Each type of construction involves the use of certain technologies and materials. So it is not always necessary to use ordinary concrete for arranging various structures. It can be replaced by another type of mortar, which is easier to process and manufacture. And these specified conditions are met by lean concrete. And it is widely used due to its properties.
Lean concrete is a type of building mix in which the percentage of binder is much less than the content of filler. It is not highly durable. But its main advantages are low price and ease of installation. It belongs to the class of heavy materials B5, B7.5, B10, B12.5, B15. It has received the widest application in private housing construction, since its strength characteristics are quite sufficient for this area. Also, this type of mortar is called rolling. This is due to the fact that it is often used in road construction, as it can be easily rolled out with a road roller.
Consistency by volume of used components for lean concrete is: 1 share of cement, 3 - sand and 6 - filler. So, for mixing 1 cubic meter of mortar, 160 kilograms of cement, 2200 kilograms of sand and filler, as well as water in a volume of 75 liters will be required. Sometimes special plasticizers are added to the solution to save cement. In this case, it is very important to take into account that the content of various dust-like and clay particles in the entire solution does not exceed 10%. Otherwise, the quality of the finished product will be low.
Depending on the size of the filler, which is part of lean concrete, it is divided into fine-grained and coarse-grained. The composition of the first includes granules up to 5 mm, and the second - up to 40 mm. After kneading, the mortar should have a consistency similar to wet earth.
Lean concrete, the composition of which contains a small proportion of binders, is widely used in private housing construction. From it form the basis for pouring the foundation or screed on the terrace and in the house. Often it is used to level the floor. From it you can build walls, foundation tapes, ceiling crowns, as well as the ceilings themselves, stairs and monolithic lintels. But this is possible only in low-rise construction, because under more significant loads, the strength characteristics that lean concrete has may be insufficient, which can lead to disastrous consequences. This material has found the widest application in road construction. From it create the basis for asph alt concrete pavement.
Placement of lean concrete should be done immediately after it has been prepared and delivered to the site. If the ambient temperature exceeds 25 degrees, then hardening retarders are usually added to the solution, which reduce the rate of curing. Their dosage can reach up to 1% by weight of the cement used in the mortar. They allow you to increase the time for transportation and installation from an hour to an hour and a half. At the same time, the minimum air temperature for performing work should not be lower than 5 degrees.
