The process of manufacture of cement concrete hollow blocks involves the Following 5 stages;

(1) Proportioning (2) Mixing (3) Compacting (4) Curing (5) Drying

(1) Proportioning: The determination of suitable amounts of raw materials needed to produce concrete of desired quality under given conditions of mixing, placing and curing is known as proportioning. As per Indian Standard specifications, the combined aggregate content in the concrete mix used for making hollow blocks should not be more than 6 parts to 1 part by volume of Portland cement. If this ratio is taken in terms of weight basis this may average approximately at 1:7 (cement: aggregate). However, there have been instances of employing a lean mix of as high as 1:9 by manufacturers where hollow blocks are compacted by power operated vibrating machines. The water cement ratio of 0.62 by weight basis can be used for concrete hollow blocks.

(2) Mixing: The objective of thorough mixing of aggregates, cement and water is to ensure that the cement -water paste completely covers the surface of the aggregates. All the raw materials including water are collected in a concrete mixer, which is rotated for about 1 ½ minutes. The prepared mix is discharged from the mixer and consumed within 30 minutes.

(3) Compacting: The purpose of compacting is to fill all air pockets with concrete as a whole without movement of free water through the concrete. Excessive compaction would result in formation of water pockets or layers with higher water content and poor quality of the product. Semi-automatic vibrating table type machines are widely used for making cement concrete hollow blocks. Wooden pallet is kept on the vibrating platform of the machine. The mould box is lowered on to the pallet. Concrete mix is poured into the mould and evenly leveled. The motorized vibrating causes the concrete to settle down the mould by approximately 1 ½ to 1 ¾ inches. More of concrete is then raked across the mould level. The stripper head is placed over the mould to bear on the levelled material. Vibration causes the concrete come down to its limit position. Then the mould box is lifted by the lever. The moulded hollow blocks resting on the pallet is removed and a new pallet is placed and the process repeated. The machine can accommodate interchangeable mould for producing blocks of different sizes of hollow or solid blocks.

(4) Curing: Hollow blocks removed from the mould are protected until they are sufficiently Hardened to permit handling without damage. This may take about 24 hours in a shelter away from sun and winds. The hollow blocks thus hardened are cured in a curing yard to permit complete miniaturization for at least 21 days. When the hollow blocks are cured by immersing them in a water tank, water should be changed at least every four days. The greatest strength benefits occur during the first three days and valuable effects are secured up to 10 or 14 days. The longer the curing time permitted the better the product.

(5) Drying: Concrete shrinks slightly with loss of moisture. It is therefore essential that after curing is over, the blocks should be allowed to dry out gradually in shade so that the initial drying shrinkage of the blocks is completed before they are used in the construction work. Hollow blocks are stacked with their cavities horizontal to facilitate thorough passage of air. Generally a period of 7 to 15 days of drying will bring the blocks to the desired degree of dryness to complete their initial shrinkage. After this the blocks are ready for use in construction work.