Base blocks: overview, characteristics, dimensions

2024 Author: Aaron Duncan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 03:30

The basis of any structure has to experience enormous loads. Therefore, in order to withstand them, the foundation must be very strong. The strength of the foundation depends on the quality of the materials used in the construction. According to experts, concrete plinth blocks are recognized as the best material for the construction of the "zero cycle". What are these blocks and what are their advantages - more on this later.

Features of foundation blocks

Each plinth block is a rectangle made from concrete mix. Moreover, for the production of products, not ordinary concrete is used, but heavy - M200 or M100. In the marking, these materials are marked with the letter "T". The material for the manufacture of block structures can also serve as silicate concrete or expanded clay concrete, which are denoted by the letters "C" and "P", respectively. For the construction of especially large objects, the blocks are reinforced with mounting fittings.

To connect individual elements into a continuous structure, each product has connecting grooves at the end. On the upper surface, two mounting loops are provided - they are needed to move products for transportation ormounting.

According to the requirements of GOST, several types of similar products are made:

UDB. This is the name of universal products, the ends of which are open or closed.
FBP - open, hollow basement block from below.
FSB. This abbreviation means that the product is a foundation block for walls. It has no holes or voids. Products are intended for installation in the construction of basements, basements and walls.

Disadvantages and advantages of block structures

When comparing block and monolithic products, the former win significantly in a number of characteristics:

Speed of erection. This factor is very important under adverse weather conditions, when there is no time to wait for the concrete to harden in a monolithic base. When building a basement from hollow blocks, you can continue building walls immediately.
Reliability. Products have predictable properties, as their production is carried out according to standards, from the calculation of the parameters of the reinforcing material to the automation of all processes.

Versatility. You can use block elements when building objects of any size, from skyscrapers to private houses.
Ease of installation. Thanks to the standard sizes of mounting loops, end slots and the blocks themselves, you can easily mount the most complex base for any building.
Stability in extreme conditions. So that the structures do not failacidic soils or on permafrost, special additives are mixed into the solution during manufacture.
High strength and density. Thanks to this, slabs of this type can be used for the manufacture of load-bearing structures that can withstand heavy loads.

Unfortunately, the products have some drawbacks. The most important of them is the high cost. Cons include:

The need to use a crane during construction.
The need for double insulation.
Insulation of seams between individual elements.

Slab sizes

Products differ from one another not only in the absence or presence of voids. Each element also has its own size and, accordingly, weight. According to GOST, the length of products can be:

90 cm.
1, 20 m.
2, 4 m.

In this case, the width indicator can be 30, 40 or 50 cm, and the heights - 30 and 60 cm. Thus, the size of the basement block can be from 90 x 30 x 30 to 240 x 50 x 60 cm.

Another important factor is the weight of each individual element. The weight depends both on the design of the product itself and on the materials used for its manufacture. For example, a solid cement element measuring 2.4 x 0.5 x 0.6 m can weigh about two tons, and an expanded clay concrete block with the same overall dimensions can weigh 2 times less.

Product marking

All these and other characteristics are encrypted in the marking. For example:12.4.6-t. The record is decrypted as follows:

12 – element length (indicators converted to decimeters).
4 – width.
6 – height.
"T" - solid concrete was used for the manufacture. Its density is 2,200 kg/cu.

Production technology

Since the main indicator that each plinth block must strictly comply with is strength, such production is carried out strictly according to design data, and the ratio of the necessary components is carefully controlled. Forced-type concrete mixers are used to mix water, aggregate and cement powder. When the concrete mixture becomes homogeneous, it is poured into special molds. Before that, deep vibrators are placed in them. Power tools carefully compact the semi-liquid substance, after which it is left to solidify for 24-36 hours.

After this, the products are taken out of the molds, although they are not yet completely ready. To give the plates their initial strength, a protective film coating is applied to each of them. Then they are watered. After 7 days, the plates acquire tempering strength, and after another 21 days, the products become 100% strong, after which they can be used in construction.

Note: if reinforcing material was used to seal the structures, erecting the basement from FBS blocks, it is imperative to equip them with moisture protection. This could be:

Composite mixture based on bitumen.
Special water repellant.

Application and installation technology

The plinth block is indispensable for the construction of facilities that must meet special technical requirements. But the use of plates does not end there. Expanded clay concrete block can be used during even the most complex construction and installation works in industrial, residential or non-residential construction. Products are also suitable for mounting partitions and various ceilings, creating permanent or temporary fencing of large objects.

Assemble the structure as follows:

First they dig a pit.
Preparing a pillow of sand and gravel.
Lay the slabs, connecting them with cement mortar. To increase the reliability of the connection, reinforcing belts are used.
Waterproofing works are underway.
Insulate the construction.

An important detail: the slab base is not a monolithic structure, so it can only be built on reliable soils. Heaving soils cannot serve as a reliable foundation for a building, therefore it is not recommended to assemble a foundation from slabs on them in any case.