As you know, advertising is the engine of commerce. But the modern buyer is more and more difficult to attract only bright packaging and beautiful words. More and more people, wanting to receive information about a product or service, search for it on the Internet. Having communicated at a specialized forum and having studied the comments, it is easier to make your choice. In this article, we will talk about such a material used in low-rise construction, like foam concrete blocks. Masters' comments, production description and application features are also given.
Foam concrete blocks. Characteristics
Gas-silicate (or, as it is also called, aerated concrete) is a type of foam concrete. The well-known fact that air is the best heat insulator. From the point of view of thermal conductivity, the most effective materials are those that have a large number of pores and, accordingly, air inside. For example, polystyrene (expanded polystyrene), foam rubber (aka polyurethane foam), fiberglass or basalt slabs. Similar properties have a hollow brick. And the more voids in it, the higher the heat savings. Now this issue has become very relevant. As the cost of energy is rising every day. However, foam blocks (reviews of engineers confirm this) have the reverse side of the coin - bearing capacity. In other words, such material is not suitable for building high-rise buildings. This aspect will be discussed in more detail.
Production of foam concrete blocks
According to technical characteristics, the raw material has a very high load-bearing capacity. Therefore, concrete is widely used in the construction of multi-storey buildings. But the walls of this material turn out to be cold. This problem was solved by additional insulation from the outside. With the development of technologies for the production of building materials, engineers came to the conclusion that if we find a way to drive air into concrete, it will be possible to increase the heat engineering performance. Currently, there are several ways to foaming concrete. For example, chemical. A reagent-foaming agent is added to the concrete mass (in this case it is done using aluminum powder). Then the resulting solution is placed in special molds and left to solidify in a natural way. To accelerate the process, the blocks are placed in autoclave furnaces.
Types of foam concrete blocks
Depending on the use of the furnaces and the way of foaming, this type of building material is divided into:
1) foam blocks (reviews of technologists note that the process of drying naturally affects quality);
2) aerated concrete blocks. Sometimes they are called autoclaved gas-silicate.
The latter are manufactured industrially in large factories. Foam concrete blocks (reviews of private construction firms confirm this) can be produced in small enterprises or directly at the construction site. However, it should be borne in mind that in industrial production the products are of higher quality, since the degree of compliance with technical conditions is much higher.
Application of foam concrete blocks
Also foam blocks (the price per piece can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer) are divided into brands. For example, 600 is used to build a load-bearing structure. The lower the numerical value, the higher the thermal insulation properties (but such material is more fragile). How can foam blocks be used for multi-storey building? Comments and comments of engineers in this case can be reduced to one - only as a heat insulator. Bearing structures are made on beams of metal or reinforced concrete, and blocks of brand 200 are used as a filler.
Masonry of foam concrete blocks
From how the base (the first row) is executed, in many respects depends what will be the whole wall. The main requirement - the observance of horizontal. Achieving this will be fairly easy if you use an equalizing solution layer.
To begin with, using a level or level set the beacons in steps of approximately 50-80 centimeters. On them we will spread and level the solution, starting from the corners. After the substrate dries and becomes firm, you can start laying foam (again, from the corners, and making a bundle three rows tall). Similarly, a bunch is made in a place where the outer and inner walls are joined. Then proceed to laying the blocks of the first row. If necessary, we do the pruning in place. This can be done easily with a trimming or cutting electric saw, using discs on the stone. Next, the main masonry is performed. For the device of door or window openings, the series is interrupted for the required length, and on the top of the opening there is a U-shaped block. To impart strength after every three or four rows, the masonry is reinforced with a welded mesh. The seams must be additionally insulated to minimize heat dissipation. As stated above, the foam concrete blocks are not strong enough. Therefore, to lay the floor slabs make armopoyas, which is cast from monolithic reinforced concrete. In this case, its width should coincide with the width of the wall. The height is determined from the calculation of the loads. Usually it is between ten and twenty centimeters.
Than to combine foam concrete blocks?
For laying foam blocks it is recommended to use masonry glue or mortar. The latter will be much cheaper, but it has its own shortcomings, the liquidation of which later will be much more expensive. Let's explain why. The masonry solution has low heat conductivity. So, additional heat insulation is necessary. In comparison with masonry glue, the required volume of solution is much larger. Consequently, the complexity of the preparatory work is increasing. In addition, it is worth noting that the seams obtained when laying with a solution look less neat. This entails additional costs during the finishing works. As you can see, the use of masonry glue in the end is more profitable and effective. Use of the solution is justified only if the quality of the foam concrete blocks is not good enough. For example, if the blocks have a discrepancy in dimensions larger than seven to nine millimeters, then a solution is recommended.
In the process of work, the glue or mortar is spread out along the length of two or three blocks. This is done so that the film does not form on the surface, which reduces the adhesion. Especially it should be taken into account in hot weather.
Blocks foam concrete: dimensions
Dimensions of this building material are tied to a standard ceramic brick. For example, in one foam block with a size of 200x300x600 mm (the most common), "13" silicate or 15 ordinary bricks are "placed". Foam concrete blocks are made on wall (200x300x600 mm) and peregorodochnye (100x300x600 mm).
Conclusion
Houses made of foam blocks are much cheaper to construct, besides, they are more environmentally friendly. Also worth noting is the significant advantage over construction time, compared with the use of conventional brick. And, of course, it is necessary to remember the observance of technology of erection of buildings and to take into account all technical indicators.