Concrete masonry unit, solid, various sizes (90mm, 140mm, 190mm wall thickness)
Concrete Masonry Unit
ATLAS CODE
MIN-CEM-CMU-002
Category mineral
Material Family Cementitious
Regulatory Status Non-combustible โ NCC Group 1
Density
2100โ2300 (dense weight solid); 1800โ2100 (lightweight solid) kg/m3
Carbon (A1-A5)
45 kgCO2e/m2
Fire Class
Non-combustible โ NCC Group 1
Lifespan
75 years
Description
Solid concrete masonry units (CMUs) are dense, fully-filled factory-made blocks for masonry walls. Standard face sizes are 390 x 190 mm (L x H) in wall thicknesses of 90, 140, 190, and 290 mm. Because there are no voids, solid CMUs offer substantially higher thermal mass, superior acoustic attenuation (Rw 50โ58 for 190 mm), and excellent fire resistance compared with equivalent hollow units, eliminating the need for core-filling on fire or acoustic projects. Manufactured to AS/NZS 4455.1 and tested to AS/NZS 4456; structural masonry design to AS 3700. Density ranges 2100โ2300 kg/mยณ and characteristic compressive strength f'uc is typically 10โ25 MPa depending on mix and manufacturer.
Primary Sectors
[Residential][Commercial][Industrial][Healthcare]
Typical Uses
- Loadbearing walls in residential and commercial construction
- Fire separation walls and fire compartmentation
- Acoustic party walls and sound separation
- Retaining walls and basement construction
- Industrial and warehouse structural walls
- Educational, healthcare, and correctional facility walls
- Boundary and site perimeter walls
- Lift and stair shaft enclosures
Recycled Content 20
Renewable Content 0
Recyclability 100
Embodied Carbon 45 kgCO2e/m2
Embodied Energy 1.32 MJ/kg
EPD Available Yes
Size
Thick.
Dimensional Tol. ยฑ [ยฑ3 mm (L, H); ยฑ2 mm (W)] mm
Advantages
Non-combustible โ Group 1 material under NCC; no contribution to fire load, no smoke or toxic gas production.Superior acoustic performance compared with hollow CMU โ solid 190 mm wall achieves Rw 50โ52 bare, 54โ58 rendered, without core-fill.Excellent fire resistance โ solid section provides better thermal insulation in fire; FRL up to 240/240/240 achievable.High thermal mass (density 2100โ2300 kg/mยณ) reduces peak indoor temperatures and smooths diurnal temperature swings.Eliminates core-filling labour and material cost on fire and acoustic walls.Standard modular sizing (390 x 190 mm face, 90/140/190/290 mm widths) integrates with standard masonry accessories and ties.Durable โ 50โ100 year design life; resistant to impact, vermin, and weathering.Low maintenance โ no painting required in many commercial applications; repaintable if desired.Recyclable as crushed aggregate at end of life.
Cautions
Significantly heavier than hollow CMUs โ 190 mm solid unit weighs 28โ32 kg versus 14โ18 kg hollow, requiring mechanical handling for upper courses.Higher material cost per unit ($4โ10 AUD) and per mยฒ ($50โ120 AUD supply only) compared with hollow CMU of equivalent size.Greater dead load on foundations and structure compared with hollow or lightweight alternatives.Limited thermal insulation in the bare wall โ R-value ~0.12 mยฒK/W for 190 mm; insulation must be added to meet NCC energy efficiency requirements.Product data is manufacturer-specific; fire and acoustic ratings must not be applied across brands without independent verification (Island Block manual).Fire resistance values are wall-configuration dependent and must be checked per AS 3700 for specific slenderness ratios and load conditions.Cutting generates significant dust and noise; wet cutting or appropriate PPE mandatory.
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES MIN-CEM-CMU-002
Density (Dry) 2100โ2300 (dense weight solid); 1800โ2100 (lightweight solid) kg/m3
Specific Gravity 2.1โ2.3
Porosity 12โ18 %
Water Absorption 5โ10 (dense); 10โ15 (lightweight) % by mass
Hardness 4โ6 Mohs scale
Surface Roughness 1โ3 (standard cast); 3โ10 (split face) mm
UV Resistance Excellent โ no UV degradation
Chemical Resistance Good (mild conditions); moderate (sulfate/acid exposure โ specify SR cement)
pH Tolerance Resistant pH 7โ14; avoid sustained pH < 5
Available Colors
Standard grey (natural cement colour)White (white cement mix)Buff / cream (iron oxide pigment)Terracotta / red (iron oxide pigment)Charcoal / dark grey (carbon black pigment)Custom colours via pigment on request (Austral Masonry, Adbri colour ranges)Post-applied paint or render (any colour โ acrylic masonry paint)
Surface Finishes
As-cast โ direct from mould, standard commercial finishBagged โ mortar bag-rubbed over face, fills voids, semi-smoothRendered โ 10โ15 mm cement render, smooth or textured finishPainted โ acrylic masonry paint, wide colour rangeOff-form โ exposed face block, feature wall finishSplit face โ architectural textured finish, no further treatment required
Texture Options
Standard smooth cast face (off-mould texture, medium fine)Split face (fractured aggregate texture, highly tactile)Ground face (polished/honed, smooth with exposed aggregate)Ribbed or fluted face (linear profile, architectural feature)Sandblasted (fine exposed aggregate)
Pattern Options
Running bond (standard โ most common, best structural performance)Stack bond (vertical joints aligned โ lower shear strength; requires horizontal reinforcement per AS 3700)Basket weave (decorative, limited structural use)Diagonal/herringbone (decorative feature panels)
Compressive Strength 10โ25 (standard 10โ15; structural 15โ25) MPa
Tensile Strength 1.0โ2.5 (unit); masonry not designed for tension MPa
Flexural Strength 0.2โ0.4 (masonry assemblage, parallel to bed joints) MPa
Shear Strength 0.35โ1.0 (masonry assemblage) MPa
Elastic Modulus 11-20 GPa
Impact Resistance Good (hard surface, high mass) J/m
Bearing Capacity Design-specific per AS 3700 Cl. 7.3 MPa
Poisson's Ratio 0.15โ0.25
Creep Resistance 1.5โ2.5 (long-term creep coefficient) coefficient
Abrasion Resistance Moderate to good (dense surface)
Thermal Conductivity 1.3โ1.7 (dense); 0.8โ1.2 (lightweight) W/mK
Thermal Resistance 0.06 (90mm); 0.09 (140mm); 0.12 (190mm); 0.18 (290mm) m2K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 840โ1000 J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 10โ12 x10^-6/C
Melting Point No melting point โ degrades progressively above 300ยฐC C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) Rw 50โ52 (190mm bare); Rw 54โ58 (190mm rendered); Rw 46โ50 (140mm bare) Rw
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.02โ0.05 NRC
Optical
Light Transmittance 0 %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 30โ45 (grey); 55โ70 (white/buff) %
Solar Reflectance (SRI) 20โ35 (grey); 70โ90 (white) SRI
Electrical
Electrical Conductivity Non-conductive (dry); low conductivity (wet) S/m
Portland cement (1832) enabled precast concrete blocks; Harmon S. Palmer patented a solid block machine (1889) and a hollow block machine (1899), which with a 1901 concrete wall patent marked the start of modern concrete blocks. Solid concrete blocks dominated construction until the 1930s when hollow units became popular for their lighter weight and insulation potential. Solid units remained the preferred choice for fire walls and acoustic separations through the 20th century. Modern block use expanded again in the early 1950s with mechanised block-making including Besser Vibrapac machines from 1953. Since 1983 manufacture has been harmonised under AS/NZS 4455.1, with the 2008 revision aligning Australian standards with New Zealand practice. Contemporary solid CMU use is driven by fire compliance, acoustic performance, and thermal mass applications where the absence of voids is a distinct advantage over hollow units.
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION MIN-CEM-CMU-002
Flame Spread Index 0 FSI
Smoke Developed Index 0 SDI
Combustibility Class Non-combustible โ NCC Group 1
Fire Resistance Rating FRL 60/120/120 to FRL 240/240/240 (configuration and thickness dependent) minutes
Heat Release Rate 0 (non-combustible) kW/m2
Toxicity of Combustion Non-toxic โ zero combustion products
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) 45 kgCO2e/m2
Embodied Energy 1.32 MJ/kg
Water Footprint 150 L/unit
EPD Available Yes
LEED Points 3
Circular Economy Score 7 /10
VOC Emissions Zero (cured product) g/L
Skill Level qualified tradesperson
Crew Size 2 persons
Installation Time 2 hours/m2
Curing Time 7 days
Setting Time 2 hours
Temperature Range 5โ35 C
Humidity Range 20โ90 %
Required Tools
Masonry trowel (brick layer's trowel)Spirit level (1200mm minimum)String line and pinsMortar mixer or pre-mixed mortar systemBrick hammer and bolster chiselJointing tools (round or raked)Measuring tape and story rodAngle grinder with diamond masonry blade (wet cutting preferred)Block cart or pallet truck for unit handlingForklift or block elevator for upper courses (190mm solid โฅ 28 kg/block)
Certifications Required
Certificate III in Bricklaying/Blocklaying (CPC33020)Manual handling training (Work Health and Safety Act compliance โ 16 kg single-person repetitive lift limit)Silica dust awareness training (Safe Work Australia model code โ crystalline silica from cutting)
Weather Limitations
Do not install below 5ยฐC โ mortar will not hydrate correctlyProtect from frost for first 48 hours after installationCover incomplete masonry work at end of day to prevent mortar washoutAvoid installation above 35ยฐC without retarding admixtures and shadingProtect from rain during installation and for 24 hours afterIn coastal environments, check salt contamination of aggregates and mixing water
COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY MIN-CEM-CMU-002
Material Cost 50 โ 120 $/m2
Installation Cost 80 โ 180 $/m2
Annual Maintenance 0.5 โ 3 $/m2/year
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) 220 โ 450 $/m2
Market Availability readily available
Lead Time 3 days
Supply & Logistics
MOQ 1 pallet (48โ72 units)
Design Life 75 years
Maintenance Interval 10 years
Service Temp Range -30 to 100 C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance good
Salt Spray Resistance Good (dense weight with render in marine zone)
Dimensional Stability 0.6 mm/m
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.