They are used in the construction of external walls, soundproofing partitions, filling frames in reinforced concrete housing construction, the construction of agricultural buildings and utility rooms, and in the creation of decorative elements. Expanded clay concrete masonry is an excellent base for further finishing. It has good thermal insulation, frost resistance and can be easily processed.
To work you will need:
- building level;
- rubber hammer weighing up to 1 kg;
- roulette;
- square;
- jointing;
- ordering with marks every 200 mm;
- mooring cord;
- grinding machine with a wheel 230 mm in diameter;
- trowel with a rectangular platform;
- reinforcement or reinforced mesh;
- container for stirring the solution.
A solution or special glue can be used as a binding component. When laying expanded clay concrete blocks, the consumption of mortar is much less than when laying brick, since one block replaces 7 ceramic bricks.
If ordinary cement mortar is made, then 1 part of cement is mixed with 3 parts of quarry sand. River sand makes the solution too elastic. You can increase the plasticity of the mixture using a special plasticizer. To prevent the sand from settling to the bottom, the mixture must be stirred periodically.
If cement glue is used, per 1 cu. m, about 40 kg of dry mixture is consumed. It is diluted with water according to the instructions.
Before starting masonry, the surface is leveled. To install waterproofing, two layers of roofing material are laid on the base. A layer of mortar with the addition of lime no more than 30 mm is placed on top of the insulation. Glue can be used only starting from the second row.
Do-it-yourself masonry
Laying expanded clay concrete blocks is somewhat similar to how children assemble a LEGO-type construction set. Since the size of the blocks is much larger than that of bricks, and the weight is significantly less, the laying process does not take much effort and time.
How to lay expanded clay blocks correctly
Construction of the wall starts from the corner. First, the first row is completely built. In this case, internal partitions are made simultaneously with external ones. To prevent cold bridges from appearing at the end of the block entering the external wall, it is separated by a foam plastic rectangle 50 mm thick. After completing the first row, you need to make sure with a level that the surface is level.
The video will tell you how to lay corners from expanded clay blocks:
The block laying technology is as follows:
- using a new block, the solution is smoothed out to create a uniform layer;
- the block is pushed towards the edge of the adjacent block, leaving a gap of 5 cm;
- the block is applied to the place where it should lie, so that a little glue or cement mortar;
- The block is fixed with a rubber hammer.
The thickness of the seam should not be more than 6-7 mm. If special glue is added to the solution, a seam thickness of about 3 mm is allowed. If the seams are too thick, the masonry will lose its strength. At the same time, if the layer of mortar is too thin, the blocks will not be fastened securely enough.
The correct seam must be completed before the mortar hardens.
There are the following types of seams:
- undercut;
- empty
- embroidered convex;
- embroidered concave.
If the wall is subsequently plastered, the blocks are laid “empty”. This means that at the edges the seams are not filled by 5-8 mm. If the wall is facing, the seams are usually made “undercut”, completely filling them.
In addition, to increase the thermal capacity of the building, the blocks can be laid in two rows. Thanks to this, the thickness of the wall increases, and after insulating the house from the outside, it will not be afraid of any frost. The only disadvantage of this installation is the increased consumption of blocks and the total cost of work.
In the video - laying a wall of expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands
Masonry reinforcement
To prevent the walls from collapsing under the weight of the roof, you need to fill the armored belt. Reinforcement is done using reinforcement about 10 mm in diameter or reinforced (masonry) mesh. It should be done every 2-3 rows. The mesh or reinforcement is placed on the top row in grooves, a solution is applied on top and another row of blocks is made.
Longitudinal reinforcement makes it possible to increase the safety of a structure to the required level. Do not forget about the need to bandage the spoon and butt rows. Window and door openings are reinforced using U-shaped blocks of concrete and reinforcement.
Attaching the Mauerlat to the blocks
The masonry of the walls is completed with U-shaped blocks, which are used to create a reinforced concrete belt. This belt is used to attach the Mauerlat to expanded clay concrete. Mauerlat – wooden beam, which is attached to the walls to evenly distribute the load from the roof material, snow and wind.
Threaded rods are installed in the upper blocks every 1.6-2 m. Their height should exceed the cross-section of the beam by 4-6 cm. Holes are made in the beams for the studs and the Mauerlat is attached, pulling it to the walls with nuts and washers.
Insulation and wall finishing
It is necessary to insulate the wall immediately after laying. For this purpose, sheathing with siding or oilcloth is used. Another option is to build insulating material between the blocks during the construction process.
Expanded clay concrete masonry does not provide sufficient ventilation. Its arrangement should be taken care of in advance.
You can finish expanded clay concrete walls using a variety of materials. They lend themselves well to plastering, facing with bricks or tiles. Since the blocks have the correct shape, there is no need to level them with plaster.
To reduce heat loss, you can create a ventilated façade. The inside of the surface can be finished using a “dry” or “wet” method; how exactly to plaster the walls made of expanded clay blocks must be decided depending on the purpose of the building and your financial capabilities.
Methods for laying blocks
How to make a particular masonry depends on the type of material. For example, if masonry is made from insulated blocks, there is no need to provide additional thermal insulation. Typically, such blocks have a decorative side, which makes the finishing process easier.
Laying of expanded clay concrete blocks can be carried out different ways. The choice of a specific method is determined by the thickness of the walls, the purpose of the room and the material used for finishing.
- When constructing a warehouse, garage or other utility room. The wall is laid with a thickness the width of the block (approximately 200 mm). The inside of the wall is plastered, and the outside is insulated with a layer mineral wool, polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam 100 mm thick.
- When building a bathhouse or other small structure. The wall is erected as thick as the width of the block, and the blocks are tied together. Finishing from the inside and outside is carried out in the same way as in the first option, but the insulation layer is about 50 mm.
- During the construction of a country house. The walls are made with interlocking blocks, with voids between them. The thickness of the masonry is 600 mm. Insulation is placed in the voids, and the inside of the wall is plastered.
- When constructing buildings in areas with cold climates. For execution outer wall two thin partitions are made parallel to each other. They are connected using reinforcement. The gap between the partitions is filled insulation material. Both sides of the wall are plastered. This option is the most difficult, but differs the most high level thermal protection.
Advantages of masonry using expanded clay blocks
How much does laying expanded clay block cost?
Standard wall blocks have parameters of 390*190*188 mm, blocks for installing partitions – 390*190*90 mm.
For masonry 1 cubic. m of wall, 65 standard blocks are used. Material consumption per 1 cubic meter m of masonry is equal to 0.075 cubic meters. m, including:
- cement - about 15 kg;
- sand – about 45 kg;
- water – 10-15 liters.
To calculate the number of blocks per masonry, you can use online calculators building materials.
The average cost of masonry made of expanded clay blocks is about 2,300 rubles. for 1 cubic m. To build a wall of the same area from bricks, you will have to spend from 5 to 6 thousand rubles. Laying foam concrete will also cost a little more - about 2,700 rubles. for 1 cubic m.
Thus, expanded clay concrete is a material that is affordable and easy to install. Among its advantages are low concrete consumption, low weight (blocks are half the weight of bricks), ease of installation (one block is equal in area to seven bricks). It is easy to store and transport. Therefore it is becoming more and more common.
Currently, almost no construction of real estate takes place without the use of expanded clay concrete blocks. Their advantage is that they are particularly durable, light weight and have excellent thermal insulation properties.
The material has also become very popular due to the fact that it can have decorative cladding, which looks good on the facades of buildings. In this article we will tell you how to lay expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands using step-by-step instructions.
Required materials and tools
Masonry of walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks is carried out in the presence of:
- rubber hammer weighing up to 1 kg;
- grinding machine with 230mm circle;
- roulette;
- jointing;
- orders;
- mooring cord;
- building level;
- trowels with a rectangular platform;
- square;
- reinforcement or reinforced mesh;
- containers for solution.
Preparation of material
At the very beginning, the future structure must be designed, then the quantity must be determined required material, based standard size– 40x20x20. Thickness load-bearing walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks may differ slightly due to the purpose of the future building.
Decide on the installation method and wall thickness. To make work easier, lay the walls along the way required amount material.
Preparing the base
Before you start assembling the walls, you need to make a foundation and waterproof it. This is done using roofing felt, glass insulation and other materials that are used to fix the cement mortar. If your project includes a base, then make it brick.
Masonry options
There are several ways to lay expanded clay concrete blocks. It depends on the thickness of the walls, the principle of insulation, and cladding. The main types include:
Seams and their varieties
Seams can be made in different ways:
- embroidered concave;
- embroidered convex;
- undercut;
- empty
Seams should not be more than 10 mm thick. With very thick seams, the strength of the masonry is noticeably reduced. But you shouldn’t make seams that are too thin either, since the fastening will not be reliable enough. Optimal size seam - 7 mm.
If you decide to plaster the walls, then the blocks are laid using hollow seams. This means that the edges of the joints will not be filled to 8mm. If we're talking about about the front wall, then the seams are completely filled (undercut).
Type of solutions used
The laying of expanded clay blocks is carried out using a solution or special glue, and the consumption of binding components will be an order of magnitude less than when using ceramic bricks, since the volume of material is seven times greater than the volume of the more familiar brick.
The process of mixing the solution should not exceed three minutes, otherwise its original properties may be lost. You can add lime to it, but then it will have a more cellular structure and will allow you to use less solution. It is because of lime that the solution will become more susceptible to moisture and become less durable, which may lead to cracking of the walls.
There are several options for mortars for laying expanded clay concrete blocks:
- Cement-sand mixture.
- Powder ready-mixes.
To make a standard solution, you will need:
- fine-grained sand – 1 part;
- cement grade 400 or 500 - 3 parts;
- water, pre-purified and cooled - 1 part.
Procedure for preparing the solution:
- Poured into a concrete mixer a small amount of water.
- Concrete and sand are poured in the required proportions.
- During the kneading process, the remaining water is added.
Features of cement-sand mortars:
- prepare the solution immediately before use;
- it is not stored for future use;
- its hardening time is about 2 hours;
- To increase such an indicator as plasticity, you can use one of the many plasticizers.
As for ready-made dry mixtures, they are a powder that is mixed with water. Use a concrete mixer for this. Water is added only in the amount recommended according to the instructions. Such solutions require a longer time to harden. But their cost is quite impressive.
Laying expanded clay concrete blocks
A layer of cement-sand mortar is applied to the pre-waterproofed surface, then laying of the first row begins. Laying starts from the corner. Moreover, adjacent corners must be connected with fishing line or cord. This will serve as a kind of level. Due to expanded clay concrete blocks do not have an ideal shape, there is a need to constantly check the horizontality and verticality of each row.
The construction of walls from expanded clay concrete blocks occurs according to the principle of a designer, the second and subsequent rows are laid with dressing. It makes sense, already in the process of laying the first row of external walls, to simultaneously carry out the laying and interior partitions, for tying them to load-bearing walls.
According to the technology, after laying three rows of spoons, the next row is made with a splice row. Thus, the thickness of the wall will correspond to the length of the block. When walls are erected, it is worth filling the block voids with insulation: polystyrene chips or fine expanded clay. Recently, manufacturers have begun to produce three-layer blocks, where the insulation is already installed. This simplifies the work and ensures good insulation of the walls. If your region has a harsh climate, then the external walls can be laid out from two parallel walls, which are connected to each other using reinforcement. Insulation must be poured into the empty space.
Wall thickness
The thickness of walls using this building material varies depending on the purpose of the object being built, as well as climatic zones. These walls will have significant differences, related to the principles of masonry and additional facing coatings. In this regard, it is generally accepted that the thickness of a wall made of expanded clay concrete blocks without insulation for a simple structure is 190 mm. During such construction it is necessary to carry out additional work by application to inner part the walls are plaster, and on the outside - thermal insulation material.
These buildings can only be non-residential, as they will have high thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity of the expanded clay concrete blocks themselves is at an average level, so the material needs additional insulation. That is why the cost of such material is low.
If you are building a bathhouse, then make the walls 390mm wide. At the same time, do not forget to plaster the inner wall and insulate the outer one. In order to build country house For permanent residence, it is necessary to make walls of 600mm expanded clay concrete. In this case, the blocks are bandaged, the voids are filled using thermal insulation bulk material, and the walls on both sides are lined with plaster. During construction residential buildings The following dimensions of expanded clay concrete blocks are used for load-bearing walls: 380x250x219 and 440x250x219. They are considered the most convenient for installation.
Reinforcement
Due to the fact that the roof has considerable weight, the walls must be strengthened so that they do not deform under its weight. This occurs through the reinforcement of walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks. This procedure uses reinforcement with a diameter of 10 mm or reinforcing mesh. Every second or third row of masonry is subject to reinforcement. The mesh or reinforcement is placed in the grooves of the top row and covered with mortar. Then the next block row is erected.
Longitudinal reinforcement helps to increase the safety of the structure to the required level. And don’t forget to tie the spoon and butt rows. Regarding window and doorways, then they are strengthened with U-shaped blocks of reinforcement and concrete. A lot depends on how the expanded clay blocks were produced. It is this indicator that has a significant impact on their service life.
Note! Internal and external walls, like other partitions, are recommended to be installed simultaneously, taking into account the bandaging of all existing corners. If this cannot be done, grooves are used, and in the future location of the internal wall, a mesh used for reinforcement is produced.
To ensure that the reinforcement does not interfere with the laying of the next row, it is securely fixed. The reinforcement is laid along the entire length of the wall and embedded in the masonry mortar.
Under the floor slabs or roof structure there must be monolithic armored belt. To do this, we install formwork around the perimeter, take steel wire and knit internal frame, using reinforcing rods in the amount of 5 pieces. The width of the concrete belt may be less than the thickness of the wall. Its height is no more than 15 cm.
Concrete is poured in parts so that it does not spread; lintels are used, which are then moved after the concrete has hardened. Such an armored belt makes it possible to evenly distribute the pressure of the floors and makes the structure more reliable. If the roof of the building is made of wood, in the manufacture of the armored belt, solid hyper-pressed brick can be used, laid in two rows.
Conclusion
After finishing the masonry, the walls should be insulated. For this purpose, you can use siding or regular oilcloth. Another option for a wall pie for expanded clay concrete blocks is built-in interblock insulation material. Expanded clay concrete blocks do not have sufficient ventilation, so additional attention must be paid to its design.
Finishing expanded clay concrete walls can be done using various materials. This could be plastering, brick or tile cladding. Due to the correct shape, there is no need to align them. To reduce heat losses, a ventilated façade is made. Inner surface finished using “dry” or “wet” methods. What plaster to use is up to you. It all depends on how you intend to use the building and what financial costs you expect.
I would also like to note! There's nothing complicated about self-construction structures made of expanded clay concrete blocks. You just need to install them correctly and do it conscientiously and without haste. Walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks can be erected independently, since such work does not require great experience. Try it and you will succeed. Good luck in your endeavors!
Today, expanded clay concrete blocks are quite widely used in the construction of soundproofing partitions, external walls, agricultural buildings and utility rooms, as well as for filling frames in house construction. Expanded clay concrete blocks can become part of decorative elements. Masonry made from them is an excellent base for further finishing. It has excellent thermal insulation, is easy to process and is frost-resistant.
Preparatory work
Before you start laying expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands, you need to study the step-by-step instructions. It involves the preparation of tools and materials at the first stage, among them the following should be highlighted:
- roulette;
- jointing;
- cord-mooring;
- trowel;
- capacity.
You will need a rubber hammer, a square and a straightener. Don't forget about the grinding machine, as well as the mesh for reinforcement. If you don’t have a rubber hammer in stock, then when you visit the store, you should pay attention to one whose weight does not exceed 1 kg. The work will also require order. But as for the grinding machine, you should purchase a 230 mm wheel for it.
To strengthen the masonry you need to buy reinforced mesh or fittings. And when looking for a container, you should think about which one you should choose so that it is convenient to stir the solution in it. Do-it-yourself laying of expanded clay concrete blocks, step-by-step instructions for which will be presented in the article, involves the use of a binding component in the form of a special glue or solution. In this case, the consumption of the mixture will be much less compared to the technology when brick is used, because one block replaces seven standard ceramic products.
If you decide to use a regular mortar, then to one part of cement you need to add three parts of quarry sand. It is better to avoid river sand, because it will be very elastic. In order to make the mixture more plastic, a plasticizer should be used. To prevent sand from settling to the bottom, the mixture must be stirred from time to time.
When using cement glue, you will need about 40 kg of undiluted composition per cube of wall. The composition should first be diluted with water after reading the instructions. Laying expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands, step-by-step instructions for which should help you avoid mistakes, is carried out only after leveling the surface. Two layers of roofing material are laid on the base to ensure waterproofing. A layer of mortar is laid on top, to the components of which lime should be added. This layer should not be more than 30 mm in thickness. You can only use glue from the second row.
Features of masonry
Laying blocks can be compared to how children assemble a construction set. The size of the blocks is more impressive compared to bricks, but the weight is much less, so the installation process will not take much time and effort. The construction of the wall must begin, moving from the corner. To do this, completely line up the first row. Internal partitions must be lined up simultaneously with the outside ones. To prevent cold bridges from appearing at the end of the product, it should be separated with a foam rectangle. This concerns external walls. After laying the first row is completed, you should make sure that the surface is sufficiently level; a level is traditionally used for this.
Work methodology
Quite often, novice home craftsmen are helped by step-by-step instructions; in this case, you can easily do the laying of expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands. When installing the second row, use a new block to smooth out the solution, then you can get a uniform layer. The product is brought to the edge of the adjacent block with a poke, leaving a gap of 5 cm.
A certain amount of cement mortar or glue should form in the vertical joint. To do this, the block must be attached to the place where it will lie. It is fixed with a rubber hammer, it will also help to level the products horizontally. The thickness of the seam should not exceed 7 mm. If glue is added to the solution, the thickness of the seam will be 3 mm. If the seams are too thick, the masonry will not be as strong. But if the layer of mortar is too thin, the blocks will not be able to be fastened securely. You must make sure that the seam is correct, but this should be done before the solution hardens.
Selecting a seam type
Today, several types of seams are known, among which are:
- empty
- embroidered;
- concave;
- undercut;
- embroidered convex.
If you plan to cover the wall with plaster, then the blocks should be laid with a hollow seam. This means that at the edges the seams are not filled by 8 mm. If the wall is facing, then the seams should be cut, filling them. To increase the thermal capacity of the building, the blocks must be laid in 2 rows. This will increase the thickness of the wall. After insulating the outside of the building, the house will not be afraid of even the most severe frosts. The only disadvantage of this installation is the increased consumption of blocks, as well as the total cost of the work.
Strengthening masonry
To prevent walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks from collapsing under the weight of the roof, it is necessary to fill in an armored belt. This can be done using 10 mm reinforcement or masonry mesh. The rods are located in every third row. This must be done from the top of the row, placing the reinforcement in grooves. Next, the solution is applied and the next row is laid. Longitudinal reinforcement ensures increased reliability of the building to the required level.
We should not forget that the splice and spoon rows must be tied. Door and window openings are formed using U-shaped concrete products; additional reinforcement should be used. Many people believe that the technology for laying expanded clay concrete blocks does not provide for reinforcement with reinforcement. However, this statement is erroneous, because the production of the products described in the article has certain features. This affects the performance properties of the blocks.
Mounting the Mauerlat
The completion of the wall masonry can be done with U-shaped blocks, which are used to create a reinforced concrete belt. It is used to fix the Mauerlat to expanded clay concrete. This unit is a wooden beam that is fixed to the walls to evenly distribute the load from the roof, wind and snow.
In the upper block, threaded rods should be installed every 2 m. Their height should be 6 cm greater than the section of the beam. You must first make holes in the beams for the rods and fix the Mauerlat, pulling it to the walls with nuts and washers.
Block foundation
To build a foundation of expanded clay concrete blocks, it is necessary to prepare some materials and tools, including:
- roulette;
- shovel;
- boards;
- concrete mixer;
- building level;
- waterproofing material;
- empty container;
- reinforcing mesh.
The structure will be a prefabricated strip structure. First you need to prepare a pit or trench, the parameters of which should be slightly larger than the width of the blocks. Sand is poured into the bottom, compacted well, and a concrete cushion is created above. Blocks should be laid according to the principle described above. You need to start from the corners, not forgetting about the dressing.
It is important to provide holes for laying future engineering communications. An armored belt is formed on top of the products, which is a durable layer of monolithic reinforced concrete. It can be used to connect the blocks at the top. This layer is necessary for the rigidity of the base.
Outdoor side wall the tapes must be tightly covered with waterproofing. If the design provides for the presence ground floor, then it is necessary to lay the floor beams. On final stage the base is backfilled.
Block sizes
The dimensions of the expanded clay concrete block can be different, depending on its purpose. If we are talking about wall products, then the minimum parameters will be 90 x 190 x 188 mm. Maximum size equal to 390x190x188 mm. The intermediate values are:
- 288x138x138;
- 290x190x188.
As for the partition blocks, their dimensions can be equal to:
- 590x90x188;
- 390x90x188;
- 190x90x188 mm.
Many novice craftsmen wonder why the dimensions of the expanded clay concrete block are so non-standard (390x190x188 mm). This is explained by the fact that there is a need for a gap for the mortar in the masonry joint. Among other things, 39 cm is the thickness of the masonry of 1.5 bricks, taking into account the layer of plaster. However, this size is usually called twenty and it looks like this: 20x20x40 cm.
Cost of solid blocks
Solid expanded clay concrete blocks are presented different types. Among others, products with a density within 1500 kg/m 3 should be highlighted. You will have to pay 50 rubles for one unit. But for a cubic meter you will pay 3,600 rubles. IN in this case We are talking about a 20 kg product, the frost resistance of which corresponds to class F50.
If the density decreases to 1000 kg per cubic meter, then the weight is already 17 kg. Frost resistance remains the same, but the price becomes 66 rubles. per piece or 4158 rub. per cubic meter. With a decrease in the density of a solid expanded clay concrete block to 700 kg per cubic meter, the price turns out to be equivalent to 65 rubles. per piece or 4095 rub. per cubic meter. For such a product, the density can be increased to 1500 kg per cubic meter.
Conclusion
Before starting work, it is important not only to select products by size, but also to find out what the mortar consumption is for laying expanded clay concrete blocks. This was discussed above. With this information in mind, you can calculate how much materials you should purchase. But it is recommended to take into account that the mortar for laying expanded clay concrete blocks in the first row will consist of cement and sand, and in all subsequent rows - of special glue.
Block products made of expanded clay-filled concrete are a common material used in the construction of various buildings. Professionally performed laying of expanded clay blocks ensures the durability of the entire house structure. Planning to implement, or outbuilding, you should study how walls are built from expanded clay concrete blocks. To ensure the stability of the structure and prevent cracking of the material, it is important to carry out reinforcement correctly. Let us consider in detail the types of masonry. Let's figure out how to place blocks.
Information on the properties, types and sizes of expanded clay concrete products
Popular among professional builders and private developers. They appeared on construction market as a result of the search for building materials characterized by increased thermal insulation characteristics, environmental friendliness, strength and moisture resistance. Blocks are used in the construction of partitions and walls.
The following building materials are used for the manufacture of expanded clay blocks:
- sifted sand;
- expanded clay granules;
- Portland cement.
The necessary materials are mixed with water in certain proportions. Expanded clay concrete products are easy to make with your own hands, having necessary equipment. To do this, special forms are filled with the prepared solution, and blocks are produced by pressing. The resulting products have a porous structure, due to the characteristics of expanded clay used as a filler.
Laying expanded clay concrete blocks is becoming increasingly popular
Expanded clay granules provide the basic properties of the material:
- reduced level of thermal conductivity;
- ability to absorb noise;
- small specific gravity.
You can also note the following characteristics of the blocks:
- environmental cleanliness;
- sufficient margin of safety;
- increased dimensions;
- variety of executions.
For the construction of partitions or walls from expanded clay concrete blocks, products in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with different dimensions are used:
- septum, the dimensions of which are 39x19x9 cm;
- wall expanded clay blocks with dimensions 39x19x18.8 cm or 39x30x18.8 cm.
The properties of the blocks depend on the design option:
- solid blocks, in which there are no internal cavities, are characterized by an increased margin of safety. However, solid blocks are inferior to hollow ones in terms of thermal insulation characteristics. The products are used for the construction of load-bearing walls that can withstand increased loads;
- hollow elements having internal cavities of a rectangular, round, ellipse or slot type have increased fragility. The cavities are located along or across the longitudinal axis of the block. Blocks provide increased thermal insulation compared to solid products.
Expanded clay concrete products are easy to distinguish from other composite blocks by their rough surface.
Laying walls from expanded clay concrete blocks is possible using several technologies, all of them are used in different situations Types of masonry when constructing a wall of expanded clay concrete blocks
Wall masonry from expanded clay concrete blocks is carried out in various ways:
- half a block. In this case, the thickness of the walls being constructed corresponds to the width of the expanded clay concrete composite, and is equal to 19 cm. This masonry method is used for the construction of walls of country houses, garages and sheds. The technology is not used for the construction of buildings intended for permanent residence. To strengthen walls constructed using this method, reinforcement is used, laid at intervals of 3-4 rows. Expanded clay blocks are placed with dressing. In this case, the long side is located along the contour of the walls;
- in one block. The thickness of the supporting frame of buildings constructed using this method is 39 cm, which corresponds to the length of the expanded clay block. When performing work, blocks are laid with alternating rows of splice and spoon type. To strengthen the masonry, a masonry mesh for expanded clay concrete blocks or corrugated reinforcement is used. This method of building walls is used in the construction of frames of private houses and cottages. To reduce heat losses, external thermal insulation of walls is performed using mineral wool or polystyrene foam boards thickness 50 mm or more;
- according to the well scheme. The well technology for constructing walls significantly reduces heat losses and provides for the simultaneous construction of two parallel walls on the outer and inner parts of the building. A feature of well masonry is the presence of a gap between the outer and internal contour, intended for laying thermal insulation material. When constructing a thermally insulated building box using well technology, each subsequent row is laid offset relative to the previous one;
Laying expanded clay concrete products can be done using several methods - half of an expanded clay block with transverse reinforcement. Using the specified technological method, builders erect two parallel expanded clay block walls, each of which is 19 cm thick. When laying building materials in half a block, two parallel walls are connected with reinforcing bars to increase strength. Between the outer and inner contours, polystyrene foam insulation is laid, the thickness of which is 50-100 mm.
The technology of constructing half-block walls with additional reinforcement and laying insulation combines an increased safety margin of the structure with high thermal insulation properties of the building. These types of masonry are used for composite blocks made of various materials. For example, cinder block laying is carried out using one of the given methods.
Laying expanded clay blocks - preparing tools and materials
At the preparatory stage, it is necessary to prepare the necessary building materials and various tools in a timely manner.
To carry out masonry activities you will need:
- a kilogram hammer with a rubber-coated working part;
- corner used for marking blocks before cutting;
- tape measure to control the thickness of the seam and the size of the box being constructed;
- concrete mixer for preparing the working solution;
- masonry mesh for expanded clay concrete blocks;
- ingredients for preparing a binder mixture or ready-made glue;
- sheet expanded polystyrene used as insulation.
When laying these blocks, everything must be done correctly You will also need tools according to the list:
- mooring cord;
- trowel with a rectangular blade;
- grinder equipped with a cutting disc for cutting blocks;
- cutting tool;
- shovels for loading initial components;
- container for preparing the adhesive composition;
- scaffolding for work at heights.
Control of the correct laying of blocks is carried out using a plumb line and level. It is necessary to determine the need for expanded clay blocks at the preparatory stage. The number of pieces is determined by calculation, taking into account the selected type of masonry and the dimensions of the structure.
How to properly prepare a solution for laying expanded clay blocks
Expanded clay concrete blocks are connected to each other using various types working mixtures:
- standard, for the manufacture of which sifted sand, Portland cement and water are used. The components are mixed in a ratio of 3:1:0.8. The volume of water added depends on the moisture concentration in the sand used. By changing the amount of water, the required plasticity of the mixture should be achieved. A properly prepared solution retains its shape and does not spread over the surface. To prepare a solution with increased plasticity, plasticizing components are introduced;
You can lay expanded clay concrete materials using a cement-sand mixture or a ready-made adhesive solution - special glue, which is offered in specialized stores in the form of a dry mixture. The adhesive is prepared by mixing the bulk substance with water in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The prepared glue has increased plasticity, due to which the thickness of the masonry joint is reduced to 0.5 cm. The approximate consumption of glue per cube of masonry is 35-40 kg.
Having decided to use a sand-cement mortar prepared in a concrete mixer, remember that it retains its performance characteristics for one and a half to two hours. When preparing the working mixture, monitor its consistency. To mix the glue, use a special attachment attached to the chuck of the power tool. For mixing, use a container of appropriate size.
Preparing the base for wall blocks made of expanded clay concrete
The quality of foundation preparation affects the stability and strength characteristics of expanded clay concrete walls.
Preparatory activities include the following work:
- Ensuring that the supporting surface of the foundation is horizontal.
- Elimination of local defects, sealing of cracks and irregularities.
- Waterproofing the foundation using roll materials or mastic.
When laying with your own hands, you can also use dry glue; it only needs to be diluted with water, according to the instructions. To protect expanded clay blocks from moisture absorption, the following types of waterproofing are used:
- rolled roofing felt;
- bitumen mastic;
- glass insulation
Double-layer waterproofing provides reliable protection expanded clay blocks from moisture absorption. To the surface waterproofing material fits thin layer cement mortar on which the first row of blocks rests. Before starting masonry work, the required number of additional blocks should be cut in advance and the block building material should be laid out along the contour of the foundation base.
Operational instructions for laying expanded clay concrete walls
The technology for laying expanded clay concrete blocks does not cause difficulties for novice developers.
Laying walls from expanded clay concrete blocks begins from the corner parts of the foundation and is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- A layer of cement mortar is spread over the waterproofing.
- The first blocks are laid in the corners of the lower tier.
- A string is stretched between the corner foundation blocks.
- The lower row of blocks is being laid.
- The remaining rows of masonry are laid with reinforcement after 3-4 rows.
It is important to pay attention to the need to tightly fit the blocks using a rubber hammer. After the construction of the walls, it is constructed and work is carried out on thermal insulation of the facade of the building.
Conclusion
Wall blocks made of expanded clay concrete, laid according to technology, will ensure the stability of the building frame and reliably insulate the room. Important to use high-quality building material, manufactured by industrial technology. Before starting work, you should decide on the laying method, prepare everything you need and carefully study technological nuances. Professional builders They will always help with practical advice.
The economic crisis does not interfere with those wishing to carry out construction own home. Today there are a huge number of technologies, but the construction of walls made of stone material remains the most popular. The conversation will focus on how to correctly lay expanded clay concrete blocks. Simply put, it provides step-by-step instructions for DIY work.
Necessary materials
To lay walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks you will need:
- blocks made of expanded clay concrete material. The stock of elements should include 5% for unforeseen circumstances;
- pure water;
- cement mass and sand. Here it is allowed to use a special mixture purchased at a hardware store;
- reinforcing metal rods, the diameter of which is 8 - 10 mm;
- insulation material. It is necessary if a decision is made to insulate walls during masonry work;
- ·construction mesh for reinforcement.
All materials should be purchased in reserve.
Tools used
Before carrying out work, care should be taken to necessary tools and devices for laying expanded clay concrete blocks. You will need:
- tape measure and building level;
- plumb lines;
- trowels and trowels;
- rubber mallet and jointing;
- grinder with circles designed for cutting stone materials;
- concrete mixer;
- shovels and containers for preparing masonry mixture;
- facilities personal protection, workwear;
- scaffolding for the convenience of working at heights. As a rule, they are rented or made from reliable wood material. Working from a ladder is dangerous and not very convenient.
Preparation of the solution
Laying of expanded clay concrete blocks is carried out on cement-sand mortar or ready adhesive composition. At self-cooking solution, it is recommended to strictly observe the proportions of the components used:
- cement composition – 1 part;
- sand – 3 parts;
- water – 1 part.
The cement used to prepare the solution must correspond to grade M 400 and higher. The amount of water may vary, because its amount is directly affected by the humidity level of the sand used to prepare the sand solution.
The prepared solution must be plastic so that the block can be easily given the desired position.
The use of liquid solution is prohibited. To increase its elasticity quarry sand replaced by river. It is allowed to add plasticizers.
If the volume of the solution is small, kneading is done manually. For large quantities It is recommended to use a concrete mixer. The solution should be prepared in an amount that will be used immediately. If this nuance is not observed, the solution will begin to separate.
What else are expanded clay concrete blocks placed on? It is allowed to use dry adhesive composition. All that is required for preparation is to add water according to the instructions and knead. The glue has good ductility and creates thin seams. But it costs much more than cement.
Preparatory work
When compiling design solution to build a house, you should immediately determine the dimensions of the walls in terms of the parameters of solid blocks, taking into account the masonry joints, the width of which should not exceed one centimeter. Such gaps will make it possible to compensate for violations of the geometry of the blocks, which will inevitably be revealed during the work.
The technology for laying expanded clay concrete blocks is also determined by the type of material. For the main wall of an object with two to three floors, it is recommended to use solid material; lightweight structures are erected from blocks with voids. Under construction interior walls It is best to purchase hollow partition blocks.
Please note that if you decide not to clad the external walls, you should use a special adhesive composition, ready-made half-blocks and other masonry elements.
Remember that a block with a lined edge cuts worse.
Ends preparatory stage drawing up a diagram that shows how to lay expanded clay concrete blocks. In this case, it is recommended to use the classic method - shifting half a block or shifting the next row by ten centimeters.
Laying the first row
The features of masonry at this stage differ in a certain technology. A waterproofing layer of roofing material or an analogue is applied to the foundation base. With its help, the correctness and geometric accuracy object boxes.
Work should begin from the corners; the mortar layer in these places should not exceed 3 centimeters. Having installed the corner bricks, they are pressed and seated, the position is checked with a level. Each corner must be in a single plane.
A cord is pulled along the corner sections, along which the first row of expanded clay concrete blocks is laid.
Wall masonry
All subsequent rows during laying are controlled by a level and “tied up”. It is very important to monitor the geometry of the walls, because it will be difficult to make adjustments after the mortar has set.
The masonry mixture is applied with a trowel, the block is laid, moved towards the end of the previous one, knocked down (if necessary) with a rubber hammer, and excess mortar is removed.
To know how to correctly lay expanded clay concrete blocks, it is recommended to study popular methods for performing such work:
- Half a block. Good way for the installation of objects for economic purposes. The block is laid out lengthwise along the base. The structure needs an insulating layer because the wall thickness is small.
- One brick wide. This scheme for laying expanded clay concrete blocks is considered the most common and is used during the construction of residential buildings and garages. During masonry, spoon and tie levels are alternated. An insulating layer is required, the thickness of which will be five or more centimeters.
- Well masonry walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks. For this method, a characteristic difference is the voids between the layers, which are filled with insulating material during the construction of walls. This method is recommended when cladding external walls. brick material. The method is considered the most effective in retaining heat indoors.
Laying door and window openings
When laying rows, do not forget to compare their number with the design drawing, so as not to miss the installation of opening sections for windows and doors. On top of each such section it will be necessary to install a concrete lintel, the edges of which will extend onto the masonry by at least half a meter.
By the way, instead of a jumper, a metal channel or a large corner is used.
The last row
Having laid out the final row of load-bearing and partition walls, you should make reinforced belt. With its presence, the load from the roof will be distributed evenly across the walls. The height of such a belt should be at least twenty centimeters, the width should be less than the width of the block by the thickness of the insulating layer. The masonry is reinforced with metal mesh.
If you decide to reinforce with a monolithic concrete layer, then before that you will have to install a wooden formwork structure and a reinforcement cage.
Reinforcement
Now let's look at how to do reinforcement correctly. When using full-bodied block material It is recommended to use a mesh. It is allowed to install reinforcing bars on hollow block elements, since this method considered very reliable.
Every 4th row and those located above the opening areas are subject to a similar procedure.
Advantages and disadvantages of masonry
We found out how to lay expanded clay blocks. Now we propose to consider the positive and negative points inherent in this material.
But there are also negative points:
- The level of hygroscopicity of block material. Expanded clay concrete blocks absorb water well, so they require protection from such exposure. If this condition is not met, the most severe consequences may occur. Negative consequences. The properties of the blocks will decrease, strength and resistance to frost will be reduced to zero.
- Expanded clay concrete blocks are difficult to process. This is explained by the presence of abrasive qualities of the material.
- Expanded clay concrete is afraid of mechanical influences. Most of all, this is revealed during the transportation of material and in the process of masonry work.
- Handicraft production workshops provide bad influence on the popularity of block material. There is always a risk of purchasing low quality blocks.
Conclusion
Blocks made from expanded clay concrete raw materials are products that meet the established requirements necessary to obtain a structure that is durable and has a long service life. With its characteristics, the block successfully competes in the building materials market, attracting many buyers not only with its quality indicators, but also with its cost.
