There is a great variety of sizes and textures, ranging from smooth textures (most common) to corrugated or bush hammered textures, as well as colors ranging from the natural color product of its components or colors that depend on the pigment used in the mixture, its widths vary depending on the use, as well as the choice of its texture. Special elements can be made as corner blocks or blocks for beams, they can be used as merely dividing elements or structural elements, their correct use implies the best use of their qualities, but behind all these characteristics there are some essential elements for their manufacture and correct use, let’s not forget that cement blocks in a certain way are molded concrete and must have certain characteristics and care.

THE KNOWLEDGE BEHIND ITS MANUFACTURE:

As many articles and connoisseurs of the subject indicate the knowledge and the correct manufacture of the precast concrete blocks, is the fundamental pillar for its creation, it is useless to have the best machines if you do not have the essential knowledge for its production, let us not forget that the precast blocks are molded concrete and for this there are some rules and criteria to take into account, such as:

• AGGREGATE PROVENANCE; It is important to know their origin and to carry out different studies of their chemical and physical properties, since this can improve or affect their resistance. Poorly selected aggregates can react negatively with the cement and affect the strength of the concrete.
• CEMENT; All cements have different qualities depending on their use and application, for this the manufacturer must take into account the use to which the element will be subjected, for this the standards must be known.
• WATER; The water to be used in the mixture must be tested (chemical tests of acidity, alkalinity, hardness, chlorine, pH, sediments, etc.) in order to be considered suitable for the mixture.
• MIX DESIGN; This is the decisive factor on which the quality of the product to be developed depends, a badly developed mix design would imply serious errors in the absorption and resistance of the cement blocks, as well as its final cost to the market, for this the precasting companies must have qualified personnel for the development of the design.
• Likewise, there are other factors that should not be left aside (mixing process, curing of the elements, remember that it is molded concrete, calibration of the vibro-compaction machines, handling, pigments, storage, etc.).

As we can see, it is a costly process in which each company and ours must have for its correct manufacture and to be able to deliver a material suitable for its use.

READY TO BE USED

As I mentioned in the first lines, the concrete block has many qualities, for which each builder or designer can choose according to the use they want to give it, ranging from pigmented block facades or textured walls for its natural appearance (bush-hammered block), or if we look at it more deeply as load-bearing construction systems according to the type of design calculated (systems without columns whose load support is given in the concrete blocks, which allows better use of space).

In spite of being a widely used element in the world, its design possibilities have been little exploited. Concrete masonry is constantly associated with self-construction and low-cost housing (social interest), a situation that leaves little room for exploration beyond functional design.

The lack of knowledge of its capabilities, the low environmental impact of its manufacture and other factors unknown to the builder, in general, makes the niche of its use very small, leaving it only in the hands of the creativity of architects.

In conclusion, concrete masonry is one of the best ways to take advantage of the qualities of concrete and all the benefits it provides.