth.
In the long term, using interlocking concrete blocks can save money that would otherwise be spent on cement, and time that would otherwise be spent on applying the cement and waiting for it to dry properly before proceeding.
What is the importance of load-bearing?
Load-bearing is an extremely vital consideration that must be taken into account when constructing any structure. Load-bearing is essentially the weight capacity an object can support without breaking or losing any of its effectiveness.
Outside of construction examples, load-bearing objects are around us in many forms, think of the wheels and axle of a vehicle, or an Olympic barbell and its load-bearing capacity to hold large amounts of weight without breaking in the middle.
In construction, load bearing is probably the most important factor to consider, as buildings are heavy, you have to be able to build the structure on a foundation that can handle its weight.
Whether its a bungalow, a mansion or a skyscraper, or even a temporary wall, they have to be structurally sound through their load-bearing capabilities. Neglecting this will result in your structure falling (if it even finishes construction.) Either way, neglecting this puts everyone at risk.
Are interlocking concrete blocks load-bearing?
Yes, interlocking concrete blocks are load-bearing to a degree. What we mean is that our concrete blocks have the ability to be stacked upon each other, so they can definitely tolerate a certain amount of weight.
But that being said our interlocking concrete blocks have the potential to have 5 blocks stacked upon each other. Our standard-sized blocks are 60cm in height, with 5 stacked together this would equate to 300cm, which is exactly 9 feet & 10.11 inches high. This height is more than enough for applications such as a retaining wall and so much more.
Stacking our interlocking concrete blocks is made easy, safe and secure through the studs and recesses that are on all of our blocks, once they are connected, they are not loose. The beauty of this simple method is that it eliminates the need for cement to bind the blocks together.
The load-bearing capabilities of our interlocking concrete blocks are maximised at this level, using them for anything more will compromise their effectiveness.
How much do interlocking concrete blocks weigh?
In regard to the weight of the blocks, it will vary from size to size, and from the concrete being used. But as an example, 1800 x 600 x 600 concrete block can weigh 1560 kg, this can fluctuate as different types of concrete have different levels of density.
What if I overload the interlocking concrete blocks?
Using a higher load than interlocking concrete blocks can bear will result in your structure becoming unstable, compromising the structural integrity, which could come in the form of the lowest block cracking or breaking, as that will be the block that will be bearing the most weight.
This will probably result in the structure breaking entirely or partly. As a result you will have to spend money on repairs, as well as waste time rectifying an issue that shouldn’t have been a problem in the first place.
What is the cost of interlocking concrete blocks?
If you are considering the cost of our interlocking concrete blocks, we encourage you to get in touch. Having a solid idea of what you intend to use the blocks for, including the space they’re going into, and how much you need will make it easier for us to give you a quote.
Understandably, the cost will be dependent on the amount required, and the sizes of the individual blocks you require.
However, if you’re still deciding whether or not to use our blocks, and would like specific questions to be answered in relation to your project, we are happy to provide all the information you need once you get in contact.
Purchase interlocking concrete blocks today
As an established supplier all over the UK, PPC Concrete Products is always happy to help, which is why we encourage you to get in touch with any questions you may have or take a look at our FAQ.
In this article, we hope to have answered the question ‘Are interlocking concrete blocks load bearing?’, whilst also providing extra information in regard to construction solutions that we offer.
Take a read of our case studies to truly understand how we have provided solutions for business in the past with the use of our interlocking concrete blocks, and ultimately, how we can help you today.
Read our blog page for more insights into our passion, construction.
Address:
The Old Gasworks,
Higginshaw Lane,
Royton,
Oldham,
OL2 6HQ
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday – 8 AM til 4 PM
Tel: 01706 655245
Email: info@ppcconcreteproducts.co.uk
