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    Expanded clay concrete is one of the types of concrete widely used in modern construction(filling the frame of monolithic reinforced concrete houses, in the construction of cottages, garages and outbuildings). The composition includes cement, expanded clay, construction sand and water. It is not only light enough, but very durable material. The use of expanded clay concrete for walls allows you to save on thermal insulation, as it itself has high thermal insulation properties. Also, given that the dimensions of expanded clay concrete are larger than bricks, then, accordingly, the thickness of the wall made of expanded clay concrete blocks will be greater.

    Advantages and disadvantages of the material

    The material has many advantages:

    • Has high strength indicators. The composition includes cement grade not lower than M-400;
    • High thermal insulation. It retains heat much better than ordinary concrete .;
    • Soundproofing. Due to its structure, expanded clay concrete has good sound insulation, in contrast to lightweight concrete;
    • High stability. Possesses an amazing resistance to both natural irritants (snow, rain, etc.), and to chemicals (sulfate solutions, caustic alkalis);
    • High level of water resistance;
    • Allows you to maintain the required level of moisture in the room;
    • Not whimsical in decoration. Preliminary work before finishing can be skipped. Expanded clay concrete finishing is possible with any finishing materials... Does not need a thick layer of plaster and reinforced mesh installation;
    • High resistance to temperature extremes and frost;
    • The composition of the material is not chemicals that aggressively affect metal constructions at home;
    • Walls are erected very quickly, due to the fact that expanded clay concrete is large. Ease of installation will allow to erect a building and expanded clay concrete for a person who has never been interested in construction before;
    • Walls made of this material are relatively lightweight;
    • Does not burn, does not rot, does not rust.

    Expanded clay concrete, like any other building material, has its drawbacks:

    1. Having porosity in its form, expanded clay concrete is inferior in strength and mechanical characteristics to heavy concrete;
    2. It is not used to create a foundation;
    3. Bulges give an ugly appearance;
    4. Good frost resistance is also a disadvantage. Water trapped in the pores freezes when low temperatures, and ice is known to expand. After several cycles of freezing and defrosting, the frost resistance values ​​may decrease.

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    Quantity calculation

    The calculation of the number of blocks is made in relation to the thickness of the masonry walls and the size of the house. In order to calculate the quantity, you need to know the length and height of the walls, the dimensions of the window and doorways... Consider an example of a calculation for a residential building, where load-bearing walls will be built from this material.

    So, you need to build a house with the following parameters:

    The size of the future house is 9x15 meters. Height - 3.5 meters, dimensions window openings 1.5x1.8 meters (there will be 7 such windows), doorways - 1.5x2.5 meters (there will be 4 openings).

    The calculation must be made based on the size of the block, they are different. In our case, the wall thickness will be 39 cm.

    The calculation is carried out in several stages:

    • Let's calculate the perimeter of the house masonry. We have two walls of 9 m and two of 15 m. Multiply 2 * 9 m + 2 * 15 m = 48 m;
    • Total volume, including window and door openings: 48 m * 3.5 m * 0.39 m = 65.52 m³, where 0.39 m is the size of the masonry thickness;
    • Calculation of all window openings of the house: 7 * (1.5 m * 1.8 m * 0.39 m) = 7.371 m³;
    • Calculation of all doorways of the house: 4 * (1.5 m * 2.5 m * 0.39 m) = 5.85 m3;
    • So, now you need to subtract the dimensions of the window and door openings in order to get the amount of material for the walls: 65.52 m³ - 7.371 m³ - 5.85 m³ = 52.299 m³ - the total;
    • In order to determine the required number of pieces, you need to calculate the volume of one block, for this we multiply the height by the width and by the length, taking into account also the thickness of the seams: 0.4 m * 0.2 m * 0.2 m = 0.016 m³ - volume one block;
    • Now you can find out how many pieces you need to purchase: 52.299 m³ / 0.016 m = 3268.6875 ≈ 3270 pieces of blocks;
    • To find out the cost of the entire material, you need to multiply the number of pieces by the cost of one block.

    What should be the thickness of the wall

    The thickness of the expanded clay concrete walls is determined depending on the purpose of the building. Based on building codes (SNiP), the recommended wall thickness of expanded clay concrete for a residential building is 64 cm.

    But, many believe that the load-bearing wall for a residential building can have a wall thickness of 39 cm. country house or summer cottages, for the construction of internal, non-bearing walls, garages and other outbuildings, the thickness of the wall can be one block.

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    Laying technology

    First of all, we will consider the masonry technology. Blocks are different in structure and modification: hollow and solid. Solid are used for foundations and lower floors that are expected to be loaded. Hollow walls are used for the construction of walls that are subject to a minimum load.

    The preparation of the base must be level with respect to the horizon. If the surface is not horizontal, it is pre-applied strip foundation... Small irregularities on the surface are not catastrophic; they can be leveled with mortar while laying the first row of the wall.

    In the process of preparing the base, a layer of waterproofing is also laid; you can use ordinary roofing material.

    Setting the levels is one of the important steps. In the corners of the future wall, you need to install special slats that will allow you to control the level of the first and subsequent rows. You can use wooden slats, the main thing is that they are as even as possible. These slats are installed vertically at a distance of 10 mm from the corners and the surface of the future row.

    On the slats, we mark the level of the base and put marks corresponding to the upper points of the masonry of the row, taking into account the dimensions of the seams (10 - 12 mm). We pull a clothesline or cord onto the slats, the main thing is that it is strong. A stretched rope (a rope was chosen), it is necessary to observe the distance between it and the wall of about 10 mm.

    Preparation of the solution

    For the laying of expanded clay concrete blocks, as well as for laying bricks, a solution of cement and sand is used in a ratio of 1: 3. V rare cases lime is used.

    Laying the first row

    Each block must be moistened with water to achieve better adhesion. To simplify the work, you can pour water over a certain number of blocks at once. It is better when all surfaces of the block are wetted with water. The water should soak into the surface, not just wet it.

    Laying always starts at the corner of the wall. Apply a solution to the base under the first row, its thickness should not exceed 22 mm.

    The mortar layer should be a few centimeters narrower than the block surface. When the block is rammed, the mortar comes out from under it. We apply the mortar exactly under 4 - 5 blocks, it makes no sense anymore, because it will harden while the first blocks are laid. We carefully lay the block on the mortar, use a trowel handle or a rubber hammer to drive it in.

    In this case, you need to adjust it to the previously marked points on the rail and to the level of the rope. The seam should be no more than 10 mm, remove the remaining solution with a trowel (it will come in handy for the next row). It is also necessary to fill the side faces between the blocks with mortar.

    Claydite-concrete blocks are widely used today in the construction of soundproof partitions, external walls, agricultural buildings and utility rooms, as well as when filling frames in housing construction. Expanded clay concrete blocks can become part of decorative elements. Brickwork is an excellent base for further finishing. It has excellent thermal insulation, is easy to process and is frost-resistant.

    Preparatory work

    Before you start laying out claydite concrete blocks with your own hands, you must study the step-by-step instructions. It provides for the preparation of tools and materials at the first stage, among them should be highlighted:

    You will need a rubber mallet, square and order. Don't forget about the grinder and the mesh for the reinforcement. If you do not have a rubber hammer in stock, then, having visited the store, you should pay attention to the one whose weight does not exceed 1 kg. You will also need ordering in the work. But as for grinder, then a 230 mm circle should be purchased for it.

    To strengthen the masonry, you need to buy a reinforced mesh or reinforcement. And when looking for a container, you should think about which one you should choose so that it is convenient to stir the solution in it. Do-it-yourself laying of expanded clay concrete blocks, step-by-step instruction on carrying out which will be presented in the article, provides for the use of a binder in the form of a special glue or solution. At the same time, the consumption of the mixture will be much lower compared to the technology when a brick is used, because one block replaces seven standard ceramic products.

    If you decide to use a regular mortar, then three parts of quarry sand must be added to one part of the cement. It is better to refuse river sand, because it will be very elastic. In order to make the mixture more plastic, a plasticizer should be used. To prevent sand settling to the bottom, the mixture must be stirred from time to time.

    When using cement glue, you will need about 40 kg of undiluted compound per cube of the wall. The composition must first be diluted with water after reading the instructions. Do-it-yourself laying of expanded clay concrete blocks, the step-by-step instructions of which should help you avoid mistakes, is performed only after leveling the surface. Two layers of roofing material are laid on the base to ensure waterproofing. A layer of solution is covered on top, to the components of which lime should be added. This layer should not be more than 30 mm in thickness. You can only use glue from the second row.

    Masonry features

    Laying blocks can be compared to how children assemble a construction set. The size of the blocks is more impressive than the brick, but the weight is much less, so the laying process does not take much time and effort. It is necessary to proceed with the construction of the wall, moving from the corner. To do this, completely line up the first row. Internal partitions should be built at the same time as external ones. In order to prevent cold bridges at the end of the product, it should be separated with a foam rectangle. This applies to the outer walls. After laying the first row is completed, you should make sure that the surface is sufficiently flat, for this, a level is traditionally used.

    Methods of work

    Quite often, novice home craftsmen are helped by step-by-step instructions; in this case, you can easily do the laying of expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands. When installing the second row, using a new block, you should smooth out the solution, then you can get an even layer. The product is poked to the edge of the adjacent block, leaving a gap of 5 cm.

    In the vertical seam, a certain amount of cement mortar or glue. To do this, the block must be attached to the place where it will lie. It is fixed with a rubber mallet, it will also help to align the products horizontally. The seam thickness should not exceed 7 mm. If glue is added to the mortar, the joint will be 3 mm thick. If the seams are too thick, the masonry will not be so strong. But if the layer of solution is too thin, then the blocks will not be able to hold together securely. You need to make sure that the seam is correct, but this should be done before the grout hardens.

    Selecting the type of seam

    To date, several types of seams are known, among which should be highlighted:

    • wasted;
    • embroidered;
    • concave;
    • undercut;
    • embroidered convex.

    If you plan to cover the wall with plaster, then the blocks should be laid with a washer seam. This means that the edges of the seams are not filled by 8 mm. If the wall is facing, then the seams should be cut, filling them. To increase the heat capacity of the building, the blocks must be laid in 2 rows. This will increase the thickness of the wall. After the building is insulated from the outside, even the most severe frosts will not be afraid of the house. The only drawback of this installation is the increased consumption of blocks, as well as total cost works.

    Strengthening the masonry

    In order for the walls of expanded clay concrete blocks not to collapse under the weight of the roof, it is necessary to fill in the armopoyas. This can be done using 10 mm reinforcement or masonry mesh. The rods are located in every third row. This must be done on top of the row, placing the reinforcement in the grooves. Next, the solution is applied and the next row is laid. Longitudinal reinforcement provides an increase in the reliability of the building to the required level.

    It should not be forgotten that the butt and spoon rows must be tied. Door and window openings are formed using U-shaped concrete products, in addition, reinforcement should be used. Many believe that the technology of masonry of expanded clay concrete blocks does not provide for reinforcement with reinforcement. However, this statement is erroneous, because the production of the products described in the article has certain features. This affects the operational properties of the blocks.

    Mauerlat mount

    The completion of the masonry of the wall can be carried out with U-shaped blocks, which are used to create a reinforced concrete belt. It is used to fix Mauerlat to expanded clay concrete. This node represents wooden bar which is fixed to the walls to evenly distribute the load from the roof, wind and snow.

    In the upper block, threaded rods should be installed every 2 m. Their height should be 6 cm more than the cross-section of the bar. In the bars, you must first make holes for the studs and fix the Mauerlat by pulling it to the walls with nuts and washers.

    Block foundation

    To build a foundation from expanded clay concrete blocks, it is necessary to prepare some materials, tools, among them:

    • roulette;
    • shovel;
    • boards;
    • concrete mixer;
    • building level;
    • waterproofing material;
    • empty container;
    • reinforcing mesh.

    The structure will be prefabricated tape. First, you need to prepare a pit or trench, the parameters of which should be slightly larger than the width of the blocks. Sand is poured to the bottom, it is well rammed, a concrete cushion is created above. Blocks should be laid according to the above principle. You need to start from the corners, not forgetting about the dressing.

    It is important to provide holes for laying future utilities. An armo-belt is formed on top of the products, which is a solid layer of monolithic reinforced concrete. It can be used to connect the blocks at the top. This layer is necessary for the rigidity of the base.

    The outer side wall of the tape must be tightly closed with waterproofing. If the design provides for a basement floor, then it is necessary to lay the floor beams. At the final stage, backfilling of the base is carried out.

    Block sizes

    The dimensions of the expanded clay concrete block may be different, depending on its purpose. If it comes about wall products, the minimum parameters are 90 x 190 x 188 mm. The maximum size is 390x190x188 mm. The intermediate values ​​are:

    • 288x138x138;
    • 290x190x188.

    As for the partition blocks, their sizes can be equal:

    • 590x90x188;
    • 390x90x188;
    • 190x90x188 mm.

    Many novice craftsmen are wondering why the dimensions of the expanded clay concrete block are so non-standard (390x190x188 mm). This is because there is a need for a mortar gap in the masonry joint. Among other things, 39 cm is a masonry thickness of 1.5 bricks, taking into account the layer of plaster. However, this size is usually called twenty and it looks like this: 20x20x40 cm.

    Cost of solid blocks

    Solid expanded clay concrete blocks are presented different kinds... Among others, products with a density within 1500 kg / m 3 should be highlighted. You will have to pay 50 rubles for one unit. But for a cubic meter, you will pay 3600 rubles. In this case, we are talking about a 20 kg product, the frost resistance of which corresponds to the F50 class.

    If the density decreases to 1000 kg per cubic meter, then the weight is already 17 kg. Frost resistance remains the same, but the price becomes 66 rubles. per piece or 4158 rubles. per cubic meter... With a decrease in the density of a full-bodied expanded clay concrete block to 700 kg per cubic meter, the price turns out to be equivalent to 65 rubles. per piece or 4095 rubles. per cubic meter. For such a product, the density can be increased to 1500 kg per cubic meter.

    Conclusion

    Before starting work, it is important not only to select products by size, but also to find out what the solution consumption is for laying expanded clay concrete blocks. This was discussed above. With this information in mind, you can calculate how many materials to purchase. But it is recommended to take into account that the mortar for laying expanded clay concrete blocks in the first row will consist of cement and sand, and in all subsequent rows - from special glue.

    Comments:

    They have been used in the construction process for over 50 years. Laying walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks is not a difficult process, even a novice master can perform it. An additional advantage is the availability of bricklaying skills. You will definitely need to take into account the peculiarities of expanded clay concrete and observe the masonry technology.

    Expanded clay concrete blocks are used for the construction of houses, garages, baths and other structures.

    Similar elements are produced by pressing from a mixture of expanded clay, sand, cement and water. In this regard, expanded clay concrete is an environmentally friendly material. It contains expanded clay, so the material is porous, lightweight and has excellent thermal insulation properties.

    The sizes and shapes of blocks can be different, everything will depend on the manufacturer and the equipment used in the pressing process. In most cases, rectangular blocks are produced. For the walls, it is recommended to use material with dimensions 39x30x18.8 cm and 39x19x18.8 cm.If you plan to build a partition, then 39x19x9 cm blocks are suitable.

    The material can be solid or hollow. In hollow spaces, cavities of various sizes and shapes can be provided: in the form of a cylinder, rectangle, with a large or small gap. In the latter, cavities can be located along or across.

    The most durable are solid blocks, but they are inferior to hollow ones in terms of thermal insulation characteristics. They can provide grooves for reinforcing bars.

    DIY wall masonry from expanded clay concrete blocks

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    Required materials and tools

    Before you start laying a wall from expanded clay concrete blocks, you will need to prepare everything the right tools and materials. Elements that will be needed to complete all work:

    Types of expanded clay concrete blocks.

    1. Rubber hammer. It will be used to shrink the material during the masonry process.
    2. Roulette. Used to take all measurements.
    3. Level. The device will be needed in order to control the masonry in all planes.
    4. A trowel with a rectangular area.
    5. The cord is of small thickness.
    6. Square. Will be used to mark up blocks.
    7. Grinder with a circle for cutting with a diameter of at least 22 cm.
    8. Shovels.
    9. A container in which the mixture can be prepared.
    10. Bucket.
    11. Forests.
    12. Blocks.
    13. Sand.
    14. Cement.
    15. Water.
    16. Insulation material.
    17. Reinforcing rods with a diameter of 8-10 mm. You can also use a special mesh.

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    How to prepare a solution for laying wall blocks from expanded clay concrete?

    It is possible to lay out expanded clay concrete blocks using a solution of sand and cement or ready-made adhesives.

    If you plan to prepare the solution yourself, then the proportions will be as follows:

    • 1 part cement;
    • 3 pieces of sand;
    • 0.7 parts of water.

    The cement must be M400 or higher. The amount of water can be adjusted, everything will depend on the moisture content of the sand. As a result, you need to get a plastic solution so that you can easily seat the blocks. The mixture should not flow. To increase the elasticity of the mixture, part of the ordinary sand from the quarry must be replaced with river sand. To increase plasticity, substances called plasticizers must be added to the mixture.

    It is recommended to prepare the solution in a small concrete mixer. At a time, you need to prepare such an amount of the mixture that can be consumed in a few hours. The solution must be continuously stirred so that it cannot delaminate.

    You can also use a ready-made dry mixture, which you just need to mix with water in accordance with the instructions on the package. Such a mixture is very plastic, with its help you can easily reduce the thickness of the seams. However, you should know that it costs more than a composition of sand and cement.

    Ready mixes are made using a construction mixer or a special attachment for an electric drill in a container of appropriate dimensions.

    In most cases, at least 40 kg of such a mixture is consumed per 1 m³ of block masonry. The final consumption of any mixture will depend on the thickness of the joints, which can range from 3 to 9 mm.

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    Existing methods of laying ceramite concrete walls

    The walls can be laid out different methods... Everything will depend on the required thickness and the materials used for insulation and cladding. The main masonry methods are as follows:

    • in a block with facing with bricks and laying insulation material between them;
    • several parallel walls in half a block with an insulation material located between them;
    • in half a block;
    • block wide, performing dressing and alternating spoon and butt rows;
    • 60 cm wide, tying the elements and leaving voids between them.

    The first method is to lay the walls, the thickness of which corresponds to the width of the block. In most cases, walls of similar thickness are erected for country houses or garage premises. With this method, the material should be laid in a long part along the wall line in a row, tying and reinforcing the masonry with reinforcing rods with a diameter of 10-11 mm every 4-5 rows. In the upper part of the wall, you need to arrange an armored belt made of concrete 15-20 cm high.If necessary, the masonry can be insulated from the outside with mineral wool or foam plastic 8-10 cm thick.

    In the second method, blocks are placed in the form of several parallel walls in a half block. They are connected to each other with metal rods. Insulation material 8-10 cm thick is located between the blocks. This method is able to provide excellent thermal insulation of the rooms of the building.

    The next method differs only in that bricks are laid out instead of one of the walls.

    The mortar for the wall clack is prepared from cement, sand and water in a ratio of 1: 3: 0.7

    The fourth method is to lay walls 39 cm wide. The laying is carried out with the bandaging of the elements. Reinforcement is done in 4-5 rows using reinforcing rods or mesh. Similar masonry is used for the construction of walls. country houses... To ensure maximum thermal insulation, such walls should be insulated from the outside with an insulating material with a thickness of at least 5 cm.In this case, you can apply mineral wool or extruded polystyrene foam.

    The next method is done with bandaging the elements and preserving voids between them, which must later be filled with insulation material.

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    Construction of walls from expanded clay blocks: sequence of actions

    When laying blocks by any method, you will need to follow the basic rules for working with this material.

    The structure of the walls is made of expanded clay concrete with insulation and finishing.

    First of all, you need to prepare the foundation. The surface of the foundation, on which the blocks of the first row will be laid out, must be leveled. It is necessary to lay the waterproofing material horizontally on it in several layers. In this case, you can use roofing material or any other material.

    Claydite-concrete blocks should be started from the corners of the structure. A layer of mortar with a thickness of less than 3 cm must be applied to the waterproofing material, after which the corner blocks must be laid. The block can be seated by pressing it and tapping it with a rubber hammer. The location of the corner elements must be additionally monitored using a water level. Only in this way it will be possible to perform even laying. Instead of a similar level, you can use a level. Correct location corner blocks must also be controlled using a plumb line, which is mounted in the corners and lifted during the laying of the walls.

    Between the corner elements, you will need to pull a thin cord, and then lay the entire row on it. The masonry of the initial row should be carried out exclusively using a mortar of sand and cement. After laying out the initial row, you can lay the next one. In the process, you need to bandage the blocks and control the horizontality and verticality of the masonry. All subsequent rows can be laid using adhesives.

    The main raw material for the manufacture of expanded clay concrete blocks is a completely natural product. Expanded clay is presented past stage firing with foamed clay, which eventually takes the form of solidified foam particles. Granules, which are coated in the form of a caked shell, have high degree strength.

    Characteristics of walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks

    Construction using expanded clay products with pores in the composition does not present any particular difficulties. The mentioned material can be conveniently transported and mounted without the involvement of equipment. The use of expanded clay concrete blocks is so popular today, since the products have excellent heat and sound insulation characteristics, which makes them competitive in comparison with traditional concrete and bricks.

    Expanded clay concrete has a wide range of applications, the material is widespread in the construction of residential buildings and underground communications, livestock buildings are actively built from this material.

    The walls erected from the described blocks cope well with temperature changes, the material does not allow moisture to pass through and can be used in construction in zones with any climatic conditions. The products have a special structure that allows air to pass through perfectly, which makes it possible to regulate air flows in the interior space of the premises. If the building has walls based on expanded clay concrete, then the rooms are provided with good ventilation. Among other things, buildings are eternal. The material does not need to be looked after, it does not corrode and is not afraid of fire. Blocks cannot become a favorable place where pests such as insects, rodents and microorganisms can start. Walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks combine best performance soil, stone and wood. The thermal insulation qualities of a material often play a major role in the selection process. The material passed tests, while all kinds of expanded clay gravel fillers were used, the result of the tests was that the products are able to reduce heat loss by 75% or more.

    When a very low consumption is obtained.

    Thus, if you equip a wall with a thickness of 390 mm, then this will be equivalent to brickwork, mounted in 1.5 bricks. The same specifications are true for height. This indicates that the use of expanded clay can significantly save costs in relation to building materials and the time it takes to carry out the work.

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    Features of masonry walls

    When laying walls from expanded clay concrete blocks, one of the existing methods can be taken as a basis. The choice of technology for the work depends on the thickness of the wall to be obtained, as well as what materials are to be used in the cladding process.

    Arrangement of a wall, the thickness of which is equal to the width of one product, that is, 200 mm, must be accompanied by finishing with plaster of the inner base of the wall, while the outer surface must be protected with a layer of insulation material, the thickness of which must be equal to the limit of 100 mm. As such a material, foam, mineral wool or expanded polystyrene can be used. This method can be taken as a basis if you need to build garages or warehouses.

    The second method of masonry using expanded clay concrete blocks involves the installation of products that will form a wall thickness corresponding to one block length. In this case, the dressing of the products should be made among themselves, but the external and interior decoration must be carried out following the technology in the first method. One difference is the thickness of the insulation layer, which should be 2 times less, the maximum limit is 50 mm. If it is necessary to build an oversized building or a bathhouse, then the method described above should be used.

    The laying of expanded clay concrete blocks can be done with the bandaging of products and the arrangement of minor voids between them. The thickness of such a wall in this case will be 600 mm. In the internal space of the premises, the walls should be finished, where plaster should be used, but the insulation should be laid in the gaps between the products. If necessary, erect country house you can use the mentioned method of laying the walls. The outer base must be laid out with two parallel thin walls, fixed to each other by reinforcing rods. Insulation should be placed in the resulting hollow space. A layer of plaster must be applied to the inner and outer base. This technology is considered the most time consuming, but it has the most advantages over other methods. Among important points the ability to heat insulation and the durability of the erected walls can be distinguished. If you decide to build a house from expanded clay concrete blocks in conditions where a cold climate prevails, then this method is recommended.

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    Wall technology

    The process of building walls using expanded clay concrete should be carried out using the same technology that is used when working with traditional bricks. The master will have to make the same stitch or spoon rows, equipping the dressing.

    To carry out work on wall cocking, it is necessary to prepare the following tools and materials:

    • building level;
    • rubber hammer;
    • mooring cord;
    • plumb line;
    • square;
    • a trowel with a rectangular area;
    • jointing;
    • LBM, equipped with a cut-off wheel Ø23 cm;
    • fittings;
    • shovel;
    • container for mixing the solution.

    Initially, it is necessary to align the base on which the first row of products is supposed to be mounted. After that, a layer of waterproofing must be laid on the surface, using two sheets of roofing material, which must be covered with a cement compound or special glue. The thickness of this layer should not be more than 30 mm.

    A mortar for masonry of expanded clay concrete blocks can be prepared following one of two technologies. The first involves mixing cement glue, which will need 40 kg dry in order to get 1 m 3 of masonry. The second technology for preparing the solution involves the use of cement, river sifted and quarry sand, while the following proportion should be used: 1: 1: 3.

    The laying process should start from the corner. After that, you can proceed with the installation of a full row, while the fitting of the internal partitions should be done evenly with the external ones.

    In order to exclude the occurrence of cold bridges, which may appear at the ends of the products included in outer wall, you should isolate these blocks with a rectangle. It will have to be prepared from foam. The thickness of this element must be 50 mm.

    In the process of building walls from expanded clay concrete blocks and after completion of work, you need to check how smooth the surface is. For this, a building level should be applied.

    Each wall must be reinforced, and a mesh must be used, which can be replaced with reinforcement with a diameter of 10 mm. In order to obtain better results, the reinforcement should be laid along the entire perimeter of the walls in 2-3 rows. After the row is ready, you can lay the mesh on top, applying the masonry composition on top, then you can continue to work. In the course, one must not forget that the alternation of spoon and butt rows should be performed.

    Step-by-step instructions for laying expanded clay concrete blocks are necessary if you want to get a reliable and correctly built structure with your own hands.

    The laying of walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks, although similar to the method of laying concrete blocks, still has some peculiarities.

    Expanded clay concrete is a material no less popular than brick or concrete and just as reliable.

    The consumption of expanded clay concrete material is minimal due to its low cost, in contrast to brick.

    Therefore, if the consumption of your budget is limited, then it is better to stop at the choice of expanded clay concrete.

    Below will be given step-by-step instructions and a video on how to build a wall from expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands.

    With their help, you can easily cope with all the necessary work.

    Properties of expanded clay concrete

    The most common way to use expanded clay concrete blocks is to create external walls of technical rooms (garage, warehouse, etc.).

    The material has good thermal insulation and therefore does not even require additional insulation... In the photo below you can see what the expanded clay blocks look like.

    You can also use expanded clay concrete slabs to create partitions. The use of this material will reduce the weight of reinforced concrete floors and significantly reduce the cost of the foundation.

    Expanded clay concrete has not only heat, but also sound insulation, which is another plus for choosing this material for partitions.

    The blocks of expanded clay concrete are empty inside - when laid, this creates another reinforcing frame and improves the load-bearing function of the walls. This material is very durable and lightweight due to its porous structure.

    The technology for creating expanded clay concrete slabs is as follows: clay is fired and foamed, and then mixed with sand, water and cement in a certain proportion.

    After that, the resulting material is pressed with an exposure time of 24-28 days. Due to aging, the material acquires additional strength.

    Expanded clay slabs are produced in fairly large sizes: length - about 40 cm, thickness - about 19 cm, height - about 20 cm.

    They are strong and stable, so the expense for Additional materials most likely will not be needed.

    A wall made of expanded clay concrete slabs will correspond in thickness to 1.5 bricks.

    The laying method assumes that the largest slabs are laid in place of the bearing sections, and smaller blocks are suitable for partitions.

    Adjusting the expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands is not difficult - it is easily cut with a hacksaw and weighs little, so the layout will not take much effort.

    In terms of strength, expanded clay concrete reaches 2.5 MPa, which is not much less than that of brick structures (about 3.9 MPa).

    Thermal conductivity of expanded clay concrete blocks - 0.13 W.

    This is acceptable for garages and other technical buildings, but if you want to use expanded clay concrete to build a residential building, then you cannot do without insulation.

    Stages of construction of walls from expanded clay concrete

    The technology of laying expanded clay concrete material is not difficult, you can easily cope with it yourself.

    Below will be given step by step video instructions that will make the whole process even clearer.

    Claydite-concrete blocks are laid on a cement-sand mortar, the thickness of which should be at least 1 cm.

    It is necessary to provide a place for the seam (thickness from 1 to 5 mm), so do not use glue in your work - it will not work for such a highly porous material like expanded clay concrete.

    The method of mounting the material is the same and does not depend on whether your block is hollow or filled inside.

    To lay the material with your own hands, you will need the following tools:

    • shovel (one or more);
    • the container where you will prepare the solution;
    • jointing;
    • trowel and trowel;
    • level;
    • roulette;
    • rubber mallet;
    • plumb line;
    • reinforcing mesh.

    You can purchase a ready-made solution, which is necessary for laying expanded clay concrete blocks, or you can make it yourself. You need to mix in the following proportion: cement (1 part): sand (3 parts) + 30% water.

    Its consumption is small, although it all depends on the final size of the building. You can calculate it like this: multiply the consumption by the cubic capacity of the building.

    Reinforcement of expanded clay concrete structures is a necessary stage.

    Reinforcement should be carried out according to the following requirements: you can use standard grid, rods from reinforcement or fiberglass reinforcement, the structure is installed every 4-6 rows.

    The video shows the way of laying expanded clay.

    If you chose fiberglass, then keep in mind that an armored belt made of this material does not stretch well, and it is better not to use it if your structure assumes the presence of 2 or more floors.

    When installing expanded clay concrete load-bearing structures, it is important not to forget about the reinforcement of the corners.

    Reinforcement in the form of a belt of material is created slightly below the reinforced concrete or brick roof, there is no need to make it low.

    Bearing and partition walls must be erected at the same time. After erection, it is necessary to coat horizontal and vertical joints with mortar or glue-foam.

    Foundation preparation

    Starting the construction, you need, first of all, to deal with the foundation - its waterproofing.

    It is not difficult to do this: you need to lay the concrete with a layer of roofing material, glass insulation or any other rolled material to be laid. Then you need to fix it with a small layer of cement mortar.

    If you want to make a base, then it can be made of the following materials: brick or FSB.

    The video below shows the technology for laying corners from a block.

    At this stage, you will need ready-made expanded clay concrete blocks and half-blocks of expanded clay concrete.

    It is best to make your work easier and make the blocks of the sizes you need in advance, as well as arrange them in rows along the perimeter of the future wall.

    The method of laying the first row of lightweight aggregate concrete blocks is as follows: you always need to start from the reference point - from the corner.

    To start laying the first row, you need to stretch the fishing line or cord between the nearest corners - this will be a level.

    A full row is laid first. outer wall, then the partitions are laid. And so with the laying of each row, so that the load-bearing wall and partition are erected evenly and simultaneously.

    To prevent "cold bridges" from forming at the ends of the blocks, lay them with rectangles made of polystyrene foam (thickness about 50 mm).

    After completing the construction of each row, check the evenness of the surface of the levels, because blocks of expanded clay concrete are not the same and differ slightly in shape.

    The pits in the rows must be closed with a solution, and the excess fragments must be cut off with the help of a grinder or a hatchet.

    After finishing the whole perimeter expanded clay concrete wall closed with a reinforced mesh or reinforcement (diameter - 10 mm). This should be done every 2-3 rows.

    On top of the structure, you need to apply glue or mortar, then you can start laying the next row. Do not forget that the butt and spoon rows need to be alternated, and not laid one after another.

    When laying the material, remember that the blocks must be poked to each other so that there is a space of 5 mm between them.

    You need to leave a solution between the pokes - from it you will make a seam of 10 mm. But this must be done quickly so that the solution does not have time to harden.

    After the wall has been laid, reinforcement (reinforcing belt) is made over its entire surface. Reinforcement provides additional strength to the wall.

    All stages of laying blocks of expanded clay concrete, as well as the subsequent reinforcement of the wall, can be easily done with your own hands, without the involvement of specialists. In this case, the expense of funds will be very small.

    The main thing during construction is that the method and technology of laying are observed. Also, do not forget about important elements such as reinforcement and creation of seams.

    Use video and photo instructions along the way and, as a result, you will get high-quality durable walls that will last for more than a dozen years.