If you ever tried picking up and carrying a cinder block, then you know it has some weight to it. However, did it ever come to mind how much weight a cinder block can withstand? We asked professionals that very same question and we're here to bring you the answer.
According to professionals, a cinder block must be able to withstand a minimum of 1,700 pounds of weight per square inch. Depending on several factors, some cinder blocks can withstand more weight than others.
In this article, we will further discuss how much weight cinder blocks can hold and other common uses for them besides construction. We will also talk about how to transport cinder blocks. So, make sure you continue reading from this point on.
How Much Weight Can Cinder Blocks Hold?
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According to ASTM International, individual blocks need to withstand at least 1,700 PSI. All cinder block weight classes must abide by this.
The weight that a cinder block can hold relies on several factors. Concentrating weight in a certain area on a cinder block would put a lot of stress and pressure on it.
If you were to take that same weight and apply it evenly over the concrete block, then there would be less stress and pressure involved. This means that cinder blocks used to support columns face greater pressure than cinder blocks used to support a slab.
What's more, cinder blocks working in a group can support more weight than individually used cinder blocks. The number of cinder blocks in a network will determine just how much weight they can hold potentially.
Also, for one to find out the PSI rating of a single cinder block, one needs to apply weight over it until it cracks. Once that happens, you divide the pressure that caused the block to crack by the number of total square inches in the block.
But remember, we measure three-dimensional objects using cube units, not square units.
What Is The Difference Between A Cinder Block And A Concrete Block?
Cinder blocks and concrete blocks are closely related, which causes some people to use these terms interchangeably. However, there's a fundamental difference between the two.
Even though the two blocks share the same three ingredients in cement, sand, and aggregate, they use different materials for the aggregate. For concrete blocks, they use fine gravel as the aggregate. As for cinder blocks, these rely on coal cinders, hence the name.
One thing to note is that concrete blocks weigh significantly more than cinder blocks because of the added gravel as their aggregate.
So, concrete blocks tend to be sturdier and more compact than cinder blocks, and using concrete blocks for heavy construction is a must.
On the other hand, contractors prefer using cinder blocks for house construction and other smaller projects. They still exhibit the same strength as concrete blocks despite being lighter, making them perfect materials to build walls and partitions.
How Do You Transport Cinder Blocks?
Transporting cinder blocks from one place to another can be quite a chore. That's why in this section, we will discuss some ways to move cinder blocks easily.
Invest In A Dolly
If you move heavy objects around the house regularly, then investing in a dolly is the right choice for you. Decide which kind you want to buy.
A two-wheel dolly is what most homeowners prefer. Even though you'll be lifting it off the ground during every use, it would only be around an inch usually. Also, its low center of gravity would keep everything stable.
If you prefer a four-wheel dolly, it works best on flat surfaces. Also, it would be difficult to transport loads over angled surfaces as opposed to a two-wheel dolly.
Check this hybrid dolly on Amazon.
Roll Using Pipes
Heavy-duty PVC pipes are what most homeowners use to transporting cinder blocks on flat surfaces. By simply laying a few pipes, you can easily transport cinder blocks from one place to another.
This method requires a bit of patience, though. You would need to keep moving the pipes every time you push the cinder block forward. So, if investing in a dolly isn't on your list, this is the best option for you.
Slide The Object
When you don't fancy both options, sliding it over a surface is one option you could take. Only use this option on flat surfaces, as you could easily lose control of it on slanted surfaces and slopes.
If this is the option that you would settle on, remember to be extra careful. Pushing cinder blocks without caution can lead to damage to your lawn, walls, and floor.
Flip The Load
The final option that you could take is by flipping cinder blocks repeatedly. This method is both slow and time-consuming. However, this is the safest option for moving cinder blocks over a slope, besides using a dolly.
Use a pair of heavy-duty gloves when attempting this method. Get down low and use both arms when flipping the cinder block to ensure that you won't hurt your back.
Check out this pair of heavy-duty gloves on Amazon.
Common Uses Of Cinder Blocks Around The House
Cinder blocks aren't just for construction purposes only. Some homeowners use cinder blocks as a way of expressing their creativity. Only their imagination limits them.
1. Centerpiece
You can use your cinder block for decor inside your house. By customizing them, you can make what would otherwise be a boring piece of stone into a work of art.
Painting them would help make them stand out. Using a cinder block as a makeshift vase would also help it stand out and give the room an earthy vibe.
2. Grill
This can easily be a fun weekend activity with the family. Placing cinder blocks on top of one another is just the start of your outdoor grill. From there, you can design it however you want.
Simply using a piece of cinder block to grill works. Just pour some charcoal into its holes and place a skewer over it. You now have your working grill.
Of course, you can scale this up to become a permanent fixture inside your home. And when you do, it won't cost you nearly as much as those fancy outdoor grills. But it would still look just as fancy.
3. Raised Garden Bed
You might fancy starting your garden at home. But the soil is not suitable, or the ground is littered with tree roots and rocks. Using cinder blocks would help solve those issues.
By simply stacking them together and forming a garden bed with them, all you need now is some soil. And it's not expensive to make.
4. Firewood Storage
This is one of the simplest, yet most effective things to do with leftover cinder blocks at home. You would only need 2 at the very least.
Simply stick some wood into the cinder blocks' holes and let it form a V-shape. From there, you can start stacking firewood into it.
5. Outdoor Fireplace
If you can make firewood storage out of cinder blocks, then you can easily make an outdoor fireplace with them. All you need is a design in mind and some basic construction tools and you're good to go.
You don't need to be fancy. Simply making a box that's at least 6 inches tall is enough to create your outdoor fireplace.
6. Bookshelves
You probably have seen something like this at least once in your life. But if not, cinder blocks are a cheap alternative to owning a bookshelf.
Simply stack a couple on top of one another and place a wooden plank in between. Then, you'll have a bookshelf to use inside the house.
Of course, this doesn't limit you to just books. You can place anything there. Shoes, decorations, and even action figures are just a few things that come to mind.
How Much Does A Standard Cinder Block Cost?
The average cost of a cinder block is between $1 to $3. In some cases, you can buy them for cheaper online.
So, if you're in the market for a few cinder blocks, consider buying some from online sites. Some construction sites sell their leftover cinder blocks for cheaper.
In Closing
Even though cinder blocks can support a lot of weight, they should be capable of withstanding at least 1,700 PSI. If not, they are not worth using for construction.
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