How to make monolithic arbolite – making a house from arbolite with your own hands

For those looking for a long-lasting, affordable, and environmentally responsible building material, monolithic arbolite can be a great option. Arbolite, sometimes referred to as wood concrete, is a versatile material that works well in a variety of climates and conditions because it combines the strength of concrete with the insulating qualities of wood chips.

There are a few essential steps in making your own arbolite house, from mixing the mixture to building the walls and making sure they cure properly. With control over the design and quality of your home, the process can be satisfying. Utilizing materials that are locally sourced can also help cut expenses and environmental impact.

We’ll walk you through the fundamentals of creating monolithic arbolite in this guide, providing helpful hints and methods to help you build a sturdy, energy-efficient structure. Comprehending the fundamentals of arbolite construction, regardless of your level of experience, will enable you to design a cozy and eco-friendly living area.

Step	Description
1	Prepare the materials: wood chips, cement, water, and chemical additives.
2	Mix the wood chips with the chemical additives to treat them.
3	Add cement to the treated wood chips and mix thoroughly.
4	Gradually add water to the mixture until it reaches the desired consistency.
5	Pour the arbolite mixture into molds or formwork for the desired structure.
6	Compact the mixture in the molds to eliminate air pockets.
7	Allow the mixture to cure and harden for the recommended period.
8	Remove the molds and finish the surface as needed.

Main characteristics

A wide range of buildings are actively being constructed using monolithic arbolite, although low-rise individual construction is where it is most frequently utilized. This substance is a lightweight concrete filler that is porous. Wood concrete is composed of various wood fillers, modifiers to help boost the solution’s strength, and Portland cement as a binder (with or without mineral additives).

When making monolithic arbolite by hand, you have to pay close attention to proportions and adhere to the technology. It will only be feasible to get a material that satisfies the specified requirements and ensures comfort and dependability in use in this situation.

• Heat saving – depends directly on the brand, the indicator ranges from 0.07 to 0.18 W/m*S.
• Sound insulation – high, at a frequency of 125-2000 Hz the sound absorption coefficient is 0.17-0.6.
• Plasticity is good, wood concrete does not break when unevenly distributed loads appear and restores its shape quite effectively.
• Fire resistance – belongs to the G1 flammability group (burns weakly, much worse than wood).
• Weight – small (a standard block measuring 50x25x30 centimeters weighs 24 kilograms, monolithic wood concrete has a similar low weight).
• Biostability – high, wood concrete is resistant to mold, rot, fungus and other influences.
• Environmentally friendly – the material is made from natural ingredients.
• Service life – up to 50 years.
• Frost resistance – withstands about 50 freeze/thaw cycles.

The properties of arbolite are listed in detail in the table below:

Advantages

The material has many benefits because it eliminates many of the drawbacks of both wood and concrete while combining their best qualities. The ability to construct the most unusual architectural forms and ideas, maximum heat conservation, and the absence of cold bridges are all presumptions made by the technology used to pour monolithic arbolite walls.

• Safety and environmental friendliness – arbolite is made from chips and concrete, as well as special additives that (if the work is carried out in accordance with GOST) are non-toxic and do not affect the well-being, health of people either during construction or during the operation of the building.
• Hygiene – arbolite is not afraid of mold and mildew, rotting due to soaking wood chips in a special solution, so here it gives odds to natural wood.
• Reliability and strength are quite high, the material tolerates tensile mechanical loads of static and dynamic types especially well. Arbolite quickly takes its original shape and does not react to impacts.
• High level of thermal insulation is the most important advantage in the construction of arbolite residential buildings, which allows you to save on insulation and heating in the future.

• Resistance to frost, fire, sudden temperature changes – wood, for example, does not have such indicators, but arbolite is able to withstand negative impacts.
• Low weight – an arbolite monolithic wall gives a small load on the foundation, due to which you can save on it. And all construction work can be carried out independently, without involving a large number of employees and special equipment.
• Reasonable cost – you can build a house from arbolite for a very affordable amount, the material is not too expensive.
• The ability to implement any architectural ideas and plans.
• Simple technology for preparing arbolite and pouring it into formwork, eliminating the need for special knowledge, skills, tools.

Disadvantages

Arbolite has several drawbacks in addition to its many benefits. The primary drawbacks are associated with the material’s susceptibility to moisture and low resistance to its effects (the wood in the material retains a high degree of hygroscopicity even after processing). However, there are a number of ways to mitigate the damaging effects of moisture on the material and structures.

• Protect from capillary moisture by arranging a decorative and protective layer during the exterior decoration of the house.
• Creating a high-quality waterproofing layer for the base.
• Designing large roof overhangs that make it possible to protect the walls from the risk of flooding during moderate rains.

The minimum size of the overhangs on the gable and eaves roofs should be 50–60 centimeters, but bigger is preferable as it will enable more efficient protection of the arbolite walls.

Monolithic arbolite is a lightweight, environmentally friendly building material that combines good insulation qualities with affordability, making it an affordable and satisfying do-it-yourself project. This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the entire process, from combining the proper materials to pouring and curing the arbolite, guaranteeing a sturdy and cozy house. You will discover how to take advantage of arbolite’s inherent advantages and build a robust structure that satisfies contemporary construction standards with easy-to-follow instructions and helpful hints.

Frame options

If you intend to build a structure out of monolithic arbolite, you should thoroughly research the current construction technologies. Arbolite blocks can be used to construct compact structures without the need to install a frame. However, when building a private home, structural components are typically made in accordance with a metal or wood frame.

Small buildings made of common plank frames positioned vertically 120–150 centimeters apart are a good fit for wooden frames. Make sure to form windows and doors using these elements. By adding boards, you can strengthen the structure and serve as a deformation seam to better distribute the load caused by shrinkage.

Arbolite causes a slight shrinkage, but the design accounts for this. One of the main benefits of using a wooden frame is that it can be mounted to beams, rafters, door/window blocks, etc. right away. It is not advised to heavily compact monolithic arbolite in order to preserve its thermal insulation qualities. All wooden boards need to be treated with antiseptic materials before being used as a frame.

Additionally common are metal frames, which are thought to be more dependable. Typically, steel beams, rods, and nets are used to create window lintels. First, metal needs to be treated with specific agents to prevent corrosion.

Methods and technology of construction

Ready-made blocks or pouring a liquid mixture into the formwork are used in arbolite construction. While all the benefits of the material are guaranteed by both methods, different work types and specific technological features must be implemented. Many tasks can be similar at the same time.

Foundation and base

All of the typical considerations and parameters are made when selecting a foundation for an arbolite building, including the soil’s characteristics and composition, groundwater table, climate, and freezing depth. Another crucial factor is the structure’s overall weight. Arbolite weighs very little, so the foundation can be made in the shape of a pile-grillage structure or a strip with a shallow depth.

For a monolithic arbolite house, a minimum acceptable indicator of the basement height is between 50 and 80 centimeters. It is advised to make the base monolithic during the tape foundation filling process so that the base’s design is carried through.

Installation of formwork

The best option, which ensures high strength but significantly raises the overall construction costs, is to use non-removable formwork. As a result, a removable, disposable formwork design composed of shields is a more popular option. Inventory formwork is also utilized as reusable plywood, board, metal, and plastic blanks.

Every form-forming element is fixed to the building’s supporting structure so that their lower edges only overlap it. Wooden jumpers are used to join the shields together; a step of 50 to 80 centimeters is ideal. Furthermore, using metal studs for fastening is recommended. Boards with flat bars and thin, narrow edges are used to cover any gaps.

Preparation of working solution

Various recipes can be used to prepare the solution for pouring monolithic wood concrete; the preparation process is contingent upon the desired properties of the material. However, they typically employ the default options.

• Cement grades M400 or M500 – 300-330 kilograms.
• Organic component (wood chips) – 200 kilograms.
• Active fillers – up to 8 kilograms.
• Water – 350-390 liters.

The chips are initially submerged in unique solutions. When making wood concrete by hand, more affordable and easily accessible materials, like lime or liquid glass, are combined in equal amounts to replace costly ingredients (active additives like aluminum sulfate and others).

Walling

Monolithic arbolite can be poured into walls using a variety of techniques. Every master selects the one that best fits him and satisfies the building specifications.

1. Floor-by-floor pouring – a monolith is made with permanent floor/foundation formwork using a continuous pouring method. The cement mixture is supplied using a mixer truck or a local concrete-mortar plant.
2. By belts – the outline of the building is mounted with formwork up to 1 meter high, the forms for pouring are sequentially moved as the mixture is filled in the direction from bottom to top.
3. Segment-by-segment – a part of the wall structure of a fixed height and length is created in one pouring, with the installation of limiters on the sides.

Masters who intend to construct a house entirely by hand, without the use of specialized tools or consultants, typically select the third option, which involves pouring the walls one at a time.

• A segment is prepared for pouring, it is filled with a solution, leaving about 4-5 centimeters to the upper boundary of the formwork.
• The mixture is carefully compacted manually using a metal rod to remove any air bubbles that may get inside the thickness of the material.
• After the segment has hardened, the formwork is dismantled, installed to create the next segment, and so on.
• The panels are rearranged and poured first in a single plane, creating a closed contour of the building, and only after that the systems are raised to the tiers located above.

A floor screed is made for the second floor following the pouring of the first floor’s walls. Typically, arbolite is also used to make it.

Floor arrangement

There are various ways to make the floor, and each has advantages and disadvantages.

• Installation of the formwork structure, pouring arbolite in 2 layers.
• Creation of an armored belt along the perimeter of the walls for installing reinforced concrete slabs, pouring a layer of leveling screed on top.
• Installation of precast-monolithic floor for pouring ordinary concrete screed.

A system of reinforced concrete beams with blocks positioned in between the RC elements makes up a precast monolithic floor. An enclosed monolith is created on the precast monolithic floor when the cement mass poured into the lower portion of the structure solidifies.

Device of internal walls and floors

Similar to how the floor is made, interfloor spaces are also made. Typically, partitions are constructed with arbolite tongue-and-groove blocks or a monolithic technique. After that, the facade is completed, the blind area is laid, the rafter system is installed, and the roofing is put in.

Features of using arbolite

It’s vital to keep in mind a few key guidelines when employing monolithic or block arbolite construction technology. First, we are discussing waterproofing measures, which, because of the material’s high hygroscopicity, need to be completed to the highest standards and quality.

• The distance from the ground level to the bottom of the wall should be at least 50 centimeters.
• A waterproofing layer is laid along the top of the foundation/basement or a cement-sand screed is made, waterproofing it with liquid glass.
• All facade surfaces are reliably protected with cladding, plaster or suspended ventilated systems.
• The cornice overhang should be at least 50 centimeters.

When building external monolithic walls, structural arbolite is utilized in conjunction with removable or non-removable formwork composed of moisture-resistant chipboard, plywood, OSB, and boards. As a final layer, non-removable formwork includes. It is advisable to wrap the boards in PVC or polyethylene film if a sliding or removable formwork structure is utilized to minimize the amount of finishing materials used.

For the installation of floor slabs and roofing, structural arbolite constructions requiring two stories or more must incorporate mandatory reinforcement, a supporting frame, and the construction of a reinforcing frame.

Three layers of well-built masonry walls are insulated with heat-insulating arbolite. It fills the sinuses and is also used in frame house construction. As long as long-lasting waterproofing is installed, monolithic arbolite screed can be used as a floor insulation material.

1. Use of modifiers – to increase the plasticity, workability of the material, plasticizers are used (polymer gels, lime, dispersions). The strength of the mixture can be increased by reinforcing and structuring additives. It is important to introduce anti-freeze additives into the composition, which slow down the process of water crystallization.
2. Optimal conditions at the construction site – for this, heating structures (greenhouses) are created in the form of greenhouse pavilions erected around the object. Such a pavilion can be covered with tarpaulin, nylon, film on the outside, and a heat gun, convector, fan heater or infrared heater can be installed inside.
3. Heating of concrete mass with electric waves – usually electrodes of different shapes are used: plate electrodes are placed inside on formwork panels, rod electrodes are placed in cement between reinforcement, strip electrodes are fixed on both sides of the formwork. Thanks to heating, it is possible to achieve full setting of the mixture, optimal set of design strength.

Monolithic arbolite construction can be a satisfying and environmentally friendly option. Arbolite is an excellent substitute for conventional building materials because of its superior insulating qualities and environmentally friendly composition.

Arbolite is made by combining wood chips and a cement binder to produce a strong, lightweight material. Create arbolite panels and blocks to build your home by following the instructions in this article. Arbolite’s versatility in shaping and forming makes it perfect for a wide range of architectural styles.

It’s crucial that you focus on the specifics of mixing, curing, and assembling the arbolite throughout your project. Your home’s longevity and structural integrity will be guaranteed by properly cured arbolite. It’s also simple to modify and adjust when working with arbolite, which makes it appropriate for both novice and expert builders.

Ultimately, using arbolite to construct a home not only results in a cozy living space but also promotes sustainability. You are improving the environment by cutting waste and utilizing renewable resources. With patience and dedication, your arbolite home will stand as a testament to innovative and eco-friendly construction practices.

Video on the topic

Monolithic sawdust concrete house. Arbolite on ladders ! Sawdust-concrete monolithic house. Arbolit .

House 11×11 made of sawdust concrete (arbolite) in a wall thickness of 400 mm, costing 76,510 rubles

monolithic arbolite

Arbilding. Monolithic arbolite. DIY house made of arbolite.

Monolithic sawdust concrete wall 40 cm !!!

Advice, problems and their solutions. Monolithic sawdust concrete without ladders. Chip concrete. Arbolite.

Formwork for a house made of arbolite.

Building a house from arbolite.Together with my husband.