Because aerated concrete blocks are strong, lightweight, and insulating, they are becoming a popular option for modern construction. Whether you’re building a small structure or a house, these blocks provide a useful solution that blends handling ease and durability.
Producing aerated concrete blocks at home can be a profitable and satisfying endeavor for individuals who enjoy do-it-yourself projects. You can create blocks that precisely match your requirements in terms of strength, insulation values, size, and shape if you have the proper supplies and a basic understanding of the process.
We’ll go over the necessary procedures for making your own aerated concrete blocks in this article. We’ll also go over the important measurements and technical details you should be aware of to make sure your blocks meet the specifications of your project and are both functional and appropriate.
Aspect | Details |
Materials Needed | Cement, lime, sand, water, aluminum powder |
Mixing Process | Combine cement, lime, sand, and water, then add aluminum powder to create gas bubbles |
Pouring into Molds | Pour the mixture into molds and let it expand |
Curing | Allow blocks to set and harden, usually for a few hours |
Dimensions | Typical block size: 600 x 200 x 250 mm |
Technical Characteristics | Lightweight, good thermal insulation, easy to cut and shape |
- Application area
- Technical characteristics and dimensions
- Installation features
- As lintels
- Armopias
- How to do it yourself
- Forming a classic row block
- Assembling a U-shaped block from several blocks of different thicknesses
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Video on the topic
- U-BLOCK in 5 minutes WITH YOUR OWN HANDS
- U blocks with your own hands . Aerated concrete
- U-block WITH YOUR OWN HANDS
- How to make a U-block with your own hands.
- Correct construction of partitions from aerated concrete | Residential Complex Zilart
- How to make a U-block with your own hands?
- Making a U block
- laying a block on foam – a house made of aerated concrete – with your own hands
Application area
This construction material has a wide range of applications. On top of that, a sturdy formwork is built, the openings’ lintels are prepared, and supports and reinforced belts are set up to fasten the rafter system.
In this section, the block resembles a tray. Concrete mortar is poured in once the rods are secured in the groove. The structure’s strength characteristics get stronger as it solidifies.
Power belts work well at evenly distributing the loads placed on walls and apertures. An appropriately positioned belt adds more rigidity to the space.
Additionally, you can construct stationary formwork or make roof-supporting components with U-shaped aerated concrete blocks.
Building long-lasting and energy-efficient structures can be accomplished at a reasonable cost by creating your own aerated concrete blocks. Cement, lime, sand, water, and a foaming agent are combined in this process to produce a lightweight material with superior insulation qualities. With a basic understanding of dimensions and technical terms like density and compressive strength, you can make blocks that are tailored to your building requirements. The instructions in this guide will help you make these adaptable blocks at home.
Technical characteristics and dimensions
Regardless of size, contemporary U-shaped blocks that are sold on the market have the same length. Its structure allows for the existence of a longitudinal cavity. They have a tray-like appearance from the outside, with one wall having a small thickening for external fastening.
- Blocks can have a width of 20, 25, 28.8, 30, 36.5 and 40 cm.
- The height is 20 and 25 cm.
- Thickness indicators vary from 7 to 14.5 cm.
There are some standards by which the standard sizes of products are determined.
Installation features
A unique adhesive base is used to lay U-shaped aerated concrete blocks. Here, the reinforced components are already installed in the structure; they are positioned inside the gutter and filled with concrete. The degree of loads dictates both the mortar grade and the rod size. Following this, the block cavities are filled up to the top.
As lintels
There are two ways you can set up an aerated concrete block lintel if it’s required:
- Fix the block horizontally and fill it with concrete. After the mortar has hardened, the lintel must be raised to its original place using special equipment.
- U-shaped aerated concrete blocks can be placed in wooden formwork fixed above the opening. To strengthen the structure, metal reinforcement is used, which is filled with concrete mixture. After setting the required strength properties, the formwork is dismantled.
When working, one must keep an eye on whether the base is positioned correctly where the jumper is poured.
Armopias
Utilizing aerated concrete, U-blocks are used in the building of attic floors. They let you take the weight off of the attic’s load-bearing walls or the floor slabs.
- Blocks are fixed using glue or cement mixture. In this case, it is necessary to glue the joints and ensure the smoothness of the surface.
- To arrange an amplifying frame, you should use rods made of steel and longitudinally fix them with knitting wire.
- After that, you can proceed to laying the frame base into the gutter cavity. The main part of the rods should be placed from below the frame.
- To fix the frame, spacers are used. The internal walls must be moistened.
- Next, the structure is filled with concrete with subsequent removal of air bubbles.
- The surface is leveled according to the block plane.
How to do it yourself
Folk artisans frequently use their hands to form U-shaped aerated concrete blocks. This not only lowers expenses but also provides valuable experience that can be applied to the execution of subsequent construction projects. Such structures can be created in two ways: by assembling aerated concrete U-blocks from multiple components or by forming a traditional row block.
Forming a classic row block
The first option requires some effort and skills. You will also need to prepare a professional tool, draw up drawings and adhere to the sequence of actions:
- First of all, it is worth applying markings, taking into account the dimensions and thickness of the wall.
- Next, 2 key cuts are made, on which the thickness of the walls will depend.
- At the next stage, you can make auxiliary cuts or holes for more convenient processing of the structure.
- Finally, the inner part of the block is removed with a mason"s hammer and the final molding stage is carried out.
With this technology, you can make high-quality blocks of any size. For example, you can change the width of the outer wall to improve thermal conductivity.
One drawback of this option is the high cost of the materials. Additionally, certain skills are needed to process delicate aerated concrete.
Assembling a U-shaped block from several blocks of different thicknesses
Assembling U-shaped blocks from multiple structures takes less financial and physical work than the previous method. All that builders need to do is place blocks with a minimal thickness along the designated perimeter, adhering to specific guidelines and suggestions.
Therefore, basic products with dimensions of 150 mm, 75 mm, and 50 mm will be required when producing products with a thickness of 375 mm.
- On the outside, 150 mm thick blocks are fixed with an adhesive base.
- After this, 75 mm thick structures are fixed. They need to be cut to 175 mm in height and fixed in a horizontal position with an adhesive composition. This is necessary to create the bottom of the U-shaped structure.
- In the end, it remains to fix the products by 50 mm.
The strength characteristics of the structure will be raised to the level of the factory ones once the glue has set.
The method’s main benefits are its accessibility and simplicity of use, as it requires only one hacksaw cut on aerated concrete and eliminates the need for molding techniques.
There are several circumstances where using homemade structures makes sense. You can construct fences, permanent formwork, and other building structures with their assistance.
Advantages and disadvantages
Notwithstanding its atypical form, the U-gas block presents numerous benefits. Among them are:
- Improved strength properties and long service life. These indicators are achieved through autoclave processing.
- Low weight. The advantage is due to the presence of hundreds of thousands of cells throughout the structure.
- Resistance to fires and the absence of the problem of toxic substances being released when exposed to extreme temperatures.
- Excellent thermal insulation properties. They are provided by the cellular structure of the material.
- Compliance with all environmental safety standards. The blocks contain safe components of natural origin. Including: water, cement, lime and sand.
- Correct geometry, reducing the size of the joints between each product.
- Increased soundproofing properties, since the porous material absorbs the energy of the sound wave.
- Small water permeability due to the closed nature of the cells.
These products hold the top spots on the list of the most widely used building materials because of their many benefits.
Apart from their benefits, the structures also have drawbacks. First of all, because the mixture does not stick well to the surface, walls composed of U-shaped aerated blocks need to be primed twice. Simple plaster cannot be used for finishing in this situation because it will crumble easily. A deep penetration primer takes its place.
Furthermore, the material is unable to provide a high enough degree of fastener fixation. The porous structure may allow condensation to build up, which can cause cracks and deformations to show.
The unique shape and structure of the material can cause a variety of problems when repairing household appliances (TVs and air conditioners).
Making a high-quality material out of stone will be difficult if the fundamental guidelines were broken during the process.
A rewarding and reasonably priced project is creating aerated concrete blocks at home. You can create high-quality blocks fit for a variety of building applications by carefully combining the right ingredients and adhering to the right procedure.
These blocks have a reputation for being lightweight, easily handled, and having good thermal insulation. Although they are supplied in standard sizes, you can alter them to meet particular needs, which makes them adaptable to a variety of construction tasks.
Having a thorough understanding of the strength and durability of aerated concrete blocks facilitates decision-making during the building process. These blocks provide a useful solution with many advantages, whether you’re building walls, partitions, or other structures.