Auroville Earth Institute

Auram Blocks Data

The frame of the Auram press 3000 can presently fit 19 moulds to produce about 80 different Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks.

These series are available

Plain square blocks

Plain rectangular blocks

Round blocks

Hollow square blocks

Hollow rectangular blocks

Hollow square interlocking blocks

Hollow rectangular interlocking blocks

Plain square interlocking blocks

Plain rectangular interlocking blocks

Various special blocks

Notes for data mentioned in the following tables:

The Practical daily productivity is with 7 people in the block yard: 3 people for mixing, 1 operator, 2 people on the lever and 1 man stacking for the initial curing.

The quantities of materials are calculated with 5 % cement for a soil/sand mix which has a ratio of 80 % soil and 20 % sand.

The bags of cement mentioned are 50 kg.

The quantities of blocks per bag mentioned hereafter are indicative and they will vary with the soil type and the compression ratio of the press.

BLOCK PLAIN 240
Use This block is used for building plain load bearing walls of 24 cm thick. It can be used up to 4 floors high. It presents the advantage of saving mortar and allowing a fast block laying.	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 240 x 240 x 90	Soil:	7.70 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 5.184 Litres	Sand:	1.90 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 5.184 Litres	Cement:	12.82 (bag)
	Bearing area = 576 cm^²
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 850 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 78

SPECIAL BLOCKS 240
Use These blocks are used for various works with the plain block 240. These blocks are produced in the mould plain 240. U shaped blocks are used for precasting the composite lintels and beams, as well as casting plinth and ring beams	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Nominal block sizes (L x W x H, in mm) = 240 x 240 x 90	Soil:	Varies with the block
	Net volume of material = Varies with the block	Sand:
	Gross volume of block = Varies with the block	Cement:
	Bearing area = Not relevant
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = Varies with the block
	Number of blocks per bag = Varies with the block

BLOCK HOLLOW 240
Use This block is used for building composite columns (Reinforced cement concrete in the middle hole). It presents the advantage of saving reinforced cement concrete.	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 240 x 240 x 90	Soil:	5.60 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 3.969 Litres	Sand:	1.40 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 5.184 Litres	Cement:	9.34 (bag)
	Bearing area = 451 cm^²
	Void = 21.6 %
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block =600 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 107

BLOCK ROUND 240
Use This block is used for building composite columns (Reinforced cement concrete in the middle hole). It presents the advantage of saving reinforced cement concrete.	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Block size = ø 240 - ø 88 x 90 mm	Soil:	5.04 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 3.524 Litres	Sand:	1.26 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 4.071 Litres	Cement:	8.40 (bag)
	Bearing area = 391 cm²
	Void = 14 %
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 750 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 119

BLOCK PLAIN 290
Use This block is used as a single block width for light load bearing structures, or as a double block width for heavy load bearing structures. It presents the advantage of saving mortar and allowing a fast block laying.	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 290 x 140 x 90	Soil:	5.17 (m3)
	Net volume of material = 3.654 Litres	Sand:	1.29 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 3.654 Litres	Cement:	8.62 (bag)
	Bearing area = 406 cm²
	Void = Not relevant
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 850 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 116

SPECIAL BLOCKS 290
Use These blocks are used for various works with the plain block 290. These blocks are produced in the mould plain 290. U shaped blocks are used for precasting the composite lintels and beams, as well as casting plinth and ring beams	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Nominal block sizes (L x W x H, in mm) = 290 x 140 x 90 mm	Soil:	Varies with the block
	Net volume of material = Varies with the block	Sand:
	Gross volume of block = Varies with the block	Cement:
	Bearing area = Not relevant
	Void = Not relevant
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = Varies with the block
	Number of blocks per bag = Varies with the block

BLOCK HOLLOW 290
Use This block can be used for light load bearing structures up to 2 floors. It presents the advantage of saving materials and providing better heat insulation.	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 290 x 140 x 90	Soil:	3.84 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 2.846 Litres	Sand:	0.96 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 3.654 Litres	Cement:	6.40 (bag)
	Bearing area = 326 cm^²
	Void = 19.5 %
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 600 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 156

BLOCK ROUND 290
Use This block is used for building composite columns (Reinforced cement concrete in the 4 holes). It presents the advantage of saving reinforced cement concrete.	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Block size = ø 290 x 90 mm	Soil:	7.60 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 5.413 Litres	Sand:	1.90 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 5.940 Litres	Cement:	12.66 (bag)
	Bearing area = 660 cm²
	Void = 7.6 %
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 750 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 79

BLOCK HOLLOW INTERLOCKING 245
Use These blocks are used for building disaster resistant constructions, as it has provisions for vertical and horizontal reinforcing elements. They can be used up to 2 floors high in seismic zones 3, 4, and 5 (Indian zones).	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 245 x 245 x 95	Soil:	7.63 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 5.464 Litres	Sand:	1.90 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 5.702 Litres	Cement:	12.71 (bag)
	Bearing area = 575 cm²
	Void = 8 %
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 500 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 78

BLOCK PLAIN INTERLOCKING 245
Use These blocks cannot be used for building disaster resistant constructions, as it has no provisions for reinforcing elements. They can be used up to 2 floors high.	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 245 x 245 x 95	Soil:	8.06 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 5.702 Litres	Sand:	2.00 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 5.702 Litres	Cement:	13.43 (bag)
	Bearing area = 600 cm²
	Void = Not relevant
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block =500 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 74

BLOCK HOLLOW INTERLOCKING 295
Use These blocks are used for building disaster resistant constructions, as it has provisions for vertical and horizontal reinforcing elements. They can be used only for ground floor structures in seismic zones 3 and 4 (Indian zones).	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 295 x 145 x 95	Soil:	5.48 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 3.825 Litres	Sand:	1.37 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 4.063 Litres	Cement:	9.14 (bag)
	Bearing area = 403 cm²
	Void = 9.3 %
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 500 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 109

BLOCK PLAIN INTERLOCKING 295
Use They can be used for ground floors only. They cannot be used for building disaster resistant constructions, as it has no provisions for reinforcing elements.	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 295 x 145 x 95	Soil:	5.87 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 4.063 Litres	Sand:	1.47 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 4.063 Litres	Cement:	9.78 (bag)
	Bearing area = 427 cm²
	Void = Not relevant
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 500 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 102

BLOCK HOLLOW DRY INTERLOCKING 250
Use These blocks are used for building disaster resistant constructions, as they have provisions for vertical and horizontal reinforcing elements. They are dry stacked, and a concrete grout is cast in the holes to bind all vertical and horizontal joints. They can be used up to 2 floors high in seismic zones 3 and 4 (Indian zones).	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 250 x 250 x 100	Soil:	7.84 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 5.841 Litres	Sand:	2.00 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 6.25 Litres	Cement:	13.06 (bag)
	Bearing area = 566 cm²
	Void = 8 %
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 500 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 72

BLOCK HOLLOW DRY INTERLOCKING 300
Use These blocks are used for building disaster resistant constructions, as they have provisions for vertical and horizontal reinforcing elements. They are dry stacked and a concrete grout is cast in the holes to bind all vertical and horizontal joints. They can be used only for ground floor structures in seismic zones 3 and 4 (Indian zones).	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 299 x 150 x 100	Soil:	5.80 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 4.234 Litres	Sand:	1.40 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 4.485 Litres	Cement:	9.75 (bag)
	Bearing area = 423 cm²
	Void = 10 %
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 500 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 109

BLOCK INNOBLOC 250
Use These blocks are used for building disaster resistant constructions, as they have provisions for vertical and horizontal reinforcing elements. They are dry stacked, and a concrete grout is cast in the holes to bind all vertical and horizontal joints. They can be used up to 2 floors high in seismic zones 3 and 4 (Indian zones).	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 250 x 250 x 100	Soil:	8.06 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 5.772 Litres	Sand:	2.00 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 6.250 Litres	Cement:	13.43 (bag)
	Bearing area = 566 cm²
	Void = 8 %
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 500 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 74

BLOCK HOLLOW 390
Use This block can be used for light load bearing structures up to two floors high. It presents the advantage of saving materials and providing better heat insulation.	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 390 x 190 x 90	Soil:	6.30 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 4.869 Litres	Sand:	1.57 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 6.669 Litres	Cement:	10.50 (bag)
	Bearing area = 541 cm²
	Void = 26.7 %
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 600 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 95

BLOCK PLAIN 190
Use This block is used with the hollow block 390 for the partition walls. It can also be used for very light load bearing structures for ground floor only.	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Full block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 190 x 90 x 90	Soil:	2.18 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 1.539 Litres	Sand:	0.54 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 1.539 Litres	Cement:	3.63 (bag)
	Bearing area = 171 cm²
	Void = Not relevant
	Number of blocks per bag = 270
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 1,400 Nos. (3 blocks per stroke)

BLOCK HOURDI 400
Use This block is used to create floors and roofs. It rests either on reinforced concrete T beams or on ferrocement channels.	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 400 x 240 x 85	Soil:	7.14 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 5.266 Litres	Sand:	1.78 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 7.708 Litres	Cement:	11.8(bag)
	Bearing area = Not relevant
	Void = 31.7 %
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 400 Nos.
	Number of blocks per bag = 84

MINI BLOCK
Use This block is used to build vaults and domes. It can be used alone when these structures have the same thickness (7 cm) or it can be used in combination with other blocks when the thickness varies (case for optimised vaults and domes).	Details	Quantities of materials per 1000 Blocks
	Block size (L x W x H, in mm) = 140 x 70 x 50	Soil:	0.736 (m³)
	Net volume of material = 0.490 Litres	Sand:	0.186 (m³)
	Gross volume of block = 0.490 Litres	Cement:	1.22 (bag)
	Bearing area = 35 cm² (Block laid on edge)
	Void = Not relevant
	Practical daily productivity for the full size block = 1,400 Nos. (4 blocks per stroke)
	Number of blocks per bag = 820