Expanded clay block, also known as expanded clay concrete, is a widely used building material. Because of its well-known superior thermal insulation qualities, it is a great material to use in energy-efficient building.
The thermal conductivity of expanded clay concrete is one of its main characteristics. The material’s ability to conduct heat is determined by this characteristic. Better insulation results from lower thermal conductivity, which keeps buildings warmer in the winter and colder in the summer.
Expanded clay concrete’s low heat conductivity is a result of its distinct composition. High-temperature-heated clay pellets are combined with concrete to create the material. This procedure produces a thin, porous structure that improves insulation by trapping air.
Making educated decisions regarding their construction projects can be facilitated by builders and homeowners having a thorough understanding of expanded clay concrete’s thermal conductivity. Along with increasing energy efficiency, it lowers the cost of heating and cooling.
- The main technical characteristics of the material
- A brief overview of expanded clay concrete blocks
- Classification of expanded clay concrete and area of application
- Thermal conductivity as one of the most important properties of the material for laying walls
- Thermal conductivity indicators
- The relationship between the thermal conductivity of blocks and the thickness of the walls of the future building
- Thermal conductivity in comparison with other building materials
- Video on the topic
- Areas of application of expanded clay and products made from it in industrial and civil construction
- Thermal conductivity coefficient of building materials
The main technical characteristics of the material
Different properties of expanded clay concrete can be displayed based on various factors such as the brand, composition, and manufacturing features. However, the primary indicators fall within well-defined boundaries, which can be modified using alternative techniques as needed.
A brief overview of expanded clay concrete blocks
These days, expanded clay concrete is a highly popular material that is utilized in many different construction applications. Expanded clay concrete gained popularity in many applications due to its good quality, high thermal conductivity, and relatively low cost.
The presence of expanded clay in the composition, which gives the material strength, durability, high heat and sound insulation qualities, and light weight, is the primary distinction between expanded clay blocks and any other. To enhance specific technical properties, the composition also includes additives, water, sand, and cement. The final product can meet the requirements of grades ranging from M100 to M500, depending on the grade of the expanded clay and cement.
A lot relies on how expanded clay concrete is made and whether it complies with regulations. Although the technology is fairly straightforward, it needs to be properly followed, carefully following the recipe, and selecting the right components for production.
- Mix the solution, accurately dosing the components and observing the sequence of their introduction into the composition (cement, sand, expanded clay, water).
- Then form the blocks – pour the mixture into molds, compact to remove air pockets using a vibration stand or press. Remove excess solution.
- Autoclave treatment of products – where high pressure and hot steam act on the material in special bunkers. If autoclave treatment is not available, the blocks are sent to mature in a special storage facility with an optimal level of humidity/temperature.
- Stripping: if the products are dried in natural conditions, then after 3-4 days, autoclaved expanded clay concrete can be removed earlier. Then the material is kept for 28 days to fully gain strength.
The processing of the blocks affects their quality in addition to their composition and features. For example, autoclaved expanded clay blocks are more stable, stronger, and less prone to water absorption. A denser structure is produced by vibrocompression, which removes the chance of chips, cracks, etc.
Classification of expanded clay concrete and area of application
Although expanded clay concrete comes in different brands and with different indicators, density is thought to be its primary characteristic. The material’s strength characteristics and degree of heat/sound insulation are determined by its density, which is inversely proportional to both: the higher the density, the lower the insulation properties and the higher the strength, and vice versa.
– The material exhibits a strength of 100 to 500 kg/cm2 and a density of up to 1800 kg/m3. These kind of expanded clay blocks are used to build a wide range of structures and have a high resistance to frost (up to 500 cycles), but they offer the least amount of thermal insulation.
As a result, density and strength affect thermal insulation properties. Therefore, when selecting a material, it’s important to strike a balance and choose blocks that meet the fundamental specifications.
If the material’s strength is crucial, the densest one is selected and an extra layer of thermal insulation is applied; if the structure needs to be protected from the cold, low-density blocks are used.
Thermal conductivity as one of the most important properties of the material for laying walls
One physical characteristic of the material that indicates its capacity to release heat is its thermal conductivity. Therefore, on an area of one square meter with a thickness of one meter, the thermal conductivity coefficient shows the rate and amount of thermal energy transfer from a warm object to a colder one per hour.
Thermal conductivity indicators
The expanded clay block’s thermal conductivity coefficient indicates how well the material can regulate the interior temperature of the building; the higher the value, the quicker the building or structure will cool or heat up. Numerous significant factors influence thermal conductivity.
- Porosity of the material – the more pores and air in them, the lower the thermal conductivity coefficient (and the higher the thermal insulation index), as well as the lower the density, weight, strength. The number and volume of pores are affected by the volume of expanded clay and the fraction of the filler.
- The size of the block, its emptiness – the same dependence.
- Source material – the ratio of components in the composition, the grade of expanded clay concrete, the accuracy of compliance with the technology.
The table illustrates how expanded clay concrete’s density directly affects its thermal conductivity:
Additionally, the following are the material proportions needed to prepare mixtures and blocks with various density indicators:
Additionally, expanded clay blocks can regulate the room’s humidity by absorbing moisture when it rises and releasing it when the air dries out. In this manner, the room’s ideal microclimate is consistently preserved.
The relationship between the thermal conductivity of blocks and the thickness of the walls of the future building
The formula for determining the ideal standard thickness of the walls of the future building must include the thermal conductivity coefficient. The coefficient of resistance to heat transfer (Rreg), which is determined by building codes and regulations in accordance with local weather conditions, and the material’s thermal conductivity coefficient (λ) are the two values you need to know in order to calculate the value.
Example: the value of Rreg is taken as 3-3.1 (established in the rules) to calculate the ideal wall thickness of a building that is being erected in Moscow or the region. Any block can be used to build a wall; the value is determined by the block’s thermal conductivity coefficient. Therefore, you can use blocks with a density of 600 kg/m3 in the example; their standard thermal conductivity is 0.15 (and 0.20-0.25 for operation).
In other words, the wall thickness built using the designated blocks should range from 45 to 66 centimeters. Skilled artisans suggest that for Moscow and the surrounding areas, a thickness of 40–60 centimeters is the ideal value.
Accurate wall thickness calculations will help choose the right insulation type and amount of insulation, reducing future building heating costs.
Thermal conductivity in comparison with other building materials
The density and brand of expanded clay concrete affect its thermal conductivity. Low heat conductivity results from these factors. Expanded clay concrete can be compared to wood materials, aerated concrete, and foam concrete (whose indicator is marginally lower). Cellular concretes are widely used in construction because they almost always have low thermal conductivity values.
The following table lists the principal characteristics of various materials:
The thickness of walls constructed from various materials that provide roughly the same level of thermal conductivity is shown here:
As you can see, expanded clay concrete exhibits optimal thermal conductivity, making it a viable material for a variety of building types.
Property | Description |
Material | Expanded clay concrete |
Thermal Conductivity | Low, good for insulation |
Applications | Walls, floors, roofs |
Benefits | Energy efficient, reduces heating and cooling costs |
Density | Lightweight, easy to handle |
Because of its low heat conductivity, expanded clay concrete, also referred to as expanded clay block, is a great option for insulation. Because of this, it is very efficient at regulating interior temperature and doesn’t require as much heating or cooling.
Its distinct makeup, which includes lightweight expanded clay particles, adds to its thermal characteristics. This reduces energy consumption, which promotes sustainability in addition to improving energy efficiency.
Expanded clay concrete is also a strong and adaptable building material. Because of its strength and ability to combine insulation, it can be used for a variety of construction projects, including both residential and commercial buildings.
Overall, there are a lot of advantages to using expanded clay concrete in terms of environmental impact and energy savings. It’s a useful, environmentally responsible choice for contemporary building requirements.
Because of its special blend of lightweight, porous clay aggregates, expanded clay concrete—also referred to as expanded clay block—offers exceptional thermal insulation qualities, making it a great option for energy-efficient buildings by minimizing heat loss and preserving a constant interior temperature.