Load-bearing walls made of aerated concrete – selection of blocks and correct construction

Because they offer the main structural support for a building, load-bearing walls are essential. Selecting the appropriate material for these walls is crucial to guaranteeing their robustness, longevity, and energy efficiency. Aerated concrete blocks are becoming a common option for load-bearing walls because they combine superior insulation with lightweight qualities.

Sand, cement, lime, and water are examples of natural ingredients used to make aerated concrete, also referred to as autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). Because of a special manufacturing process, the material has small air pockets inside the blocks, which contributes to their exceptional thermal performance and light weight. These blocks are a great choice for both residential and commercial projects because they are not only simple to handle and install, but they also offer excellent fire resistance and sound insulation.

It is crucial to take into account various factors such as block density, strength class, and thermal insulation properties when choosing aerated concrete blocks for load-bearing walls. The ideal arrangement of these elements will rely on the particular specifications of your project, such as the height, climate, and intended use of the building. Additionally, to guarantee the stability and longevity of the walls, proper construction techniques are necessary.

This post will walk you through the process of choosing the right aerated concrete blocks and best practices for building them for your load-bearing walls. Knowing these essential components will help you make wise choices that will result in a sturdy, long-lasting, and energy-efficient building.

To ensure structural integrity and energy efficiency when building load-bearing walls out of aerated concrete, it’s important to select the right blocks and adhere to recommended building practices. This post will help you choose the ideal aerated concrete blocks for your project by taking size, strength, and insulation into account. We’ll also go over important building methods to help you steer clear of typical blunders and create a wall that satisfies building codes.

Technical characteristics

There are three primary categories of cellular concrete based on density grades.

The digital parameter displays the substance’s mass in kilograms per millimeter:

1. Structural – D1000-D
2. Structural and thermal insulation – D500-D
3. Thermal insulation – D300-D

The grades of aerated concrete for the walls on which the load will be applied are D500 – D1200, as can be inferred from the names alone. The primary attributes of the blocks and bricks under consideration are listed for comparison.

Under typical circumstances, the following table is used to calculate the density of products for load-bearing structures:

The aerated concrete walls that are being discussed should have a minimum thickness of 250 mm. The complexity of the architecture and the number of stories are determined separately based on the unique conditions of the site.

Ecology

Some individuals who are not familiar with the technology involved in producing aerated concrete hold the belief that it poses a health risk to humans. You should research the parts and the production process of these blocks in order to comprehend this problem.

1. quartz sand, is used to give strength, absolutely harmless – 60%;
2. cement, in the block is in a bound form – 20%;
3. lime, baked at high temperature – 20%;
4. aluminum dust – about 1%.

Since 50% of the structure of aerated concrete blocks consists of air bubbles, the content indicators of substances should be split in half. We receive 10% cement and 10% lime.

There is always cement in a typical wall because every brick is covered in mortar on all sides, but nobody is afraid of it.

• During the technological process, all components are mixed together in a wet form.
• Aluminum reacts with lime, hydrogen is released, which creates its own outlets from the mixture. These voids are filled with ordinary air, after which the composition is placed in an autoclave.
• Further processing takes place at a temperature of 190 o C and a pressure of 14 atmospheres.
• Under such conditions, quartz sand reacts with foamed cement and lime, forming a homogeneous mass.
• After cooling, we obtain an artificial substance from which cement and lime can only be extracted if it is placed back in the same conditions.

As a result, the typical cement-sand mixture, which releases dust into homes, is far more dangerous. If avoided, aerated concrete is completely safe.

Advantages and disadvantages of the material

Products have several advantages over other materials due to their physical properties, chemical composition, and production technology.

• High geometric accuracy makes it easy to maintain the required dimensions and rows of masonry.
• Large, compared to brick, block sizes significantly reduce construction times.
• Ability to retain heat.
• The material is easy to cut and process with hand tools.

• The light weight of the material reduces the load on the foundation, which allows you to save a lot of money.

• Aerated concrete blocks are fireproof material.

Aerated concrete has benefits and drawbacks that should be taken into account when selecting it for load-bearing construction.

• Such blocks have a porous structure, so they easily absorb water. It is necessary to provide good protection from moisture.
• The substance of the blocks is in a baked state, prone to cracking in places of increased loads. For this reason, the minimum size for the thickness of the walls made of aerated concrete blocks must be correctly calculated. Reinforcement of the masonry is required in dangerous places.

One of the key facts is that, despite superior waterproofing and strengthening techniques, the cost of a 1 m 2 aerated concrete wall continues to be the most competitive.

For many contemporary building projects, using aerated concrete blocks for load-bearing walls is a wise choice. These blocks provide a lightweight, sturdy, and long-lasting solution that makes construction easier while maintaining structural integrity. They are a well-liked option for both residential and commercial buildings because of their superior thermal and sound insulation qualities.

Aerated concrete block selection requires careful consideration of the density and strength needed for your particular project. Lower-density blocks work better in non-load-bearing applications, but higher-density blocks offer more strength and are perfect for load-bearing walls. Making the proper block type choice can minimize structural problems down the road and enhance the functionality of your building.

When constructing with aerated concrete, proper techniques are just as important. This entails selecting the appropriate mortar or adhesive, making sure that the blocks are aligned precisely, and allowing enough time for curing. Paying close attention to these particulars will enable you to create a strong and durable structure.

Aerated concrete blocks improve the building process and help create a more sustainable and energy-efficient structure when you use them in your project. You can optimize the advantages of this adaptable material and construct a structure that endures over time by adhering to best practices in selection and construction.

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