Features of using polystyrene concrete lintels: advantages and disadvantages

Concrete lintels made of polystyrene are becoming more and more common in contemporary architecture because of their special combination of structural strength and lightweight qualities. These lintels provide a flexible way to span wall openings like windows and doors because they mix polystyrene beads into the concrete mixture.

Excellent thermal insulation is one of the main benefits of using polystyrene concrete lintels. An energy-efficient option, the concrete’s embedded polystyrene beads aid in reducing heat transfer. This can improve a building’s overall energy efficiency by reducing the cost of heating and cooling it.

The lighter weight of polystyrene concrete lintels in comparison to conventional concrete lintels is an additional advantage. This facilitates handling and installation, which could shorten construction times and save labor expenses. Additionally, the reduced weight relieves less strain on the supporting structures, which can be especially useful for retrofits and renovations.

Notwithstanding these benefits, there are a few drawbacks to take into account. The use of polystyrene concrete lintels in some applications may be restricted because they may not provide the same level of compressive strength as traditional concrete. The cost of the polystyrene beads and the unique manufacturing technique can also make them more expensive than conventional lintels.

All things considered, polystyrene concrete lintels offer a novel solution with a fair share of advantages and disadvantages. They present fresh opportunities for energy efficiency and ease of construction, serving as a testament to the continuous advancements in building materials. To make sure they are utilized in the right circumstances, it is crucial to give careful thought to their limitations.

What is polystyrene concrete

The composite was created to act as a heat insulator in place of foam plastic or mineral wool. The composition also includes granules of polystyrene, which have low heat conductivity, along with cement and quartz sand.

When air-entraining additives are present, the structure becomes porous, which prevents component delamination. Walls, screeds, and partitions are all made with polystyrene concrete.

Concrete blocks made of polystyrene are a competitive substitute for the analogs in use.

• high strength;
• heat retention;
• ease of processing.

Depending on its intended use, composite polystyrene concrete has a different structure:

• dense – characterized by an insignificant number of pores and fine filler;
• medium-porous – has average granule parameters and evenly distributed air cavities;
• large-cell – has the maximum cell size with large filler.

Variations in density have an impact on performance characteristics and the range of applications.

Concrete lintels made of polystyrene combine the structural integrity of concrete with the insulating properties of polystyrene to provide a lightweight and effective substitute for conventional concrete lintels. These lintels increase building energy efficiency, minimize thermal bridging, and are simple to handle and install. They might not be appropriate for every structural application, especially in places where a high load-bearing capacity is needed. Making educated decisions for particular construction requirements can be facilitated by having a thorough understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of polystyrene concrete lintels.

Main properties

For many years, scientists have been trying to develop a material with comparable but superior mechanical and physical qualities. The resulting "hybrid" possesses the low heat conductivity of polystyrene foam and the strength of concrete stone.

Properly speaking, superior composite is at the forefront of structural and heat-insulating materials. It has the same density and functional value as cellular concrete.

Polystyrene concrete has good strength properties, excellent sound insulation, and low thermal conductivity despite its low density.

Compared to other lightweight concretes, polystyrene concrete has fewer requirements for the raw material base. It is used as a structural material as well as a heat-insulating material because its properties don’t change when using different filler batches. Furthermore, there are no limitations on the finishing options. He can easily give it the required shape and cut it to the appropriate size. It should be noted that the walls made of polystyrene concrete are 15% warmer than those made of other types of concrete.

Building materials made of polystyrene have multiple varieties that vary in thickness and cross section size:

1. Not carrying. Characterized by the presence of a steel frame and a density of 400 kg/m3. The use of such jumpers is limited by a slight bearing capacity, which corresponds to a low cost.
2. Self -enforcement. In production, steel reinforcement is used to make a hardening frame. Products have proven themselves in individual and mass construction, and are distinguished by worthy characteristics.
3. Mark D800. Their strength allows them to withstand about 2 tons of weight, and frost resistance significantly exceeds previous types.

Scope of application

The composite is well-liked by developers outside of the private sector as well, despite divergent views regarding its appropriate usage. Window and door openings are reinforced with concrete lintels made of polystyrene.

Because of their low weight and high resistance to frost, they are combined with a variety of wall materials.

• foam block;
• gas block;
• brick;
• arbolite
• others.

The products’ range of applications extends beyond the development of private residences. Porous block materials are used to lay out the exterior walls of multi-story frame buildings that have a plastered facade. Thus, light-weight window beams will be suitable in this situation.

Advantages

By using these products in conjunction with concrete, you can build structures that consistently retain heat without the need for extra insulators. Concrete lintels made of reinforced polystyrene are an economical and efficient energy-saving material. Modern technologies have made it unnecessary to add extra insulation when constructing multi-story buildings or cottages.

There are numerous additional benefits to this composite polystyrene concrete, including:

• high strength – easily withstands sufficient loads;
• low weight – does not create additional load on the base;
• high plasticity – eliminates deformation and stretching;
• excellent sound insulation;
• easy installation of beams and transportation.

Products with clear geometric shapes ensure high installation accuracy and allow for a reduction in the amount of glue used during installation. Furthermore, the products don’t damage the environment and are eco-friendly.

Disadvantages

It was not feasible to achieve without drawbacks, even with a great deal of advantages. Among them are:

• low vapor permeability – if polystyrene concrete was used in the construction of walls, the room needs additional ventilation;
• high shrinkage rate – about 1 mm per meter.

However, the quality of Unicon lintels remains unaffected by these flaws.

Features

Aerated concrete lintels and foam are in the same class as polystyrene concrete; however, polystyrene concrete is filled with heated granules.

The following are the products’ primary features:

• high dimensional accuracy – tolerances do not exceed 3 mm, which allows the use of a minimum amount of glue and a seam thickness of about 3-4 mm, which significantly improves thermal insulation;
• low weight allows the installation of beams without the use of lifting equipment;
• service life reaches 100 years;
• a large selection of sizes makes it possible to select products that match the design parameters;
• high resistance to decay, fungi and mold.

The support area needed to lay lightweight concrete blocks is 20 cm on each side. No matter how long and how big the lintel’s cross section is, it weighs no more than 60 kg. It is feasible to observe the beneficial predominance of PSB lintels when compared to other aerated concrete products of comparable thickness:

• thermal resistance – exceeds by 3.4 times;
• reinforcement consumption – less by 7.9;
• labor intensity of installation – reduced by 2.6 times;
• cost – 6 or more times lower.

It is feasible to use raw materials with a density of 250–540 kg/m3 for the production of PB lintels with a steel frame, but this is not feasible for cellular concrete.

A number of advantages make polystyrene concrete lintels an appealing option for building projects. Because they are lightweight, handling and installation are made easier, which saves money on labor and time. Additionally, this material offers superior thermal and acoustic insulation, promoting energy economy and a calmer interior atmosphere.

But it’s crucial to take into account the limitations of concrete lintels made of polystyrene. They are not appropriate for supporting large structural loads because their load-bearing capacity is lower than that of conventional concrete. Furthermore, their performance in fire resistance tests might be compromised, which can be a crucial consideration for adhering to specific safety and building codes.

When utilized properly, polystyrene concrete lintels can be a useful element in contemporary architecture, notwithstanding these disadvantages. In residential buildings, where the structural requirements are less strict, they are especially helpful. To improve sustainability and efficiency, you can decide if polystyrene concrete lintels are the best option by carefully assessing the particular requirements of your project.

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