Cinder concrete: understanding the characteristics, varieties and scope of application of the material

Frequently disregarded in the context of construction materials, cinder concrete has a special place because of its unique qualities and adaptable uses. A lightweight, long-lasting substitute for conventional concrete mixes is provided by cinder concrete, which is made by combining coal cinders with regular cement. This blend is favored in a variety of construction scenarios because it not only improves thermal and acoustic insulation but also lowers the overall weight of structures.

The specific type of cinders used and the ratio of cinders to cement determine the characteristics of cinder concrete. This flexibility enables customized solutions to satisfy particular project needs, whether they relate to residential, commercial, or infrastructure projects. Gaining an effective understanding of these attributes is essential to utilizing cinder concrete’s advantages in construction.

Cinder concrete comes in a number of varieties, each intended to meet a specific purpose. Certain mixes, for instance, are more appropriate for non-structural uses like insulating layers and partitions than they are for load-bearing walls. Because of its adaptability, the material can be used with a variety of building methods and architectural styles.

There are many applications for cinder concrete. Because of its low weight, it is perfect for multi-story buildings as it lessens the strain on the foundation and other supporting structures. Its insulating qualities also help with energy efficiency, which is becoming more and more crucial in contemporary building. Cinder concrete is useful in a variety of situations, from building sturdy yet lightweight blocks for rural housing to soundproofing walls in apartments.

Builders and architects can improve the functionality and sustainability of their projects by making well-informed decisions based on their understanding of the qualities, varieties, and uses of cinder concrete. This material is still a valuable resource in the always changing construction industry because of its exceptional combination of strength, insulation, and versatility.

Characteristic Description
Composition Cinder concrete is made from cement, cinders, and water. Cinders are lightweight particles produced from burning coal.
Varieties There are different types of cinder concrete depending on the proportion of cinders and cement used. It can also vary based on the size and type of cinders.
Weight This material is lighter than regular concrete due to the inclusion of cinders, which reduces the overall weight.
Insulation Cinder concrete has good insulating properties, making it suitable for thermal and sound insulation.
Strength While it is not as strong as traditional concrete, it is sufficient for non-load-bearing structures.
Applications Commonly used for walls, partitions, and other non-load-bearing structures in buildings. It is also used in some landscape features.

Known by many as "cinder block," cinder concrete is a flexible and affordable building material that has good insulating qualities and is lightweight. This article examines the salient features of cinder concrete, examines its various varieties, and demonstrates its numerous construction uses, ranging from garden walls to residential foundations. Builders and homeowners can use this durable material wisely by knowing these factors and choosing when and how to use it.

Features of the material and products made from it

First, let’s examine how the components are put together. Let’s define and investigate the components of cinder concrete blocks.

Composition

The fact that this material contains slag or other secondary waste from industrial production gives it its name. Ash is one example of this.

A higher grade of cement is utilized as a binder. Chemical ingredients, water, sand, and lime are also added.

A little more information now.

The following constitutes the basic ingredients of cinder concrete:

  • Cement, as already mentioned, should be a high brand. This will help to increase the strength characteristics of future products;
  • In addition to cement, lime can also act as a binder;
  • The size of the slag grain can have different fractions, which affects the properties of the finished material;
  • Brick, concrete or cement chips, perlite, crushed stone screenings are often added to the slag concrete mixture;
  • In order to increase the density indicators, a filler of a smaller fraction is used. But the use of a large fraction will give the opposite effect: thermal efficiency will increase, and strength indicators will decrease significantly;
  • As for chemical components, their variability is great. Each manufacturer has its own individual recipe, so additives can be very different. The purpose of their use: increasing the plasticity of the mixture, reducing the setting time of the solution and hardening of products; improving the quality of finished blocks, etc.
  • When using an alkaline solution, you can get slag-alkaline concrete. In addition to the above solution, it includes: slag, coarse or fine aggregate. The main features of slag-alkaline concrete products are: increased frost resistance grade and low water absorption. It is relevant to use the material in difficult operating conditions.

We draw the conclusion that the production result is influenced by the component’s proportions and composition. In other words, when choosing the material composition, the product characteristics are planned.

Properties of cinder blocks and technical characteristics

The final material’s properties can vary, as we have already discovered. Let’s investigate more thoroughly.

Thus, cinder concrete blocks: attributes of the substance and its markers

  • Slag concrete blocks can have different frost resistance grades. As a rule, it increases along with the density and strength values. The number of cycles that products can withstand is from 15 to 50. Much also depends on the manufacturer. Some of them indicate higher values, reaching 150 cycles.

  • Cinder concrete blocks are characterized by relatively high hygroscopicity. They can absorb moisture up to 75%.

  • Thermal conductivity of cinder concrete depends on the value of specific gravity. The higher the latter, the lower the ability to maintain temperature.

  • The density of cinder concrete and the coefficient of thermal conductivity, determine the existence of the following types of material: effective type (D = up to 1400 kg / m3), conditionally effective (maximum value – D = 1600 kg m3), heavy (over 1650 kg / m3).

Conformity of the density indicator to additional cinder block properties when compared to alternative materials

  • Cinder concrete walls are durable. The service life of a house built from them, if all technologies are observed during installation, can exceed a hundred years.

  • Cinder concrete walls are capable of transmitting sound, the indicator is 43 dB.
  • Regarding the fire resistance limit, then the material can withstand up to 800 degrees.
  • A little about the number of storeys of buildings erected using cinder blocks. In accordance with GOST, the maximum number of storeys is 3. However, this only applies to load-bearing structures.

The dimensions of the slag concrete block can vary. The dimensions of the typical solid product are 390*190*188 mm. Typically, the hollow block has a narrower width of 90 or 120 mm.

Products typically range in height from 138 to 188 mm, width from 138 to 288 mm, and length from 90 to 390 mm.

This article’s "Cinder blocks: pros and cons" video has a wealth of helpful information regarding product attributes.

Types of products

Let’s now determine the form in which the material can be produced and the product classification.

The block may be hollow or solid:

  1. Solid products have increased density. Their weight is also increased, as are, of course, their structural qualities. But the ability to retain heat is quite the opposite, that is, it is reduced. As a rule, load-bearing structures are constructed with the help of solid cinder blocks.

  1. A hollow block is characterized by a lower weight due to the presence of voids. It is more heat-efficient, but its density values ​​are lower. Such a block can be used in the construction of a house, extension and other structures.

Products are separated into two categories: ordinary and facing.

  • Ordinary ones are used for the main masonry.
  • Facing blocks can have 1 or 2 facing surfaces. The latter can be either smooth or have a texture.

When discussing the composition, we brought up the possibility of varying binder types.

This established which of the following material kinds were available in the assortment:

  • SCC is made on the basis of cement;
  • SKS – based on slag;
  • SKG – based on gypsum;
  • SKI – lime based.

The individual block products can be partitions or walls. Because partition walls are thinner, they are utilized when erecting partitions. Cinder blocks are also used in the construction of building foundations.

In construction, cinder blocks based on both light and heavy concrete are employed. These are also referred to as "warm blocks." It is easy to infer that heavier and stronger products are produced from heavy concrete. They have an excellent thermal conductivity coefficient, but they also have amazing stress resistance.

It’s entirely the other way around with a lightweight concrete block. It has a lower density, is lighter, and can hold onto heat.

Cinder concrete is used to make various products besides blocks. Slabs of cinder concrete require extra consideration.

  • They are made from slag concrete, the grade of which is not lower than M50. Reinforcement is made using steel mesh with cells 10*10 cm. Installation is carried out using cement mortar of at least M25 grade.
  • There is also a range of facing slabs available. Their surface does not need finishing, which will help to significantly reduce costs due to the absence of the need to clad the facade.

Should I give preference to cinder block?? Set of advantages and disadvantages

Are you still unsure and unable to determine if building your own home should involve using this specific material? Let’s examine the material’s primary benefits and drawbacks; this will undoubtedly aid in your decision-making.

Positive qualities of the material

Let’s begin with the advantages:

  • The material has a fairly good ability to retain heat, if we take into account the density indicators;
  • The strength of the products allows the blocks to be used in various construction industries;
  • The frost resistance of the products is usually high;
  • The range of blocks and other products made of cinder concrete is very wide;
  • The durability of the material leaves no doubt;
  • The cinder block is easy to handle, has relatively large dimensions, which simplifies the construction process;
  • Fire resistance is also an important plus;
  • Biological resistance;
  • The low price makes the cinder block as affordable as possible;
  • Soundproofing and vapor permeability;
  • The cinder block can be made by hand and, thus, reduce the cost of materials. Below is an instruction containing information on how to make the material at home.

Main disadvantages

  • The shrinkage of the material does not allow you to immediately start finishing;
  • It takes a relatively long time to reach the brand strength of the product;
  • When making a block, it must be constantly monitored. For example, it is necessary to periodically wet the products so that they do not crack;
  • The external qualities of ordinary products are not very good;
  • Durable products have too much weight and thermal conductivity, which forces developers, when using them, to carry out intensive insulation;
  • Another disadvantage is that cinder concrete walls are extremely hygroscopic. That is why the finishing must be planned in advance and executed technically correctly, taking into account the fact that the block needs protection.

Overview of the manufacturing process

How should cinder block products be manufactured correctly? Let’s take a step-by-step look at the technology, beginning with a summary of the tools and supplies that are required.

Equipment and raw materials

It is advised that the following equipment be bought in order to begin the production process:

  1. Vibration press;
  2. Concrete mixer;
  3. Molds for products.

A mini-installation can also be used to produce concrete blocks made of cinder. It can help to a certain extent to increase the production volume.

The most powerful and automated installations are stationary lines; however, these are unnecessary costs for a single cinder block production, since even used equipment of this kind is expensive.

Remark: In large businesses, conveyor-type equipment is even used, enabling daily production of up to 300 m3. This set stands out due to its complete automation and exorbitant cost.

You can build a vibrating press or machine by hand.

When making your raw material purchases, take into account:

  • Do not buy expired raw materials and materials with questionable consistency, which primarily concerns cement. It should not contain lumps.
  • Try to find suppliers who can offer you everything you need at once. This will help save on delivery. In addition, you can get a significant discount due to the volume of the purchase.

Stages of the production process

  1. First, the solution is mixed.
  2. It is necessary to prepare the slag in advance. It is sifted, dividing it into 2 fractions: larger and smaller. As a rule, there should be at least twice as much small fraction in the composition, this will help to increase the strength indicators of future products.
  3. Slag is often soaked in water, which helps to increase the density. It will also not be superfluous to add alkali, which will reduce the level of water absorption.
  4. First, two fractions of slag are mixed, then the remaining components are added.
  5. After obtaining a homogeneous consistency, you can begin molding.
  6. Processing the mixture with a vibrating press will contribute to better compaction of the concrete, which will also increase the strength value of the future material.
  7. After partial hardening, the block can be removed from the mold.
  8. The last stage will be drying the products.

Is it worth making cinder blocks yourself?

Let’s examine:

  • The factory slag block, as a rule, has the best geometry, since it is cut in automatic using a cutting complex. As a result, the masonry will be more thin -layer, and, therefore, the heat efficiency of the structure will be higher.
  • DIY blocks have a very dubious quality, because the properties of such products are not checked by anyone, and the production process is controlled only by the developer himself.
  • Factory -made products, as a rule, undergo a check, after which a quality certificate confirming the compliance of the products with all established standards is issued.
  • Home production will take a lot of time and effort. The process is time -consuming.

Be aware that the only real benefit of producing things yourself is cost savings—that is, if you can find reasonably priced supplies and machinery. Furthermore, nobody is exempt from producing subpar goods, particularly in the early phases of technological proficiency. And these are extra costs. For this reason, you must carefully consider each advantage and disadvantage before acting.

Calculation of the composition of the solution for masonry work

The distinctive qualities and extensive range of applications of cinder concrete make it a special and adaptable building material. Made up of various aggregates and cinders, it provides a sturdy yet lightweight solution for a range of construction applications. Because of its unique qualities, it is a desirable option for some projects where conventional concrete might not be the best fit.

The superior insulating qualities of cinder concrete are among its main advantages. Because of this, it is especially helpful in residential construction, where it is essential to maintain temperature control. Furthermore, because it is lightweight, less strain is placed on structural frameworks, enabling more creative architectural designs without sacrificing stability or safety.

Cinder concrete is used in commercial and industrial contexts in addition to homes. Large buildings are safer and more comfortable because of its fire resistance and sound-dampening qualities. The versatility of the material is also demonstrated by its use in landscaping and ornamentation, highlighting both its artistic and functional advantages.

In conclusion, cinder concrete is a useful material in contemporary construction due to its distinct combination of qualities, which range from thermal insulation to structural efficiency. It provides an dependable and adaptable solution for residential and commercial structures as well as creative design projects. By being aware of its characteristics and uses, architects and builders can make well-informed choices and take full advantage of the material’s advantages.

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Dmitry Sokolov

Chief engineer in a large construction company. I have extensive experience in managing construction projects and implementing modern technologies.

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