Is Poured Concrete Stronger Than Block Concrete?
You don’t have to be a specialist to know that structural strength is everything in construction. Without it, buildings would crumble. Because of this, concrete is a primary material in the sector. Both poured concrete and concrete blocks are popular, which begs the question, is poured concrete stronger than block concrete?
Used for similar things, each type of concrete has its own benefits, meaning the choice of which one is used comes down to application, climate and requirements. Because poured concrete creates a continuous block, it offers a monolithic structure. This is where the debate stems from.
At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we offer a comprehensive concrete service, from mix-on-site concrete production that can be pumped and poured to concrete blocks. We are experts at all things concrete, and with a combined 25 years of experience in the industry, we know everything about both poured concrete and concrete blocks.
In this blog, we compare the strength of poured concrete and block concrete.
What is Poured Concrete?
The definition of poured concrete is, as the name suggests, liquid concrete poured through a pump or tube into a mould or framework.
It then sets within the structure into a solid mass.
This creates a monolithic structure of solid concrete that doesn’t have any joints or weak spots.
Common applications of this type of concrete include:
- Foundations
- Basement walls
- Slabs
- Flooring
- Walls
- Pillars
What is Block Concrete?
A concrete block is also what the name suggests - a block of concrete. Usually, these are pre-made at the facility's site and transported to your project site.
Their size can vary, but typically, you will find them to be around 1500mm x 6000mm x 6000mm.
They have groves on the bottom of the block and ridges on top, which enables them to interlock together.
Strength Comparison: Poured Concrete vs Block Concrete
There are several elements to the strength of concrete, so here we break it all down and compare poured concrete to block concrete. By the bottom of the section, you should be able to start forming an answer to your question, “Is poured concrete stronger than block concrete?”
Structural Integrity
- Poured concrete - forms a continuous, solid structure with fewer weak points, making it highly resistant to pressure and impact.
- Block concrete - individual blocks sit on one another, which can create weak points and potential vulnerabilities.
Compressive Strength
- Poured concrete - typically stronger in terms of compressive strength due to its continuous form and ability to incorporate reinforced materials.
- Block concrete - standard concrete blocks have lower compressive strength, though some reinforced blocks can offer comparable strength.
Flexural Strength and Load Bearing Capacity
- Poured concrete - performs better under flexural stress, making it a good option for retaining walls, basements, and high-load areas.
- Block concrete - can bear significant loads but may require additional reinforcements like rebar-filled cores to match poured concrete’s strength.
Resistance to Cracks and Water Penetration
- Poured concrete - less prone to cracks and water infiltration due to its solid, continuous nature.
- Block Concrete - joints between blocks can allow water ingress over time, requiring extra waterproofing measures.
Pros and Cons of Poured Concrete and Block Concrete
Of course, both poured concrete and concrete blocks have their advantages and disadvantages.
Poured concrete benefits
- Incredibly strong
- Excellent durability
- Higher water resistance
- Flexible for design options
- Mixed on site, so you pay for what you lay
- Can be more practical to get to hard-to-reach sites by pumping
Disadvantages of poured concrete
- Construction time can be longer as it needs formwork and curing
- More expensive upfront
Pros of block concrete
- Faster installation as they are pre-fabricated
- Can be made in order to meet specific sizes and amounts
- Typically lower cost than poured concrete
- Moderate strength
- Good durability
- Can be moved and reused
Cons of a block concrete
- Has joints which are weak points
- Joints make it more prone to wear and tear
- Needs waterproofing
- Less design flexibility with shape and look
When to Use Each Option
With different strengths and load-bearing, there are certain situations that suit one option better than the other. So when should you use each type?
You should typically use poured concrete for:
- Foundations and basements that require high strength and water resistance.
- Large-scale projects with complex shapes or designs.
- Retaining walls where high load-bearing capacity is essential.
You should use concrete blocks for:
- Cost-sensitive projects where material savings are a priority.
- Small-to-medium-sized construction projects such as residential homes.
- Temporary buildings or barriers that are likely to need moving over time.
Is Poured Concrete Stronger Than Block Concrete?
So, there we have it, an answer to the question, “Is poured concrete stronger than block concrete?”
Poured concrete has a higher strength because it is a solid structure without joints. However, block concrete offers a high level of strength, but it should be used in certain situations.
The team at 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping offers both poured and block concrete, meaning we can provide you with whatever you need.
With a fleet of boom and line pumps, we can pump a range of concrete mix designs to any hard-to-reach area.
Plus, we make our own interlocking concrete blocks at our Southampton facility, which we can transport across the nation to your site.
It also means we know everything there is to know about the two types and can help you work out which one is best for your project.
Call us today on 01489 552737 or complete our online contact form to request a callback from our experts.
