Wood concrete (arbolite)

Arbolite, another name for wood concrete, is a special type of building material that combines the advantages of concrete and wood. A mixture of wood chips, cement, and additional mineral additives create this environmentally friendly composite. As a result, a material that is strong, lightweight, and adaptable is becoming more and more popular in building projects all over the world.

The superior thermal insulation qualities of wood concrete are among its key benefits. It lowers energy costs by keeping homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Arbolite is also well-known for its ability to insulate sound, which makes it a great option for both residential and commercial structures.

The sustainability of wood concrete is an additional advantage. When compared to conventional concrete, arbolite is a more environmentally friendly choice because the wood chips used in it are frequently obtained from waste materials. Its production process also leaves less of a carbon footprint, which supports green building principles.

Arbolite is also commended for its resilience to fire and pests. Wood concrete is long-lasting and weather-resistant, which means that buildings made of it will continue to be secure and stable for many years to come. Because of this, it is a dependable option for a range of construction requirements, including walls, floors, and entire buildings.

Definition

Arbolite is classified as a lightweight concrete. The inclusion of wood chips as a filler is the primary distinction of this composite building material. In the cement paste’s monolithic structure, the chips serve as a binding element. Wood concrete is the alternate name for arbolite.

Similar to other construction materials, arbolite products come with benefits and drawbacks. The latter can be handled if rigorous quality control is implemented throughout the entire production process. Benefits include the ability to use blocks to create large-scale masonry, hollow products, thermal insulation boards, and pourable fence mixtures.

Characteristics of the composite

Because arbolite is a large-porous material, walls made of it have good diffusion characteristics. Savings on the foundation are made possible by the low weight and low density of 500–600 kg/m³. Goods possessing a thickness between 0.3 and 0.4 meters are thermally conductivity sufficient. Depending on how the temperature changes in the construction site, this value might change. The material has an overall thermal conductivity of 0.11 W/m°C. This product falls into the category of difficult-to-burn items because of its good fire resistance, which allows it to endure exposure to open flame for up to ninety minutes.

The walls of the constructed house can stay warm in the winter and cool for longer in the summer thanks to optimal indicators of specific heat capacity.

Arbolite composite is very strong mechanically. It is employed in the construction of two- and three-story home walls. In addition, the material is dependable in holding fasteners and is simple to work with. The USSR was the first country to produce wood blocks. Since then, in order to best satisfy contemporary demands in the construction industry, its production technology and technical features have undergone continuous improvement.

Advantages and disadvantages

Bending is a characteristic of block arbolite. They are the only materials made of blocks that have this attribute. Furthermore, wood concrete offers a lot of benefits.

1. High resistance to various types of impacts. Arbolite does not burn, does not rot, is resistant to mold and mildew.
2. Ease of use, finishing and processing. Arbolite layer is easy to lay, saw, drill, chop. Wall structures are finished quickly and efficiently. Wood filler withstands screws and nails well and reliably, ensuring the safety of the structure.
3. Optimal thermal conductivity and diffusion qualities. A building made of arbolite will be warm, cozy, dry, with a good microclimate.
4. Optimal price-quality ratio.
5. Easy accessibility.
6. Good sound and heat insulation parameters, provided by sufficient porosity. Thanks to this quality, walls made of wood composites do not require additional insulation.
7. The material does not crack under excessive loads, but is only pressed through.
8. Environmental friendliness. This property is provided by natural wood present in the composition.

Arbolite, like any building composite, is not without drawbacks, though.

1. Low moisture resistance. For this reason, wood-concrete walls must be finished with plaster or sheathed.
2. Hydrophilicity of wood chips. Because of this, wood-concrete structures are destroyed from the inside. The problem is partially solved by introducing aluminum sulfate. The additive protects the wood from moisture, so the chips do not increase in volume, therefore, the cement is not destroyed.
3. Inaccuracy of geometric dimensions. With manual production, it is difficult to achieve the desired accuracy of geometry and adhere to strict production parameters. As a result, cracks are formed during masonry, which entail freezing of the masonry at the seams, overspending of materials, and the positive qualities of the wood block are reduced.
4. Limited choice of types of finishing. Correct operation while maintaining the properties of arbolite masonry is possible only when choosing breathable finishing options. Wood will deteriorate without air circulation.

Composition

The following are the primary ingredients in arbolite production:

• organic filler wood chips;
• binding agent Portland cement;
• chemical additives, such as calcium chloride;
• water.

Crushed wood from wood processing industry waste can be used as the material for the organic filler. Hemp, flax, and cotton stalks are also acceptable. There is a verified geometry for the filler’s fractional composition. To counteract the effect of the filler’s residual sugar, chemical additives are added to the mixture. In this way, the porosity increases, the hardening process quickens, the filler and cement’s internal adhesion increases, and the material’s bactericidal properties increase.

Arbolite, another name for wood concrete, is a novel building material that substitutes conventional concrete with a lightweight, strong, and environmentally acceptable option. It is made of cement and wood chips. This material is perfect for sustainable construction projects because it provides good fire resistance, soundproofing, and thermal insulation. Because of its special composition, Arbolite not only lessens the building’s negative environmental effects but also creates a cozy, energy-efficient living space.

Sizes of wood composites

The following products are made with wood concrete:

• thermal insulation and structural blocks of grades 5, 10, 15 and 25, 35, 50, respectively;
• monolithic and wall panels.

Blocks come in a broad variety of sizes during production. The product’s range of applications dictates this parameter:

1. Wide blocks measuring 50 x 25 x 40 cm, 50 x 25 x 30 cm are suitable for the construction of external walls.
2. Narrow products measuring 50 x 25 x 20 cm, 50 x 25 x 15 cm are used to create interior partitions or as insulation for walls.
3. Blocks 230 x 120 cm long and high, 20 or 28 cm thick are used as a heat-insulating layer.

Even the largest possible dimensions yield a light weight. A product measuring 30 x 20 x 50 cm, for instance, will only weigh 15–30 kg.

Making arbolite composites with your own hands

Because of how easy the technology is to use, you can create an arbolite block by hand. But it’s crucial to adhere to the directions exactly. Additionally, you can drastically lower the product’s cost with independent production:

1. Preparation of the solution. A wood filler of the required fractional composition is poured into a container with a flat surface and sides of sufficient height. Chemical additives are diluted separately in water and then mixed into the filler.
2. Preparation of cement mixture. The solution obtained in the first step is dosed into the cement. This is necessary to prevent excess cement. The water must be completely absorbed, and the finished composition must become homogeneous. In order for the filler particles to be well pulled together by cement, it is recommended to use a concrete mixer. It is also permissible to use a vibration compactor when making composites.
3. Drying. The process is carried out after removing the product from the formwork.

Plywood boards with a thickness of 2 cm can be used to create the mold needed to produce arbolite composites. As cladding, a 5 mm iron sheet is utilized. It is advised to cover the mold’s interior with linoleum to make it easier to remove the mold from the completed block.

Three layers of material should be added to the formwork, releasing two centimeters from the edges. Every layer needs to be firmly packed. There is concrete all the way to the front. The excess mixture is removed. The mold is allowed to dry for a minimum of twenty-four hours at a temperature between 160 and 200 C. For a final hardening, the blocks are dried for a further two days outside the mold. The composites will need to cure under a canopy for ten more days in order to become stronger.

Blocks that are ready can be embellished. Granite chips or broken ceramic pieces are used as the first layer when pouring into molds to achieve this. By adjusting the formwork’s geometry, you can produce products with various configurations. A product with a density of 700 kg/m3 of strength grade M15 and reed chaff filler would require the following approximate quantities of consumables: 200 kg of dried chaff, 350 kg of Portland cement M400, 420 l of water, and 8–40 kg of additives.

Construction of houses from wood concrete

Building a wood-concrete house is simple and quick. Arbolite walls can be supported by a standard strip foundation because wood concrete is made of lightweight blocks. Since wood is the primary filler, it creates a favorable microclimate in the house that is being built. The foundation is poured in the first phase. A brick or concrete base that is 50 cm high is then laid. There will need to be an extra layer of waterproofing. It will offer moisture protection to the arbolite layer.

The construction of load-bearing walls uses structural arbolite. Thermal insulating materials are used in the construction of partitions. For masonry, one can use a perlite mixture or regular lime-cement mortar. The masonry joint’s width shouldn’t be more than 1.5 cm.

Bandaging the seams should be done first on the arbolite and work your way toward the center. Block walls only shrink by 0.4%, so finishing can begin as soon as construction is completed. It is recommended to apply plaster in two layers: a rough layer and a moisture-resistant layer. You could paint the outer layer. Finishing options include natural or artificial stone, siding, and panels.

One particularly adaptable and sustainable building material is wood concrete, also known as arbolite. The best qualities of both materials are combined in this product: the strength and longevity of concrete and the insulation and lightweight qualities of wood. Because of this, arbolite is a great material option for a variety of construction projects, including both residential and commercial structures.

Arbolite’s outstanding thermal insulation is one of its main advantages since it keeps interior temperatures comfortable all year round. Its ability to block out noise further makes it perfect for structures located in noisy areas. These characteristics enhance energy efficiency and may result in lower heating and cooling expenses.

Arbolite is renowned for being user-friendly as well. It offers architects and builders a flexible option because it can be molded and shaped to meet different design specifications. Because of how easy it is to handle and transport, construction can be completed faster and at a lower cost.

Additionally, wood concrete is a choice that is kind to the environment. Arbolite encourages environmentally friendly building techniques by utilizing wood waste products and lowering the dependency on pure concrete. This fits with the growing movement in favor of using greener building supplies and techniques.

In conclusion, wood concrete, also known as arbolite, has many benefits, such as superior insulation, soundproofing, user-friendliness, and environmental advantages. It is an appealing choice for anyone wishing to construct or renovate with an emphasis on efficiency and sustainability because of these features. Arbolite is going to be used more and more in modern architecture and building as building techniques continue to change.

Video on the topic

Building a house from arbolite (arbolite blocks) wood concrete panels, wood concrete

Wood concrete Arbolite Removing the panels

🏗 Hurray! They brought us the slabs | Wood concrete | Arbolite | House construction | 🏡 Domokomplekt | Timfort

Strength test of wood concrete samples. Arbolite, sawdust concrete, wood chip concrete.

What to build a house from? My choice monolithic sawdust concrete, chip concrete, arbolite, wood concrete.

5 different trial samples. Arbolite. Sawdust concrete. Chip concrete. Wood concrete.

Let Them Talk! People – honestly about ARBOLITE (Wood-Concrete).

building houses from arbolite, arbolite masonry, plastering on arbolite, arbolite house foundation