5 Proven Factors That Determine Hourly Brick Production Rate: A 2026 Guide for SEA & Middle East

enero 28, 2026

Resumen

An examination of the factors governing the hourly output of brick manufacturing reveals a complex interplay between mechanical specifications, material science, operational management, and environmental conditions. This analysis focuses on the determinants of the hourly brick production rate for concrete block-making facilities, particularly within the economic and climatic contexts of Southeast Asia and the Middle East in 2026. The selection of machinery, specifically models within the QT series of automatic block-making machines, is identified as a primary determinant. Machine attributes such as cycle time, automation level, and hydraulic pressure directly correlate with potential output. However, this potential is moderated by the quality and consistency of raw materials like aggregate and cement, the efficiency of the factory workflow, and the skill of the operating personnel. Furthermore, the type of block being produced and the ambient environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature, introduce significant variability. Achieving an optimal hourly brick production rate is not merely a function of acquiring advanced machinery but requires a holistic approach that integrates technology, materials management, and human capital to create a cohesive and efficient production system.

Principales conclusiones

Machine model and automation level are the primary drivers of your potential output.
Consistent, high-quality raw materials prevent costly production slowdowns and defects.
An efficient factory layout and trained staff can significantly boost your actual production.
Mold design and block complexity directly influence the hourly brick production rate.
Regular maintenance is a proactive strategy to sustain a high production rate.
Environmental factors like heat and humidity require specific operational adjustments.
Accurately projecting output involves balancing theoretical specs with operational realities.

Índice

Understanding the Core Metric: What is Hourly Brick Production Rate?
Factor 1: The Machine's Soul – Model, Technology, and Automation
Factor 2: The Building Blocks of Blocks – Raw Material Quality and Consistency
Factor 3: The Unseen Architect – Operational Efficiency and Workflow
Factor 4: The Shape of Things – Mold Design and Block Type
Factor 5: The External Forces – Environmental and Managerial Factors
Calculating and Projecting Your Hourly Brick Production Rate
Preguntas más frecuentes (FAQ)
Conclusión
Referencias

Understanding the Core Metric: What is Hourly Brick Production Rate?

Before we can begin to dissect the elements that shape the productivity of a block-making enterprise, we must first establish a shared and clear understanding of our central concept. When we speak of the "hourly brick production rate," what exactly are we measuring? On the surface, it seems simple: the number of bricks or blocks a machine produces in sixty minutes. Yet, this simple definition conceals a world of complexity, nuance, and critical business implications. It is the fundamental pulse of your manufacturing operation, a number that dictates revenue, profitability, and your capacity to meet market demand. Thinking of it merely as a number on a specification sheet is like judging a master chef solely by the heat of their oven; it misses the artistry, the process, and the real-world results.

Let us imagine you are a prospective investor in the construction materials sector, perhaps in the rapidly urbanizing landscapes of Riyadh or Kuala Lumpur. You are evaluating different machines, and each comes with a promise of a certain output. Understanding the true meaning of the hourly brick production rate is your first line of defense against unrealistic expectations and your most powerful tool for accurate financial forecasting. It is the language through which you can compare not just machines, but entire production philosophies.

Beyond the Numbers: Theoretical vs. Actual Output

Every block-making machine, from a semi-automatic QT4-26 to a fully-automatic QT12-15F, comes with what we call a "theoretical" production rate. This figure is calculated under ideal laboratory conditions. Imagine a world with no friction: the raw materials are perfectly mixed and instantly available, the machine runs without pause, the pallets are swapped instantaneously, and every single block produced is flawless. In this perfect world, a machine with a 15-second cycle time would indeed produce 240 cycles per hour. If the mold for that machine holds 10 standard blocks, its theoretical hourly brick production rate would be 2,400 blocks.

Now, let us return to the reality of a factory floor in Dubai's summer heat or during Manila's monsoon season. Here, the "actual" hourly brick production rate comes into play. This is the number that truly matters to your bottom line. It accounts for the small, cumulative delays of real-world operation. It includes the time taken to load raw materials into the hopper, the brief pauses for a worker to inspect a newly pressed set of blocks, the downtime for changing a mold from a standard hollow block to a decorative paver, and the unavoidable periods of cleaning and maintenance. It even accounts for the occasional mis-press that results in a rejected block.

The gap between the theoretical and the actual hourly brick production rate is where operational excellence is forged. A well-run factory might achieve 80-90% of the theoretical rate, while a poorly managed one could fall below 50%. Therefore, your goal is not just to buy a machine with a high theoretical rate but to create a system that allows you to close that gap and bring your actual output as close to the ideal as possible. This requires a deep understanding of every variable in the production chain.

Why This Metric is the Heartbeat of Your Block Factory

The hourly brick production rate is far more than a simple performance indicator; it is the economic engine of your entire operation. Let us consider its direct and profound impact on your business.

First, it directly determines your revenue potential. Your daily, weekly, and monthly sales capacity is a simple multiplication of your actual hourly output by your operating hours. If you can increase your effective hourly brick production rate by even 10%, you have just increased your potential revenue by 10% without needing to run the factory for longer hours, which would incur additional costs for labor and electricity.

Second, it has a massive influence on your cost per unit. Many of your factory's costs are fixed over a given period: rent, financing payments on the machinery, salaried staff, and even a portion of your utility bills. These costs accrue whether you produce 100 blocks or 1,000 blocks in an hour. By maximizing your hourly output, you are spreading these fixed costs over a larger number of units. This lowers the cost attributed to each individual block, thereby increasing your profit margin on every sale. A higher hourly brick production rate means each block carries a smaller burden of the factory's overhead.

Third, it dictates your market responsiveness and competitiveness. Consider a scenario where a major construction project suddenly requires a large order of paving blocks with a tight deadline. A factory with a high, reliable hourly brick production rate can confidently accept that order, deliver on time, and build a reputation for dependability. A competitor with a lower or more erratic output might have to decline the opportunity, ceding market share. In the competitive markets of Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the ability to scale production quickly to meet demand is a significant strategic advantage.

In essence, every decision you make, from the machine you purchase to the training you provide your staff, should be viewed through the lens of its impact on the hourly brick production rate. It is the central nervous system connecting your investment in capital equipment to your daily operational cash flow.

Factor 1: The Machine's Soul – Model, Technology, and Automation

The single most significant determinant of your production ceiling is the block-making machine itself. It is the heart of your factory, and its capabilities define the boundaries of what is possible. Choosing a machine is not merely a procurement decision; it is a foundational strategic choice that will influence your business for years to come. The markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East are diverse, with needs ranging from small-scale, labor-intensive projects to massive, high-speed infrastructure developments. Consequently, the range of available machinery is equally broad. Understanding the key technological aspects of these machines is paramount to aligning your investment with your business goals and maximizing your hourly brick production rate.

Let us delve into the mechanical and electronic soul of these machines. We will explore how different models, cycle times, power systems, and levels of automation contribute to the overall output. Think of this as learning the grammar of the machine's language; once you understand it, you can make it perform to its full potential.

Decoding Model Numbers: A Look at the QT Series

When you begin exploring options from Chinese manufacturers, you will frequently encounter model numbers like QT4-15, QT6-15, QT10-15, and QT12-15. These are not arbitrary labels. They are a code that provides initial clues about the machine's capacity. The "QT" generally stands for "Quanzhou Technology," a nod to the city in China that is a major hub for this type of machinery manufacturing. The first number (e.g., 4, 6, 10, 12) often relates to the number of standard 400x200x200mm hollow blocks the machine can produce per mold. The second number (e.g., 15, 25, 26) typically refers to the machine's cycle time in seconds.

So, a QT10-15 model, as seen in specifications from suppliers like Hongfa Machinery (), suggests a machine that produces 10 standard blocks per mold with a cycle time of around 15 seconds. This simple decoding allows for a quick, initial comparison of theoretical output. A QT12-15F machine, with its capacity for 12 blocks per 15-second cycle, has a higher theoretical hourly brick production rate than a QT10-15.

The following table, compiled from 2026 manufacturer data, illustrates how these model numbers translate into production capacity.

Modelo de máquina	Blocks per Mold (400x200x200mm)	Cycle Time (seconds)	Theoretical Output per Hour	Typical Application
QT4-26	4	26-35	410 – 550	Small to medium enterprises, start-ups
QT6-15	6	15-25	860 – 1440	Medium-sized operations, diverse products
QT8-15	8	15-20	1440 – 1920	High-demand medium to large businesses
QT10-15	10	15-20	1800 – 2400	Producción comercial a gran escala
QT12-15	12	15-20	2160 – 2880	Major infrastructure suppliers, high-volume

This table provides a clear hierarchy. A business just starting out in a regional market might find the lower initial investment and operational simplicity of a QT4-26 suitable, as its hourly brick production rate is sufficient for local housing projects. In contrast, a company aiming to supply a large-scale urban development in a metropolitan area like Jeddah or Singapore would require the much higher hourly brick production rate of a QT10-15 or QT12-15 model to meet demand and achieve economies of scale.

The Rhythm of Production: Cycle Time Explained

The cycle time is the most frequently cited performance metric, representing the total time it takes for the machine to complete one full sequence of operations: filling the mold with raw material, pressing and vibrating the material to form the blocks, stripping the mold away from the finished blocks, and resetting for the next cycle. A shorter cycle time directly translates to a higher theoretical hourly brick production rate.

Let's break down a typical 15-second cycle:

Material Feeding (4-5 seconds): The material cart moves from the hopper and fills the mold box with the concrete mixture.
Pressing & Vibration (6-8 seconds): The press head descends, and powerful vibrators are activated. This action compacts the material, expels air pockets, and forms the dense, strong block. The duration and intensity are precisely controlled.
De-molding (2-3 seconds): The press head retracts, and the mold box lifts, leaving the freshly formed blocks standing on the pallet.
Pallet Transfer (1-2 seconds): The pallet with the new blocks is pushed out of the machine, and a new, empty pallet is fed in.

A machine that can consistently perform this entire dance in 15 seconds is vastly more productive than one that requires 25 or 30 seconds. The difference between a 15-second and a 25-second cycle is not 10 seconds; it is a 67% increase in theoretical output. Over an 8-hour shift, this difference amounts to thousands of blocks. Advanced fully automatic concrete block making machines utilize sophisticated PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) systems, often from brands like Siemens, to orchestrate these actions with millisecond precision, minimizing wasted time between steps (Hongfa Machine, 2025). This digital control is what allows modern machines to achieve such rapid and repeatable cycle times, directly boosting the potential hourly brick production rate.

The Power Within: Hydraulic Pressure and Vibration Force

If cycle time is the rhythm of production, then hydraulic pressure and vibration force are the power. These two forces work in concert to transform a loose mixture of sand, gravel, and cement into a high-strength structural unit. Their effectiveness has a direct, albeit less obvious, impact on the hourly brick production rate.

Hydraulic Pressure: This is the force exerted by the machine's press head onto the material in the mold. Measured in megapascals (MPa), a higher pressure leads to a denser, more compact block. A machine with a robust hydraulic system can achieve the required block density faster, potentially shortening the pressing phase of the cycle. For example, a machine rated for 16 MPa, like the QT6-15, can apply significant force quickly (hfblockmachine.com, 2022). Insufficient pressure might require a longer pressing time to achieve the same density, thereby lengthening the overall cycle and reducing the hourly brick production rate. Furthermore, a strong hydraulic system ensures consistency from block to block, reducing the number of rejects that don't count towards your final output.

Vibration Force: Vibration is what fluidizes the concrete mix, allowing particles to settle into their most compact arrangement and ensuring the material fills every corner of the mold. The vibration is typically generated by eccentric weights on rotating shafts, and its frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) or rolls/minute. A higher frequency and well-engineered vibration system can achieve optimal compaction more rapidly. This reduces the time needed for the vibration phase of the cycle. It also improves the surface finish of the blocks and ensures sharp, well-defined edges, which is particularly important for high-value products like architectural blocks and pavers. A poor vibration system might lead to blocks with voids or a "honeycomb" texture, increasing the rejection rate and thus lowering the effective hourly brick production rate.

The synergy between pressure and vibration is what defines the quality and speed of formation. An advanced machine synchronizes these two forces, perhaps applying a preliminary vibration to settle the material, followed by a combined high-pressure press and high-frequency vibration for final compaction. Optimizing this interplay through the machine's control system is a key factor in achieving both quality and a high rate of production.

The Human Element: Semi-Automatic vs. Fully Automatic Lines

The level of automation is a critical decision that balances initial investment against long-term operational costs and efficiency. This choice has a profound impact on the consistency and reliability of your hourly brick production rate.

Semi-Automatic Machines: Models like the QT4-26 are often described as semi-automatic. In this setup, the core block-making process (feeding, pressing, de-molding) is automated. However, several peripheral tasks still require significant manual intervention. Workers might be needed to manually load pallets into the machine, operate levers or buttons to initiate certain phases, and transport the finished blocks to the curing area using trolleys. While the initial cost is lower, the hourly brick production rate is heavily dependent on the speed, skill, and stamina of the operators. A moment's hesitation, a poorly coordinated action, or worker fatigue can easily add 5-10 seconds to every cycle, drastically reducing output over a full shift. These machines are excellent for markets with lower labor costs and for businesses that value flexibility and lower initial capital outlay.

Fully Automatic Production Lines: At the other end of the spectrum are fully automatic lines, often built around powerful core machines like the QT10-15 or QT12-15F. Here, automation extends far beyond the block press itself. The system includes automatic batching plants that weigh and mix raw materials, conveyor belts that feed the mix to the machine, an automatic stacker (or "cubing system") that receives the pallets of fresh blocks and arranges them in tall stacks, and even pallet return systems that clean and recycle the pallets back to the start of the line.

In such a system, the human role shifts from direct labor to supervision and quality control. Operators monitor the control panel, oversee the process, and intervene only when necessary. The result is a relentless, consistent pace of production. The machine dictates the cycle time, not the workers. It can run continuously at its optimal 15-second cycle without fatigue, leading to a much higher and more predictable actual hourly brick production rate. While the initial investment is substantially higher, the long-term benefits in regions with rising labor costs or a need for massive, consistent output, such as for government housing projects in the Middle East, are undeniable. The reduction in labor dependency also insulates the production rate from issues like staff turnover and training deficiencies.

The choice between these automation levels is a strategic calculation of capital versus operational expenditure, and it fundamentally defines the upper limit of your factory's sustainable hourly brick production rate.

Factor 2: The Building Blocks of Blocks – Raw Material Quality and Consistency

While the machine provides the potential for a high production rate, the raw materials are the substance from which that potential is realized. You can have the most advanced, high-speed block machine in the world, but if you feed it inconsistent or poor-quality materials, your production will suffer. It is like trying to run a Formula 1 car on unrefined, low-octane fuel; you will never achieve its peak performance, and you risk damaging the engine. In block manufacturing, substandard raw materials lead to two primary problems that directly harm your hourly brick production rate: increased cycle times and higher rejection rates.

Let us explore the critical components of the concrete mix and understand how their properties influence the speed and efficiency of your operation. For a business owner in Southeast Asia or the Middle East, understanding local material sources and how to process them for consistency is as important as selecting the right machine.

The Aggregate's Role: Size, Shape, and Grading

Aggregates, which include crushed stone, gravel, and sand, typically make up 80-90% of the concrete block's volume. Their properties are therefore of paramount importance.

Particle Size and Grading: The "grading" of an aggregate refers to the distribution of different particle sizes within the mix. A well-graded aggregate has a balanced mix of coarse, medium, and fine particles. Why does this matter for production speed? When the particles are well-graded, they fit together like a well-solved puzzle, creating a dense structure with minimal voids. This allows the machine to achieve the required compaction and density with less effort and in less time. The vibration phase of the cycle becomes more efficient, potentially shaving precious seconds off the cycle time. Conversely, a "gap-graded" mix, which is missing certain particle sizes, or a uniform mix of same-sized particles will have more voids. The machine has to work harder and longer to compact it, extending the cycle time and lowering the hourly brick production rate.

Forma de las partículas: The shape of the aggregate particles also plays a role. Rounded, smooth particles, like those found in natural river sand, allow the mix to flow easily and fill the mold quickly. This can speed up the material feeding part of the cycle. However, they may not lock together as well, potentially requiring more cement paste to achieve the desired strength. Angular, crushed stone particles, on the other hand, interlock very well, contributing to high block strength, but their shape can sometimes hinder the flowability of the mix. The ideal is often a balanced combination, ensuring both good flow and strong interlocking.

Moisture Content and Cleanliness: Aggregates must be clean, free from clay, silt, and organic impurities. These contaminants can interfere with the cement's hydration process, leading to weaker blocks that may be rejected. Inconsistent moisture content in the sand and gravel is a major culprit for production problems. If a batch of sand is wetter than the last, the overall water-cement ratio of the mix will be thrown off, resulting in blocks that are too wet, slump after de-molding, and cause costly machine clean-ups and downtime. This variability directly attacks your effective hourly brick production rate. Implementing proper storage (e.g., covered bays) and regular moisture testing is not a luxury; it is a necessity for consistent, high-speed production.

Cement and Binders: The Glue Holding It All Together

Cement is the active ingredient, the binder that reacts with water to form the paste that coats the aggregates and hardens to give the block its strength. While it is a smaller percentage of the mix by volume, its quality is non-negotiable.

Cement Type and Quality: Using a consistent, high-quality Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) that meets international standards (like ASTM C150) is fundamental. A cement that sets too quickly can cause the mix to stiffen in the hopper, leading to feeding problems and machine blockages. A cement that sets too slowly can result in weak "green" blocks (freshly molded blocks) that are prone to damage during transport from the machine to the curing area. This increases the rejection rate. Any variation in the cement's properties from one delivery to the next will require adjustments to the mix design and machine settings, creating instability in the production process.

Materiales cementosos suplementarios (MCE): In many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia and the Middle East, there is a growing trend towards using SCMs like fly ash (a byproduct of coal power plants) or Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS). These materials can replace a portion of the cement, often leading to cost savings and improved long-term durability of the blocks (Siddique, 2008). However, their use must be carefully managed. Fly ash, for example, can improve the flowability of the mix, which might slightly reduce cycle time. But it can also slow down the initial strength gain. This means the green blocks might be more fragile, requiring more careful handling and potentially slowing down the stacking process to avoid damage. The key is consistency. The properties of the fly ash or other SCM must be as consistent as the cement itself to maintain a stable and high hourly brick production rate.

The Water-Cement Ratio: A Delicate Balancing Act

The ratio of water to cement in your mix is perhaps the most sensitive variable in day-to-day operations. It is a constant balancing act. Too little water, and the mix will be too stiff (a "dry" mix). This makes it difficult for the machine to compact, requiring longer vibration times and potentially leading to incomplete compaction and weak blocks. The material may not flow properly into the mold, causing defects.

Too much water, and the mix becomes a "wet" slurry. While it flows easily, the problems are more severe. The freshly molded blocks will not have enough "green strength" to stand on their own after the mold is stripped away. They may slump, deform, or even collapse. This leads to 100% rejection for that cycle and requires an immediate production halt to clean the pallet and potentially the machine itself. This kind of downtime is a direct assault on your hourly brick production rate.

Moderno QT series machines are designed to work with very low water-cement ratios, often called "zero-slump" or "earth-dry" mixes. This is what allows the blocks to be de-molded immediately. Maintaining the perfect, consistent moisture content is therefore essential. Automated batching plants with moisture sensors are a major asset here. They can measure the moisture in the sand and aggregates and automatically adjust the amount of water added to the mixer for each batch. This technological intervention removes human error and environmental variables (like a rain shower wetting the sand pile), creating the consistency needed for an uninterrupted, high hourly brick production rate.

Sourcing in SEA and the Middle East: Local Challenges and Opportunities

The theoretical perfection of material science meets the geological and economic reality on the ground. In the diverse regions of Southeast Asia and the Middle East, sourcing consistent raw materials presents unique challenges.

In many parts of Southeast Asia, the high humidity and frequent rainfall can make controlling the moisture content of aggregates a daily battle. Open-air storage is risky. Investing in covered storage bays and moisture meters is a sound strategy to protect your production rate. The quality of locally available crushed stone can also vary significantly from quarry to quarry. Establishing a strong relationship with a reliable supplier who can provide well-graded, clean aggregate is a critical business task.

In the arid climates of the Middle East, the challenge is different. Sand is abundant, but desert sand is often too fine and rounded (eot风成沙) to be ideal for high-strength block production. It lacks the angularity and grading needed for good interlocking. This often necessitates sourcing and transporting specific types of crushed rock aggregate and manufactured sand, which can add to the cost. The high ambient temperatures can also accelerate water evaporation from the mix, requiring careful management of the batching and transport process to maintain the correct water-cement ratio.

The opportunity in both regions lies in leveraging industrial byproducts. The industrial growth in these areas often means a local supply of fly ash or slag. By developing the technical expertise to incorporate these SCMs consistently, a block producer can not only lower costs but also produce "green" building materials, which are increasingly favored in government and commercial projects. However, this requires an investment in testing and quality control to ensure these materials do not introduce variability that would compromise the hourly brick production rate.

Factor 3: The Unseen Architect – Operational Efficiency and Workflow

You have selected a state-of-the-art block machine and secured a source of high-quality, consistent raw materials. Have you now guaranteed a high hourly brick production rate? Not yet. The third critical factor is the operational environment—the factory layout, the skill of your team, and your maintenance philosophy. This is the unseen architecture of efficiency that orchestrates the movement of materials, people, and finished goods. A poorly designed workflow can throttle the output of even the most powerful machine, creating bottlenecks that starve it of materials or prevent finished products from being cleared away.

Think of your block machine as the star performer in an orchestra. For the performance to be flawless, the sheet music (workflow) must be clear, the other musicians (your crew) must be skilled, and the instruments must be perfectly tuned (maintenance). Let us examine how to compose a symphony of production rather than a cacophony of inefficiency.

The Factory Layout: Minimizing Movement, Maximizing Output

The physical arrangement of your factory is a permanent embodiment of your production philosophy. A well-designed layout follows the principles of lean manufacturing, where every movement is purposeful and waste is eliminated. The goal is to ensure a smooth, continuous flow from raw material delivery to final product dispatch.

Logical Flow: The ideal layout follows the logical sequence of production. Raw materials (aggregates, cement) should be stored near the batching plant and mixer. The mixer should be positioned to feed the block machine's hopper with minimal travel distance, ideally via a short conveyor belt. The block machine should have a clear, unobstructed path for the freshly made blocks to be transported to the curing area. The curing area should, in turn, be adjacent to the cubing/packing station, which then leads directly to the storage yard for finished inventory. This linear or U-shaped flow prevents different stages of the process from interfering with one another.

Eliminating Bottlenecks: A bottleneck is any point in the process that has a lower capacity than the preceding or following steps, causing a backup. A common bottleneck is the transport of fresh blocks from the machine to the curing racks. If you have a high-speed machine producing 2,000 blocks per hour but only one forklift and a slow operator to move them, the machine will inevitably be forced to pause, waiting for the path to be cleared. The machine's potential hourly brick production rate is rendered irrelevant; the actual rate is now dictated by the forklift. A fully automatic line solves this with an integrated stacker that works in perfect sync with the machine. In a semi-automatic setup, this requires careful planning: ensuring wide enough aisles, using efficient transport methods (like multi-level trolleys), and training operators to work quickly and safely.

Space for Maintenance and Storage: A cramped layout not only hinders workflow but also makes maintenance difficult and dangerous. There must be adequate space around the block machine and mixer for technicians to access all components for cleaning, inspection, and repair. Insufficient space for raw material storage can lead to production halts when you unexpectedly run out of sand or cement. Likewise, inadequate space in the curing area can force you to stop production because there is simply nowhere to put the new blocks. Planning for buffer zones and adequate storage is a proactive way to protect your hourly brick production rate from predictable interruptions.

The following table outlines a sample workflow comparison between a poorly designed and an efficiently designed factory layout.

Etapa del proceso	Inefficient Layout	Efficient Layout	Impact on Production Rate
Material Loading	Aggregate piles are far from the mixer, requiring a long loader trip for each batch.	Aggregate bays are adjacent to the batching plant's loading hopper.	Reduces mixer idle time between batches, ensuring the block machine is never starved of material.
Transporte en bloque	Narrow, shared aisle for forklifts moving fresh blocks and finished cubes. Frequent traffic jams.	Separate, one-way paths for fresh block transport and finished goods removal.	Eliminates waiting time for the machine operator. The machine can run continuously.
Pallet Return	Used pallets are stacked haphazardly near the machine, requiring manual sorting and cleaning.	An automated or dedicated station cleans and stacks pallets, feeding them back to the machine via a conveyor.	Ensures a constant supply of clean pallets, preventing micro-stops in production.
Mantenimiento	Machine is installed in a tight corner, requiring other equipment to be moved for major access.	360-degree access around the machine, with dedicated utility points (power, water, air).	Drastically reduces downtime for both routine and emergency maintenance.

The Human Factor: Skill, Training, and Motivation of Your Crew

In any system that is not 100% robotic, the human element is a major variable. In block manufacturing, especially in semi-automatic operations, your team's performance is directly linked to the factory's output. Investing in your people is not a soft-skill luxury; it is a hard-nosed business strategy for improving your hourly brick production rate.

Habilidad del operador: The main machine operator is a key player. A skilled operator understands the sounds and rhythms of the machine. They can detect a problem—like a change in the mix consistency or a developing mechanical issue—before it causes a major breakdown. In a semi-automatic setup, their efficiency in initiating cycles and coordinating with other workers is paramount. A well-trained operator can minimize the time between cycles, ensuring the machine spends more time producing and less time waiting.

Comprehensive Training: Training should go beyond just "how to press the green button." Your team should understand the why behind their tasks. The worker mixing the concrete should understand the critical importance of the water-cement ratio. The forklift driver should understand that damaging a single rack of green blocks wipes out several minutes of production. This deeper understanding fosters a sense of ownership and care. Training should be ongoing, covering not just operations but also safety procedures and basic maintenance checks. A well-trained team works more safely, and fewer accidents mean less downtime.

Motivation and Teamwork: A motivated team is a productive team. Fair wages and good working conditions are the foundation. But motivation can be further enhanced by setting clear production targets and celebrating when they are met. Creating a sense of teamwork is also vital. The mixer operator, the machine operator, and the transport crew must see themselves as a single unit working towards a common goal: maximizing the number of high-quality blocks produced each hour. If they work in silos, blaming each other for delays, the entire process will be inefficient. A small bonus tied to the team's weekly production output can be a powerful incentive that aligns everyone's interests with the factory's primary goal of a high hourly brick production rate.

Maintenance as a Production Tool, Not a Cost

Many businesses view maintenance as a necessary evil, a cost to be minimized. This is a profound strategic error. In a manufacturing context, maintenance is a profit-enabling activity. There are two types of downtime: planned and unplanned. Unplanned downtime, caused by an unexpected breakdown, is catastrophic for your hourly brick production rate. It stops production instantly, often for an extended period, while you scramble to diagnose the problem and find parts.

Preventive Maintenance (PM): The antidote to unplanned downtime is a robust preventive maintenance program. This involves scheduling regular, planned shutdowns to perform inspections, lubrication, cleaning, and replacement of wear parts. You might lose a few hours of production for a scheduled PM session, but this is far less damaging than losing days to a major failure. A typical PM schedule for a block machine would include:

Daily: Cleaning of the mold, press head, and material hopper. Visual inspection of hydraulic hoses and electrical connections.
Weekly: Checking and tightening bolts and fasteners (vibration can loosen them), lubricating all moving parts, checking hydraulic fluid levels and quality.
Monthly: In-depth inspection of wear parts like mold liners, rubber shock absorbers, and conveyor belts. Checking the tension of drive chains.

Maintenance and Cycle Time: A well-maintained machine runs more smoothly and efficiently. For example, a clean mold with a smooth surface allows for faster, cleaner de-molding. Properly lubricated moving parts reduce friction and allow the machine to achieve its designed cycle speed without strain. A hydraulic system with clean oil and filters will respond more quickly and precisely. These small improvements accumulate, helping to maintain the machine's optimal cycle time and, therefore, its hourly brick production rate.

Predictive Maintenance (PdM): For larger, more sophisticated operations, predictive maintenance is the next frontier. This involves using sensors to monitor the machine's health in real-time. For instance, vibration analysis can detect a bearing that is starting to fail long before it seizes up. Thermal imaging can spot an overheating motor or electrical connection. This allows you to schedule a repair at the most convenient time, before a catastrophic failure occurs. While the technology requires an upfront investment, it offers the ultimate protection against unplanned downtime.

By shifting your mindset to see maintenance not as a cost center but as an integral part of the production process, you transform it into a powerful tool for safeguarding and sustaining your factory's output.

The Curing Process: The Final Hurdle to Saleable Blocks

While the curing process happens after the blocks have left the machine, it can still have a retroactive impact on your effective production rate. Curing is the chemical process of hydration where the cement gains its strength. Improper curing can lead to blocks that fail to meet strength requirements, which means they must be rejected. A block that is rejected after 7 or 28 days of curing represents a total loss of the machine time, materials, and labor that went into making it.

Curing Environment: Concrete blocks need a moist environment to cure properly. In the hot, dry climates of the Middle East, this is particularly challenging. If fresh blocks are left exposed to the sun and wind, the water will evaporate from their surface before the hydration process is complete. This results in weak, dusty surfaces and low overall strength. Effective curing methods include covering the stacks of blocks with plastic sheeting or using fogging/misting systems to maintain high humidity in the curing area.

Curing Time and Space: The curing process also has logistical implications. Blocks typically need to be left undisturbed for at least 12-24 hours before they can be handled and cubed. They then continue to gain strength over the next 28 days. You need to have enough dedicated curing space to hold several days' worth of production. If your curing area is too small, it will become full, and you will have no choice but to stop the block machine. Your hourly brick production rate becomes zero because of a downstream storage constraint. Proper capacity planning for the curing and storage yard is therefore essential for maintaining continuous production.

By managing the entire workflow, from the layout of the plant to the final curing of the blocks, you create a resilient and efficient system that allows your block machine to perform at its peak, translating its theoretical potential into a consistently high actual hourly brick production rate.

Factor 4: The Shape of Things – Mold Design and Block Type

The fourth major factor influencing your production output is one that is often directly tied to your sales and marketing strategy: the type of products you choose to make. A block machine is versatile, capable of producing everything from simple hollow blocks for structural walls to intricate, colored pavers for decorative landscaping. However, this versatility comes with a trade-off. The complexity, size, and design of the block have a direct and significant impact on the hourly brick production rate.

It is a common misconception that a machine's cycle time remains constant regardless of what it is producing. In reality, every mold change introduces new variables that can alter the rhythm of production. Understanding this relationship is key to accurate job costing, production planning, and managing customer expectations.

Standard Blocks vs. Complex Pavers: How Design Impacts Speed

Let's compare the production of two very different products on the same QT6-15 machine: a standard 400x200x200mm hollow block and a complex, interlocking paving stone with a colored face layer.

Standard Hollow Blocks: These are the workhorses of the construction industry. The mold design is relatively simple, with large, open cavities.

Material Flow: The simple geometry allows the concrete mix to flow easily and fill the mold quickly and completely. This makes the material feeding part of the cycle very efficient.
Compaction: The uniform shape allows for even distribution of pressure and vibration, leading to rapid and effective compaction.
De-molding: The straight, vertical sides of the mold allow for a clean, fast stripping action. There is a low risk of the block sticking to or being damaged by the mold. As a result, the machine can run at or near its minimum designed cycle time (e.g., 15 seconds), maximizing the hourly brick production rate. A mold for this block size might produce 6 pieces per cycle, leading to a high volume of output.

Complex Interlocking Pavers: These products are high-value but present more manufacturing challenges.

Material Flow: The intricate shapes, sharp corners, and sometimes narrow sections of the mold can impede the flow of the concrete mix. It may take slightly longer to ensure the mold is filled completely without any air pockets, potentially adding a second or two to the feeding part of thecycle.
Two-Layer Production: Many high-end pavers have a durable, colored face layer and a standard concrete base layer. This requires a machine equipped with a secondary "face mix" unit. The production cycle becomes more complex: a small amount of the colored face mix is deposited first, followed by the base mix. This two-step filling process inherently adds time to the cycle compared to a single-mix block.
De-molding: The complex, interlocking shape with non-vertical edges increases the risk of the product sticking to the mold during the stripping process. To prevent damage, the de-molding action may need to be slightly slower and more controlled than for a simple block. This can add another second or two to the cycle.

A cycle time that was 15 seconds for a hollow block might become 20 or 22 seconds for a complex paver. While this seems like a small difference, a 5-second increase per cycle reduces the theoretical output by 33%. Furthermore, a paver mold might hold more units per cycle (e.g., 12-16 pavers), but the overall volume of concrete produced per hour might still be lower. This is a critical calculation when determining the pricing for these premium products. The reduced hourly brick production rate must be factored into the cost.

Mold Quality and Durability: A Long-Term Investment

The mold is the direct interface between the machine's power and the final product. Its quality and condition are paramount. A cheap, poorly made mold is a false economy that will cost you dearly in lost production and poor-quality products.

Material and Hardness: High-quality molds are made from special grades of steel (like manganese steel) that are resistant to the intense abrasion from the aggregates and the high pressures of the machine. They undergo a series of heat treatments, such as carburizing and quenching, to achieve a very hard surface (often over 60 HRC) while maintaining a tough, less brittle core. A hard surface resists wear, ensuring the mold's internal dimensions remain accurate for a longer period. A mold that wears out quickly will start to produce oversized blocks, which can cause problems with construction and lead to rejections.

Precision Machining: The mold must be machined to very tight tolerances. Any inaccuracies in the mold will be directly transferred to every block it produces. A well-machined mold with a smooth internal finish allows for cleaner de-molding and reduces the chances of material sticking. This contributes to a faster, more reliable cycle.

Impact on Production: How does a high-quality mold affect the hourly brick production rate?

Reduced Rejects: A precise, durable mold produces consistent, dimensionally accurate blocks, minimizing the number of rejected units that subtract from your effective output.
Less Downtime: A robust mold will last for many more cycles before it needs to be repaired or replaced. A cheap mold might fail prematurely, causing an unplanned and lengthy production stoppage.
Consistent Performance: A quality mold maintains its performance over its lifespan, contributing to a stable and predictable production rate. A wearing mold might require the operator to slow down the cycle or make other adjustments to compensate for sticking or poor finish, gradually eroding the factory's output.

Investing in a high-quality mold from a reputable supplier is as important as investing in the machine itself. It is a wear part, but it is a critical one that directly governs both product quality and production speed.

The Economics of Mold Changes: Downtime vs. Product Diversity

One of the great advantages of modern block machines is the ability to produce a wide range of products by simply changing the mold. This allows a business to respond to diverse market demands, from housing blocks to landscape products. However, every mold change involves downtime. You cannot produce blocks while you are changing the mold.

The time it takes to change a mold can vary from under 30 minutes on a machine with a quick-change system to several hours on an older or less accessible machine. This downtime must be factored into your production planning and its impact on the average hourly brick production rate.

Let's consider a factory running a single 8-hour shift. If a mold change takes one hour, that represents 12.5% of the available production time for that day. If you are changing molds frequently to fulfill small, diverse orders, your overall output will be significantly lower than if you were running the same product for the entire week.

This creates a strategic choice:

High-Volume, Low-Variety Strategy: Focus on producing one or two standard block types in long production runs. This minimizes downtime from mold changes and maximizes the overall number of units produced. The hourly brick production rate remains consistently high. This is suitable for supplying large projects with standard material requirements.
High-Variety, Custom-Order Strategy: Cater to a niche market for diverse, high-value products like architectural blocks and custom pavers. This involves frequent mold changes and smaller production runs. The average hourly brick production rate will be lower due to the downtime, but this is compensated for by the higher profit margin on each specialized product.

An efficient operation will seek to minimize mold change time through well-trained staff, proper tools (like overhead cranes for heavy molds), and good organization. Some businesses schedule all mold changes to happen at the same time, perhaps at the end of a shift, to avoid interrupting a productive run. Understanding the economics of this trade-off is essential for profitability. You are consciously choosing to sacrifice some production volume for product diversity and higher margins.

Factor 5: The External Forces – Environmental and Managerial Factors

Finally, we arrive at a set of factors that exist outside the machine and the materials but that exert a powerful influence on the production process. These are the environmental conditions of your location and the managerial oversight that guides the entire operation. Ignoring these external forces is like setting sail without checking the weather forecast or having a captain on the bridge. You might have a perfect ship, but you are still at the mercy of the elements and a lack of direction.

For businesses in the demanding climates of Southeast Asia and the Middle East, adapting to environmental realities is not optional. Similarly, strong, proactive management is the force that synthesizes all the other factors—machine, materials, and workflow—into a cohesive, productive whole.

Climate's Impact: Humidity and Temperature in Tropical/Arid Regions

The ambient climate has a surprisingly direct effect on the physics and chemistry of concrete block production, which in turn affects the hourly brick production rate.

High Temperature and Low Humidity (e.g., The Middle East):

Accelerated Evaporation: In hot, dry air, water evaporates quickly. This can be a major problem. Water can evaporate from the raw material stockpiles, from the mix in the hopper, and most critically, from the surface of the freshly made blocks. This can lead to an inconsistent water-cement ratio and cause surface defects like plastic shrinkage cracking on the green blocks.
Faster Setting Time: High temperatures accelerate the chemical reaction of cement hydration. The concrete mix can start to stiffen more quickly. If there is a slight delay in the production process, the mix in the machine's hopper could become too stiff to be properly fed and compacted, leading to poor-quality blocks or even a machine blockage that requires a shutdown for cleaning. This shortens the workable time of each batch of concrete and makes the entire process less forgiving of delays.
Worker Fatigue: Extreme heat also impacts human performance. In non-climate-controlled factories, worker fatigue can set in quickly, leading to slower movements, reduced concentration, and an increased risk of errors and accidents, all of which lower the effective hourly brick production rate.

High Temperature and High Humidity (e.g., Southeast Asia):

Material Moisture Control: High humidity means the air is already saturated with water. This slows down evaporation, which can be beneficial for curing. However, it also means that aggregates stored outdoors can absorb moisture from the air, making their moisture content even more variable and difficult to control, especially during rainy seasons. This requires more diligent moisture testing to maintain a consistent mix.
Condensation: In some situations, condensation can form on cool machinery or stored cement, which can lead to operational problems or material spoilage.
Impact on Hydraulics: High ambient temperatures can cause hydraulic oil to thin out (reduce its viscosity) and overheat. Overheated oil is less efficient at transmitting power and can accelerate wear on hydraulic components. This can lead to sluggish machine performance and potential breakdowns. Many modern machines designed for these climates incorporate larger hydraulic oil coolers to mitigate this risk.

Adapting to these conditions is key. This might involve shading aggregate stockpiles, using water chillers for the mix water in extreme heat, scheduling concrete mixing and production during cooler parts of the day, and ensuring proper ventilation and cooling for both the machinery and the workers.

Power Supply Stability: A Hidden Bottleneck

Concrete block making machines are power-hungry. A medium-sized automatic line can have a total power rating of 30-50 kW or more, with large motors driving the hydraulic pump and the vibrators. The stability of your electricity supply is therefore a critical external factor.

In many developing regions, the power grid can be unreliable, subject to voltage fluctuations, brownouts (dips in voltage), or complete blackouts.

Voltage Fluctuations: Inconsistent voltage can damage sensitive electronic components like the PLC, sensors, and motor controls. It can also cause motors to run inefficiently or overheat, shortening their lifespan.
Brownouts: A sudden dip in voltage during the critical pressing and vibration cycle can result in incomplete compaction, leading to a batch of substandard blocks that must be rejected.
Blackouts: A complete power outage is the most disruptive event. It causes an immediate, unplanned shutdown. The concrete mix left in the hopper and mixer will begin to harden, requiring a difficult and time-consuming clean-out process once power is restored. A few hours of power outage can easily result in a full day of lost production.

For businesses operating in areas with an unstable grid, investing in power conditioning equipment is a wise move. This can include a voltage stabilizer to smooth out fluctuations and a backup generator to take over during blackouts. While a generator represents a significant capital and operating cost (fuel), it can be easily justified by the production losses it prevents. It acts as an insurance policy for your hourly brick production rate.

Management and Planning: The Conductor of the Orchestra

Ultimately, the responsibility for harmonizing all these factors rests with the plant management. A proactive and data-driven management style is the final, crucial ingredient for maximizing output.

Production Planning: This involves more than just telling the operator to start the machine. It means scheduling production runs to minimize mold changes, ensuring raw materials are ordered and delivered on time to prevent stock-outs, and coordinating production schedules with sales orders and delivery commitments.

Data Monitoring and Analysis: You cannot manage what you do not measure. A well-managed plant tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) daily. This includes:

The actual hourly brick production rate.
The number and percentage of rejected blocks.
The cause of any downtime (e.g., "waiting for material," "mold change," "unplanned maintenance"). By analyzing this data, a manager can identify trends and pinpoint the biggest obstacles to higher productivity. For instance, if the data shows that 10% of downtime is due to "waiting for material," it signals a problem with the raw material ordering or delivery process. If the rejection rate spikes every afternoon, it might point to worker fatigue or a temperature-related issue.

Continuous Improvement: The best managers foster a culture of continuous improvement (Kaizen). They empower workers to suggest small improvements to the workflow. They regularly review processes to find and eliminate inefficiencies. They see every problem not as a crisis but as an opportunity to learn and make the system more robust.

A manager who understands the interplay of the machine, materials, workflow, and environment can make informed decisions that have a direct positive impact. They can decide when to invest in a new piece of equipment, when to implement a new training program, or when to adjust the production schedule to account for an impending heatwave. This active, intelligent oversight is what elevates a block factory from a simple collection of assets to a highly productive and profitable enterprise.

Calculating and Projecting Your Hourly Brick Production Rate

Having explored the five key factors, you are now equipped with the conceptual tools to move from theory to practice. The next logical step is to perform calculations that can help you project the potential output of a machine and set realistic production targets for your factory. This is a vital exercise for anyone writing a business plan, seeking financing, or comparing different machinery options.

The process involves starting with the theoretical maximum and then systematically applying efficiency factors to arrive at a more realistic, achievable number.

A Step-by-Step Calculation Guide

Let's walk through a sample calculation for a hypothetical machine, the "Model X-10," which you are considering for your new factory in the Philippines.

Step 1: Determine the Theoretical Maximum Cycles per Hour The manufacturer's specification sheet states the cycle time for Model X-10 is 20 seconds.

Number of seconds in an hour = 3600
Theoretical cycles per hour = 3600 seconds / 20 seconds/cycle = 180 cycles/hour

Step 2: Determine the Number of Blocks per Cycle You plan to primarily produce standard hollow blocks of size 390x190x190mm. The mold for this machine holds 8 blocks.

Step 3: Calculate the Theoretical Hourly Brick Production Rate

Theoretical output = Theoretical cycles per hour * Blocks per cycle
Theoretical output = 180 cycles/hour * 8 blocks/cycle = 1440 blocks/hour

This is your ideal, "perfect world" number. Now, we must ground it in reality.

Step 4: Estimate Operational Efficiency This is the most subjective but most important part. You need to estimate what percentage of the theoretical maximum you can realistically achieve. Let's consider the factors:

Automation: Model X-10 is semi-automatic. You will have manual pallet handling and block transport. This introduces small delays.
Workforce: You plan to hire and train a good crew, but you anticipate a learning curve and normal human pacing.
Workflow: Your factory layout is well-planned, but minor logistical hiccups are inevitable.
Maintenance: You will implement a daily cleaning and weekly PM schedule, which involves planned downtime.
Other Factors: You anticipate occasional short delays for things like refilling the material hopper or clearing a minor jam.

Based on this, you estimate a realistic operational efficiency of 85%. This means that over a long period, you expect the machine to be actively cycling for 85% of the time it is "on."

Step 5: Calculate the Projected Actual Hourly Brick Production Rate

Projected actual output = Theoretical output * Operational efficiency
Projected actual output = 1440 blocks/hour * 0.85 = 1224 blocks/hour

Step 6: Account for Rejection Rate No process is perfect. Even in a well-run factory, some blocks will have minor chips, cracks, or other defects that cause them to be rejected. Based on industry benchmarks and your commitment to quality materials, you project a rejection rate of 3%.

Step 7: Calculate the Final Net Saleable Hourly Brick Production Rate

Net saleable output = Projected actual output * (1 – Rejection rate)
Net saleable output = 1224 blocks/hour * (1 – 0.03)
Net saleable output = 1224 * 0.97 = 1187 blocks/hour (approximately)

So, starting from a theoretical 1440 blocks/hour, your more realistic, actionable projection for business planning is around 1187 saleable blocks per hour. This is the number you should use to calculate your revenue, costs, and profitability. Performing this detailed calculation prevents the common and costly mistake of basing a business plan on the machine's brochure specifications alone.

Using Manufacturer Data for Realistic Projections

Reputable manufacturers often provide productivity tables that are more realistic than a simple cycle time calculation. For example, the data for the QT4-26 machine shows a production of 3840-4400 hollow blocks (400x200x200mm) per 8-hour shift (, 2025).

Let's analyze this data:

Hourly output (low end) = 3840 blocks / 8 hours = 480 blocks/hour
Hourly output (high end) = 4400 blocks / 8 hours = 550 blocks/hour

Why the range? This range implicitly accounts for some of the real-world factors we have discussed. The 550 blocks/hour figure might be achievable with a highly skilled crew, perfect materials, and minimal interruptions. The 480 blocks/hour figure might be more typical for an average day with normal operational pauses.

When you see a range like this, it is prudent to use the lower end or a midpoint for your initial financial projections. As your operation matures and your team becomes more efficient, you can work towards achieving and exceeding the higher end of the manufacturer's stated range. This data from existing installations is invaluable because it is based on actual field performance, not just theoretical calculations, giving you a much more reliable starting point for your planning.

Preguntas más frecuentes (FAQ)

What is the biggest mistake new buyers make regarding the hourly brick production rate? The most common error is focusing solely on the theoretical maximum output listed on a machine's specification sheet. They base their entire business plan on this "brochure number" without accounting for real-world inefficiencies like mold changes, maintenance, worker breaks, and material supply interruptions. This leads to wildly optimistic revenue projections and can result in severe financial difficulty when the actual output inevitably falls short. A prudent investor projects output using a conservative efficiency factor (e.g., 75-85% of the theoretical maximum) to get a more realistic figure.

How much does the block size affect the hourly production rate? It has a major effect. A machine's output is often measured in the number of cycles per hour. If you switch from a mold that produces 6 large hollow blocks per cycle to one that produces 24 small pavers per cycle, the number of units produced per hour will increase dramatically. However, the total volume or weight of material processed per hour might actually decrease if the paver cycle is slower due to its complexity. It is crucial to calculate the rate based on the specific product you intend to manufacture most often.

Can I increase the production rate of my existing machine? Yes, in many cases. Before considering a new machine, focus on optimizing your current setup. Analyze your downtime: are you losing time waiting for materials? Are mold changes taking too long? Implement a strict preventive maintenance schedule to prevent breakdowns. Invest in training your operators to work more efficiently and safely. Often, significant gains in the actual hourly brick production rate can be achieved by improving the workflow and operational discipline around the machine.

How important is a fully automatic line for achieving a high production rate? For large-scale, continuous production, a fully automatic line is paramount. It removes human variability and fatigue from the process, allowing the machine to run consistently at its optimal cycle time for the entire shift. This leads to the highest and most predictable hourly brick production rate. For smaller operations or markets with low labor costs, a semi-automatic machine can be more cost-effective, but the owner must accept that the output will be more dependent on the skill and efficiency of the operating crew.

Does the climate in the Middle East really require special machine features? Absolutely. The combination of high ambient temperatures and fine, abrasive dust is harsh on machinery. Machines intended for this region should have oversized hydraulic oil coolers to prevent overheating, sealed electrical cabinets to protect sensitive electronics from dust, and robust filtration systems for both air and hydraulic fluid. Choosing a machine designed with these conditions in mind will lead to far less downtime and a more reliable hourly brick production rate over the long term.

Conclusión

The journey to understanding and maximizing the hourly brick production rate is a holistic one. It begins with the mechanical heart of the operation—the block-making machine—but extends into every corner of the factory. We have seen that this critical metric is not a single, fixed number but a dynamic outcome shaped by a confluence of five essential factors: the inherent capabilities of your machinery, the quality of your raw materials, the intelligence of your factory's workflow, the specific design of the products you create, and the external pressures of your environment and management.

To treat any of these factors in isolation is to see only a fraction of the picture. A high-speed machine is crippled by inconsistent materials. Perfect materials are wasted by an inefficient workflow. A great team cannot overcome the limitations of a poorly maintained machine. True mastery lies in orchestrating these elements in harmony. For the entrepreneur in Southeast Asia or the industrialist in the Middle East, success in 2026 and beyond will depend on this integrated approach. It requires seeing your factory not as a collection of parts, but as a living system where every component affects the whole. By focusing on consistency, eliminating bottlenecks, investing in both technology and people, and respecting the challenges of your local environment, you can transform the theoretical potential of your equipment into a tangible, reliable, and profitable hourly brick production rate.

Referencias

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Kosmatka, S. H., & Wilson, M. L. (2016). Design and control of concrete mixtures (16th ed.). Portland Cement Association.

Kumar Mehta, P., & Monteiro, P. J. M. (2014). Concrete: Microstructure, properties, and materials (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

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Shandong Hongfa Scientific Industrial and Trading Co., Ltd. (2021, November 15). Block machine. hongfamach.com.