Because of their energy-efficient, long-lasting, and lightweight characteristics, aerated concrete floors are becoming more and more common in contemporary architecture. They offer a strong foundation that improves a building’s overall performance and are a flexible option that can be utilized in both residential and commercial buildings.
To achieve the best results, installing aerated concrete floors requires adhering to strict technological guidelines and using specific methods. For the floor to have the appropriate strength, insulation, and longevity, proper installation is essential. You will be guided through the necessary procedures and industry best practices for installing aerated concrete floors by this guide.
We’ll examine the various methods of installation, from site preparation to concrete pouring and curing. You can make wise decisions and steer clear of typical pitfalls during the construction process by being aware of these techniques. This knowledge will come in very handy for your next project, whether you’re a professional builder or a do-it-yourself enthusiast.
- Advantages of aerated concrete floors
- Floor arrangement
- Reinforced slab floors
- Precast-monolithic floors
- Features of the device of floors on walls made of aerated concrete
- Video on the topic
- Floor slabs made of aerated concrete. Topic review
- Hollow-core floor slabs – Installation on aerated concrete!
- We lay floor slabs in a house made of aerated concrete ourselves.
Advantages of aerated concrete floors
It is not necessary to explain the definition and characteristics of aerated concrete to our frequent readers. To put it briefly, it’s concrete with cellular structures and gas-filled pores.
The material’s low weight and low thermal conductivity are highly advantageous properties brought about by this structure. Put another way, compared to reinforced concrete, aerated concrete floors are significantly lighter and warmer.
They also benefit from additional advantages.
- A fairly high level of strength: floor slabs made of aerated concrete, depending on the brand, can withstand a load of 300 to 600 kg / m2, and precast monolithic structures – and higher;
- Resistance to environmental influences;
- Environmental safety: the material contains only natural components that are safe for human health – lime, cement, aluminum, silicon;
- Ease of transportation;
- Long service life;
- Easy to install due to precise geometric parameters and a well-thought-out fastening system;
- Savings on insulation and finishing of floors and ceilings: the floors are warm and very smooth.
Floor arrangement
The installation guidelines for aerated concrete panels and blocks are not the same as those for reinforced concrete products. The reason for this is that aerated concrete’s floor slabs are not as strong as their traditional counterparts.
The estimated load on the floors, the separation between spans, and the type of wall material used in the building all influence the installation method selection.
Reinforced slab floors
300 mm thick floor slabs made of aerated concrete are produced. These products have a maximum width of 180 cm and a maximum length of 600 cm. Consequently, they should be able to span a maximum of 5.5–5.7 meters.
Kindly take note. On the load-bearing walls, the panels’ depth of support should be at least 12.5 cm. Thus, the maximum span length requirements.
Because it guarantees the density and strength of the side seams, tongue-and-groove panels are the most widely used.
Installation is carried out in the following sequence:
- Mortar is placed on the supporting walls;
- The slabs are lifted by a crane and aligned in place by two slingers;
- The ridge of each subsequent slab is inserted into the groove of the previous one;
- Formwork blocks 100 mm thick and a reinforcement belt of two levels of steel rods are installed on the mortar around the perimeter of the building;
- The formed ring anchor and seams between the panels are concreted.
It’s crucial! The ceilings shouldn’t rely on bloches because they are made of less sturdy aerated concrete, which could add to the load. As a result, damper seams made of mounting foam or mineral wool should be positioned between aerated concrete partitions and the ceiling, with the latter being positioned 10–20 mm below the former.
This kind of ceiling is not very common and is mostly installed beneath non-residential attics; it is not utilized for domestic purposes. This is because the aerated concrete panels don’t have enough bearing capacity.
The maximum load that can be placed on them is 600 kg/m^2, but this is frequently insufficient to ensure the safe operation of the premises when partitions, furniture, appliances, people, and flooring are taken into consideration.
Precast-monolithic floors
A precast, monolithic floor composed of aerated concrete with a reinforcing frame is a more dependable and long-lasting substitute for the design mentioned above. Either a factory-made or handmade frame can be used.
The latter is a unique design made up of the subsequent components:
- A light reinforced concrete beam up to 7.2 meters long;
- A spatial reinforcement frame.
Two lower steel rods, each measuring 12 mm in diameter, are set into the beam body, while the upper rod, measuring 8 mm in diameter, is positioned 20 cm up from the lower plane. Triangles of transverse connections with a minimum 6 mm diameter join the longitudinal rods to one another.
T-shaped floor slabs—aerated concrete in the shape of 600x250x200 mm blocks—are utilized when building floors on a factory frame.
The following is the procedure for installing a precast monolithic floor:
Consequently, one obtains a warm and dependable overlap made of aerated concrete that is gathered from blocks and frozen by screed.
If the cost of ready beams is too much for you, you can live without them. However, the work will require a lot more time.
This is accomplished by installing wide, even boards on the support racks in the overlapped flight in parallel rows. They should have their upper plane level with the final row of load-bearing walls.
The boards are covered with a polyethylene film or another waterproof material. Next, standard blocks are placed on top of them, leaving space between their faces for the future beam’s reinforcing frame.
With support from the load-bearing walls, the frame is installed between the blocks on the formwork board. After that, the task is completed in accordance with the previously mentioned plan. The formwork is removed once the concrete reaches the design strength.
Features of the device of floors on walls made of aerated concrete
Since aerated concrete wall blocks are not very strong and might not be able to support heavy loads, many people are curious as to whether floor slabs can be laid on top of them.
The answer from builders is yes, but only if the following requirements are met when building a monolithic floor on aerated concrete:
- The thickness of the load-bearing walls must be at least 30 cm;
- Along the perimeter of the building, it is necessary to construct a reinforced concrete belt 25 cm high and the width equal to the thickness of the load-bearing walls;
Kindly take note. Such a reinforced belt acts as a strong foundation for the monolithic structure and distributes the load that the floor slab places on the aerated concrete evenly.
- Floor slabs should rest on the walls at a depth of 20 cm.
You don’t need to be concerned about the ceiling collapsing or the walls breaking under the weight now that these requirements have been met.
| Installation Method | Description |
| Dry Installation | Involves laying aerated concrete panels directly onto a prepared surface. Minimal additional work is needed, but the surface must be level and clean. |
| Wet Installation | Requires pouring a concrete mix over aerated concrete blocks or panels. It ensures a strong bond but involves more preparation and curing time. |
| Pre-cast Panels | Pre-cast aerated concrete panels are manufactured off-site and then installed. This method is efficient and reduces on-site construction time. |
| In-situ Casting | Concrete is mixed and poured on-site into molds around aerated concrete blocks. This method allows for custom shapes and sizes but can be more labor-intensive. |
Aerated concrete flooring provides a sturdy and dependable base for a range of building endeavors. They are a desirable option for buildings where it is essential to lower the overall load due to their lightweight nature. As long as you adhere to the necessary technological prerequisites and essential steps, the installation procedure is simple.
A level and stable floor can only be achieved by properly preparing the base. Before placing the aerated concrete blocks, make sure the surface is level and clean. You can increase the strength and longevity of the floor by using the right adhesives and reinforcing materials.
For aerated concrete floors to last a long time, the right curing and drying periods are essential. In the long run, rushing this process can cause structural problems and cracks. Long-term benefits will come from installation patience and meticulous attention to detail.
All things considered, aerated concrete floors are a useful and effective choice for a variety of building projects. You can lay a solid and long-lasting foundation for your building by following the suggested installation techniques and technological specifications.
Although aerated concrete floors are an energy-efficient and lightweight option for construction, proper installation techniques and technological requirements must be considered. To achieve the best strength and durability, the procedure entails creating a stable base, employing the right reinforcement, and making sure that the curing process is followed. Aerated concrete blocks must be laid out, mortar must be applied, and exact instructions must be followed to avoid common problems like moisture retention or cracking. Builders can produce sturdy, dependable floors that improve a building’s overall functionality and comfort by using these techniques.
