How to make an armored belt in a house made of aerated concrete with your own hands: varieties, instructions

Aerated concrete blocks are a popular choice for home construction because of their superior insulation qualities and ease of use. However, it’s essential to properly reinforce your home to guarantee its structural integrity and longevity. Installing an armored belt, sometimes referred to as a reinforced concrete belt, is one of the most efficient ways to achieve this. Particularly in regions vulnerable to seismic activity or strong winds, this additional layer of reinforcement improves the structure’s stability and aids in the equitable distribution of loads.

Although installing an armored belt in an aerated concrete home may seem difficult, it is completely doable with the correct tools and advice. You can select from a variety of armored belt types, each with a unique set of benefits. Knowing the features and advantages of each type of reinforced belt—monolithic, prefabricated, and composite—will enable you to select the one that best suits your requirements.

We’ll guide you through the steps of installing an armored belt in your aerated concrete home in this article. Everything will be covered, from choosing the appropriate materials to providing thorough, step-by-step installation instructions. You and your family can have peace of mind knowing that your home is well-protected and structurally sound by adhering to these guidelines.

Varieties of Armored Belts	Instructions
Concrete Armored Belt	1. Install formwork along the top row of aerated concrete blocks. 2. Place reinforcement bars inside the formwork. 3. Pour concrete into the formwork and let it cure.
Brick Armored Belt	1. Lay a row of bricks along the top row of aerated concrete blocks. 2. Place reinforcement bars on the bricks. 3. Pour concrete over the bricks and reinforcement bars.
Steel Armored Belt	1. Install steel beams along the top row of aerated concrete blocks. 2. Weld or bolt the beams together. 3. Cover the beams with concrete.

Why do you need an armored belt in an aerated concrete house

Numerous unfavorable elements can have an impact on the foundation and wall structures, including wind, precipitation, shrinkage of the structure, abrupt temperature changes, and soil subsidence beneath the foundation. All of these factors result in uneven loads, which can lead to aerated concrete building deformations or even collapse. As a result, strengthening homes constructed with these kinds of blocks is required.

In order to prevent the structure from collapsing, a monolithic belt made of concrete absorbs uneven loads that arise locally and distributes them partially over the structure. The best option is reinforced concrete, which combines the advantages of two materials: steel rods shield it from tensile forces and concrete can withstand compressive loads with good tolerance.

The structure is assured to withstand loads far higher than those required for reinforcement or concrete used separately when these materials are combined.

The need for an armored belt on aerated concrete

• Compensation for emerging deformations in walls with different modulus of elasticity and uneven load during shrinkage, soil heaving, and earthquakes
• Compensation for point overstresses of aerated concrete during installation of the roof rafter system, during the process of fastening the Mauerlat to load-bearing walls with anchors and studs, which can provoke chips and cracks
• Acting as a spacer to distribute roof pressure over the entire structure when using a hanging rafter system
• The ability to align the walls in a horizontal plane
• Increases the rigidity and strength of the entire structure made of aerated concrete – the load on the walls is partially transferred to the frame, partially distributed along the entire perimeter
• Ensuring the possibility of constructing a structure on an inclined soil surface

Any reinforcing belt must have continuity, which is achieved by pouring an armored belt for aerated concrete in a circular pattern and securely fastening the ring structure.

Height and width

Before making an armored belt on aerated concrete, it is necessary to carefully calculate everything and determine such main parameters as height and width. The main parameter of the armored belt is the height, it should be at least 18 centimeters. A height of 30 centimeters is considered sufficient.

The standard width of the armored belt is 20–40 centimeters, which is the same as the width of an aerated concrete wall. However, in order to allow for the necessary gap when insulating with different materials, experts advise making the width slightly less than the wall. Extruded polystyrene foam, mineral wool, PSB-25 brand polystyrene, and other materials are commonly used as insulation for aerated concrete.

Options for manufacturing an armored belt

Correctly choosing the best option—of which there are several—is essential when calculating a reinforced belt. Whether the walls, ceilings, or foundation of the house is reinforced determines which best option will give the necessary strength, longevity, and affordability.

Using ready-made blocks

The easiest, though by no means least expensive, solution is to use pre-made U-shaped blocks in a tray format. The trays come in a variety of sizes, and their costs rise accordingly. This strengthens the aerated concrete armored belt of the outer wall, but formwork along the partitions inside the wall will still need to be built.

This is typically accomplished by installing 100 millimeter-thick prefabricated blocks along the outer wall’s edge, followed by formwork, a reinforcement frame, and an insulation layer measuring 50 millimeters along the inner wall.

This makes it feasible to build a sturdy structure: the armored belt’s dimensions (the height of the belt is the same as the block itself, and its thickness is 150 millimeters more than the wall’s thickness) are adequate for aerated concrete.

Using additional blocks

A reinforced belt for aerated concrete is also frequently built using extra blocks. They feature unique notches or cutouts where reinforcement is inserted and concrete mortar is poured. In order to ensure structural strength, different wall thicknesses are used in concrete blocks. Ten millimeters make up one wall and five on the other.

Blocks are adhered to strictly along a single plane and mounted using standard adhesive techniques. The quickest and simplest method for creating a reinforced belt for aerated concrete is this one.

Option with a one-sided additional block

The reinforced belt is built from additional, one-sided blocks that are thinner than the previous ones but have similar lengths and heights.

In this instance, installation is done using standard glue on the inner and outer portions of the wall using block materials of varying thicknesses. Concrete is poured into the groove created between the blocks to place reinforcement.

Using double-sided formwork

You must choose between a one- and two-sided reinforced concrete belt before creating the formwork. Since additional blocks 10 centimeters thick are used in addition to the formwork, which is fixed along the inner side and mounted along the outer edge in a standard manner with insulation laid, the one-sided method is also known as the combined method. This method’s primary benefit is its hidden installation, which makes the external finishing easier to do and is invisible from the outside.

For a reinforced concrete belt, double-sided formwork doesn’t require the use of extra blocks. Both the inside and outside of the structure have formwork panels installed. A layer of extruded polystyrene foam, 50 millimeters thick, is placed adjacent to the formwork structure. The reinforced belt is then poured after the reinforcement is installed.

Reinforcing belt under the wall plate

The use of the armored belt device under the Mauerlat is possible in an aerated concrete house.

A mauerlat, which joins the load-bearing wall and the entire rafter system, is a wooden log or beam that can be used to support rafters.

Prior to pouring concrete, lay a U-shaped wire with a 6 millimeter cross section and place it beneath a layer of reinforcement rods spaced one meter apart.

When attaching the Mauerlat, leave the free ends long enough to tie it and use threaded studs with a cross-section of 12 to 14 millimeters (drill holes along the top row of blocks and insert the fastening studs one at a time for installation). After being screwed onto the studs, washers are inserted into the holes that have been prepared. To prevent mortar from clogging the threads above the armored belt during pouring, they are wrapped with paper or tape. It is ideal for the stud length to be 50 millimeters longer than the thickness of the Mauerlat and armored belt.

On aerated concrete walls—regular masonry—that are further reinforced with reinforcing mesh. usually employed to reinforce pitched-roof single-story homes and outbuildings. In this instance, reinforcement is installed using a masonry mesh with a cell size of 50×50 millimeters from a rod with a cross-section of 4-5 millimeters, in between the rows of brickwork.

Every row of mesh is installed using a solid backfill brick that is at least grade M100. This kind of armoured belt is also important for gable roofs because it allows you to lay the rafters, filly, and support board and adjust the wall’s height.

DIY reinforced belt – video

Video on the subject that we suggest watching:

Frame: brief instructions

When building an reinforcement frame, there are a few guidelines to follow. Following them is advised in order to ensure that the armored belt for aerated concrete is sufficiently rigid and monolithic.

• Continuity of the structure
• Arrangement on all load-bearing walls
• Making the frame of the armored belt from two rows of reinforcement with a minimum thickness of 2 rods
• The overlap of the longitudinal reinforcement should be at least 8 centimeters
• The minimum diameter of the longitudinal reinforcement is 10 millimeters, transverse – 6-8 millimeters
• The rods for the armored belt should be as long as possible (6-8 meters), trimmings can only be used when reinforcing the corners
• The step of the transverse reinforcement should be equal to 20-40 centimeters
• On all sides, the reinforcement should be protected with concrete with a layer of at least 50 millimeters
• A special knitting wire is used to tie the transverse and longitudinal reinforcement
• At the corners, the longitudinal reinforcement is bent, the overlaps are made as far as possible from the corners
• The frame of the armored belt is arranged strictly horizontally, checking with a building level
• The distance between the rods is calculated in accordance with the height and thickness of the reinforced belt and the protective layer of concrete, which should be at least 5 centimeters on all sides

Insulated belt for aerated concrete

Regardless of what technologies and materials are used to create a reinforced belt on aerated concrete, it is advisable to provide insulation, since steel rods and concrete create cold bridges through which a lot of heat is lost, a layer of condensate appears on the inner part of the belt.

Foam plastic and extruded polystyrene foam are used to insulate the reinforced belt’s exterior.

Ample space is left before pouring the reinforced belt onto the aerated concrete, leaving a suitable indent from the wall’s exterior. The best option is extruded polystyrene foam because of its low thermal conductivity and high density.

Grade PSB-25 foam plastic is used because it is reasonably priced, has low heat conductivity, and is readily available. Mineral wool slabs’ primary drawback is their propensity to absorb moisture from solutions and lose their characteristics when wet, which is unacceptable for aerated concrete.

To ensure a tight fit between the sheets, the insulation is installed inside the formwork from the outside of the wall in a layer that is 50 millimeters thick and cut into strips based on the height of the reinforced belt.

Since the solution is poured on top of the insulation, it is not secured.

Reinforcement

The reinforcement needs to be dependable, thick enough, and of high quality, regardless of whether the armored belt is built beneath the floor beams or the floor slabs in a home built of aerated concrete (which can be either concrete slabs or wooden, expanded clay concrete floors).

Transverse reinforcement can have a diameter of 8–10 millimeters, while reinforcement with a cross-section of 10–14 millimeters is typically chosen for structures with four or more longitudinal rods. The transverse reinforcement is attached using knitting wire with a cross-section of 6–8 millimeters and a step of 40–50 millimeters. The armored belt’s frame must have a rectangular or square cross-section.

Following installation in the formwork, the completed reinforcement frame is filled with concrete mortar. The reinforcement needs to be of the highest caliber, corrugated on the surface, and free of rust and deformation. The best places to buy rolled metal are from reputable suppliers and manufacturers who supply the materials that construction companies use.

The strength and ability of the frame to withstand different loads and impacts will be negatively impacted, so it is not worth cutting corners on the armored belt for aerated concrete.

One of the most important things you can do to improve the stability and longevity of an aerated concrete home is to install an armored belt. You can make sure your house stays secure and safe for many years to come by using the proper methods and supplies.

Armoured belts come in a variety of forms, each with unique benefits. The most important thing is to match the belt to your construction needs and local building codes, regardless of whether you go for a concrete, brick, or wooden variant. Knowing these differences enables you to make choices that are appropriate for your project.

There are several crucial steps involved in creating an armored belt. Every step of the process, from setting up the formwork to installing the reinforcement and pouring the concrete, needs to be done carefully and precisely. This guarantees that the belt serves the purpose of giving the aerated concrete walls more strength.

In addition to saving money on construction, doing it yourself gives you a better understanding of the structural integrity of your house. For any committed homeowner, constructing an armored belt can be a satisfying and doable project with the correct equipment, supplies, and guidance.

For aerated concrete homes, the creation of an armored belt is essential to improving structural stability and distributing loads uniformly. This tutorial will lead you through the procedure, outlining the various kinds of armored belts you can utilize and offering simple-to-follow instructions. Whether you’re a novice builder or a do-it-yourself enthusiast, you’ll find helpful instructions to guarantee the success and safety of your project.

Video on the topic

Do-it-yourself armored belt

ARMOPOYAS for a HOUSE in 5 days WITH YOUR OWN HANDS

DIY armored belt of an aerated concrete house. I mixed in a trough and poured two cubes of concrete alone. 16+

How to make an ARMOPOYAS with your own hands WITHOUT insulation!

SIMPLE ARMOPOYAS WITH YOUR OWN HANDS, for walls made of AERATED BLOCKS.

How to make an ARMOPOYAS for a house made of aerated concrete

Reinforced belt instructions

ARMOPOYAS in a house made of aerated concrete ● Impressions of permanent formwork!