Solid Concrete Blocks: Sizes, Weights and Price in Chennai

Solid block size, weight and price

Next question: How many blocks fit on one lorry? It depends on weight; the load table is next. More

Blocks per lorry load

A solid 6-inch block weighs about half again as much as a hollow one, so the same lorry carries fewer. That is why the delivered price per block is higher for solid blocks than the yard price alone suggests.

Next question: Where do solid blocks belong in a house? Load-bearing walls, below-plinth work and compound walls; details next. More

Where solid blocks fit

• Load-bearing walls in houses without an RCC frame, as designed.
• Below-plinth and basement walls, and walls that hold back soil.
• Compound walls, especially where gates and grills are fixed into the wall.
• Outer walls where you want firm fixings anywhere for shelves, grills and heavy fittings.

Next question: Block or brick for these walls? Compare a 6-inch solid block wall with a 9-inch brick wall below. More

6-inch solid block wall vs 9-inch red brick wall

Next question: How many blocks for the whole house? Add up wall areas and use 108 per 100 sq ft (typical). More

What a solid concrete block is

A solid block is a machine-pressed concrete masonry unit with no through-cavities, made from cement, stone chips, crusher dust and sand. It is heavier and stronger than a hollow block of the same size.

IS 2185 (Part 1) covers both solid and hollow concrete blocks. Ask for the strength grade and the factory's test result if your engineer has specified one.

Next question: How do I check them on delivery? Five site checks are listed below. More

How many solid blocks do you need? Typical estimates

Typical estimates: ; deduct doors and windows and add about 5% for breakage.

Next question: How many lorry loads is that? Divide by about 375 (6-wheeler) or 750 (10-wheeler) for 6-inch blocks. More

Checks when solid blocks arrive

1. Count the layers on the lorry and compare with the invoice before unloading.
2. Weigh one or two blocks on a bathroom scale: a 6-inch solid block well under 22 kg is either short in size or low in density.
3. Measure length, height and thickness on five blocks; they should match within a few millimetres.
4. Scratch a face with a key: a light line is fine; a face that turns to powder is under-cured.
5. Reject cracked blocks and blocks with crumbling corners.

Next question: What strength should I ask for? The grade your engineer names; see the strength note. More

Strength grade

IS 2185 (Part 1) grades concrete blocks by minimum average compressive strength at 28 days, in N/mm². The rows on this page are for standard blocks; a specified grade with a test report is quoted on request.

Next question: How should I stack them? Flat, level, by hand, no higher than about 1.5 m. More

Storing solid blocks

• Unload by hand; a 24 kg block dropped on its corner breaks.
• Stack flat on level ground, no higher than about 1.5 m, near the work.
• Do not soak concrete blocks before laying; wet only the bed if your mason asks.
• Cover the stack in the monsoon.

Next question: What goes wrong most often? Short counts, soaked blocks and wrong sizes; see the list. More

Mistakes to avoid with solid blocks

• Comparing a 300 mm-long block with a 400 mm one on price per piece.
• Ordering a 6-wheeler's worth of 8-inch blocks and finding it carries only about 280.
• Laying blocks the day they arrive from a fresh batch; ask how long they were cured.
• Skipping the bond beam or lintel band the drawing shows over openings.

Next question: Would hollow blocks do for infill walls? Yes, in an RCC frame; they are lighter and cost less per block. More

Solid Concrete Blocks: delivered price by area

Delivered price per block = yard price + freight on the block's weight (about 24 kg for 6 inch) from the nearest yard or the Gummidipoondi SIPCOT factories, assuming a full lorry; before GST.

Next question: how much do I need? Quantity calculator · Delivered-cost estimator

How to order solid blocks

1. Send the size, the count or wall area and your site location: quote form, call or WhatsApp.
2. We confirm the price per block, the lorry size and the delivered price for your area.
3. Count, weigh one block and check for cracks before the lorry leaves.