Dimensions of expanded clay concrete blocks for load-bearing walls and partitions

What are expanded clay concrete blocks according to GOST

Expanded clay concrete is classified as lightweight concrete. A porous material, expanded clay, is used as a filler. These are round granules made of baked clay. The composition of expanded clay concrete is cement, sand, expanded clay and water. When preparing the mixture, more water is poured than in ordinary heavy concrete, since expanded clay is hygroscopic and absorbs liquid. When producing blocks, the finished mixture is poured into molds, left until initial hardening, after which they are removed from the mold. In principle, the blocks are ready, but they cannot be used until they reach their design strength.

Manufacturing Basics

Expanded clay blocks can be used not only for the construction of load-bearing and partition walls. They can also be used as a sound and heat insulator. Expanded clay concrete is based on clay of natural origin. The composition also includes sand and cement, which means that a good microclimate will reign inside the building, which is built from these blocks. During the cold season, warm air will remain here for a long time, and in summer, on the contrary, it will be cool, since the walls do not heat up, even when under direct sunlight.

When producing blocks, the main components are first mixed in certain proportions: sand, cement and clay. And then, having diluted everything with water, the resulting composition is poured into special molds and compressed under high pressure using a vibropress. Often additional components are added to the solution that change certain properties.

Clay, which is part of expanded clay concrete, is pre-fired in a special oven under high temperature, resulting in the formation of strong granules with pores. In addition to granules, gravel with an angular shape can also be made from expanded clay. All substances that make up expanded clay concrete are of natural origin, so the production of such blocks is not expensive.

Density and strength

When choosing a building material for the construction of load-bearing walls, it is necessary to pay attention to such characteristics as density and strength. The reliability of the finished structure depends on the latter, and its heat-saving and acoustic properties depend on the density. The density of the blocks ranges from 500 to 1800 kg/m³, while the weight of expanded clay concrete blocks varies accordingly from 10 to 23 kg.

In turn, the strength varies from 3.5 to 20, which corresponds to static load values ​​ranging from 35 to 250 kg/cm². These parameters ensure an operational period of at least 60 years.

Types of building materials

There are a huge number of varieties of expanded clay concrete blocks. There are four main classifications based on purpose, application, laying method and geometry.

Based on their purpose, expanded clay blocks are divided into three types. According to this classification, they can be:

1. Constructive . They have quite a large mass, but at the same time very durable. This has a positive effect on the durability of the structure constructed from them. This material is used for the construction of bridges, overpasses and building supports. The average weight of one cubic meter of structural expanded clay concrete blocks is 1600 kg.
2. Thermal insulation . On the contrary, they have a small mass. They contain very little sand and cement. This material is used as a heat insulator. However, it is not suitable for creating structures that experience heavy loads during operation. The mass of one cubic meter of thermal insulation blocks is about 500 kg.
3. Structural and thermal insulation. It has properties of both. They weigh about 1000 kg and are used for the construction of single-row walls.

Based on the area of ​​application, blocks are divided into two types:

1. Designed for the construction of load-bearing walls. They are marked with the letter “C”.
2. Designed for the construction of lightweight partitions inside the building. They are designated by the letter "P".

According to the method of laying, blocks also come in two types - ordinary and front. As for geometry, expanded clay concrete blocks most often have the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and they can be either solid or hollow.

When marking, blocks made of expanded clay concrete are indicated by a set of seven symbols. From them it is easy to determine all the main characteristics that a builder needs to know about.

Frost resistance and fire resistance

The frost resistance of the building material plays an important role in the durability of the structure. It is determined experimentally, during the freezing and thawing of an expanded clay concrete block completely saturated with water. Currently, GOST establishes 4 main grades that differ in frost resistance, namely: F25, F35, F50 and F75.

The larger the number after the letter designation, the greater the number of freezing and thawing cycles the expanded clay concrete block can withstand.

The fire resistance of expanded clay concrete blocks has the highest class. If the exposure of an expanded clay concrete block to open fire does not exceed 7–10 hours, then nothing will happen to it.

Septal

The size of the expanded clay concrete block intended for the construction of partitions is:

• 9x18.8x39 cm;
• 12x18.8x39 cm.

Elements intended for partitions, unlike wall elements, have an improved geometric shape and a variety of colors.

An indoor partition is a load-bearing interior structure that is not affected by extraneous loads other than its own weight. The standard width of such a wall is 9 cm. The products used to build the internal partition are called half-blocks, due to the fact that their thickness with the mortar layer is 1–2 times the thickness of standard blocks. The semi-block is available in two types:

1. Facial.
2. Private.

The models are distinguished by an assortment of shades and a smooth front surface; with these features, the strength qualities of expanded clay concrete blocks are not lost.

Technical characteristics of expanded clay concrete products meet all the requirements of GOST 6133-99. Such documentation indicates the characteristics and properties of the building material, observing which, it is possible to control the quality of production, labeling is carried out, and the properties of raw materials and components for manufacturing are indicated. The documents also indicate the conditions for transportation and storage of finished products.

Dimensions and prices of expanded clay concrete blocks

The first thing we advise you to decide on at the beginning of designing a building from our material is the size of the blocks. Let's turn to their classification.

Wall blocks are used for laying walls , and their key indicator is their strength grade, since the main load falls on them. Wall blocks are divided into:

• four-slit (from 37 rubles per piece);
• full-bodied (from 59 to 66 rubles per piece);
• double-hollow (from 40 to 45 rubles per piece);
• three-hollow (from 39 to 44 rubles per piece);
• multi-slit (from 35 to 57 rubles per piece);
• large-format (from 119 to 149 rubles per piece);
• through (from 119 to 270 rubles per piece).

Depending on the needs of the customer, wall blocks can have the following dimensions:

• 288×288×138 mm;
• 288×138×138 mm;
• 390×190×188 mm;
• 290(288)×190×188 mm;
• 190×190×188 mm;
• 90×190×188 mm.

Expanded clay concrete partition blocks are used to create internal partitions and have the following classification:

• double-slit (from 30 to 51 rubles per piece);
• full-bodied (from 39 to 305 rubles per piece);
• multi-slit (from 30 to 50 rubles per piece).

In terms of strength, expanded clay concrete partition blocks are practically not inferior to wall blocks. Their sizes are divided as follows:

• 590×90×188 mm;
• 390×90×188 mm;
• 190×90×188 mm.

Sometimes the dimensions of the finished product do not comply with GOST. Then they are dictated by TU - technical conditions, the standards of which are determined by the manufacturer. This applies to a greater extent to large-format expanded clay concrete blocks. Despite the abundance of tempting offers, we advise you to purchase products that comply with the long-tested GOST.

The sizes and prices of each category are closely interrelated: the cost of one block consists of its dimensions and the number of voids. The second determining factor of cost is the content of expanded clay and itself . Reviews from owners prove: the more of them in the concrete mixture, the warmer and more expensive the final product.

Main types and sizes of expanded clay block

Manufacturers of expanded clay concrete products produce the following types of expanded clay blocks, differing in shape:

• solid, representing a solid block. Used under conditions of increased loads. For example, during the construction of the basement of a building or during the construction of main walls;
• hollow, having voids. The use of hollow blocks when constructing walls allows you to reduce the weight of the structure and, accordingly, the load on the foundation.

Expanded clay blocks are also classified according to their functional purpose. Products are divided into the following types:

• thermal insulation, density 0.35–0.6 t/m3. They are used to insulate constructed buildings;
• structural, density 1.4–1.8 t/m3. Allows for the construction of capital structures of buildings and loaded engineering structures, such as overpasses and bridges;
• thermal insulation and structural, density 0.6–1.4 t/m3. They are used in the construction of internal walls and partitions, simultaneously providing a high margin of safety and a comfortable thermal regime.

According to their physical and technical parameters and purpose, expanded clay concrete is classified as: structural, structural and thermal insulation, thermal insulation

Depending on the specific application, products are divided into varieties

:

1. Wall.
   They are in demand during the construction of external and internal walls that can bear significant loads.
2. Septal.
   Used for the construction of indoor partitions.

In the general classification, a separate niche is occupied by expanded clay concrete blocks with cladding, characterized by increased decorative properties.

Blocks with cladding, depending on the degree of decorativeness, are conventionally divided into the following categories:

• colored products.
  They do not require additional finishing, since multi-colored pigments of brick, yellowish, blue, green and other shades are introduced into the expanded clay concrete mass. The use of colored expanded clay concrete eliminates the need for plastering of walls, as well as decorative finishing with tiles or “lining”;
• material with decorative texture.
  Blocks with cladding imitate wood, natural stone, lining or textured plaster. The main advantage is a wide range of colors and a variety of textures, allowing the implementation of original design solutions.

An important parameter is the size of the expanded clay block. The standard regulates the dimensions of products.

Possibility of laying load-bearing walls without additional facing work

Products with the following sizes are widely used:

• wall products measuring 18.8x19x39 cm;
• partition elements measuring 18.8x9x39 cm.

Depending on the specifics of the masonry of walls based on expanded clay filler products, products of various sizes are used.

Dimensions are:

• length
  – 9; 19; 28.8; 29; 39 cm;
• width
  – 13.8; 19; 28.8 cm;
• height
  – 13.8; 18.8 cm.

Blocks for the construction of partitions with a constant width of 9 cm and a height of 18.8 cm differ in length of 19, 39, 59 cm.

Types of expanded clay concrete blocks

Based on external features and structural structures, the following types of expanded clay concrete blocks are distinguished:

• front - for constructing external walls. The material has a good spring appearance and does not require further finishing;
• ordinary - such blocks need processing and coating with decorative materials;
• corpulent - used in the construction of multi-storey buildings. The blocks of this group hold fasteners well; the material is considered an ideal solution for arranging a ventilated façade;
• hollow – the blocks are easy to install, lightweight and have low thermal conductivity. It is recommended to use them for low-rise construction.

Types of expanded clay blocks

One of the advantages of the products is that the content of components is not regulated in regulatory documents; there are only acceptable characteristics regarding strength grade, frost resistance, density, heat conductivity coefficient, etc. Thanks to this, you can find different types of products for your needs . Here's what they can be:

1. Wall ones, the width of which is 150 mm or more.
2. Partition – less than 150 mm.

The first ones are used for laying walls inside and outside, which are load-bearing. Partition walls divide the structure into rooms, dividing the box.

Note! Not only are there ordinary building materials, but cladding products that have a special coating also go on sale.

I would also like to note that materials can be solid or hollow. Hollow ones can have up to 10 holes and are lightweight. They have a low thermal conductivity and are used for cold regions. In addition, the products have better sound insulation, their consumption is lower, and accordingly, the cost is reduced. However, the strength of the material is poor due to the cracks.

But solid products have greater density, since they have no holes or voids. They have more weight, but not the same thermal characteristics.

Production technology

Expanded clay concrete blocks are manufactured at many enterprises. As follows from expert reviews, materials from Aleksin, Minskzhelezobeton, Vinziley, Tuymazy, Shakhovskaya, Shaksha are popular. Expanded clay concrete blocks of German quality are especially valued.

The technological process for manufacturing the material at each enterprise is different. Various proportions of raw materials are used; some manufacturers use plasticizer additives that affect the final cost. Because of this, the mixture gains better mobility, fills forms better, leaving almost no empty spaces. Experienced specialists add liquid soap or adhesive instead of plasticizers, increasing plasticity and reducing the amount of water.

The production process can be divided into three main stages:

1. An initial mixture is prepared, consisting of expanded clay sand, clean water, cement material and fillers. Cement in this case is a universal binder. The proportions may differ - the strength indicator increases depending on the amount of cement, but at the same time the weight of the block changes and its heat resistance decreases. To make 100 kg of mortar, you will need 54.5 kg of expanded clay stone, 27.2 kg of washed sand, 9.21 kg of cement material, 9.09 kg of clean water. Initially, to prepare a standard mixture, water is poured into a concrete mixer, expanded clay, cement are added, and then sand is added. Everything is mixed for two minutes. To make one block, the size of which is 400 x 200 x 200 mm, you will need at least 11 - 12 kg of solution. It turns out that from the prepared batch you will get 9 - 10 stones.
2. It's time for molding. It is performed on vibrating machines; plates made of stainless steel material are inserted into special recesses of the required shape, onto which a mixture of expanded clay concrete is poured. After this, distribution and compaction begin due to vibration, excess raw materials are removed, and the mold is sent for drying.
3. This is already the third stage. The blocks are dried for at least two days, after which the plates are removed, and the process continues in the open air and lasts up to one and a half weeks.

It is easy to prepare expanded clay concrete blocks yourself; the technological process does not cause any difficulties. But if you study the reviews of home owners, it turns out that it is more profitable to purchase ready-made material than to manufacture it on site.

Production of material

The production of expanded clay concrete blocks is quite simple. As the name of the material says, its creation requires several components:

1. Expanded clay.
2. Cement.
3. Sand.

Together, these materials become expanded clay blocks. Why are they so popular? There are several reasons for this. It's all about the benefits of the products. Since the composition contains expanded clay, the product will be light and warm. After all, expanded clay is a porous material (specially processed and fired clay) that is light in weight and used as insulation. In addition, unlike bricks, expanded clay concrete blocks have convenient sizes. The material is easy to work with, laying is done quickly, and little mortar is required.

Note! One expanded clay block holds 7 bricks. Laying with them will happen 5 times faster, and the solution consumption will be 2 times less.

So, to summarize, we can note the following advantages:

• fire resistance;
• low thermal conductivity;
• light weight;
• strength;
• durability;
• excellent frost resistance;
• efficiency;
• low cost;
• environmental cleanliness;
• give minimal shrinkage;
• the blocks do not rot, do not rust and are biostable.

All these indicators speak in favor of expanded clay blocks.

Areas of use

Block material made of expanded clay concrete can be solid or hollow. Construction using expanded clay concrete blocks is popular. The first group is more durable, due to the existing tongue-and-groove system, it is used in the construction of load-bearing type walls. Tongue-and-groove material is also used in the construction of foundations.

The second group has good thermal insulation properties and is used to reduce heat loss and improve sound insulation. If the need arises, elements of additional reinforcement can be placed in the hollow sections of the blocks to improve the strength of the building.

Both types of blocks are used in multi-story construction, for the construction of outbuildings, garages, and bathhouses. They fill the frame bases of monolithic objects and are used in high-rise construction. Colored expanded clay concrete blocks make beautiful facades of objects.

Application area

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This material is universal - its strength and thermal conductivity allow it to be used for the construction of objects for any purpose. For example, the foundation can be laid out from massive reinforced elements that can withstand heavy loads. The walls are built from special blocks designed to create an insulating layer, and their use is due only to the difference in the composition of the solution and the complexity of the design: load-bearing and supporting expanded clay bricks have increased mass and increased density, and insulating elements are characterized by increased porosity and low weight.

Parameters of expanded clay brick

Pros and cons of a house made of expanded clay blocks

Expanded clay blocks are many times larger than bricks. Even double. The size of an expanded clay concrete block can only be compared with ceramic building blocks. But expanded clay blocks weigh less and have better thermal conductivity characteristics. And, importantly, much lower in cost. Durability and frost resistance are comparable to ceramic bricks.

Advantages of construction from expanded clay concrete

The advantages of houses made of expanded clay blocks include the following points:

• Short terms for the construction of walls.
• For masonry, use ordinary cement-sand mortar.
• Expanded clay block masonry can be easily finished with any materials.
• The house turns out warm. But ceramic brick is more heat-intensive - about 20-30%, so it accumulates more heat. When compared with sand-lime brick, expanded clay concrete block is more heat-intensive.

  

  Compare the characteristics of different materials

• The walls weigh little, which reduces foundation costs.
• No shrinkage.
• They do not contain lime, which means the reinforcement is not subject to corrosion.
• Good soundproofing properties. For external walls 47 dB to 55 dB, for internal walls - from 49 dB to 54 dB. Depends on the density and thickness of the walls.

The blocks can have a tongue-and-groove system, which improves the thermal characteristics of the masonry. The material is natural, breathable, so there will be no problems with regulating humidity in the rooms.

Flaws

Expanded clay concrete houses also have some quite serious disadvantages. They must be taken into account when choosing building materials.

• Expanded clay block is not suitable for houses without heating in winter. We remember that expanded clay is hygroscopic and blocks made of expanded clay concrete are also hygroscopic. Frost resistance is not so great, so it requires, firstly, insulation, and secondly, a finish that will protect the material from water ingress. It is also necessary to maintain positive temperatures. In general, the frost resistance of blocks that are processed in an autoclave or in a brick press is about 100 cycles and this is more than enough. But for private owners, no one controls this parameter.

  

  For industrial blocks made of expanded clay concrete, the frost resistance can reach 100 or 120. For handicraft ones, no one knows for sure.

• Due to hygroscopicity, it is better not to use for walls in rooms with high humidity. That is, for baths it is better to look for another material. It’s just that when building from expanded clay concrete blocks, their insides must be covered with waterproofing agents.
• The size of the expanded clay concrete block can “float”. This is inconvenient during construction.
• The manufacturing technology is simple, which allows you to open a “garage” production. Everything gets mixed up “by eye”, there is no control of characteristics and parameters, and then the blocks crumble and the walls crack.

The main disadvantage is high hygroscopicity. Clay granules can absorb a lot of water. Blocks that are stored outdoors for a long time weigh many times more than those that remain in dry rooms. Cement only becomes stronger from moisture. But you probably won't like damp walls. Therefore, it is important to properly waterproof the foundation and cut off all possible sources of moisture leakage. It is better to make the roof with large overhangs and build a high-quality drainage system.

Composition, classification and production of expanded clay concrete

Building blocks are the result of mixing sand, expanded clay and cement in strict proportions. These building materials, after being diluted with water, are poured into molds and pressed using a vibration press. For some types of structures, plasticizers are added to the solution. Expanded clay concrete can be used not only in the construction of walls, partitions or other structural elements - it is often used as insulation and sound insulator.

Heat transfer indicators

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Expanded clay as a component of the solution is obtained by firing clay at high temperatures, and the result is oval, porous, durable granules. In addition to granules, expanded clay gravel is produced, which has an angular shape. All components of expanded clay blocks are of natural origin, so production is cheap, and the building material is light and warm.

Based on size, characteristics and composition, expanded clay blocks are divided into the following groups:

1. Purpose: Structural type is the heaviest and most durable element. Used in the construction of free-standing building supports, overpasses and bridge structures. Specific gravity – 1400-1800 kg/m3;
2. Structural and thermal insulation element - construction of single-row walls. Specific gravity – 600-1400 kg/m3;
3. The thermal insulation type of blocks is used as insulation. This is the lightest type, containing the least amount of sand and Portland cement with a specific gravity of 350-600 kg/m3.

Solid elements are laid in places and structures with increased loads. Walls are usually built from hollow blocks so as not to add weight to the object. The reliability and strength of the structure does not suffer.

Wall products

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The most common block size is 190 x 188 x 390 mm. These figures are taken for a reason - the layer of cement-sand mortar is usually 10-15 mm, and the standard wall thickness of one brick is 200 mm. We add the thickness of the mortar layer to the thickness of the expanded clay block wall, and we get the same 200 mm. The thickness of the mortar between the bricks is taken into account when determining the dimensions of any large blocks. The most unpopular size is 230 x 188 x 390 mm, since few factories produce products with such unpopular dimensions. The element length of 390 mm is selected by manufacturers based on compliance with the masonry dimensions of one and a half times the size of a regular brick plus mortar. This type of masonry is usually used for basements and plinths.

1. The construction term “block-thick wall” means that the wall thickness is 390 mm, and the expanded clay block is laid across. With such masonry, the strength of the structure increases noticeably;
2. The term “half-block thick wall” means a wall thickness of 190 mm, with blocks laid longitudinally.

House made of expanded clay concrete: a new trend in modern construction

Low-rise buildings made using expanded clay concrete blocks can confidently be called a new trend in modern construction. Using this material as the main one in the construction of external walls and internal partitions, the time required to complete the work and their cost are significantly reduced, and the heat supply of the finished building is also simplified.

House: first floor made of expanded clay concrete blocks and attic made of timber

Thanks to all the advantages, turnkey construction from expanded clay concrete blocks is much more acceptable, which means more families will be able to afford their own private home.

Thus, when choosing expanded clay concrete blocks as the main material for building your house, you can count not only on prompt completion of the work, but also on their fairly reasonable cost. And this can be called one of the most powerful arguments for those who have decided to move from the bustle of a noisy city closer to nature.

Markings and characteristics

Industrially manufactured partition blocks have an established designation system - markings. It encrypts the main operational parameters of the stone. Its artificial origin is indicated by the symbol “K” - the first letter of the marking. The second and 3rd symbols are letters indicating the scope and purpose (front - “L”, partition - “P”, wall - “S”, ordinary - “P”).

Solid expanded clay concrete partition block, size KPR-PR-39-50-1200 GOST 6133-99

The fourth and 5th are letters indicating the purpose of the stone in the masonry of the partition (serial - “PR”, ligation of seams - “PZ”, corner-forming - “UG”). Further, there is a peculiarity in the marking - only for hollow stones there is the designation “PS”. Then only numbers appear in the code. The first number is the length of the partition block (in centimeters), the second is the strength (in kg/cm2), the third is the number of frost resistance cycles (the letter “F” and two numbers), the fourth is the density of the expanded clay block material (in kg/m3).

Now it is clear that a block marked KPR-PR-PS-39-75-F35-900 GOST 6133-99 is an artificial expanded clay concrete stone, partition, row, row, hollow, length 39 cm, strength 75 kg/cm2, designed for 35 annual cycles, has a density of 900 kg/m3.

Expanded clay concrete products used for partitions are classified as structural and thermal insulation materials (density 600 - 1100 kg/m3). The size of expanded clay fractions determines the thermal conductivity of products; their reduction increases the density of the material, which leads to a deterioration in thermal insulation properties.

Stone installed in internal partitions and lintels has an acceptable thermal conductivity coefficient close to 0.35 W/(m °C). The moisture-absorbing properties of the material can be improved by adding, for example, liquid glass to the formulation as a hydrophobic plasticizer. At the same time, it is allowed to increase the weight of products by absorbing moisture up to 10%. One of the operational properties of interior walls is sound absorption, which can reach 50 – 75 dB.

The effect is achieved by the presence of voids in the construction of expanded clay blocks (30 - 40%). The comfort of staying in the premises is determined by the vapor permeability of the enclosing walls. For hollow stones its value is three times higher than for solid ones.

Structural and thermal insulation products have a vapor permeability in the range of 0.256 – 0.138 mg/(m h Pa), which corresponds to similar properties of wood. Partition masonry is not flammable and can withstand prolonged high-temperature overheating.

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Standard solutions for the middle zone

When building a house, it is best to order a project. Here everything will be taken into account for you, all components and materials will be prescribed, including the size of the expanded clay concrete block, its parameters and quantity. All that remains is to purchase everything according to the list. But few people do this. A project is an expense, and money is already scarce. Therefore, they try to roughly “estimate” without making calculations. The position is also understandable, but it does not always lead to savings, because “standard solutions” are made with a margin of safety, and this is an overconsumption of material. But, in general, there are proven options for the composition of the pie of external walls made of expanded clay blocks for Russia.

• Only blocks without insulation. Wall thickness - 600 mm. The size of the expanded clay concrete block for the outer wall is 590*290*200 mm, the blocks are hollow, structural and thermal insulating. Place the blocks with the voids facing up and fill them with heat-insulating material. The most convenient way is to use polystyrene foam chips. The interior is finished with plaster or plasterboard, the exterior is finished with plaster.

  

  Examples of laying expanded clay blocks

• Expanded clay block 400 mm + insulation. For an external wall, it is more convenient to use an expanded clay concrete block measuring 390*190*200 mm. When laying in a bandage we get 40 mm thickness. The insulation layer must have a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.05 W/m °C. For mineral wool and expanded polystyrene it is about 50 mm.
• Multi-slot block made of expanded clay concrete 500 mm thick without insulation. The dimensions of the expanded clay concrete block must be selected, since they often come in non-standard sizes. Can be found in 500mm length and 250mm width. It will be convenient to place it in the usual way with dressing. Or you can use other formats, but you will need to develop a masonry scheme.

  

  Another popular solution is with brick cladding.

• Expanded clay wall 290 mm thick + insulation. For this option, you can use a large-format block. According to GOST, its size is 288*288*138 mm, but it weighs a lot and is more difficult to work with. You can use a narrower one - 138 mm wide, which will almost give the required thickness. About 100 mm of insulation is needed, interior finishing is plaster or drywall.

When choosing expanded clay blocks, we look at two indicators: compressive strength class - for load-bearing walls it should be at least B3.0 (with a margin). The second indicator is the thermal conductivity coefficient. The lower it is, the better.

Block standard

The most common block sizes are 19x18.8x39 cm. These parameters are calculated for seams made of cement mixture, which is 1-1.5 cm. The standard thickness of one brick will be equal to 20 cm. If you add the thickness of the seam with cement mortar to the dimensions of the thickness of the expanded clay concrete wall, it will also be 20 centimeters. Parameters 23x18.8x39 are considered the most unpopular, due to the low productivity of products by manufacturers. The length of the elements is 39 cm and is used for the construction of basement and basement structures.

Features of construction terminology:

1. “A block-thick wall” means that the wall thickness will be 39 cm. The construction method involves laying expanded clay blocks across, such a laying significantly increases the strength of the structure;
2. “A wall half a block thick” means that the wall thickness will be 19 cm. The elements are laid in longitudinal order.

The size of the expanded clay concrete block will not affect the technical characteristics.

1. In terms of strength indicators, products differ depending on the area in which they will be used, for this reason it is important to take into account the specific purpose and indicator:

• thermal insulation 5-35 kg/cm2;
• structural-thermal insulation 35-100 kg/cm2;
• structural 100-500 kg/cm2.

1. Volumetric mass:

• thermal insulation 350-600 kg/cm3;
• structural and thermal insulation 600-1400 kg/cm3;
• structural 1400-1800 kg/cm3.

1. The thermal conductivity of expanded clay concrete products ranges from 0.14 to 0.66 W/(m*K). Such indicators depend on the amount of sand and cement fractions that are part of the stone. Accordingly, the fewer of them there are, the higher the ability to retain heat the block will have. Hollow products have the highest performance and a house built from them will retain heat well.
2. Frost resistance will depend on the weight of the product - the heavier it is, the more stages of freezing/thawing the building material will withstand:

• thermal insulation 15-50 cycles;
• structural and thermal insulation 150 cycles;
• constructive 500 cycles.

1. A standard expanded clay block has water absorption rates of up to 10%; these data can be reduced by adding special plasticizing additives and improvers to the component.
2. Soundproofing qualities depend on the cellular structure of the blocks. If the thickness of the partition is 9 cm, this will provide protection against sounds up to 50 dB.
3. It is permissible to build a maximum of 12 storey buildings.

Reviews

If we compare the positive and negative aspects of the material, we can easily note that the blocks have significantly more advantages. This is confirmed by numerous reviews of expanded clay concrete blocks, which are mostly positive.

Many consumers confirm that expanded clay concrete blocks make excellent summer cottages, garages and other outbuildings. The thickness of expanded clay concrete blocks varies, so walls can be built from this material without additional insulation.

If you don’t know how to choose the right material, study the technical characteristics of M75 expanded clay concrete blocks. Expanded clay concrete blocks are so versatile that you can build a cellar from them with your own hands.