Laying expanded clay concrete blocks

Expanded clay concrete blocks provide a flexible and effective building option for a range of construction tasks. These lightweight, structurally strong, and well-insulated blocks are created from expanded clay aggregate mixed with concrete. They are frequently used for foundations, walls, and even partitions in both residential and commercial buildings.

Expanded clay concrete blocks have several benefits, chief among them being their lightweight nature, which makes handling easier and lowers transportation expenses. These lightweight, sturdy, and sound-absorbing blocks can be used to create cozy living and workspace areas because they are also reasonably priced.

Because of their well-known ability to insulate against heat loss, expanded clay blocks are a great way to keep interior temperatures constant all year long. This feature lowers the need for heating and cooling, which improves occupant comfort while also increasing energy efficiency.

Expanded clay concrete blocks have the potential to accelerate the building process. Their consistent size and form allow for easy installation that happens quickly, which can drastically reduce project completion times. Additionally, the fact that they work with different kinds of mortar guarantees that construction techniques can be flexible.

Expanded clay concrete blocks are prized for their sustainability in addition to their usefulness. Comparing expanded clay aggregate to conventional concrete blocks, which is a plentiful and natural material, lessens the environmental impact. Because of this, they are the go-to option for environmentally conscious builders who want to reduce their carbon impact.

In conclusion, expanded clay concrete blocks are a compelling option for contemporary building projects due to their adaptability, effectiveness, and sustainability. These blocks provide an environmentally responsible, strong, and insulating combination that meets modern construction standards, whether they are used in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings.

Step	Description
1	Prepare the foundation by ensuring it is flat and free of debris.
2	Apply a layer of mortar to the foundation.
3	Place the first course of expanded clay concrete blocks on the mortar bed.
4	Ensure blocks are level and aligned using a spirit level.
5	Continue laying subsequent courses, staggering the joints for stability.
6	Fill the cavities of blocks with concrete for added strength.
7	Allow the structure to cure according to mortar and concrete instructions.

Information about the properties, types and sizes of expanded clay concrete products

Professional builders and private developers favor expanded clay blocks. They entered the construction industry as a result of efforts to find better building materials with regard to strength, moisture resistance, environmental friendliness, and thermal insulation. One way to build walls and partitions is with blocks.

The following construction supplies are utilized in the production of expanded clay blocks:

• sifted sand;
• expanded clay granules;
• portland cement.

A specific ratio of water is added to the required materials. If you have the required tools, creating items made of expanded clay concrete is a simple task you can accomplish on your own. To do this, the prepared solution is poured into special forms, and blocks are pressed out. Because expanded clay is used as a filler, the end products have a porous structure.

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The primary characteristics of the material are provided by expanded clay granules.

• reduced thermal conductivity;
• ability to absorb noise;
• low specific gravity.

It’s also possible to observe the blocks’ subsequent qualities:

• environmental friendliness;
• sufficient margin of safety;
• increased dimensions;
• variety of designs.

Products in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with different dimensions are used to construct walls or partitions out of expanded clay concrete blocks:

• partition blocks, the dimensions of which are 39x19x9 cm;
• wall expanded clay blocks with dimensions of 39x19x18.8 cm or 39x30x18.8 cm.

The block’s characteristics are determined by the design option:

• solid blocks, in which there are no internal cavities, are distinguished by an increased margin of safety. However, solid blocks are inferior to hollow blocks in terms of thermal insulation characteristics. The products are used for the construction of load-bearing walls that withstand increased loads;
• hollow elements with internal cavities of rectangular, round, elliptical or slotted type have increased fragility. The cavities are located along or across the longitudinal axis of the block. The blocks provide increased thermal insulation compared to solid products.

The rough surface of expanded clay concrete products makes them easy to identify from other composite blocks.

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Types of masonry when constructing a wall from expanded clay concrete blocks

There are several methods for building walls out of expanded clay concrete blocks:

• in half a block. In this case, the thickness of the walls being constructed corresponds to the width of the expanded clay concrete composite, and is equal to 19 cm. This masonry method is used to construct walls of summer cottages, garages and sheds. The technology is not used to construct buildings intended for permanent residence. To strengthen the walls constructed using this method, reinforcement is used, laid at intervals of 3-4 rows. Expanded clay blocks are placed with dressing. In this case, the long side is located along the contour of the walls;
• in one block. The thickness of the supporting frame of buildings constructed using this method is 39 cm, which corresponds to the length of the expanded clay block. When performing work, blocks are laid with alternating rows of the header and stretcher type. A masonry mesh for expanded clay concrete blocks or ribbed reinforcement is used to strengthen the masonry. The specified method of wall construction is used when erecting boxes of private houses and cottages. To reduce heat loss, external thermal insulation of the walls is performed using mineral wool or polystyrene foam boards 50 mm or more thick;
• according to the well scheme. The well technology of wall construction significantly reduces heat loss and provides for the simultaneous construction of two parallel walls from the outer and inner parts of the building. A feature of well masonry is the presence of a gap between the outer and inner contours, intended for laying thermal insulation material. When erecting a thermally insulated box of a building using well technology, each subsequent row is laid with an offset relative to the previous one;

• in half of an expanded clay block with transverse reinforcement. Using this technological method, builders erect two parallel expanded clay block walls, each of which is 19 cm thick. When laying building material in half a block, two parallel walls are connected with reinforcement rods to increase strength. A polystyrene foam insulation is laid between the outer and inner contours, the thickness of which is 50-100 mm.

The technique of constructing walls with extra reinforcement and insulation in half a block results in a structure with a higher safety margin and excellent thermal insulation. Composite blocks consisting of different materials are made using the types of masonry that are specified. For instance, one of the aforementioned techniques is used in cinder block masonry.

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Masonry of expanded clay blocks – preparing tools and materials

It is imperative to promptly prepare the various tools and building materials needed during the preparatory stage.

In order to carry out masonry tasks, you will require:

• a kilogram hammer with a rubber-coated working part;
• corner used for marking blocks before cutting;
• tape measure to control the thickness of the seam and the size of the box being constructed;
• concrete mixer for preparing the working solution;
• masonry mesh for expanded clay concrete blocks;
• ingredients for preparing a binder mixture or ready-made glue;
• sheet expanded polystyrene used as insulation.

The following list of tools will also be necessary:

• mooring cord;
• trowel with a rectangular blade;
• grinder equipped with a cutting disc for cutting blocks;
• scoring tool;
• shovels for loading initial components;
• container for preparing the adhesive composition;
• scaffolding for work at heights.

The proper placement of blocks is regulated with the aid of a plumb line and level. At the preparatory stage, it is imperative to ascertain whether expanded clay blocks are required. The amount of pieces is calculated based on the building’s dimensions and the type of masonry that was chosen.

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How to properly prepare a solution for laying expanded clay blocks

Many working mixture types are used to join expanded clay concrete blocks to one another:

• standard cement mortar, for the production of which sifted sand, Portland cement and water are used. The components are mixed in a ratio of 3:1:0.8. The volume of added water depends on the concentration of moisture in the sand used. By changing the amount of water, the required plasticity of the mixture should be achieved. A properly prepared solution retains its shape and does not spread over the surface. To prepare a solution with increased plasticity, plasticizing components are introduced;

• special glue, which is offered in specialized stores in the form of a dry mixture. The adhesive is prepared by mixing the bulk substance with water in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer. The prepared glue has increased plasticity, due to which the thickness of the masonry joint is reduced to 0.5 cm. The approximate consumption of glue per cubic meter of masonry is 35-40 kg.

If you choose to use a sand-cement mortar that has been mixed in a concrete mixer, keep in mind that it will continue to function for about an hour to two hours. Control the consistency of the working mixture as you prepare it. Use a special nozzle that is fixed in the power tool’s chuck to mix the glue. Use a container with the right volume for mixing.

Preparation of the base for expanded clay concrete wall blocks

The stability and strength properties of expanded clay concrete walls are influenced by the standard of foundation base preparation.

Among the preparatory tasks are the following tasks:

1. Ensuring the horizontality of the supporting surface of the foundation.
2. Elimination of local defects, sealing of cracks and irregularities.
3. Waterproofing of the foundation using roll materials or mastics.

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The following waterproofing techniques are used to prevent the absorption of moisture by expanded clay blocks:

• roll roofing felt;
• bitumen mastic;
• glass insulation.

Expanded clay blocks are reliably protected from moisture absorption by two layers of waterproofing. The first row of blocks is placed on the waterproofing material’s surface after a thin layer of cement mortar has been applied. Prior to beginning any masonry work, you should lay out the block building material following the foundation base’s contour and cut the necessary number of extra blocks.

Step-by-step instructions for laying expanded clay concrete walls

For inexperienced developers, the technology of laying expanded clay concrete blocks presents no challenges.

Expanded clay concrete block wall laying starts with the foundation’s corner pieces and is done using the following algorithm:

1. A layer of cement mortar is laid on the waterproofing.
2. The first blocks are laid in the corners of the lower tier.
3. A string is pulled between the corner blocks of the foundation.
4. The bottom row of blocks is laid.
5. The remaining rows of masonry are laid with reinforcement every 3-4 rows.

It’s crucial to remember that the blocks must fit snugly together when using a rubber hammer. Following the walls’ construction, the building’s facade’s thermal insulation is improved and an armored belt is constructed.

Expanded clay concrete blocks are a cost-effective and adaptable building material to consider. These lightweight, easily handled blocks have great insulating qualities because they are composed of expanded clay aggregates. They are perfect for both warm and cold climates because of their porous nature, which helps regulate indoor temperatures.

The sustainability of expanded clay concrete blocks is one of their main benefits. They are composed of plentiful natural materials that don’t harm the environment. Because they are lightweight, they require less energy to construct and less money to transport. They are therefore a wise option for conscientious builders who wish to lessen their carbon footprint.

Expanded clay concrete blocks are easy to work with when building. They are simple to cut to size with simple tools, which saves labor costs and streamlines the building process. Their dimensional accuracy further guarantees uniform finish and exact alignment, adding to the structure’s overall strength and durability.

To sum up, expanded clay concrete blocks present a workable option for contemporary building requirements. These blocks offer a dependable solution whether your goals are to decrease environmental impact, increase energy efficiency, or expedite the building process. For both residential and commercial projects, their insulation qualities, sustainability, and ease of use make them the go-to option.

This article from "All about Concrete" examines how to install expanded clay concrete blocks, a flexible and environmentally responsible building material. We discuss the advantages of using these blocks, including their exceptional thermal insulation qualities and lightweight design. We also go over the exact process for installing them, emphasizing important details like how to properly prepare the foundation and apply mortar. This guide will provide you with the necessary knowledge, whether you’re a professional builder or a do-it-yourself enthusiast, to use expanded clay concrete blocks in your construction projects in a way that ensures structural integrity, durability, and energy efficiency.

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