Keramzitobeton: proportions for cooking

Expanded clay gravel has become widespread in construction due to the reliability of the structures formed from it. Building forms and structures can stand for dozens of years without losing physical and aesthetic characteristics. The composition of cement mortar and expanded clay refers to a light group of concrete. Composition keramzitobetona contains a large aggregate expanded clay, fine aggregate sand and cement as an astringent component. In addition to cement, a gypsum can be used for bonding. Let us consider in detail what claydite concrete is, the proportions for mixtures of different densities, the scope and characteristics of the building material.

Properties and characteristics of the material

Visually, claydite concrete has a porous structure, the pore size depends on the firing regime of the main aggregate. There are three degrees of porosity of concrete: large porous, porous and dense. The performance characteristics of structures and structures are significantly influenced by the uniformity of the concrete structure.

The normative strength of claydite concrete is determined by the proportion of expanded clay gravel of small and coarse fractions. The use of expanded clay concrete as the main element of building forms requires additional reinforcement, in order to increase the strength of structures, the installation of concrete elements is accompanied by fixing the reinforcement. The main role of claydite concrete is the formation of the fencing heat-insulating layer in multilayer structures.

Strength and physical characteristics of claydite concrete depend on the ratio of components. It should be taken into account that the proportions of expanded clay concrete for the floor and the proportion of the mixture for building blocks are different.

Expanded clay concrete: proportions and composition of solution

For a long time, the use of reinforced concrete slabs for the construction of buildings has been used as overlaps , today this technology is not relevant. Reinforced concrete floors have a significant disadvantage - low thermal insulation. A material that can successfully withstand loads and at the same time provide comfortable conditions for staying indoors is claydite concrete, which is used in the form of screed.

When laying the screed, it is necessary to pay attention to the type of surface on which its composition depends. Optimum proportions of claydite concrete for screed: the height of 30 mm per 1 m2 requires 40 kg of mixture of sandstone M300 and 35 kg of expanded clay gravel.

Claydite concrete: the proportions for the screed, depending on the calculated density value per 1 m3

To prepare a concrete mixture in a suitable container, load expanded clay, and then pour water (a small amount). After dissolving the porous structure of the granules, the binding components, cement and sand concrete, are loaded into the container. Everything is mixed with a construction mixer to a thick consistency. Mixing of the mortar ceases after the expanded clay acquires the color of the cement.

Advantages and disadvantages of clay screeds

Often claydite-concrete screed is used when it is necessary to increase the level of the floor in the room. The formed surface has high strength, is resistant to moisture, does not allow air to pass through. Advantages of screed from claydite:

• The cost of it depends on the area and thickness of the coating;
• Accessible installation technology and long service life;
• The possibility of correcting the plane, eliminating swings and irregularities;
• Absolute compatibility with all types of flooring;
• High degree of moisture resistance and fire resistance, sound insulation;
• Resistance to biological and chemical effects;
• In such a process as the preparation of expanded clay concrete, the proportions regulate the density;
• Ecological cleanliness.

The screed made of expanded clay concrete has disadvantages:

• Stacking is accompanied by a significant rise in the floor level;
• After drying, surface grinding is required.

Availability of block production technology

When erecting a small residential or economic structure in a dacha or a private plot, the owners often prefer building blocks of expanded clay. They are also used to build houses built in areas with low soil bearing capacity. The reason for choosing is the high performance of the material and the available technology for the production of blocks. They can be manufactured independently on the backyard without the use of technological equipment.

Formation of claydite blocks

Keramzitobetonnye blocks are of two types: hollow and full-bodied. Regardless of the shape of the blocks, the foundation is claydite gravel. Blocks, whose shape has no voids, are used for laying foundations and cladding external walls. Hollow blocks are widely used as a sound-proof and heat-insulating enclosing layer of the inner walls of the building.

Due to the use of porous blocks, the bearing characteristics of the foundation and walls of the building are increased. However, the main advantage of using claydite-concrete in construction is determined by the cost-effectiveness of the structures being erected. Due to the porosity of the structure, a reduction in raw material costs and a low weight of the structural elements is achieved.

Expanded clay: composition and proportions of the mixture for forming blocks

Claydite-concrete blocks in their composition contain expanded clay, cement, fine sand and other additives. In other words, the mixture contains binder components and expanded clay. As additives that increase the physical properties of building blocks, wood-saponified resin (SDO) can be used to increase resistance to low temperatures. To increase the degree of binding, a technical lignosulfonate powder (LSTP) is added.

Preparation of solution

The binding base of the mixture for forming the texture layer is slag cement (SHPTS) or cement grade M400 (Portland cement). It should be taken into account that the cement mark can not be less than M400. Further, expanded clay and fine sand are added.

We produce claydite concrete by our own hands, the proportions of the mixture: 1 (cement), 8 (expanded clay gravel) and 3 (sand). This composition will give the optimum characteristics of the future building material. To make expanded clay concrete, the proportions per 1m3 should be as follows: 230-250 liters of water. To give plasticity to concrete, you can use the folk method: in the process of mixing the components, add a teaspoon of detergent.

Mixing of all components must be carried out in a concrete mixer, the sequence of operations is as follows: the loose components are loaded and mixed in the drum, then water is gradually added until a homogeneous mass resembles the consistency of clay.

Molding of blocks and the final stage

On the site for the molding of blocks, a pallet is installed on which the formwork is placed. In the process of drying the blocks, direct exposure to moisture and direct sunlight is unacceptable, and a canopy is installed for this purpose. Before filling the mortar, the inner walls of the molds are plastered with engine oil, and the base is sprinkled with sand. There are standard sizes of blocks made of expanded clay concrete: 190 × 190 × 140, and 390 × 190 × 140 mm. The standard dimensions should be adhered to, but for a small country house construction, the dimensions can be changed at their own discretion.

After completing all the preparatory stages, the molds are filled with a solution. The mixture is compacted to eliminate voids until the appearance of cement milk. The surfaces of the blocks are aligned with the trowel. The molds are disassembled after 24 hours from the moment of mortar laying, the blocks themselves do not shift until they solidify.

The drying period lasts up to 25-28 days depending on climatic factors. The drying process should not be artificially stimulated and pass in a short time, rapid loss of moisture can cause cracking and loss of strength of the blocks.

The blocks made of claydite-concrete produced at home, provided that all the above rules are observed, are not inferior to blocks produced in the conditions of an industrial technological site.