Concrete blocks: types, characteristics and the process of

One of the most common materials for the construction of load-bearing walls and partitions of residential buildings, as well as small industrial buildings are concrete blocks. Their popularity is due to low cost, excellent performance and a large number of varieties, which allows you to choose the right unit for almost any task.

The instructions provided in this article will help you learn how to make concrete blocks yourself, as well as familiarize you with their existing types.

Varieties of artificial concrete stones

Consider the main types + characteristics of building concrete blocks, which are most common in modern construction.

Shlakoblok

These wall stones are made using the method of vibropressing concrete solution on special platforms.

The composition of the mixture from which the cinder block is made may include:

• crushed stone for concrete products;
• brick battle;
• sawdust;
• keramzit.

Technical characteristics of concrete blocks with slag leave much to be desired, but due to the fact that their price is one of the lowest in the market, the cinder block is widely used in private construction.

But the cost is perhaps the only advantage, as they lag far behind other materials in the following parameters:

• durability;
• heat-saving parameters;
• strength.

The main scope of the blocks is small buildings that will not be subjected to heavy loads:

• sheds;
• garages;
• summer kitchens;
• workshops and so on.

Arbolit

A less common material that is made from the following components:

• organic matter (mainly wood);
• binding element (powder);
• hardener.

In fact, this artificial stone consists of sawdust enclosed in a concrete shell.

The advantages of the material are obvious:

• small weight of the concrete block;
• high thermal insulation properties;
• good sound insulation;
• effective air exchange.

To protect the blocks from the negative effects of the environment, stones are treated with a special solution. This prevents the formation of mold and prevents rot.

Arbolit прекрасно подходит для возведения небольших домов, которые пригодны для круглогодичного проживания без применения дополнительной теплоизоляции.

Blocks and pontoon blocks

Cellular concrete blocks according to GOST, which determines their technical characteristics, should consist of artificially created pores (cells) filled with air by 70-85%. The most common foam and gas blocks.

These materials have the following advantages:

• they are lightweight, as a result of which the transportation of concrete blocks and their installation in private construction does not require the use of special equipment;
• easily handled - you can give the necessary shape to the cellular unit using an ordinary wood saw;
• walls of cellular concrete blocks keep warm well and have excellent sound insulation properties.

Blocks of concrete with a cellular structure are made from a solution, which includes sand, cement and aggregate. Lime, aluminum powder or other foaming agent is added to the foam.

Note! Unlike foam concrete, aerated concrete is subjected to additional processing in an autoclave furnace, where it is exposed to high temperature under high pressure (10-12 MPa). As a result, this material acquires increased strength: it is almost impossible to crush or break it.

Independent production of blocks

The technology of production of artificial stone from cement mortar with a filler is relatively simple, which allows you to make blocks of concrete yourself.

Preparatory work

At the initial stage it is necessary to determine the dimensions of the future block. In the case of independent production, the parameters of each individual element are taken based on the required width of the wall.

The thickness of the bottom of the block should not be less than 2 cm, and the walls of the voids should not be less than 4 cm. In this case, the standard stone with dimensions of 20x20x40 cm with voids inside weighs about 40 kg, which makes it convenient for masonry walls.

For the manufacture will need any flat platform, covered with plastic wrap and special forms without a bottom.

The material for the forms will be:

• boards;
• DSP;
• plywood.

To protect the tree from damage, the inside of the form is sheathed with sheet metal. Inserts are made in a similar way, due to which voids are formed in the finished block. They improve the insulating properties of the material and make it easier.

Concrete blocks with their own hands can be made faster if you make several forms in one block. This requires plywood or board width equal to the height of the future block. The material is sawn into pieces and fastened with screws. Further internal partitions are made.

Tip! In order for the frozen block to be easily separated from the form, all its parts must be lubricated with kerosene, lube or antifreeze.

Manufacturing process

For the casting of blocks of concrete mixture will need the following materials:

• gravel with a fine fraction;
• cement;
• sand;
• water;
• lime;
• wire for reinforcement.

The number of each component is determined based on your needs for artificial stone. The proportions of cement, sand and gravel are taken in a ratio of 1: 3: 5.

For convenience, we will divide the whole subsequent process into several stages.

1. Gravel, sand and cement should be placed in the mixer.. Then in the process of mixing in small portions add lime. At the last stage of the mixing water is added. The finished solution should not be too liquid, so as not to flow out of the mold. As a result, you get a concrete brand M135 filled with fine gravel.
2. A mixture of concrete mixers laid in the form of a layer thickness of 2 cm. After that, the liners are fixed, which are necessary for the formation of voids inside the artificial stone. It is possible to fix the inserts with the help of transverse slats, which are removed after filling with one-third of the form with concrete.
3. The bottom of the form should be covered with newspapers or paper.. This will prevent the concrete from setting to the base. The mixture that fills the form should be semi-dry. It is checked this way: taking a little solution, it should be crushed and put on a flat surface. A lump should keep its shape, not spread.
4. After filling the mold to half the height, reinforcement should be laid, which will make the future stone more durable..
5. Instead of inserts, empty bottles can be used to form voids inside the concrete block.. It closes with a cork and is bricked up inside the stone.
6. After the final filling of the form, the solution must be compacted and leveled with a trowel..
7. It is possible to take blocks out of the forms for 4-5 days, but they can be used in work only after 2-3 weeks, as soon as the solution hardens completely.

Conclusion

The technology described above allows, without applying much effort, to make concrete blocks with your own hands. The technical characteristics of the finished products will in almost no way be inferior to their counterparts, which are sold in building supermarkets, and the size perfectly matches your needs. In addition, it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of the purchase of building materials and their delivery.

More information about the material will help the video in this article.