Modern builders are very demanding of the materials that they use daily in the course of their work. The basic material for the erection of buildings must be very strong and reliable, but at the same time - easy and simple during installation. The desire for such parameters led to the emergence of aerated concrete, which by its parameters is much superior to brick and wood!
Contents
- What is aerated concrete?
- Technical characteristics of aerated concrete
- Advantages of
- Disadvantages of
- Video
What is aerated concrete?
Despite the fact that this material appeared recently, almost all the reviews on aerated concrete are positive. This is to say only one thing: aerated concrete is a unique building material, without which very soon any construction worker will not be able to do.
Aerated concrete refers to cellular concrete. The porous structure is due to the composition of the material by the production technology. Among the components included in this material are cement, water, lime, quartz sand, aluminum powder. The last component is needed to react with lime, resulting in hydrogen. It becomes the basis of porosity.
Technical characteristics of aerated concrete
There are several classifications of aerated concrete blocks with certain technical characteristics. Today, during the construction work, the following grades of this material are used.
- D 350 .This brand is considered to be of little use. Because of insufficient strength( 0,7-1 MPa) it can be taken only as a heater. This is a thermal insulation. The coefficient of thermal conductivity varies within the range 0.8-0.9 W /( m * ° C).
- D 400 .Structural and heat-insulating blocks are made of this brand. This variety is used to arrange insulation, for work with openings in the construction of multi-storey buildings in a monolithic manner. Its strength is higher than in the previous version - 1-1.5 MPa. The values of thermal conductivity are about 0.1-0.11 W /( m * ° C).
- D 500 .This variety is used in the construction of low-rise buildings and in monolithic construction. Its strength is 2-3 MPa, and its intrinsic thermal conductivity is 0.12-0.13 W /( m * ° C).
- D 600 .The most durable variety with values is 2.5-4.5 MPa. A decent coefficient of thermal conductivity is 0.14-0.15 W /( m * ° C).Properties of this aerated concrete allow ventilated facades to be attached to the walls created from this type of material. The last two varieties serve as the basis for the structural blocks.
The numerical designation of the brands listed above shows the density of the material. In particular, D 500 - the density will be 500 kg / m³.
There is a classification based on the method of production. Two types are distinguished here:
- autoclave( treated in an autoclave under the influence of temperature 200 ° C and 10 - 12 bar pressure);
- non-autoclave( drying, hardening takes place under normal conditions).
The first variety costs more. This is due to significant production costs, as well as the best technical characteristics of aerated concrete blocks produced by this method. They are much stronger, their coefficient of thermal conductivity is less. Pores inside such aerated concrete are distributed exceptionally evenly, which affects the precise correspondence of the material to the given parameters.
Typically, aerated concrete blocks, as in the photo, have a weight of about 20 kg and can replace about 16 bricks, the weight of which would be about 60 kg. In addition, this building material has excellent strength properties and low thermal conductivity. About all the pros and cons of aerated concrete you can see in the video review.
Advantages of
The main advantage of aerated concrete is its ecological compatibility! This material is completely safe for the environment, animals and humans, because it is made from natural components: sand, lime, cement and aluminum powder( in a small fraction).
Other advantages of aerated concrete can also be distinguished:
- High level of fire safety and frost resistance. This material is able to withstand the effects of fire for seven hours, and frost resistance exceeds two hundred cycles;
- Excellent thermal insulation properties. In a building made of such material it will always be warm and cozy;
- Ease of processing. Despite its high strength, aerated concrete can be easily processed with any tool;
- Durability;
- Saving on masonry mortar, on finishing materials, at construction speed
- Affordable value
Disadvantages of
The most important disadvantages of aerated concrete are low moisture resistance and poor resistance to various types of deformation. This building material categorically does not tolerate high humidity, so it needs additional processing. For example, it can simply be plastered or tiled with a tile. Also, this building material has a weak soundproofing.
Aerated concrete practically does not tolerate deformations: stretching and bending. However, this defect can be easily eliminated! To avoid it, any buildings and structures made of aerated concrete should be erected on a solid foundation. Ideal option can be a monolithic foundation of heavy concrete.
