Building materials are improving every year. This is dictated by the need to reduce the cost and improve the quality of work on the construction of buildings. Expanded clay block is a special material that is used in the construction and insulation of buildings. This product is in high demand as it has many benefits.
What is a block?
The presented element consists of several absolutely natural and safe components: baked clay, sand, water and cement. It is used most often in the construction of low-rise buildings. Such materials can be used almost everywhere, regardless of climatic conditions.
Expanded clay block can have a different shape and size. For example, the height of an element ranges from 19 to 24 cm, width - from 7 to 50 cm, length - from 12 to 45 cm. Inside, the expanded clay block has voids, which ensure the lightness and heat-insulating property of the element. For easier and faster installation, each product is provided with grooves and ridges.
Material advantages
Now it is necessary to consider the question of what advantages the expanded clay block has. So, we can highlight the following advantages of the presented products:
1. Low thermal conductivity. That is, the blocks are considered an excellent insulator that is able to keep the heat in the room.
2. Sufficiently high degree of strength.
3. Good sound isolation. Therefore, this material can be used for the construction of houses that will be located near roads with heavy traffic.
4. Light weight. This advantage allows you to build even two-story structures on not very strong soils.
5. Fast and easy processing.
6. Resistant to chemicals, moisture, temperature changes and other negative factors.
7. Aesthetic design.
8. Acceptable value.
9. Fire and rot resistant.
10. Durability and high strength.
11. Eco-friendly.
The size of the expanded clay block allows it to be used for the construction of the most non-standard structures in terms of architecture. And this material can "breathe". And the size of the expanded clay block makes it possible to reduce the cost of construction.
What are the disadvantages of the material?
However, there are a few drawbacks:
- High degree of brittleness. Therefore, you should not use blocks for arranging foundations or high-rise structures.
- Less strength than other material types.
However, theseshortcomings are easily eliminated. And a large number of advantages makes the material in demand.
Types of expanded clay blocks
Now it is worth considering what types of these products are. This will help you quickly decide on the choice of building material. So, expanded clay blocks, the price of which ranges from 0.25 to 0.60 cents apiece, can be as follows:
1. Hollow. It provides for a not very high density of the solution in the manufacture of elements. You can use such blocks for construction and energy saving in the house.
2. Full bodied. They have a high level of density. It is these elements that can be used for the construction of load-bearing structures or basement floors. In the latter case, good thermal and sound insulation, resistance to adverse operating conditions are taken into account.
Specifications
Any building material has certain technical criteria, which are declared by the manufacturer. They depend on the type of product being manufactured. If you want to start building from expanded clay blocks, then you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Density: 350 to 1800 kg/m3.
- Frost resistance: 100 to 500 cycles.
- Compressive strength: 0.5 - 50 MN/m2.
- Dimensions: height - 138-188mm, width - 90-288mm, length - 90-590mm.
And there are almost no blockssit down.
Material features
It must be said that the presented products are in great demand. It's all thanks to their features. For example:
- There is almost no combat during stacking. And after it, the building practically does not shrink.
- With the density of the elements, which is 600 kg/m3 and provides high thermal insulation qualities of the masonry, it is necessary that its thickness be at least 50 cm.
- It should also be noted that there is also a low risk of cracks in the walls made of expanded clay blocks. The fact is that the elements have high bending strength.
- Due to the presence of ridges and grooves, this material is very easy to install. At the same time, the masonry is very durable.
- You can use the presented material for the construction of such structures that will not be heated. The fact is that the blocks have a low level of moisture absorption.
- The price of such material is acceptable. That is why houses made of expanded clay blocks are becoming more and more popular. Moreover, the time of their construction is reduced significantly.
Features of material production
To make the presented product, you will need very few materials. Moreover, they are all natural, so the environmental safety of the product is guaranteed by the manufacturer. To work, you will need sand, cement, water and expanded clay (baked clay in the form of small balls). Moreover, an important criterion is the fraction of the material. For example, for corpulentelements, expanded clay is taken, the size of which does not exceed 1-2 cm, for hollow ones - 0.5-1 cm.
The entire production procedure consists of certain steps:
1. Mixture preparation. It is important to observe all proportions here.
2. Pouring into molds and compacting the mixture.
3. Steaming blocks.
4. Drying items. It takes about 1-2 weeks.
As for technological support, you will not need any expensive equipment for expanded clay blocks. It is important that it is serviceable and of high quality. For production, you can purchase an automated line. If you don’t have enough money for it yet, then you can buy several necessary machines: a device for mixing ingredients, a vibrating table for compacting the solution, and an oven for steaming elements. And you will also need a place to dry the finished blocks.
The level of product quality directly depends on compliance with all technological standards. For example, in order to make the material more durable, polystyrene (foamed) can be added to the solution.
You can use this material for the construction of basements, baths, low-rise buildings, foundations and basements. Since the production of expanded clay blocks is not very difficult, you can organize it yourself.
Block stacking methods
In order for the structure to be durable and stand for many years, it must be properly built. Naturally, the features of the manufacture of blocks make it possible to produceerection quickly and without any problems. But the styling methods are still worth knowing. There are only a few of them:
1. One length with tie. In this case, wall insulation is mandatory. This method is ideal for building small structures and bathhouses.
2. One element thick. In this case, the outer side of the wall is subject to insulation, and the inner side - to plastering. It is best to build utility rooms in this way.
3. With dressing of elements and voids between them. In this case, the space must be filled with insulating material. It is this method that is best used for the construction of private houses and summer cottages.
Masonry technology
In principle, there are no peculiarities here. The elements are laid in the same way as a brick. It does not require any special tool to work. It is necessary to prepare only a level, tape measure, trowel, plumb line, rubber hammer, as well as any containers for preparing the solution. To strengthen the masonry, you can use a reinforcing mesh.
Naturally, the base for masonry should already be prepared and leveled. Next, erect the first row of blocks. It is laid out from the corner. Waterproofing and mortar are laid on this row, the thickness of which should not exceed 30 cm.
After the first layer is ready, it should be carefully checked with a level. Blocks should be laid with offset seams. This will ensure the reliability and strength of the walls. Vertical seams can be additionally not filled with a fixing mixture. Thanks to the grooves, there will be no through cracks.
You need to rub the solution with a new element, and nottrowel. This will make the laying more uniform. That's all the features of expanded clay blocks. Due to its advantages, this material continues to be in demand.
