How to make concrete walls: types of concrete, optimal thickness

Because of their strength and longevity, concrete walls are a popular option for both residential and commercial construction. It’s critical to comprehend the various varieties of concrete and the appropriate thickness for your project if you intend to build concrete walls. The outcome can vary greatly depending on whether you’re building an eye-catching feature wall or a strong foundation.

There are different mixes of concrete, and each is appropriate for a particular use. You’ll frequently use a mixture for walls that strikes a balance between workability and strength. The necessary durability can be obtained with standard mixes, such as Type I or Type II cement; however, specialty mixes may offer greater resistance to moisture or chemicals. Selecting the appropriate kind guarantees that your walls will function as intended under anticipated circumstances.

Another important consideration when building concrete walls is thickness. Although walls should generally be at least 6 inches thick, this can vary depending on the weight that the wall will be supporting and the climate in the area. In regions that frequently experience severe weather or for structures that support weight, thicker walls may be required. It’s usually a good idea to speak with an expert to find the ideal thickness for your particular requirements.

Your ability to build concrete walls that are not only practical but also strong and long-lasting will improve if you are aware of the different types of concrete and the necessary thickness. These fundamentals will help steer your project toward success whether you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast or hiring contractors.

Advantages and disadvantages

The strength of concrete is its primary benefit. No matter what kind of building technology is used, you can still choose for robust, heavy concrete that can support massive loads and be used for a range of projects. Not only is concrete mortar immune to radiation, but it also thrives in the presence of moisture, sunlight, mold, and parasites. Certain properties can be enhanced, depending on the particular type of material and the possibility of altering its characteristics (for example, by adding additives to the mixture).

The disadvantages of concrete structures include a certain rate of shrinkage, a low level of resistance to bending and tearing (which can be easily addressed by reinforcement), and the inability to allow air to pass (which does not have the best effect on the internal microclimate of the premises).

Because concrete walls are strong and long-lasting, they are still the most common type of housing in most communities today.

Types of concrete walls

Concrete walls can vary in terms of material, design, construction technology, and other aspects. The final structure’s qualities and attributes are largely determined by the technology used during construction as well as the composition of the concrete mixture.

Monolithic

Are the greatest choice when it comes to building capital structures. They are dependable, robust, resistant to earthquakes, and long-lasting. Installing them involves welding a steel frame, assembling a formwork structure around it, pouring concrete, and tamping the concrete mixture. All of these steps can be quite challenging.

Here, the advantageous qualities of two materials—concrete and metal—can be combined. Because of its hardness, reinforcement, and durability, concrete can bear heavy tensile loads without cracking.

Walls made of adobe and mud brick

Adobe is a type of soil concrete that is created by combining clay, sand, and different additives (such as straw, chaff, moss, etc.). The amount of fat in the clay directly affects the composition; typically, three to four parts are added, along with a portion of sand and up to ten kilograms of different fillers. Typically, clay is prepared in the fall.

The material comes in blocks that measure 35.7 x 17.3 x 13 centimeters. The basic method of production is to combine sand and clay into a uniform mass before adding filler. A high-quality block needs to be dry, free of cracks, able to withstand drops from at least one meter in height, and not crumble or change shape in water.

The same material is used to lay adobe block walls, with seams no thicker than one centimeter. Once the masonry has dried, the surface is treated with a mixture of lime-clay plaster and fillers. When building with adobe brick, be sure to regularly shield it from the elements, seal any joints, and place apertures 1.5 meters away from the building’s corners.

Cinder concrete walls

Slag concrete is a material that contains gypsum, clay, and, less frequently, lime as a binder. Walls made of cinder concrete exhibit exceptional heat-saving qualities, are long-lasting, and do not catch fire. The material is first sifted through a number of sieves, measuring 40×40, 5×5, and 1×1 millimeters, before being used as a filler. A binding material is added after two fractions—not passing the sieve with cells measuring five and one millimeter—are combined in a ratio of roughly 2:1. A few hours prior to the mixture’s creation, the slag is moistened in order to improve its strength characteristics.

For an hour, the completed slag concrete is typically used to pour walls inside of formwork. The slag concrete is poured, then covered with burlap and left wet for ten days to prevent it from drying out too soon. There would be no need for moistening if the binder were made of gypsum or lime rather than cement.

Walls made of hemp concrete and sawdust concrete

The advantages of these concrete types include low heat conductivity, high strength, light weight, and durability. The roof overhang should be at least 60 centimeters, and even though the walls are lightweight, plastering cannot be done until after five to six months.

Opilc concrete is a great material to build walls with; if the winter temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius, the walls should be 30 centimeters thick and 5 centimeters wide for every 10 degrees. In order to create the solution, sawdust is sieved through a 1×1 centimeter sieve, followed by a mixture of sand and cement to interfere with the lime dough.

Sand and sawdust are combined with a lime-cement mortar, poured, and mixed. A 15-centimeter-thick layer is applied to the formwork, vibrated, and deformed shields are removed after five days.

500 kg of sand, 250 liters of water, 60 kg of hemp (flax) bonfires, and 135 kg of premium brand cement are combined to create bonfire concrete. They obstruct sand and bonfires first, then somewhat add cement milk and obstruct the receipt of a hard, uniform mass. After five days, the solution is poured into the formwork, vibrated, and the shields are taken apart.

Lime-sand mortar walls

There are specific specifications for lime-sand cement mortar: the walls constructed with this material must be at least one meter wide, have piers that are at least thirty centimeters thick on the inside and fifty centimeters thick on the outside, and have a minimum of 1.5 meters between openings and corners. The mixture layer is poured one at a time, and its total thickness should not exceed thirty centimeters.

Cement, lime, sand, and crushed stone are combined in a ratio of 0.2:1:4:2 to create the solution. Gypsum, cement, and slag are added to the mixture to hasten the hardening of the wall panels. To prepare the solution, combine the binder and sand, and then add crushed stone or gravel.

Walls made of large-pore concrete

Cement, crushed stone, and water are the ingredients used to make large-pore concrete. Therefore, 130 kilograms of cement (at least grade M300), 10–20 millimeter crushed stone, and 65 liters of water are needed to produce one cubic meter of material. Large crushed stone is used, which causes voids in the concrete and lowers the structure’s overall weight and thermal conductivity. Concrete with a strength rating of 15 kg/cm2 is used for one-story buildings, and 25 kg/m2 for two-story structures. The bulk density of the concrete mixture is used to calculate the thickness of the concrete wall.

How to create concrete with coarse grains:

• Pour crushed stone into a container
• Wet the crushed stone with water
• Add cement to the container, mix thoroughly
• Gradually add water to the mixture, stirring and preventing the solution from flowing off the crushed stone

What thickness should the wall be

The design of the building itself (kind of construction, number of stories, roof, etc.) and the characteristics of the material used determine how thick a concrete wall should be.

Concrete walls should be between 20 and 30 centimeters thick for one-story buildings, and at least 55 centimeters thick for multi-story structures. It is possible to compute more precise numbers in compliance with the design parameters.

Walls as the foundations of the structure

Because walls and a foundation will serve as the building’s structural support, choosing the right material for walls is a very important decision. Walls serve the following purposes: aesthetic, enclosing, and load-bearing.

There are many different ways to construct walls in modern construction: silicate or foam concrete blocks, bricks, cinder blocks, concrete blocks, wall slabs, etc. There are numerous wall-building materials and technologies available, each with advantages and disadvantages depending on the project’s needs.

In many respects, the choice of material for walls is determined by the indicators of other structural elements. For example, if concrete is poured for the foundation, it will be strong enough to support any walls; however, if the base is not strong enough, the walls must be constructed of lightweight materials.

Most masonry materials are straightforward and simple to work with, particularly when they are lightweight. So, special equipment is not required for building walls out of brick and aerated concrete. Simultaneously, the construction of walls or monolithic structures involving concrete require the expenditure of specialized machinery and extra labor.

Reinforced concrete buildings are the most resilient, long-lasting, and resistant to various factors because they can withstand any impact and serve as the foundation for any structure.

Bearing the wall on the foundation

Special embedded components are left to connect the building’s base to its walls. These components include wire or reinforcement that emerges from the foundation and joins the frame. Welding is not appropriate for these purposes because of the possibility of the structure collapsing quickly. Instead, the reinforcement is tied with steel wire and fastened with clamps. Flat mesh, transverse beams, and vertical columns make up the frame.

Structures such as beams and columns are composed of four guide rods, each measuring up to 12 millimeters in cross-section, connected by wires, each measuring up to 8 millimeters in cross-section, spaced 15–20 centimeters apart. The same rods are used to make the mesh. Wire is tied to longitudinal and transverse rods every 15-20 centimeters.

Typically, the structure is built on the ground and then installed. Producing superior formwork is crucial, whether it is made from plywood or wood sheets or rented. The formwork is assembled, poured, and strengthened with concrete before being removed as firmly as feasible. The panels are mounted in accordance with levels and beacons; they should not come into contact with the steel frame.

Permanent polystyrene formwork is an option for building a concrete wall. It doesn’t need to be disassembled; instead, it stays in the structure for reinforcement and insulation. Additionally, in construction, foam blocks with unique pores are used to pour mortar. The level of thermal insulation of walls is improved multiple times by such formwork.

Pouring monolithic walls

Concrete is used in accordance with specific guidelines when pouring walls. Concrete is therefore poured in sections so that each new one is poured over the previously installed, still-fresh formwork after the formwork has been installed. usually poured with a slight angle, moving from the wall’s center. In order to create concrete walls quickly, it is best to order ready-made mortar from the factory and use an industrial mixer.

If the solution is made separately, combine crushed stone, sand, and cement in a 1:2:4 ratio. To get the right consistency for your concrete, add as much water as necessary.

How to vibrate concrete

After pouring, the monolith is vibrated to remove any air gaps. The solution is strengthened and compacted in this way. Use a deep vibrator or a hammer drill with a metal strip welded to it to complete the task. If using a tool is not an option, you can at least reinforce the concrete by stud-driving it. The concrete wall is plastered and insulated with foam or another material once it has hardened.

To ensure durability and functionality when building concrete walls, selecting the proper concrete type and figuring out the ideal thickness are essential. This post will walk you through the various varieties of concrete that work best for building walls, including lightweight, high-strength, and standard mixes. It will also explain how to choose the appropriate thickness for your needs, whether they are industrial, commercial, or residential. Gaining an understanding of these elements will enable you to build durable, dependable walls.

Concrete wall panels

Using concrete wall panels can drastically shorten the construction time. They are made in a factory setting, not on location, in a manner similar to pouring walls. Moreover, the monolith can be strengthened with steel rods and treated with steam at a high temperature to enhance its properties. These materials typically have higher quality indicators, but their construction calls for the use of specialized tools.

Panel concrete walls

For private construction, this will be a great option. For a frame composed of prefabricated panels, utility shafts, windows, and door openings must be carefully planned out in advance. The structure is too big for you to put together by hand.

In order to construct walls using panel concrete slabs, you will need to get in touch with the appropriate organizations that possess the necessary tools, experience, and design and installation knowledge.

Type of Concrete	Optimal Thickness
Standard Concrete	6-8 inches
Reinforced Concrete	6-10 inches
High-Strength Concrete	4-6 inches
Precast Concrete	4-8 inches
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)	6-12 inches

For many construction projects, whether you’re building a foundation, a fence, or a house, creating concrete walls is a sensible option. It is easier to make sure your walls are long-lasting and functional if you are aware of the different types of concrete and their characteristics. When selecting the best type for your project, there are many factors to take into account, ranging from the basic mix to specialized options.

The strength and usefulness of your concrete walls are greatly influenced by their thickness. In general, thicker walls are more durable and provide better insulation, but the precise thickness you require may vary depending on the wall’s intended use and the local climate. The typical thickness of walls for residential applications is between 6 and 8 inches. However, you might choose a thicker design for structures that require additional strength or insulation.

In conclusion, careful material selection and thickness consideration to meet your unique needs are necessary when building concrete walls. Make sure your concrete meets the requirements of your project, whether you’re using regular concrete or a more sophisticated mix. With a basic understanding of these principles, you can build long-lasting, sturdy walls.

Video on the topic

Simple tips for building a monolithic CONCRETE basement. Part 1.