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Mini-Blocks
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Drexel University and Mini-Blocks
Drexel University received a grant from the National
Concrete Masonry Foundation to purchase a block machine that
produces 1/3-scale concrete masonry units. The small blocks are
used to make scale models of masonry structures for testing.
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| The block-molding equipment and controls for
producing mini-blocks. |
One of the first projects to use the mini-blocks will be “System-Level
Seismic Research of Concrete Masonry Buildings.” The first
step is to establish similitude, that is, compare relative performance,
with full-scale units and walls. To do this, the units must be to
scale in all aspects, including aggregate size relative to block
size. Once the recipe for the mini-blocks is chosen, production
can begin. As parallel testing occurs, mini-block properties can
be verified against their larger counterparts. What is exciting
about this is that researchers will then be able to use the smaller
blocks to construct walls and buildings at a reduced scale. These
smaller assemblies will be much easier to build and test, while
providing confidence that the results are representative of full-scale
assemblies.
As awareness of the mini-blocks increases, other researchers will
be able to do additional masonry research in a more cost effective
manner.
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Full-scale concrete masonry units
have nominal dimensions of 8x8x16 inches, and the miniature
blocks shown here are one-third that size. Compare with the
ball-point pen to the right of the blocks. |
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