Frequently Asked Questions

What does ‘Hydraform’ mean?

The word ‘Hydraform’ refers to the ‘hydraulic forming’ of bricks. Hydraform machines use hydraulic high pressure to press the soil / fly ash with sand and cement mixture into a high-quality strong block.

What makes Hydraform Building System different?

The Hydraform building system is different because it uses two distinct, well-tested technologies.

The first technology is applied in formation of block. The blocks made from Hydraform machine using established Stabilized Earth Brick/Blocks (SEB) technology or using Fly Ash –Sand-Cement bricks/blocks. There are established codes for both type of material options and blocks made from Hydraform machine meet the expected compressive strength & water absorption parameters. The physical characters of soil or fly ash are analyzed to arrive at a suitable blend with sand and cement. Material is mixed at optimum moisture in an appropriate mixer and compressed in Hydraform block making machine.

The second technology is the interlocking building technology where the blocks have an interlocking shape to form a shear key. Blocks are mostly dry stacked or with minimal mortar slurry into the wall masonry in super structure.

What are Hydraform blocks made of?

Hydraform machine provides flexibility to make blocks, however raw material should be checked before arriving at suitable mix of raw materials. To get good quality blocks approximate ratio for mix should be based on 7 – 10% cement and balance + 90% is a blend of Soil – sand or Fly Ash – Sand.

How long does it take for a block to cure?

Hydraform recommends that blocks are cured under plastic sheeting for a minimum of 7 days. The blocks should be wet thoroughly thrice a day during this 7-day curing period. It is recommended to let the blocks dry before transportation to construction site.

Do blocks have to be covered during curing, and with what?

It is very important to cover the blocks with plastic when curing them. Hydraform recommends a black plastic that is 250 micron thick.

Is building with Hydraform blocks faster than building with conventional brick and mortar.

Building with Hydraform blocks can be extremely fast. Typically a good Hydraform block layer with two block fetchers can place up to 500 blocks in a day. That would be the equivalent of 1500 standard stock bricks in a day.

How many Hydraform blocks are there in one square meter of wall?

There are approximately 37 Hydraform blocks in a square meter of wall.

How many Hydraform blocks are there in one cubic meter of wall?

In a Cubic meter of wall, there are following approximate number of Hydraform blocks:

  • 170 nos. of type HF 220
  • 180 nos. of type HF 200
  • 240 nos. of type HF 150
Do you need to plaster the inside for a smooth finish or do the blocks have a fine enough finish ready for painting.

Hydraform blocks can be plastered or you can apply paint directly to the dry Hydraform block wall.