Load-bearing walls made of aerated concrete: do-it-yourself masonry

Because of its lightweight and insulating qualities, aerated concrete is a popular material to use when building load-bearing walls. You’ll find that using this material for a do-it-yourself masonry project is both rewarding and manageable. For people who prefer a hands-on approach to home construction, aerated concrete blocks are perfect because they are simple to handle and work with.

There are a few simple steps involved in building with aerated concrete, but knowing the fundamentals can help the process go more smoothly. Every step, from laying the foundation to assembling the blocks, is essential to creating a solid wall. We’ll walk you through the key methods and pointers in this guide to ensure that your project is successfully finished.

Whether you’re building a new structure or remodeling an existing one, learning the craft of aerated concrete masonry will increase the longevity and effectiveness of your structure. Together, we will explore the essential elements of this procedure and begin transforming your building endeavor into a triumph.

The device of load-bearing walls of structures from aerated concrete blocks

Aerated concrete, also known as foam concrete or foam blocks, is a relatively recent development in artificial stone materials. It belongs to the cellular concrete family. Since all of the masonry on it can be done by hand, building costs can be greatly lowered.

• Aerated concrete is a building material with uniform spherical, closed pores with a diameter of 1 to 3 millimeters.
• You should immediately pay attention to the weight of the building. If this is a room of more than two floors, then it is better to make load-bearing reinforced concrete walls. The density of aerated concrete for load-bearing walls is suitable for buildings of one or two floors.
• For laying walls, a foundation is made, the width of which should be 20 cm wider than the wall itself. The remaining space is taken based on the thickness of the facing layer.

The main positive characteristics of foam blocks

There are several benefits to this material:

• It is possible to build walls of any configuration from foam blocks while the architectural appearance of the building will not lose its expressiveness. All this ensures a good appearance of the material and the ability to select the required thickness of the blocks.
• The material has increased reliability;
• Environmentally safe material;
• Good thermal conductivity of walls made of aerated concrete blocks allows you to significantly reduce heating costs.
• The material provides an optimal level of humidity in the building and creates an excellent microclimate;
• Good sound insulation and noise insulation;
• Economical consumption of finishing materials;
• Not a lot of weight of the material, lightens the load transferred to the foundation;
• Increased level of fire resistance proven by many practical tests;
• Due to the slight weight of foam blocks are easy to transport;
• Foam blocks are used for the construction of foundations, floors and load-bearing walls.
• Due to the porous structure, walls made of foam blocks have high thermal insulation properties.
• Foam blocks are easy to process, they are easy to saw, drill and adjust to the required dimensions

Knowing the advantages and methods is crucial if you’re going to build load-bearing walls yourself using aerated concrete. Because aerated concrete is lightweight and easy to handle, it’s a popular choice for do-it-yourself projects. This material not only gives your structure sturdy support, but it also enhances insulation and speeds up construction. A strong and dependable wall can be achieved with careful planning and adherence to the correct procedures, ensuring the success of your do-it-yourself project.

How to determine the optimal thickness of foam concrete walls

The ideal thickness for foam block walls is a topic on which there are many differing views. The majority of these opinions lack practical information and are not totally trustworthy.

To determine the ideal wall thickness for a particular case, the following information must be provided:

• First of all, it is necessary to determine in which climate zone the construction site is located, and to what minimum mark the temperature drops in the cold season.
• In areas with cold winters, the thickness of the walls should be significantly thicker than in southern regions.
• Secondly, it is necessary to decide on the insulation of the walls, whether it is necessary or it is enough to do with plaster.
• It is also worth considering that this material is not a facing material and will need to be faced with something. So this width will also affect the dimensions of the foundation.
• Also, when choosing products made of foam blocks, it is necessary to pay special attention to the density of the material, not only its price but also its quality characteristics depend on the density.

We look at the regulatory requirements

Certain technical requirements must be met by foam concrete walls that are not load-bearing. When the facility is being commission, this will be required. Thus, you should examine the boring parameters and quality certificates when purchasing material. A house built with aerated concrete needs its load-bearing walls to be able to support the weight.

Please take note of the following instruction: "Requirements of regulatory documentation." Principal suggestions of STO 501-52-01-2007 regarding the application of aerated concrete. So it’s worth looking at them before making a purchase.

In the Soviet Union, aerated concrete was first used to build load-bearing walls around 1930. During this time, numerous technologies for the material’s production were developed.

• All work on the production of building materials, as well as the production of all construction work, including the construction of load-bearing walls and partitions and foam blocks must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documentation.
• All construction work using cellular concrete (including aerated concrete and foam concrete) is regulated according to STO 501-52-01-2007.

The primary specifications and advice found in regulatory documentation for cellular concrete used in building:

• According to the standards, it is necessary to determine the maximum height of walls made of aerated concrete only on the basis of a special calculation;
• The requirements of regulatory documentation limit the maximum permissible height of structures made of cellular concrete. For foam blocks, this is 3 floors, while the height of the load-bearing walls should not exceed 10 meters.
• Also, according to regulatory documentation, the strength of concrete blocks should primarily depend on the number of storeys. The higher the number of storeys, the stronger the material.

The primary focus of regulatory documentation is solely on the material’s strength properties. SNiP II-3-79 must be used to answer any questions about the thermal insulation of buildings that are still under construction. Legally speaking, the construction process will be facilitated by adherence to the regulations outlined in the regulatory documentation. After all, the primary source of verification for documents created for a completed structure is regulatory documentation.

• In individual construction, technical documentation standards are mainly used as recommendations. Also, the fact that during operation, the humidity of aerated concrete blocks changes and an increase in thermal conductivity properties occurs should be taken into account.

Note: Using the information above, it can be inferred that, for a single-story building, the ideal aerated concrete wall thickness for areas with moderate temperatures is 300 millimeters, the block density is D600, and a heat-insulating layer is placed.

• Foam blocks with such parameters are the best option for all regions of our country. Additional heat-insulating layers on the outside of the house ensure winter without feeling cold .
• Regarding strength characteristics, even for a 2-story house, the load transferred to the walls of the first floor does not exceed 20 tons, taking into account the weight of the roof and ceilings. It is worth noting that 300 millimeters is a fairly small strength indicator, for example, such a wall can be broken through with a sledgehammer, but larger 400 mm foam blocks have greater density and strength.

Using aerated concrete to build load-bearing walls can be a satisfying do-it-yourself project. When considering an option for self-handling masonry work, its lightweight design and ease of handling make it a great option. A successful build depends on careful planning and preparation.

You can build a strong and long-lasting wall by using high-quality materials and the appropriate techniques. Don’t undervalue the significance of wall alignment and proper mortar application. It will be worthwhile in the end to take your time and get these details just right.

A little patience and attention to detail will help you finish your aerated concrete wall project successfully. Savor the satisfaction that comes from having established a strong base for your area.

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