How to make lightweight aggregate blocks with your own hands
Every year private building is becoming increasingly important, because living in your home is much more comfortable than in a high-rise building. But the main obstacle is often the high construction costs, so developers are looking for ways to save. If you make claydite-concrete blocks with your own hands, it will not only save considerable funds, but will also guarantee that the products are made in accordance with the standards of strength.
What is needed for work
In order to make homemade claydite-concrete blocks, you need to purchase all the necessary materials. Their quantity is calculated on the basis of their planned quantity of products, and is calculated in accordance with the proportions in the volume:
| Cement | If we take the widespread M400 brand as a basis, then approximately 1/10 of the volume of the blocks to be manufactured will be needed. In one cubic meter, 1,300 kilograms of cement, it is for this indicator that it is worth being guided when determining the required quantity. |
| Керемзит | You need an option with a density of 350 to 500 kg / m3, the optimal fraction is from 5 to 20 mm. Since it is necessary to add 8 parts to the solution, it is easy to guess that this material will be the main one. The price of expanded clay is quite democratic, so do not be afraid of huge costs. |
| Sand | It is best to acquire medium-grained or coarse-grained river sand without admixture of clay and black soil. The sand from the quarries will do as well, but it is desirable to sift it at least, and it is better to rinse. The preparation requires 2 parts, based on this, and the volume is calculated |
| Water | The technology requires approximately 215-230 liters per m3. The correct dosage of water is very important for the strength of the blocks. The lack of it, as well as an excess, leads to a decrease in strength and the appearance of cracks on the surface during the drying process. |
| Additives | This component is used as desired, but it should be borne in mind that various additives can significantly improve the properties of concrete and increase its moisture resistance and frost resistance. When using them, there is much less chance of cracks on products. |
Tip! To improve the quality of products and save money, it is better to purchase universal additives for concrete structures that improve the properties of the mixture and increase its plasticity.
Workflow organization
In fact, the process is so simple that practically no equipment is required for expanded clay concrete blocks. But some of the simplest devices still need.
Forms for blocks
There are two options: either buy ready-made options, or make them yourself.
In the first case should be guided by the following factors:
- New forms are quite expensive, but you can buy second-hand structures.. Their cost is much lower, but it is important to carefully check each product for damage and compliance with geometric parameters.
- It is important to choose the optimal dimensions, the most commonly used option is 190x190x390 for walls and the variant 80x190x390 for arranging internal partitions. Parameters may vary depending on the features of the work.
- Another option is to hire structures.In some regions, this service is provided, which helps to save significant funds.
The second option is to build the forms yourself.
The instructions for making are as follows:
- It is possible to assemble a frame of boards with a thickness of 25 mm, while at the same time it is desirable to sheathe their inner surface with sheet metal or tin. The parameters for the blocks are taken the same as the standard forms or any other.
- Another solution is to manufacture a sheet metal frame with its reinforcement with metal corners. For fixing the form, either latches or bolted joints can be used through the welded lugs, or by using studs and wing nuts.
- To create voids, you can use either specially prepared blanks, or just bottles. It all depends on the possibilities and wishes.
Another option is a machine for claydite-concrete blocks. It is a combined vibratory setting and forms, in small versions there are 2-4 pieces, in more productive ones their number can be much larger.
Molding products
This stage is carried out as follows:
- The solution is prepared in the proportions indicated above. It is important to control that the consistency is optimal. It is best to use a concrete mixer, it guarantees high quality stirring, which is very important for the strength of the products.
Tip! The easiest way to check the consistency is as follows: a small amount of the composition is compressed in the hand, you should get a tight lump, which breaks when dropped on the ground.
- Further consideration of how to make lightweight aggregate blocks depends on whether you have a vibration installation. If there is, then the forms are filled and installed on the equipment for compacting concrete products and removing air from the composition. If there is no installation, the composition is rammed with a pin or a wooden stick.
- The resulting homemade claydite blocks are left for a day, after which the forms can be disassembled and carefully put the products on a flat surface for further drying. The full strength of the product is recruited within four weeks.
If you don’t know how to cut lightweight aggregate blocks, then a Bulgarian with a diamond disc for concrete and a stone with a diameter of 230 mm is best, as not many have special saws for bricks.
Conclusion
The video in this article will help to understand this process even better. It is important to comply with all the requirements of technology, and you will get excellent results.