Expanded clay concrete (expanded clay) blocks: types, size tables, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

Expanded clay concrete blocks are in demand in the construction of residential, commercial and public buildings. Expanded clay concrete is classified as lightweight concrete. The popularity of the material is due to its low price and low weight with high strength and ease of wall construction.

In order to obtain high-quality and safe material that meets all building codes, it is important to learn to distinguish factory products from handicraft fakes.

What are expanded clay concrete blocks

Expanded clay concrete blocks are made of lightweight concrete. They are used as a building material for internal partitions and external facades.

They are blocks with dimensions exceeding those of ordinary bricks. The material is lightweight and porous.

Production technology

Expanded clay concrete block is made from sand, expanded clay, and cement.

Ingredient consumption in kg per m3 for the production of expanded clay block grade 200:

• cement component (GOST 10178-85, not lower than M-400) – 300;
• sand (GOST 8736-93, coarse or medium fraction) – 300;
• expanded clay granules (GOST 9757-90, fractions of 5-10 mm are more often used) – 1100;
• liquid (GOST 23732-79, water without impurities) – 195.

But this ratio is not a reference. The manufacturer has the right to change proportions to change product characteristics. The amount of water depends on the moisture content of the remaining components. Addition of fillers and plasticizing impurities is allowed.

The components are loaded into concrete mixers and mixed. A high-quality mixture resembles the consistency of thick sour cream. Next, it is molded (poured into molds). Bring to normal strength. The factory uses two methods:

1. In an autoclave. Expanded clay blanks are placed in an autoclave, in which they are processed with hot steam under high pressure.
2. Vibration pressing. For the procedure, a special machine (vibropress) is used. The mixture in the molds is subjected to vibration with simultaneous pressure.

Both methods allow you to get rid of voids and improve the characteristics of expanded clay concrete blocks.

The last stage is drying. The material is dried directly in the molds naturally (from 2 days) or in a special chamber using steaming (up to 12 hours).

In handicraft production, blocks in molds are left to “ripen” in natural conditions, bypassing the procedure of vibration pressing or autoclave processing.This takes approximately a month, but usually this time is reduced to speed up the production process. Such products are characterized by low strength.

Technical characteristics of expanded clay blocks

Expanded clay concrete blocks are parallelepipeds with straight ends or with grooves and ridges on them. Their corners are smooth and rounded, and the supporting surfaces are flat or with grooves.

The strength of the brand of expanded clay concrete blocks is from 35 to 100 kg/cm². Density – from 500 to 1800 kg\m³.

The main characteristics dictate the proportions of substances in the composition of expanded clay concrete blocks and the presence of impurities in it.

Table of vapor permeability and thermal conductivity taking into account density:

Main manufacturers

The safety and durability of expanded clay concrete products depends on their quality. Therefore, it is worth choosing material from trusted manufacturers. Here are some of them:

1. Cheboksary construction plant.
2. Smoky enterprise "Monolit".
3. Premium brick plus company.
4. Stroy Pavement Company.
5. Enterprise "Wall Block".
6. "Klinstroydetal".
7. CJSC "Keramzit"

All products of these factories are subject to mandatory certification. Enterprises have conclusions from the SES on environmental safety. Their product meets government standards and is safe for humans and the environment.

Areas of use of expanded clay blocks

Expanded clay concrete blocks are intended for the construction of houses. Expanded clay bricks are used for:

• load-bearing elements of the structure;
• construction of partitions;
• wiring of communications (for example, construction of a chimney);
• external wall decoration.

Block marking

Expanded clay blocks, like other building materials, are marked.It is used to indicate the characteristics, type and class of the product. It is not difficult to read the markings if you know the basic symbols.

Using the table it is easy to decipher any marking. For example, the designation KSR-PR-PS-39-100-F100-1500 is:

• KSR – ordinary wall stone;
• PR – serial;
• PS – hollow;
• length 39 cm;
• strength 100 kg per 1 sq. cm;
• frost resistance 100 cycles;
• density 1500 per cubic meter kg.

Types of expanded clay concrete blocks by purpose

Expanded clay blocks are classified according to their purpose. The following options are available:

• wall kremsite blocks;
• facing products;
• partition elements.

Wall

Expanded clay concrete wall blocks are designed for laying load-bearing walls. They are characterized by high strength and density characteristics.

Solid expanded clay blocks are suitable for the construction of load-bearing walls of residential buildings. They are the most durable, but have a high price compared to hollow ones. For outbuildings it is possible to use hollow ones.

Septal

Such expanded clay concrete blocks are purchased for arranging interior walls. They are not suitable for load-bearing structures. The exception is buildings with one floor.

Partition blocks are produced with voids inside. They have a smaller thickness compared to wall ones. This allows you to build fairly thin, but at the same time durable and well-soundproofed walls inside the building.

Facing

Such expanded clay blocks are distinguished by precise geometry and have a decorative coating on one or both sides. Designed for external walls, therefore they meet all the requirements for such building materials

Their advantage is that additional cladding of walls constructed from them is not required. Decorative coating can be of various shades and textures.

Types of expanded clay blocks by design

Based on the type of construction, expanded clay concrete blocks are divided into solid and hollow. Their differences:

1. Hollow. There are evenly distributed voids inside each block. This makes the product lighter and increases its thermal insulation and sound insulation characteristics. When laying, the voids should rest on the cement mortar. Hollow expanded clay blocks are intended for the construction of one-story buildings.
2. Full-bodied. Products with high strength and density characteristics. There are no voids in such blocks. Material for buildings with different numbers of floors.

Tables with sizes of expanded clay concrete blocks

The dimensions of building materials are regulated by GOST standards. However, in the case of expanded clay concrete blocks, some nuances and errors are acceptable in size.

For walls and partitions

Most manufacturers use standard sizes of expanded clay concrete blocks. Materials for walls and partitions in accordance with GOST 6133-2019 are produced with the following parameters (in mm).

Non-standard dimensions

Expanded clay blocks are also available in non-standard sizes. They are usually made to order.

Also, some manufacturers produce blocks not according to GOST, but according to specifications. These standards are individual for each enterprise. Therefore, if the product bears not GOST, but TU marking, it is also worth studying.

Large format

Large-sized blocks of expanded clay concrete are produced according to specifications. The range of their sizes is wide. Popular dimensions (in mm):

• 192x390x400;
• 200x200x400;
• 200x400x400;
• 400x400x200;
• 600x300x200;
• 400x400x1200;
• 1200x400x400.

Manufacturers are constantly releasing products in new non-standard sizes to increase their own competitiveness. The increased dimensions of building materials make it possible to speed up the construction of building walls.

Weight of expanded clay concrete blocks

The weight of KB blocks depends on their size, the presence of voids inside the product, purpose and other characteristics. Average weight of different types of expanded clay blocks measuring 390x190x188 mm:

• solid expanded clay concrete wall product M75 – 18 kg;
• solid expanded clay blocks M100 – 19 kg;
• hollow M35 weigh 11 kg;
• hollow KBB M 50 – 12 kg;
• the mass of the hollow KBB M75 is 14 kg;
• hollow products M100 weigh 16 kg.

Large items weigh much more.

How many expanded clay concrete blocks are there in 1 m3 of masonry?

The number of expanded clay concrete blocks that fit into 1 cubic meter. m of masonry, depends on their size. To make calculations, you need to multiply the length, width and height of one unit in meters. Then divide the unit by the resulting value. The result will be the answer.

For example, let’s take the most popular size – 390x190x188 mm. To calculate the number of blocks taking into account the seams, the parameters must be rounded - 400x200x200 mm.The calculations look like this:

• 0,4*0,2*0,2 = 0,016;
• 1\0,016=62,5.

It turns out that in 1 cubic. m fits 62.5 blocks measuring 390x190x188 mm.

How many blocks are in a pallet

Expanded clay concrete blocks have a variety of dimensions. GOST does not establish the amount of material for one pallet.

Packages of 72, 84, 90, 105, 120-160 pieces are most often found on the market. in one pallet. But this number may change.

Material cost

The price of expanded clay concrete blocks depends on the dimensions, purpose, and type of product.

Quantity calculation

To calculate the required number of blocks for the planned construction work, it is necessary to subtract the area of ​​door and window openings from the total area of ​​the walls. The resulting number is multiplied by the number of blocks in 1 square. m (1 divided by the area of ​​one block in meters). The material must be taken with a small reserve.

It is easier to make calculations using an online calculator. The specified dimensions are entered into the windows and the program displays the finished result.

Pros and cons of a house made of expanded clay blocks

Expanded clay concrete blocks have their pros and cons. Before settling on this building material, it is worth familiarizing yourself with them.

Pros:

• high-quality thermal insulation;
• durability;
• frost resistance;
• vapor permeability and moisture resistance;
• environmental friendliness;
• light weight;
• ease and speed of masonry;
• price;
• sound insulation;
• fire safety;
• chemical inertness.

Thermal insulation

Expanded clay in the blocks provides high thermal insulation qualities. This property is also provided by the porosity of the material.

Durability

The minimum service life of expanded clay blocks is 50 years.

Frost resistance

The material is not afraid even of extremely low temperatures. Withstands at least 75 freezing and defrosting cycles.Often purchased for use in areas with extremely frosty climates (subject to high-quality heat and moisture insulation).

Vapor permeability and moisture resistance

The porous structure of expanded clay concrete materials ensures high vapor permeability and hygroscopicity. Such walls take moisture from the air and dry quickly.

Moisture does not provoke the destruction of expanded clay concrete walls and does not contribute to the appearance of fungus and mold.

Environmental friendliness

High-quality factory-produced expanded clay concrete products contain only safe components. They do not emit substances hazardous to the environment or human health.

Ease

Despite their large dimensions, expanded clay concrete blocks are lighter than brick. This allows you to reduce the cost of arranging the foundation. Light weight makes it easier to work with building materials.

Labor intensity and cost

The high speed and low labor intensity of masonry is ensured by the large dimensions, low labor intensity of cutting and processing, and the low weight of expanded clay concrete (compared to brick).

Expanded clay concrete blocks are relatively inexpensive.

Noise insulation

Expanded clay concrete walls will protect your home from extraneous noise, as the material has high sound insulation. This applies to both blocks for the construction of load-bearing structures and for the construction of partitions.

Chemical inertness of expanded clay concrete

Expanded clay concrete blocks are not sensitive to chemicals, fungus, mold, or bacteria. The composition does not contain lime, so they will not cause corrosion of the reinforcement.

The main disadvantages of expanded clay concrete blocks

The ease of handicraft production is not the only disadvantage of expanded clay concrete blocks.The material has other disadvantages:

1. The need for cladding facades made of expanded clay concrete. Bare walls do not look aesthetically pleasing (with the exception of facing blocks).
2. Not suitable for arranging a monolithic foundation.
3. Reduced thermal insulation properties when using handicraft blocks.
4. Not suitable for the construction of unheated buildings.
5. Expanded clay blocks are not suitable for areas with high air humidity due to porosity and hygroscopicity (this reduces their service life).
6. Fragility. Expanded clay concrete blocks can be easily damaged during careless transportation.

How to reduce the influence of negative factors

To reduce the severity of negative aspects, you can:

1. When constructing buildings of more than 2 floors, frame the walls and lay reinforcing mesh in increments of 3-4 rows. This will increase the structural strength and load-bearing capacity.
2. To prevent the accumulation of moisture inside the walls and reduce the risk of freezing of the building, additionally ensure high-quality thermal insulation and waterproofing.

Myths about the dangers of expanded clay blocks

There is an opinion that expanded clay blocks are radioactive and emit harmful compounds. Only materials made from radioactive clay are dangerous.

Expanded clay blocks manufactured at the plant undergo mandatory certification. They use environmentally friendly components. Blocks made in artisanal conditions cannot boast of this.

Comparison of expanded clay blocks with other materials

Expanded clay blocks are not the only building material for laying walls. The list provides a brief comparison of expanded clay concrete with other options:

1. Foam concrete blocks. They are easier to cut, retain heat better, but have a lower density compared to KBB.
2. Gas silicate blocks. Produced on the basis of lime and concrete. Due to its fragility and ability to quickly absorb liquid, it is not recommended for load-bearing elements.
3. Ceramic concrete blocks. They are made from siliceous substances, flint sand, and white cement. They are distinguished by their aesthetic appearance and durability. Facades do not require decorative cladding.
4. Sawdust concrete blocks. Made from sawdust, cement, sand. These blocks require additional lining due to high liquid absorption.
5. Cinder blocks. Various materials are used as filler, for example, waste obtained from burning fuel. Cinder blocks are less environmentally friendly. Thermal insulation characteristics are low.
6. Sand-lime brick. Made from lime and sand. Allowed for use in areas with extremely cold climates.

Reviews from real owners of houses made of expanded clay concrete blocks

Irina, 30 years old:

We built a house from expanded clay concrete 10 years ago. Speaking about the advantages, I can name the fast construction process due to the lightness and large dimensions of the material. During this time, the walls were not covered with fungus or mold, and no cracks appeared on them. However, we did not have enough funds to cover the facades, and for the first 3 years the walls of the building were ugly (you can look at the photo). They also say that such houses are cold, but we immediately installed high-quality thermal insulation, so we did not encounter such a problem.

Victor, 55 years old:

It took a long time to choose between sand-lime bricks and expanded clay concrete blocks. We settled on the second option due to its large dimensions. We built the house ourselves and wanted to finish the construction faster. We are satisfied. The only thing is that you should not choose such material because of the price.You won’t be able to save money on it, since unlike brick, expanded clay concrete walls require mandatory decorative cladding.

What to look for when choosing blocks before purchasing

Expanded clay concrete blocks are an environmentally friendly material with a long service life for the construction of low-rise buildings. It is chosen for its low cost, light weight, ease of installation, resistance to fungi and mold.

To ensure that the material is of high quality and safe, it is better to buy factory products. Before doing this, make sure that you have certificates for expanded clay concrete products.

Do you think expanded clay concrete blocks are suitable for constructing a residential building? Or maybe brick is better? Write in the comments. Save the article to bookmarks or repost it on social networks.