Properties of expanded clay concrete: an overview of the main characteristics of the material

Because of its special qualities, expanded clay concrete is becoming more and more common in construction. This material is an interesting option for a variety of applications because it has several advantages. It is made from heated clay pellets that expand.

The lightweight nature of expanded clay concrete is one of its most notable qualities. It is significantly lighter than conventional concrete, which can lessen the strain on foundations and buildings. Its easier handling and transportation qualities also help to reduce the overall cost of construction.

Expanded clay concrete is renowned for its superior thermal insulation qualities in addition to being lightweight. This implies that it can contribute to the maintenance of constant interior temperatures, improving the energy efficiency and comfort of buildings all year round.

Additionally, expanded clay concrete exhibits good acoustic insulation properties. It can improve the acoustic comfort of the area by lowering noise transmission from outside or between rooms.

Property Description
Density Expanded clay concrete is lightweight compared to regular concrete, with a density typically ranging from 800 to 1,600 kg/m³.
Thermal Insulation It has good thermal insulation properties, helping to keep buildings warm in winter and cool in summer.
Fire Resistance Expanded clay concrete offers excellent fire resistance, making it a safe choice for construction.
Sound Insulation It provides effective sound insulation, reducing noise transmission between spaces.
Strength While lighter, it still maintains sufficient strength for most building applications, though it is generally less strong than traditional concrete.
Durability It is durable and resistant to weathering, but proper curing and maintenance are essential to maximize its lifespan.
Environmental Impact Expanded clay concrete is made from natural materials and is considered environmentally friendly due to its energy efficiency and recyclability.

What is expanded clay concrete

It is important to first comprehend what expanded clay concrete is. What characteristics makes up its structure, and which application domains are the most popular?

Main properties

We will make use of the table as we examine the primary attributes.

Features of expanded clay concrete in terms of technology and use:

Name of the indicator Its value and description
Thermal conductivity The thermal efficiency indicator, in accordance with GOST, varies from 0.14 to 0.45. It is typical for products in a dry state.

This number slightly rises with the block’s inherent moisture content.

The indication for expanded clay concrete, according to the manufacturers, can reach 200.

Kindly take note! The only kind of lightweight concrete that is utilized to construct bases and building foundations is expanded clay concrete.

Classification and scope of application of the material

Expanded clay concrete is classified according to GOST, which takes into account the material’s composition, use, and other attributes. Let’s think about them.

As per the guidelines provided by GOST 25820 (2014), expanded clay concrete can be:

  • Heat-insulating. This is lightweight expanded clay concrete. It is characterized by low weight, density and thermal efficiency. It is used for insulation of buildings. It cannot withstand significant loads.
  • Structural and heat-insulating. It has a density of 500-900 kg/m3. The most popular material.

Building walls and partitions up to 15 meters high are constructed with it. Additionally, it does a good job of regulating temperature.

  • Structural. Characterized by a density of 1000-1800 kg/m3. It is characterized by high strength and durability. Structural expanded clay concrete is used in the construction of load-bearing structures that will be subject to increased loads. In this case, the thermal conductivity coefficient increases along with the density index.

Let’s look at the table that shows how the density of expanded clay concrete and the thermal conductivity coefficient are related.

Expanded clay concrete’s density and thermal conductivity:

Type of material Density index, D Thermal conductivity coefficient
Thermal insulation expanded clay concrete 300 0.10-0.11
400 0.11-0.12
Structural and thermal insulation expanded clay concrete 500 0.12-0.14
600 0.15
700 0.17
800 0.20
900 0.26
Structural expanded clay concrete 1000 0.28
1400 0.35-0.45
1600 0.56
1800 0.65

Expanded clay concrete can be categorized based on the structure in addition to density.

Accordingly, the following exist:

  • Sandless expanded clay concrete, or concrete with a large-porous structure;
  • Dense;
  • Porized.

Out of all the materials mentioned above, the latter is the most resilient. The density of porous expanded clay concrete can reach up to 2000 kg/m3. It varies in the raw material’s composition in addition to density.

There is no fine filler in it, and porous cement stone fills every void left by the large grains. The use of specific additives controls the porosity of the mixture and the concrete itself, resulting in the formation of cement stone.

In construction, sandless mortar is utilized more frequently than other types. For instance, it’s poured onto floors. Cement stone holds together a large-porous filler that is present in it. Through porosity and a granular structure define its structure.

A fine filler structure is a defining characteristic of dense expanded clay concrete. Its entire interior is made up of air pores and mortar. Applications for expanded clay concrete mixture are numerous.

  • Floor pouring;
  • Construction of monolithic structures;
  • Thermal insulation and much more.

Like in the picture, slabs, blocks, and other products are also made from expanded clay concrete.

Additionally, a ready-made expanded clay concrete dry mix is currently available. Usually, screed installation calls for it.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let’s now examine the material’s advantages and disadvantages.

Among the benefits are:

  • Ecological friendliness of the material;
  • Fire resistance;
  • Ease of preparation of the solution, the possibility of mixing it yourself. For this, you will only need instructions and a certain amount of raw material;
  • Low price of raw materials and the material itself;
  • Variety of structure, wide scope of application, availability;
  • Performance characteristics. Durability, depending on the type of material, can reach 400 years;
  • Low thermal conductivity of products intended for the construction of houses;
  • High numerical values ​​of frost resistance, density and strength;
  • Resistance to shrinkage;
  • Good sound insulation indicators.
  • The vapor permeability of expanded clay concrete is another significant advantage. The fact is that expanded clay concrete is able to "breathe", which, in turn, contributes to the establishment of a favorable microclimate.

Let’s now examine the shortcomings of expanded clay concrete, which include the following drawbacks:

  1. Hygroscopicity. This disadvantage is characteristic not only of lightweight concrete. It lies in the ability of moisture to adversely affect the quality and properties of the material. First of all, this concerns durability, strength and performance characteristics.

The material is shielded from moisture, which fixes the issue. The expanded clay concrete’s dew point will be useful in determining the best protection option in terms of technical accuracy.

  1. The presence of handicraft production of the material is associated with the ease of manufacture. This increases the chances of consumers buying low-quality goods.
  2. Finished products made of expanded clay concrete are difficult to process. Special equipment is required for cutting.
  3. Fragility of low and medium density products.

You can learn more about the characteristics of expanded clay concrete, including its benefits and drawbacks, by watching the video included in this article.

Composition of expanded clay concrete, alternative materials and innovations

As was previously mentioned, the ingredients of expanded clay concrete are cement, sand, water, and mineral filler—most often, expanded clay. Let’s examine the proportion of raw materials to substitute options in more detail.

The material is made light and has heat-retention properties thanks to expanded clay. In turn, cement provides strength.

But besides expanded clay, other materials like sand, crushed stone, agloporite, shungizite, slag, or pumice gravel can also be used as fillers. The structure and composition of the grain determine the material’s properties.

This will determine how expanded clay concrete can be made.

  1. Fine-grained;
  2. Coarse-grained;
  3. Large-porous;
  4. Dense;
  5. Moderately dense.

The amount of filler and the overall proportions of all the raw materials have a direct impact on the density of the final solution. For instance, you should add more cement and less water to increase the density. Specialized additives that aid in compacting concrete are another option.

The properties are also impacted by the filler fraction.

The following is the typical recipe for an expanded clay concrete mixture:

  1. Water – 1 part;
  2. Expanded clay – 6 parts;
  3. Sand – 3 parts;
  4. Cement – 1 part.

Concrete with expanded clay is a contemporary building material. Every year, technological advancements are made to raise the standard.

Let’s examine the latest developments in expanded clay concrete:

  • I would like to immediately draw attention to the existence of such a type of product made from this material as a brick. It appeared relatively recently. It differs from a block in that it contains expanded clay in the form of granules.

  • It has a lot of advantages, including: high frost resistance, strength, thermal efficiency.
  • The attention of developers to the products was especially attracted by the emergence of a large range of products in terms of color design.

It’s also important to note that certain techniques allow expanded clay concrete and products made from it to have specific features:

  • If you want the surface of future products to be slightly glossy, it is worth adding tile adhesive to the composition.
  • To speed up the manufacturing process, or rather, the hardening process, it is recommended to add a plasticizer to the solution.
  • When the composition changes, the basic properties and even the scope of application change.
  • New about expanded clay concrete – attempts to use polymer additives. With their help, it is possible to improve the material"s properties. This can be, for example, resin.

There are still many methods. It is thanks to experiments with the composition that manufacturers achieve more and more new results.

Comparison of expanded clay concrete with other wall materials

Since blocks made of expanded clay concrete are the most widely used form of this material, let’s compare these products’ qualities to those of other materials. Think about making use of the table.

Expanded clay concrete in comparison to alternative materials:

Indicator name Aerated concrete Foam concrete Brick Expanded clay concrete
Thermal conductivity 0.09-0.34 0.08-0.32 0.45-0.5 0.14-0.5
Frost resistance 35-150 Up to 100 Up to 100 Up to 200
Density 300-1200 300-1200 1550-1900 400-2000
Strength B1.5-B15 B1.5-B12.5 From B3.5 From B2.5
Water absorption 25% 10-16% 10-16% 18%
Shrinkage 0.3 mm/m2 0.5 mm/m2 5-10%

As you can see, when it comes to wall materials, expanded clay concrete is positioned averagely.

Calculation of the composition of the mortar for masonry work

Because of its distinct qualities, expanded clay concrete is a desirable choice for building. This material is perfect for both residential and commercial buildings because it has good thermal and sound insulation combined with its lightweight qualities. Its resilience to pests and fire increases its appeal, and its affordability and ease of handling further improve its suitability for a range of projects. Comprehending these fundamental characteristics facilitates the assessment of its benefits and possible uses in contemporary building.

Methods for testing properties and qualities

According to GOST, the primary attributes of expanded clay concrete are subject to verification. The process for testing, sampling, and documenting the results is covered in detail in technical documentation.

The following are the properties that are controllable:

  • Average density;
  • Frost resistance;
  • Thermal conductivity;
  • Linear dimension;
  • Texture check;
  • Compressive strength;
  • Temperature strength.

Using tools and computer technology, established tests are performed on each of the aforementioned indicators.

  • The strength of the products is tested using a press, which applies a load to the sample until it breaks. The results are recorded. If the sample does not meet the requirements, an additional check is carried out.
  • Linear dimension is tested using simple measuring devices in the form of a ruler and calipers.
  • Texture is tested by comparing with established standards. For this, two “ideal” samples are selected.
  • The frost resistance indicator is tested by placing product samples in freezing and thawing chambers. Produce this in a certain number of times, after which they measure the mass, density and size of the samples.
  • After checking the one-time and periodically tested indicators, a passport is issued for each batch of goods, which contains all the information about the product, including the name of the standard.

Kindly take note! Ask to see the product’s certificate of conformance to safeguard yourself against purchasing a subpar item. particularly if you are unsure of the supplier.

Expanded clay concrete is distinguished by its special combination of durability and light weight. Due to its low density, it is an excellent material choice for structures like high-rise buildings and long-span bridges where it is crucial to minimize the overall weight of the structure.

Its remarkable thermal insulation qualities also help buildings use less energy by maintaining more consistent interior temperatures. Over time, this can result in considerable savings on heating and cooling expenses.

Another crucial aspect of the material is its fire resistance, which offers security and comfort in a variety of construction projects. Its ability to withstand moisture and insulate sound further increases its allure for a variety of applications.

All things considered, expanded clay concrete, which combines strength, efficiency, and safety in one material, provides a flexible and efficient solution for contemporary building needs. Its advantages make it a worthwhile choice for a variety of construction projects.

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Anna Vasilieva

Journalist with a technical education, specializing in construction topics. I can explain complex technical topics in simple and accessible language.

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