How to reinforce aerated concrete masonry. Reinforcement of aerated concrete walls

Reinforcement of aerated concrete is a necessary construction procedure, which is due to the fact that aerated concrete material, although it is resistant to compressive loads, but with this feature, it is not able to stretch. The slightest bend leads to the appearance of cracks on the surface if the load that affects a particular installation site exceeds the strength of the block. Reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks is carried out in two different ways - by reinforcing rows of masonry with reinforcement (mesh) or by installing a monolithic belt. Two methods increase the deformation resistance of the masonry, but they do not affect the bearing capacity of the partitions.

Problem areas requiring mandatory wall reinforcement:

Developers often ask the question: is it necessary to reinforce the masonry in every 4 rows of gas blocks. This is determined based on the design features and the length of the walls of the future building, the characteristics of the soil at the building site and the type of foundation. Aerated concrete houses located in climatic, seismic and wind regions need reinforced wall reinforcement.

If the ends of individual reinforcing bars were not tied into one loop, they should be bent at an angle of 90 degrees and deepened into strobes - this will ensure reliable anchoring in the partition of the house.

Technology

First, the method of mounting a reinforced concrete structure designed to strengthen the walls of a building from various loads will be described. Such an armored belt is made of dense blocks 100 and 50 mm thick or a wooden formwork is installed. The first technology is easier and faster to implement.

Order of execution

A 100 mm block is mounted from the front part of the wall and placed on the adhesive solution to the main masonry.
On the inside, blocks with a thickness of 50 mm are laid.
Thermal insulation. Extruded polystyrene foam panels adjusted to the height are glued to the wall with five centimeter gas blocks.
Reinforcement is laid inside the formwork at a distance of 5 cm from the partitions. It is recommended to weld YTONG vertical reinforced aerated concrete lintels to the longitudinal reinforcement every 30 cm, the height of which is selected so that the upper part of the frame is located at a distance of five centimeters from the outer contour of the monolithic belt. Horizontal connecting rods are welded to the vertical lintels, on which the upper longitudinal belt of the structure must be fixed.
The space between the blocks should be filled with concrete mortar, the M200 or M300 brand is suitable for this.

Reinforcement with reinforcement between rows does not require special skills. To work, you will need a manual or electric wall chaser. In blocks, 2 strobes are made at a distance of 6 cm from the edge. The depth and width must correspond to the size of the reinforcement used.

After deepening, it should be cleaned of dust and filled with adhesive mortar for laying gas blocks, after which parts of the reinforcement should be laid. Remove excess glue with a spatula. In the corner zones of the partitions, L-shaped rods are used. The fittings are interconnected by welding.

When a mesh is used to reinforce aerated concrete blocks, building materials with 5x5 cm cells made of wire 3-4 mm thick should be used. At the same time, it is not necessary to do strobing; during installation work, glue is applied to the surface of the gas blocks, the approximate thickness is 2.3 mm. After that, a reinforcement mesh is laid, the edges of which should be 5 cm away from the end of the block. Next, a second layer of glue is applied.

Reinforcement of aerated concrete during masonry

When carrying out work, you should know how to properly reinforce and through how many rows to lay the bars. Reinforcement of the first row of masonry must be carried out without fail, and if necessary, every fourth (whether it is necessary - this becomes clear from the individual characteristics of the building). The process is carried out as follows:

Strengthening of the structure is carried out with steel bars with a diameter of 8 mm grade A3. Reinforcement of partitions with a thickness of 20 cm, the laying method allows the use of one bar of reinforcement exactly in the middle of the row. In special cases, it is permissible to use reinforcement with a diameter of 6 mm.
For thick walls, use 2 bars laid parallel to each other. To do this, with the help of a wall chaser, two parallel recesses are made. The distance from the inner and outer edges of the partition is at least 6 cm. In the corners of the building, the gates must be rounded.
The overlap of the reinforcement is done in the middle of the wall, fixing is done with a knitting wire.

It is not necessary to lay reinforcement around the entire perimeter of each wall row. It will be enough to place the metal reinforcement in the most dangerous parts of the partition structure .

The vertical reinforcement of the walls is a connection between the foundation of the building and the interfloor or roofing monolithic armored belt located above it. This technology is different in that all loads are taken not by wall masonry, but by a reinforcing cage. The walls serve as thermal insulation.

Door and window openings

When reinforcing jumpers, U-shaped blocks are used, which also need to be reinforced by at least 90 cm on both sides of the opening. First, a wooden structure is made in the openings, on which the U-shaped block will rest. Such blocks are installed with the thickened side out. It is also recommended to insulate the grooves with a 3-5 cm styrofoam board to close the side walls of the outer surface of the blocks. After that, a reinforced structure is laid, which is poured with concrete. When the concrete has completely hardened, the structure is dismantled.

To prevent the wall laying process from slowing down, U-shaped blocks should be laid together with ordinary ones. After the strobes are filled with reinforcement and concreted. In this case, it is recommended not to forget about the heater.

Reinforcement under window openings requires laying reinforcement in the last row of blocks in front of the window being constructed. To do this, it will be necessary to mark the planned length on the masonry surface, while the reinforcement bars should be half a meter longer than the window.

In a relatively short period of time, gas-liquid brick or aerated concrete has gained great popularity among builders. Low cost, low transportation costs and the absence of difficulties in the process of loading and unloading are increasingly attracting the attention of the consumer.

Professionals identify several advantages of aerated concrete:

The even geometry of the blocks allows them to be laid on an adhesive solution, thereby achieving heat savings of more than 30%.
Processing during the production process gives high strength to the buildings being erected.
The construction of aerated concrete walls provides excellent vapor permeability of the premises and does not require strengthening the foundation due to the light weight of the blocks.

In addition to the above advantages, aerated concrete stands out favorably among modern building materials with a rather low price per unit.

Construction of a building

The construction of walls made of aerated concrete must be accompanied by the obligatory laying of a reinforcing frame. The basis of the blocks is cement, quartz sand and gas generators mixed in a certain proportion, and lime, slag and gypsum serve as fillers. Thanks to the autoclave processing of gas silicate blocks, they are easily changed during the construction and finishing process: they are cut, sawn and drilled.

At the same time, such walls can be deformed under the influence of external factors, the movement of the soil or the foundation. Therefore, it is very important to reinforce the walls during the laying process. Particular attention should be paid to loaded places: openings above windows and doors, thresholds.

The aerated concrete wall tolerates compression well, but not tension. Therefore, with a length of more than 6 m, an expansion joint and a reinforcing mesh are required.

Based on the possible loads, several types and approaches are used in laying reinforcing elements:

The most common option for laying a reinforcing structure is its location in the most vulnerable places: openings in the walls. It is recommended to use it in all buildings built from gas silicate blocks. An exception may be buildings erected by means of a monolithic structure, where the aerated concrete wall is not under load. Such material serves only as a filler between the supports.
The second method of reinforcement is used when the construction is carried out from fresh products that have not yet undergone shrinkage. Its use is typical at the peak of construction work, when the batches produced are sent to construction sites. Mostly such work is carried out in places with the most significant temperature fluctuations in order to avoid excessive shrinkage when the outdoor temperature drops or the groundwater level rises in the spring.
The third type in the vastness of our country has not received distribution - vertical. It consists in connecting the lower concrete belt with the upper reinforcing belt. It is used in construction in seismic zones and hurricane-prone regions. It is used in the construction of buildings on sloping terrain (on hills, slopes) and in the mountains.

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Methods for laying a metal frame

To strengthen the erected structure, builders use several methods of laying the frame.

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Deepening reinforcement into the cavity of the stone

The most common type of reinforcement laying is its immersion in stone. To do this, two strobes of approximately 2.5 * 2.5 cm are made along the entire row. It should be borne in mind that it must be done no closer than 6 cm from the outer and inner edges.

The strobe can be done with: an electric wall chaser, a manual wall chaser, an angle grinder or a puncher.

The strobe can be done:

An electric wall chaser is a professional tool. Work proceeds quickly, without the formation of dust and debris. But the cost of such equipment is high enough to purchase it for home use.
Angle grinder. The workflow itself is fast, but accompanied by careful depth and distance measurements. A large amount of dust is generated from sawing gas silicate blocks.
Manual chisel. Slow, hard, no dust. Having made recesses of the required size, it is necessary to remove the crushed stone from them with a brush, vacuum cleaner or building hair dryer. After removing unnecessary rubbish and crumbs, be sure to moisten the grooves. This is necessary for the highest quality adhesion of the solution to the base. At the next stage, wet furrows are filled with more than half of the finished solution. It can be an ordinary masonry mortar or a special thermal insulating one. When using the latter, cold bridges are not formed between the blocks, and precious heat does not escape.

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Steel reinforcement cage laying

An alternative option for reinforcing gas silicate blocks is the laying of paired galvanized strips 8 mm * 1.5 mm in size. Their use does not require preliminary surface preparation and strobe cutting. Their laying is allowed on a small layer of mortar, followed by pressing and applying a second layer of adhesive solution.

In order to choose the right reinforcement, preliminary calculations should be made in the ratio of the cross-sectional area of \u200b\u200bthe wall and the thickness of the block. But if you try to do without lengthy mathematical calculations, then you should remember the rules:

With a block thickness of 25 cm or more, it is necessary to use reinforcement at least 6 mm in diameter and lay it in two layers, but not closer than 6 cm from the edge of the block.
If the blocks are less than 20 cm, then it will be optimal to use 8 mm reinforcement and use it in one row, in the center.

Considering the above examples of laying a reinforcing frame for aerated concrete, we can conclude that only a special adhesive composition should be used in order to avoid possible cold bridges.

Its application allows:

Achieve better and even stacking of blocks.
Minimize the masonry joint - from 2 mm for the adhesive mortar.
The ready-made composition of the mortar significantly reduces the time spent when laying the blocks and increases the volume of work, which reduces the time for the construction of the building.

When performing reinforcement of gas blocks, there are such features and mandatory requirements as:

The allowable distance between horizontal reinforcing belts should not exceed 100 cm, therefore, when calculating the necessary material, it should be borne in mind that it is necessary to lay an armored belt every four rows at a block height of 25 cm and every third at 30 cm height.
Loaded areas near lintels and openings are reinforced with reinforcement up to 90 cm in both directions.
In the absence of a single monolithic metal frame and adjacent walls, the reinforcement should be brought onto it by bending at a right angle and by overlapping up to 50-70 cm.

The reasons affecting the bearing capacity of gas silicate blocks are neutralized by the construction of a reinforcing belt at the completion of the structure.

When the material is selected, it is recommended to study the technology of its use. If you ignore this stage, you can, through your own fault, be disappointed in aerated concrete and manufacturers who sell it so effectively. One of the important stages is the reinforcement of the gas block.

The essence of the work is as follows:

two strips of steel reinforcement (8.0) mm are glued into the outdoor units. When increasing the thickness of the wall, either more frequent reinforcement or an increase in the diameter of the bar will be required;
one tape is introduced into the blocks of partitions;
I and every IV row are reinforced (every 100 cm). If the height of the block is 30-35 cm - each III row;
reinforcement is laid in oblique wall structures under mansard and sloping roofs and a row at the Mauerlat level under them;
modules are also reinforced, above which jumpers are mounted and those that are under the window reinforcing belt.

Such manipulations help to reduce potential cracking, level low resistance to bending loads and brittleness.

By technology reinforcing bars must be enveloped with adhesive solution from all sides. To do this, grooves are made in the masonry of walls from aerated concrete blocks - strobes - 25x25 mm (width and depth). The distance from the outer and inner edges of the block must not be less than 60 mm. For work, wall chasers are used. Before laying, dust is removed from the recesses, they are moistened until the color changes.

Excess glue during reinforcement is removed with a trowel or spatula - this is important, otherwise, when laying the next row, the master will not be able to get a thin seam, thereby worsening the thermal engineering of the structure

Implementation of works

Reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks is carried out after the strobes are ready, but before the glue is prepared. At this stage, the ends are joined, all corners are bent, while the laying is overlapped, without falling into the joints of the modules. External walls are connected with partitions.

When all work is completed, the fitted fittings are removed and you can start preparing the adhesive solution. They fill all the strobes (2/3 of the height), then the rods are recessed so as to be completely covered with the solution.

On walls with a thickness of 25 cm or more, the second row is installed maintaining a distance of 60 mm from the outer edge. If the thickness is below 20 cm, one rod (8.0 mm) is used, placed in the center. Anchoring is mandatory, otherwise structural integrity is out of the question.

Reinforcement of door and window lintels

At this stage, U-shaped modules are used. The blocks on which the jumper will rest are reinforced by at least 90 cm in each direction (the indicator may vary depending on the width of the opening). A supporting wooden structure is installed in the window opening, on which the block will rest.

Sequencing:

modules are stacked with the thickened side out;
the groove is insulated, for which you can use polystyrene foam plates 30-50 mm;
the side walls of the outdoor units are closed;
the frame is laid;
the jumper is poured with concrete;
when the material has matured, the wooden structure can be dismantled.

In an identical way, only around the entire perimeter, you can build an armored belt. As an alternative, partition blocks can be used, insulating them and exposing the formwork from the inside. Armopoyas cannot be poured over the entire thickness of the wall, - concrete is many times colder than blocks and this section will reduce all efforts to get an energy-efficient home to a minimum.

Reinforcement rows are placed above and below the masonry row in the floor plane, if the wall structure does not provide for monolithic strapping belts, for example, as in prefabricated wooden ceilings.

The ends of the bars that are not integrated into an integral strapping loop are bent at an angle of 90 degrees and deepened into recesses for reliable anchoring in the wall.

In the presented technology, when reinforcing external walls, a mesh for reinforcement is never used.

The master, working on this site, must consider the following:

when a light roof is being erected, it is optimal to implement in-line reinforcement of gas silicate blocks in two rods;
for better distribution of loads, the step between the rafters should be reduced;
with a heavy roof, it is recommended to provide for laying an additional row of u-shaped blocks;
this row is laid on already reinforced oblique modules sawn at a given angle;
the filling of the grooves is realized with the help of thicker concrete than when working on horizontal surfaces.

Reinforcement of the armored belt for ceilings

The armored belt is an indispensable element of aerated concrete houses. The task of the armored belt is to create a rigid inextricable structure around the entire perimeter of the walls, as well as to evenly distribute the load from the ceilings and higher blocks.

Reinforcement in the armored belt is used with a diameter of 10 to 12 mm. For ordinary two-story houses, a reinforcement scheme with four or six bars of longitudinal reinforcement is used. The frame is made of 6mm reinforcement, the distance between the frames is about 250-300 mm.

At the corners of the armored belt, special clamps are used to reinforce the reinforcement, see the diagram below.

Reinforcement overlap of at least 300 mm. The width of the armored belt should be like that of a wall. The height of the armored belt is 200-300 mm. Do not forget about the insulation on the outside - 50 mm EPS.

Methods for reinforcing aerated concrete blocks

The reinforcement does not improve the bearing capacity of the walls, but it allows you to distribute the load in the problem areas of the masonry and protect the aerated concrete blocks from deformation and destruction. Therefore, each row of masonry does not need to be reinforced.

The following areas need to be reinforced:

The first row above the foundation - it takes on the entire mass of walls, ceilings and roofs, therefore it requires especially careful reinforcement.
The rows on which overlaps lie.
Window and door partitions and blocks under openings.
The top row on which the roof truss system rests.
Every 4th row of masonry. There are disputes about the need for this moment, but most experts agree that such reinforcement is mandatory with a large wall length (from 6 m) - in this case, the reinforcement improves the resistance of the aerated concrete structure to wind load.

Reinforcement of walls from gas silicate blocks is carried out in three ways:

using reinforcement made of metal or fiberglass rods;
reinforcing mesh;
monolithic concrete belt.

Rebar or mesh is used to reinforce the intermediate rows of gas silicate masonry. When reinforcing window and door openings, the bars must be laid with a spade of about 1 m beyond their edges. When reinforcing the walls, a double belt is made, spaced along the edges of the block, in the case of load-bearing walls and single - in the case of interior partitions made of aerated concrete.

A monolithic belt is constructed above the first row after the foundation and above the last, under the roof. You can also do it under each overlap. The belt should run around the entire perimeter of the building.

Vertical reinforcement

Another type of masonry reinforcement is the vertical reinforcement of aerated concrete walls. It consists in connecting the ceilings to the foundation with the help of vertical reinforcing bars laid in strobes in the masonry and poured with concrete. Such reinforced concrete pillars go from the roofing monolithic belt through all the floors and go deep into the foundation; in some cases, it is possible to connect only the first floor to the base of the house.

Vertical reinforcement is, in fact, reinforced concrete columns that take on the entire load created by the building, completely freeing the aerated concrete fragile walls from it. Masonry in this case performs only a protecting role and protects the room from heat leakage.

It is believed that this type of amplification is optional. It is necessary only in certain situations in which an increased load is placed on the building:

during construction in areas with high seismic activity;
if necessary, reduce construction costs by using less dense aerated concrete, sacrificing the bearing capacity of the walls;
if there are openings with a large area in the masonry - wide or two-story windows, large doors or garage doors.

Vertical reinforcement of masonry from gas silicate blocks imposes special requirements on the characteristics of the reinforcement used. Whereas in the usual reinforcement of masonry rows, rods with a diameter of 8 mm are used, in this case they must have a diameter of at least 14 mm. The size of the strobe is selected based on the number of rods (from 1 to 4), taking into account the fact that after pouring concrete, a distance of at least 50 mm should be obtained between the rod and the wall.

The number of rods is selected based on the estimated load on the building; in most cases, one is sufficient, additional reinforcement is placed when a high seismic load is possible. Each rod is buried in the foundation either at the stage of its pouring, or after it has gained strength in the drilled holes.

The minimum indentation of reinforced concrete pillars from the edges of the walls is 20 cm. You can retreat 60 cm from window and door partitions. A step of 3 m must be observed between structures; necessarily vertical reinforcement is installed at the corners of the house from aerated concrete.

Reinforcement features

Masonry reinforcement strengthens the wall to resist tension and compression from external factors.

Many builders are wondering whether it is worth doing additional strengthening of the masonry from aerated concrete blocks, which entails considerable material costs. There is no single answer in this case.

Some believe that it is enough to reinforce the bottom row of gas silicate blocks and openings, while others argue that every fourth row of masonry should be strengthened and a reinforcing belt should be created for all floors.

reinforcement should be subject to those rows that are the most loaded: blocks under lintels, window openings and the first rows of blocks;
at the wall, the length of which is more than 6 meters, every fourth row is reinforced (usually a special mesh is used).

The reinforcement itself does not increase the bearing capacity of the walls of the building, but it remains an important condition that must be observed during construction. This is due to the fact that gas silicate blocks are not able to work in tension, despite the fact that they have a high degree of compressive strength.

As a result, there is a possibility of cracks in the gas silicate blocks, which only spoil the appearance of the structure, without reducing the value of its bearing capacity. It is quite difficult to disguise such defects even with the help of gypsum plaster.

The situation looks much more complicated if deep cracks appear in the seams of the masonry, through which a significant part of the heat will be lost. The reason for this will be uneven shrinkage of the house, especially during strong temperature changes or in the spring when the soil thaws, when the maximum load will be placed on the aerated concrete block, which will reduce the strength of the material.

Various defects can also occur due to improperly prepared cement-sand mortar, through which the walls of the house will be erected. To eliminate the occurrence of such a problem, it is necessary to use a special glue for, which, in combination with the mesh, allows the seams to be made as thin as possible.

Already at the design stage of the house, possible factors that will negatively affect the integrity of the structure should be identified, and measures should be taken to strengthen all weak points, for example, the support zone of lintels and various elements that experience significant loads.

Builders believe that the reinforcement will only violate the thickness of the masonry joints and lead to the appearance of cold bridges. But such a problem is easily solved if the installation is correct and small-section reinforcement is used.

Reinforcing masonry with meshes

In some cases, gas blocks can be connected to brick wall cladding. A strong connection of the elements to each other is ensured by the presence of a reinforcing mesh. A reference wall design is considered to be a brick-lined wall that satisfies the following requirements regarding its structure:

Reinforced concrete wall.
insulation layer.
Reinforcing layer or connection of the main load-bearing wall of the house with the cladding.
Air ventilation layer.
Brick cladding or hinged facade.

In the lower and upper rows of masonry or a hinged facade, there must be ventilation slots around the entire perimeter of the wall.

The grid is laid so that it protrudes 0.5 cm from the side. The basalt grid can be mounted through 2 rows of installation of gas silicate blocks.

The laying of walls from gas blocks involves the use of adhesive compositions that have certain advantages over the cement mixture:

Economical consumption of material, since the cement composition is required 5-6 times more than the cheaper adhesive.
Reliability of the glue structure guaranteeing performance of durable connections.

Reinforcement of aerated concrete with a basalt mesh using a cement mixture does not exclude its main advantage associated with the low thermal conductivity of such a material. If the gas blocks are properly reinforced, this will provide the maximum level of thermal insulation inside the house.

Thinking about what material to choose for laying aerated concrete walls, you can make a choice in favor of an adhesive composition or a cement mixture. The adhesive option is cheaper and more effective. Experts recommend using the adhesive composition when performing masonry. If the outer part of the building is built of brick, then the reinforcing mesh should connect it to the gas blocks. Often, layers of insulation and waterproofing are laid between these layers.

Recommendations of manufacturers for the reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks

There are recommendations from manufacturers for reinforcing walls made of aerated concrete, where they indicate the necessary and sufficient reinforcement after the first row of blocks, one row before the window, in the zone of support of the lintels and, accordingly, one row before the installation of floor slabs or before murlat.

Thus, it is necessary to reinforce the first row of aerated concrete blocks with reinforcement, since it is they who carry almost all the vertical and lateral loads from the wall and ceiling.

It is also necessary to reinforce window openings one row before the window. So, for example, if you plan to open a window at a mark of - 1 meter, subtract 25 cm and get a reinforcement zone.

When laying reinforcement in the areas of lintels and areas under window openings, it is sufficient to insert reinforcing bars a 900 mm each side from the edge of the opening.

Reinforcement along the ring of all load-bearing walls (armor belt) produced under the rafter system and at the level of each floor.

Reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks should be performed with reinforcement with a diameter of 8 mm A III, this will be more than enough. If the wall is wide, for example, aerated concrete block 375 mm, then 2 reinforcement bars must be used. With a wall thickness of 200 mm, one bar is sufficient. With double-row reinforcement, it is necessary to lay 2 reinforcement bars parallel to each other on the block. To do this, divide the upper face of the block into approximately 3 parts and, using a manual or electric wall chaser, cut 2 gates, the distance from which to the edge of the aerated concrete block must be at least 6 cm.

After removing dust from the strobe, it is necessary to fill the cavities with an adhesive solution and then lay the reinforcement in the adhesive, removing excess solution.

It is important to remember that in the corners the reinforcement should go continuously, in one piece, rounding off along with the strobes. If the rebar ends in a corner, then it must be cut

Please note that the connection of two reinforcement bars should be made in the center of the block, that is, it should not fall on the joint between the blocks. At intersections, the reinforcement bars must be connected with a knitting wire

Do I need to reinforce the walls of aerated concrete

The main argument to justify the need to strengthen the walls is the shrinkage load on the blocks. These forces arise both during shrinkage of the material itself and during foundation shifts. Reinforcement of aerated concrete allows the masonry to cope with the wind loads that the wall is subjected to and shrinkage resulting from seasonal fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

Reinforcement involves not only the placement of metal rods in rows of concrete blocks. Between the floors and before laying the mauerlat for the installation of the roof, a reinforced concrete armored belt is created. It contributes to the distribution of high loads throughout the wall. The structure must be monolithic and inseparable.

The type of structural reinforcement of aerated concrete walls is selected during design. Distinguish between vertical and horizontal reinforcement. The first option is not mandatory for every building being built. It applies in the following cases:

the house is being built in an earthquake-prone area;
the building is located on a steep slope;
frequent hurricanes in the region;
with large openings.

The purpose of vertical reinforcement is to connect the foundation and the interfloor armored belt. This design enhances the bearing capacity of the masonry.

Horizontal reinforcement of aerated concrete walls is a mandatory procedure when building a building in any region. You need to know all the details and nuances about it.

Attention! Blocks after manufacturing have a high humidity of about 25%, during operation it gradually decreases to the optimum of 5%. This process takes about two years, during which the material shrinks slightly.

Reinforcement features

Reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks must also be carried out in private housing construction. In terms of chemical properties, cellular autoclave blocks are close to heavy concrete, however, aerated concrete has a rather weak alkaline reaction, and it varies from 9 to 10.5. This is due to the fact that the structure has a high porosity. This factor weakens the protection of metal reinforcement from air and moisture that penetrate into the masonry. This is one of the main differences between cellular concrete and dense. Therefore, the reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks must be accompanied by the laying of insulation in the form of a cement-sand mortar or glue. In the dry parts of the building, such insulation is not provided, this applies to partitions.

Whatever the masonry, it is subjected to three types of loads. For this reason, the instruction, which you can find in state standards 5781-82, provides for the presence of transverse reinforcement, which guarantees the strength of the structure in terms of tearing, stretching and breaking. If the step from one floor to another is greater, then the reinforcement should be carried out in two levels in height. If we are talking about a conventional structure, where the step between the floors does not exceed 3 m, then the reinforcement of the masonry is carried out only in the window sill zone.

However, if all the walls are deaf, then the height should be divided in half and the bars should be installed at this level. When reinforcing aerated concrete blocks, it should be borne in mind that the latter can be ordinary or tray. Tray ones have seats, while in conventional products you will have to ditch the holes yourself. Cement-sand or adhesive mortar is poured there. Only then can you start laying the reinforcement.

Characteristics of aerated concrete blocks and the necessary tools for work

Aerated concrete is a product in the production of which raw materials from sand, concrete and additional binders are used.

Aerated concrete is a product in the production of which raw materials from sand, concrete and additional binders are used. They produce it in two types: constructive and heat-insulating. In construction, thermal insulation is most often used. The main features of the material include:

due to the presence of a porous structure, a reinforced process must be present;
experts do not recommend laying multi-storey buildings without reinforcement;
aerated concrete blocks are large;
if the load is not correctly calculated, the building may deform or crack;
aerated concrete has different densities;

Important! Aerated concrete is a fairly popular material, because it can be used to build any building in the shortest possible time. . By following the recommendations for reinforcement in the construction of houses made of aerated concrete, we protect buildings from cracking the base

Rules for reinforcing masonry from aerated concrete:

work is carried out between the main floors at a distance of 3 m and with a wall height of 2 m;
if during the construction process, according to the plan, a window or a door is provided, we reinforce the section of the wall under them;
if windows or doors are not provided during the construction process, the protection process is carried out in the center of the wall.

When laying, the reinforcement of the building is performed on the following construction processes:

on the first row of the building to strengthen the structure;
strengthen walls 6-8 m long;
strengthening the fourth row;
door and window openings;
supporting elements of the roof of the building.

Of the tools used:

level;
shtroborezny tool;
mortar from concrete;
roulette;
brush;
plane;
additional various tools.

2 Do I need vertical reinforcement

The essence of vertical reinforcement is to connect the foundation of the house with the interfloor or roofing monolithic armored belt located above it with the help of reinforcement rods located in strobes filled with heavy concrete.

See also: how to reinforce tape and pile-grillage foundations?

Such reinforcement can be placed within the ground floor of the house or continue to the entire height of the building. The main difference of this technology is that in the case of installation of a vertical reinforcement cage, all loads are taken up not by the wall masonry, but by the reinforcement cage, while the walls perform an exclusively heat-insulating function.

Vertical reinforcement of masonry must be performed in the following cases:

at the risk of increased loads to increase the seismic resistance of walls;
if it is necessary to increase the bearing capacity of the masonry (reinforcement allows the use of a cheaper low-density gas block for construction);
if there are large openings in the wall.

For vertical reinforcement, steel bars with a diameter of more than 14 mm should be used; the use of fiberglass reinforcement is not allowed. The fittings are laid inside shaped O-blocks or in strobes made with a special crown drill with a diameter of 13-15 mm. The free space between the rod and the walls of the strobe is filled with heavy concrete grade M200-M300. The minimum thickness between the bar and the walls is 5 cm.

Vertical reinforcement in section

Under standard conditions, reinforcement is performed in one bar, however, if the house is located in a region with increased seismic activity, reinforcement can be performed in 4 rods inside each gate. Fiberglass composite reinforcement is made of aerated concrete blocks for a gazebo. Vertical reinforcement is necessary embed in the foundation and the upper armored belt. Anchors can be installed at the stage of foundation pouring or after they have gained design strength in drilled holes.

See also: rules and stages of work when reinforcing floor screed.

General information

Two types of structural reinforcement of masonry have been developed. They do not increase the bearing capacity, but reduce the risk of shrinkage, temperature cracks, defects arising from movements and deformations of the base. There will be no harm from excess reinforcement, but at the design stage it is advisable to carry out all the calculations.

Horizontal reinforcement

First type:

prevents the formation of cracks around all openings;
recommended for all types of buildings made on the basis of a small gas block;
the exception is floor-supported walls on objects with a supporting reinforced concrete monolithic frame.

Second type:

prevents the occurrence of temperature-shrinkage cracks;
this is relevant when building from a newly released gas block, which is obviously subject to shrinkage when the material is sold “hot” from an autoclave;
such work is necessary if the house is located in a region with significant fluctuations in annual temperatures, with strong wind loads, with potential deformations of the foundations.

Vertical reinforcement is relevant for seismic, hurricane areas, when building houses on slopes, when reinforcing fences and free-standing walls, when working with large-format modules. It allows you to strengthen the adjoining walls and corners of the house, and the internal vertical reinforcement increases the bearing capacity.

Requirements for wall reinforcement technology

Even when drawing up a project, the architect indicates where reinforcement of aerated concrete is necessary:

the first row of masonry laid on the foundation;
every 4th row of the wall;
areas under window openings;
lintels over door and window openings;
creation of a reinforcing belt before the installation of floors.

What materials are used to create power belts? To prevent the appearance of temperature-shrinkage cracks on the walls, the following materials will be required:

Steel corrugated rods of class A3 with a diameter of at least 6 mm, according to the requirements of some manufacturers, the cross section of the bars should be from 8 mm. Reinforcement (link:) is durable and resistant to oxidation. It is made in lengths of 6 and 12 m.
Inter-row reinforcement of structures can be performed with a masonry mesh made of wire with a cross section of 3 mm. When using this material, it is not required to perform block chasing, so construction is faster. But the method has its drawbacks: one of the main advantages of gas silicate blocks is a thin seam of 2-3 mm, which minimizes heat loss. When using a grid, this advantage is lost, because the distance between the rows will increase to 5-6 mm.
Reinforcement can be carried out using a galvanized perforated strip 20 × 1 mm in size. It does not require furrowing, as it is laid in two parallel strips and embedded in the adhesive layer. Due to the small thickness of the material, the glue line does not increase. The punched strip is sold in bays of 20-30 m, with which reinforcement is easier and faster.
In the construction market, there are special reinforcing cages. These are paired strips of galvanized steel, which are laid on aerated concrete without a furrow. Their parameters are 8×1.5 mm. Frameworks for thin seams are placed on the adhesive layer and covered with a second adhesive layer. This method of reinforcement has not yet become widespread due to the high cost of products and the laboriousness of the work.

Fiberglass - an alternative to metal

Speaking about the reinforcement of aerated concrete, it is necessary to mention a material that is an alternative to steel bars - this is fiberglass (composite) reinforcement. The fiber is made from polymers and binders.

The advantages of fiberglass are:

the absence of "cold bridges", the polymer does not conduct heat compared to metal;
little weight;
resistance to corrosion and aggressive environment;
low cost.

The experience of the Finns in the construction of aerated concrete houses

REINFORCEMENT OF AERATED CONCRETE MASONRY

In order for the aerated concrete wall not to crack, it is necessary not only to choose the right density of aerated concrete, its strength class, but also to properly reinforce the masonry.

It should be understood that even if you correctly calculated the foundation, but chose the wrong building material, you risk getting cracks on the facade of the building. This is due to such a process as shrinkage of the building due to the drying of cellular concrete and a decrease in its release moisture content of 30% to the calculated 4.5%. This case of cracking is more typical for non-autoclaved materials, such as foam blocks.

Dry Shrinkage:

For autoclaved aerated concrete - 0.1-0.5 mm / m

For non-autoclaved foam block - 1.3mm

Also, cracks in the wall can be obtained by insufficient depth of support of the floor panel on the wall. We owe the invention of reinforcing masonry from aerated concrete blocks to the Finns, where houses from autoclaved aerated concrete blocks began to be built much earlier than in Ukraine, and therefore Finland today has vast experience in designing, building and operating houses made of aerated concrete. At first, they did not reinforce their houses. with the right choice of characteristics of aerated concrete, it is possible to build buildings up to 5 floors inclusive. During the 20 years of operation of such houses, they carried out analytics and created regulatory documents, thanks to which today in Finland it is very difficult to find a house made of aerated concrete with cracks on the facade.

Such strength of the wall was achieved due to the contour reinforcement of the walls. Finnish regulations recommend reinforcing the first and every fourth row of masonry. To do this, strobes are made in aerated concrete and reinforcement is laid there, which is pressed with an adhesive solution. Shtroba It is cut through both with the help of a manual wall chaser, and with the help of a special power tool. Before laying the reinforcement in Stonelight aerated concrete, the strobe is cleaned of dust and filled with glue. Always use steel bars of reinforcement with a diameter of 8 mm. To bend it in the right places at the construction site, manual devices are used.

The reinforcement is pressed into the strobe so that it is completely covered with glue. Reinforcement should be at a distance of 6 cm from the outer (facade) surface of the block. In Ukraine, it is customary to lay 2 rebars at once in the wall in order to be safe.

At the corners of the building, strobes must be made with rounding.

Be sure to reinforce the aerated concrete masonry under the window openings

There is an important requirement: the reinforcement should extend beyond the window opening by at least 90 cm, and preferably one and a half meters if possible.

If the blocks are more than 250 mm thick, then two rods must be laid. If 500mm - preferably three, with a block thickness of less than 250mm, one reinforcement bar is enough.

If you reinforce the masonry correctly, then your house will never crack, and when using aerated concrete, it is Stonelight that you are always guaranteed a B2.5 strength class.

Internal walls also need to be reinforced, as well as external ones. Make it a rule to lay reinforcement in all walls and you will create a truly monolithic and durable house that will stand for 100 years and will be inherited by your grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Below is a general scheme for a summary of the rules for laying reinforcement in an aerated concrete wall. It is very important that you study this image and get your foreman to properly reinforce your home.

Pay attention to the formula for calculating the length of shrinkage reinforcement under window openings. After all, these Finns are not so bad that their houses have been standing for 70 years and do not fall like our brick Khrushchevs

On this topic, you can get additional information if you read our series of articles Aerated concrete house

Strengthening openings

Strengthening the openings is necessary due to the increased loads that occur in the overlap zones. The mass of elements located above the opening creates stresses that contribute to the occurrence of cracks. Defects can be avoided by reinforcing the openings with steel reinforcement having the required configuration. The bars laid in the prepared grooves and filled with cement mortar will give additional strength and ensure reliability. Reinforcement work can be facilitated by using special U-shaped concrete elements. A reinforcing frame is formed in the cavity, which is poured in until it is completely covered, compacted, getting rid of air cavities, and planed with a spatula. Filling is carried out directly at the place of overlap, with preliminary installation of the supporting structure or at the construction site, followed by lifting to the place of installation.

Reinforcement materials

Reinforcement of aerated concrete masonry can be carried out in different ways and using different materials. The following materials can be distinguished for strengthening the walls:

Fittings. The classic method of reinforcing aerated concrete masonry. For it, reinforcing bars with a diameter of 0.8 to 1.4 centimeters are used. The technology of their application involves the formation of gutters in the masonry, corresponding in size to the diameter of the reinforcement and taking into account the fact that mortar will also be poured into them. As a rule, with a standard thickness of aerated concrete block, two parallel gutters are formed. When reinforcing the corners, the gutters are made in the form of an arc.

Reinforcing bars

In the classic case, metal rods are used as reinforcement. However, there is also a more advanced material - this is fiberglass reinforcement. It is devoid of a number of disadvantages inherent in steel. The following advantages of fiberglass fiber can be distinguished:

This composite material has a high chemical resistance and, unlike metal, does not corrode.
It bends quite simply, which greatly simplifies the reinforcement of corners.
The tensile strength of fiberglass is many times greater than that of metal. With an identical load level, the allowable thickness of composite reinforcement is less than that of metal reinforcement. Thanks to this, you can make smaller gutters for laying it and save mortar.
Fiberglass, unlike metal, practically does not expand with increasing temperature. This helps to reduce the mechanical impact on the walls from the inside.
Composite reinforcement has low thermal conductivity and does not conduct electricity.

However, this material also has a number of disadvantages, these include the impossibility of fastening its pieces using electric welding. This problem is solved by placing metal tips at the ends of the reinforcing bars, which are subsequently welded. This improvement is made in the factory. In addition, due to its high bending ability, its use in reinforcing floors is not recommended.

1. metal network. The reinforcement of the masonry with an iron net is carried out by applying it to a number of aerated concrete blocks without pre-treatment of the latter. After that, the network is covered with a solution. The reinforcing mesh, as a rule, has the following characteristics: the side of the square of the cell is 5 centimeters, the thickness of the wire is from 0.3 to 0.5 centimeters. Slightly higher requirements are imposed on the mesh for reinforcing openings and the first row of masonry: the mesh size is 7 by 7 centimeters, and the wire thickness is from 0.4 centimeters.

metal net

Mounting perforated tape. Another option for reinforcing the laying of aerated concrete blocks. The tape is a long strip of galvanized metal dotted with holes, hence the name perforated. Reinforcement with this material is carried out similarly to the method using reinforcement. The difference is that gutters are not made in the masonry. The tape is fastened with self-tapping screws directly to the gas blocks.

Mounting perforated tape for reinforcement of gas blocks

This option is applicable for buildings, the design load on which is relatively low. Since the section of the tape is much lower than that of the reinforcement, its laying should be carried out in a greater number of parallel rows than the laying of metal rods. The advantages of using this material include ease of transportation and saving the solution, due to the absence of gutters in the masonry.

Hardware stores sell tape in different sizes. Not every one of them is suitable for reinforcing masonry. Tape must be at least 1.6 cm wide and at least 0.1 cm thick.

Why reinforce aerated concrete during construction

Aerated concrete is an excellent material, the advantages of which include:

low heat transfer coefficient, due to which it is cheaper to heat built houses;
light weight, which reduces the cost of foundation and simplifies the process of transportation and construction;
high strength - you can build houses with several floors from it;
durability - as laboratory tests show, the material is able to last 100 years or more while maintaining its original appearance and other positive properties;
resistance to mold, fungus, open fire, frequent temperature changes;
ease of processing.

Alas, with all this, it does not work well for bending and stretching. Yes, just like concrete, it can withstand high compressive loads, but breaks down quickly under other loads. Only high-quality reinforcement of aerated concrete masonry can solve this problem. Specialists working in the field of construction are well aware that fittings are a very expensive material. Therefore, when building a large house, you will have to spend a lot of money on the purchase of reinforcing bars. But this is the only way to guarantee high strength and durability of the building.

Masonry reinforcement principles

The strengthening of the walls, necessary in the case of using aerated concrete, will have the desired effect only if all the principles and technologies of proper reinforcement are observed.

Aerated concrete reinforcement scheme

Reinforcement of the upper and lower rows

When reinforcing masonry, there is no need to strengthen each of its rows. As a rule, the laying of reinforcement, tape or mesh is carried out with a certain step, for example, every third row. However, there are a number of elements that are always strengthened without fail. These include the extreme upper and lower rows of the wall.

The upper level of the wall is the basis for the roof structure, which is the reason for the impact of additional loads on it. The total mass of the roof presses unevenly on the top row, so its individual parts are loaded more than others. The difference between these pressures can cause a violation of the integrity of the wall

For this reason, special attention is paid to the reinforcement of the uppermost row. When strengthening masonry from aerated concrete, even partitions are reinforced in the upper row

The bottom row of masonry is subject to the greatest loads, because the weight of the entire structure presses on it. Therefore, it is more prone to the risk of shrinkage deformations than others. Reinforcement of the first row is recommended even for small buildings.

Types of wall reinforcement

Applying a division based on the purpose of strengthening the walls, the following types of masonry reinforcement can be distinguished:

For strengthening areas with increased load. These areas include door and window openings provided for by the building design.
To prevent the occurrence of cracks and ruptures due to temperature and shrinkage deformations.
To protect against destructive natural factors. This type of amplification is relevant for regions where seismic activity or frequent hurricane winds are observed. Unlike previous methods, in this case, vertical reinforcement of the walls is used. This procedure is widely used not only for aerated concrete walls, but also for brickwork. This is a fundamentally different method of strengthening buildings, deserving a separate article.

Reinforcement of openings

The presence of structural openings in the wall plane creates an additional load in the area of their location. To counteract this load, it is necessary to strengthen the row under the window opening. In this case, there is no need to lay reinforcement or other material around the entire perimeter of the row, it is enough to lay them under the window opening and 90 centimeters to each side of it.

Thus, the reinforcement of aerated concrete is not just a common occurrence, but a prerequisite. It allows you to achieve the necessary structural strength for its safe and durable operation. True, it is not enough just to reinforce the masonry from aerated concrete blocks. It is necessary to perform this procedure taking into account all the requirements for production technology.

Building a reinforcing belt

Experts have been arguing for years about the importance and necessity of reinforcing walls, during the construction of which aerated concrete blocks were used. But everyone agrees that a reinforcing belt is not a luxury, but a necessity.

The main role of the reinforcing belt is the uniform distribution of loads over the entire surface of the walls and the provision of additional strength and rigidity of the structure.

Variants of the armo-belt device for aerated concrete blocks.

The construction of the armored belt begins with the preparation of blocks for laying the reinforcement frame. The fact that aerated concrete blocks are easy to process plays into the hands of builders here. But still, you can’t do without a block saw and a puncher with a long drill. Working with this tool, you need to make a deep enough groove under the frame in the upper part of the blocks, before laying. Yes, if when reinforcing an ordinary wall, you can use both a rod and a masonry mesh, then only reinforcement is suitable when creating a reinforcing belt. Most often, rods with a diameter of 12-16 mm are used, the choice of size depends on future loads on the belt. The depth of the ditch can be up to half the height of the blocks - the thicker the reinforcing belt, the greater the load it can withstand. To determine the required size of the armored belt, we advise you to contact the designer for calculations in order to avoid mistakes.

Reinforcement frames are laid in a ditch and connected by knitting, and with an overlap of 42 diameters of the reinforcement. The overlap should not fall on the corners, and the top and bottom joints should not coincide - this will seriously reduce the strength of the belt. After mounting the frame, we fill the belt with concrete, grade M200 or more. You need to complete the last step as quickly as possible. It is impossible to allow uneven solidification of the solution - this often leads to delamination and a decrease in strength. It is also unforgettable to periodically, after pouring, water the concrete with water so that it does not crack.

After the concrete has hardened (it takes several days, depending on the humidity and temperature of the air, the thickness of the layer), you can proceed to further work.

Now you know everything you need to know about gas block reinforcement, including working with a reinforcing belt and a rather rare vertical reinforcement. So, there will certainly not be any problems during the performance of work.

Why reinforce aerated concrete

All structures during operation are subjected to systematic deforming forces. Uneven shrinkage of masonry, temperature changes, soil movement, wind and snow loads often lead to cracks in the walls.

Crack formation is a danger sign. Even no more than a hair's thickness, they violate the aesthetic appearance of the building, and vertical, inclined and parabolic, opening up or V-shaped reduce the bearing capacity of the walls.

Aerated concrete of structural and heat-insulating grades has valuable qualities for housing construction:

Low thermal conductivity - 0.12-0.19 W / m ° s.
High compressive strength 3.5-7 kg/m³.
Sufficient vapor permeability - 0.15-0.20 mg / mchpa.
biological durability.
Convenient for installation dimensions and light weight of elements - 15-28 kg.

It is non-flammable and can be machined well. The combination of qualities and affordable price gives a great advantage for the use of blocks in private construction over other materials - brick, wood, monolithic concrete.

Crack in the wall of gas blocks

But block masonry is not resistant to bending deformations. The appearance of cracks occurs for many reasons:

Foundations on subsiding or heaving soils settle unevenly.
In places where the walls adjoin, the frame does not have spatial rigidity.
Incorrect waterproofing or thermal insulation of walls, causing freezing and destruction of masonry.
Poor-quality mortar or glue can also harm aerated concrete. Weathering out of the masonry, they create cold bridges where condensation forms. Subsequently, the water freezes, the seams are even more destroyed, the strength of the wall decreases.
Window and door openings, especially in load-bearing structures, significantly weaken the masonry. It increases the tensile and bending stresses that can cause deformation.
An increase in the number of storeys during the superstructure can reduce the strength of the walls. The increased load leads to additional displacements of the foundation and, as a result, the appearance of cracks.
The proximity of the building under construction to neighboring structures. The area of soil adjacent to the previously constructed facilities is looser and has a lower bearing capacity than the undisturbed soil layer. As a result, the base sags unevenly, which can cause cracking.
Sometimes damage to the masonry occurs due to an airtight exterior finish that violates the moisture regime of aerated concrete. The constant presence of water reduces the strength of the material.

Reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks with reinforcement will help to avoid destructive changes. Metal elements perceive tensile forces well, give spatial rigidity to the building frame, and protect areas weakened by openings from deformation.

On our site you can find contacts of construction companies that offer. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

Materials used

In addition to the classic option (using reinforcement), other materials can be used to reinforce block masonry:

Metal galvanized mesh

It consists of steel rods welded in a mutually perpendicular position.

Of all the types of mesh used, metal is the most durable. But she has one big minus: a special adhesive composition for connecting wall blocks contributes to the development of corrosion, which leads to a fairly rapid loss of all the positive properties of such reinforcement. Also transverse rods act as cold bridges in winter. I do not recommend this type of reinforcement.

Basalt grid

It is made of basalt fiber rods, which are arranged perpendicular to each other. In butt joints, the rods are fixed with wire, clamps or specialized glue. This fastening ensures the correct and even geometric shape of the cells.

The basalt mesh can withstand strong breaking loads of about 50 kN/m. Its weight is several times less than that of a metal mesh, which ensures the simplicity of reinforcement work.

Grids based on basalt are resistant to the negative effects of corrosion, do not respond to changes in temperature conditions. They have very low thermal conductivity, which ensures that there is no cold bridge that occurs when reinforcing with a steel mesh.

Reference The basalt mesh costs a lot, so this solution is the most expensive of the proposed ones.

Metal mounting perforated tape

This is a galvanized steel strip with holes made along its entire length.

It is enough to purchase a tape with dimensions of 16x1 mm. Reinforcement of masonry is carried out without chasing aerated concrete by fixing it to self-tapping screws. Otherwise, the principle is the same as when using reinforcement. To increase the strength, it is possible to pair the strips with steel wire. It has lower bending strength compared to profiled reinforcement.

Attention! Perforated tape with a thickness of 0.5-0.6 mm is common in chain building stores and markets. It is not suitable for reinforcement

Look for 1 mm perforated tape in specialized stores or order online in advance. Unfortunately, it is not so easy to buy on the regular construction market.

The advantages of using this material compared to traditional reinforcement, I see the following:

savings on delivery due to the compactness of the tape;
no need to make strobes (savings in labor and mounting glue).

fiberglass reinforcement

The main reinforcement material is fiberglass, on which a thread is wound in a spiral to ensure better adhesion to concrete.

Significantly lighter in weight than the metal counterpart. Low thermal conductivity will avoid a cold bridge in aerated concrete masonry. Ease of installation is ensured by a minimum number of joints, as such fittings are sold in coils.

Attention! Fiberglass reinforcement has a significant disadvantage - it does not withstand large fracture loads, and this is the main task of reinforcing masonry made of aerated concrete blocks with an increased bending effect.

It is impossible to build a rigid frame from this material, so this reinforcement is not recommended in seismically hazardous construction areas. Our verdict - do not use.

The benefits of reinforcing wall structures are obvious. Therefore, it is worth sacrificing small additional cash costs and time during installation, so that the building being erected will serve you faithfully for many years.

How to properly reinforce window and door lintels

The work is done using a U-shaped block. The aerated concrete elements that will become the support for the lintel are reinforced by 90 cm on each side of the opening, which can be seen in the video.

Initially, a wooden frame is made in the window opening, which will serve as a support for the U-shaped blocks.
Installing blocks so that the wide part goes out. It is recommended to insulate the groove with polystyrene foam, after which it is already necessary to lay the reinforcement and pour concrete. This is how a jumper is obtained.
As soon as the cement hardens, the rough design can be disassembled, which even a novice master can easily handle with the right tool. In order to speed up home improvement, experts recommend mounting U-shaped blocks together with ordinary ones, followed by reinforcement and concreting of the resulting recesses.
In a similar way, the installation of the armored belt under the ceiling is carried out using the same tools. The execution of external masonry is allowed in the form of a partition, insulated from the outside with the exposure of the internal formwork.

It is not recommended to fill the armored belt, as well as individual elements such as gables across the entire width of the object. This is explained by the fact that concrete, being colder than gas blocks, acts as a heat exchanger, due to which all investments in arranging a warm house will be in vain. In the worst case, mold will constantly form in the room.

Rebar laying technology

An important stage of reinforcement is the installation of a reinforcing belt along the top of the masonry. Sometimes builders replace it with brickwork, but this should not be done. The purpose of the reinforced belt is to evenly distribute the load from the floor and roof structures onto the walls.

The device of the armored belt is easiest to carry out using additional gas blocks with a thickness of 101 and 50 mm:

On the outside of the wall around the entire perimeter of the building, blocks 100 mm thick are glued with special glue.
Blocks 50 mm thick are placed along the inner contour of the wall. In this way, an impromptu formwork is formed for pouring the armored belt.
An extruded polystyrene foam panel is glued to the inside of the thinner block as a heater.
Inside the formwork, at a distance of 50 mm from the walls, reinforcement is laid using special mushroom stands. The longitudinal rods are interconnected by vertical bars, the height of which should be 50 mm less than the depth of the formwork. Horizontal connecting rods are welded to them, fixing the upper belt of the frame.
Then the formwork is filled with M300 concrete.

If the reinforced belt is intended for laying interfloor floors, then further laying of the upper floors can be continued only after the concrete has gained strength (10-15 days).

Inter-row reinforcement of masonry is easy to perform:

On the upper edge of the stacked row of blocks, you need to cut 2 strobes with a width and a depth of about 25 mm. To do this, you can use both electric and manual wall chasers (aerated concrete is easily processed).
With a block thickness of not more than 20 cm, the reinforcement is laid in one groove - in the center of the block. If the block is wide, then you need to make two strobes. They should be located at a distance of 60 mm from the outer edges of the block.
The resulting grooves must be thoroughly cleaned of dust and moistened. After that, they are filled with glue for gas blocks at 2/3 of the height.
Reinforcement pre-prepared at the installation site is laid directly into the adhesive layer, which serves as additional protection against corrosion. L-shaped rods are laid in the corners of the masonry. Reinforcing bars are interconnected by welding.
Excess glue is removed with a spatula.
Next, the next row of blocks is laid.

When reinforcing with a mesh, grooves are not used:

It is necessary to strictly ensure that the edges of the grid are 50 mm away from the edges of the block.
A layer of glue 3 mm thick is applied to the surface of the block, a mesh is laid in it.
Another layer of glue is applied on top.

Partitions, especially long ones, should also be reinforced. They must be connected with reinforcement to the outer walls.

Thus, the reinforcement of walls from aerated concrete blocks is carried out not in order to increase their bearing capacity, but to protect the blocks from tensile loads, as a result of which cracks may form in them. The purpose of concrete reinforced belts is to evenly distribute loads on the walls from interfloor floors or roofs.

How is the creation of an armored belt

The simplest and most reliable option for an armored belt is the use of U-blocks (link:). Working with them is the same as when creating jumpers. The blocks are laid along the entire perimeter of the wall, inside the recess is a metal frame made of 10 mm bars, which is poured with concrete. But the reinforcement of aerated concrete is not very popular among private developers, due to the high price of U-blocks. Therefore, sometimes it is replaced by other materials.

The creation of a reinforcing belt along the perimeter of the interfloor overlap or for laying the mauerlat is carried out using additional aerated concrete blocks 10 and 5 cm thick or using formwork.

The first way is easier and faster to implement. It is performed using the following technology:

Additional blocks are laid on glue along the perimeter of the walls - an element 10 cm thick is installed along the outer contour.
A 5 cm thick extruded polystyrene foam plate is glued to the inner wall of the block to insulate the structure.
The reinforcing frame is assembled from corrugated rods with a section of 10-12 mm. Vertical jumpers are tied to the horizontal bars with wire to form two rows of the armored belt frame. The fittings should not touch the blocks, for this they put on plastic clamps in the form of stars (shown in the photo).
Concrete grade M200-M300 is poured.

After 2 weeks, when the concrete gains strength, studs are installed to fasten the timber.

If formwork is used, then it is necessary to assemble panels from boards 2 cm thick. The length of the formwork is equal to the perimeter of the walls. The height of the formwork is 15-20 cm, it is fixed with wooden bars nailed to the blocks.

Advice. The finished frame of reinforcement is leveled.

The last step in creating an armored belt is pouring concrete. You can buy it ready-made or make it yourself in a concrete mixer: 1 part of cement, 2 sand, 5 crushed stone and water. It is desirable to fill the structure at a time.

Order of execution

A 100 mm block is mounted from the front part of the wall and placed on the adhesive solution to the main masonry.
On the inside, blocks with a thickness of 50 mm are laid.
Thermal insulation. Extruded polystyrene foam panels adjusted to the height are glued to the wall with five centimeter gas blocks.
Reinforcement is laid inside the formwork at a distance of 5 cm from the partitions. It is recommended to weld YTONG vertical reinforced aerated concrete lintels to the longitudinal reinforcement every 30 cm, the height of which is selected so that the upper part of the frame is located at a distance of five centimeters from the outer contour of the monolithic belt. Horizontal connecting rods are welded to the vertical lintels, on which the upper longitudinal belt of the structure must be fixed.
The space between the blocks should be filled with concrete mortar, the M200 or M300 brand is suitable for this.

Vertical and horizontal reinforcement

Vertical reinforcement is the attachment of the foundation to the located interfloor armored belt with the help of special rods

Vertical reinforcement is the attachment of the foundation to the located interfloor armored belt with the help of special rods. Such a process can be performed either partially or over the entire height of the building. A distinctive feature of this method is that the load goes to the frame, and not to the foundation of the building. Perform it in such cases:

the need to increase the bearing function of the masonry;
if the walls of the building have large openings;
with increased load on the walls.

For work, special steel bars with a diameter of 14 mm are used. The reinforcing material is placed inside the shaped blocks, and the free space between the wall and the shtraba is filled with heavy concrete. The minimum thickness must be at least 5 cm.

Horizontal reinforcement is necessary to protect the walls from wind, temperature changes and shrinkage of the house. It is performed using corrugated steel reinforcing bars with a diameter of 8 mm. They are overlapped at a distance of 300 mm. Further, at the corners, small roundings of the strobe are made and filled with glue. Then the reinforcement is fixed and excess glue is removed. Dust, crumbs and debris are removed with a brush. Horizontal reinforcement of the structure is mandatory.

Problem areas that need strengthening

When starting construction, identify areas of reduced strength and reinforce the following areas:

zones of contact of the foundation with the initial row of masonry, which perceives the forces created by the mass of walls and roofs. To give strength to the base and uniform distribution of forces, aerated concrete is reinforced with a mesh;
reinforcement of aerated concrete masonry is carried out evenly, observing a constant interval of 4 rows. Strengthening is carried out with steel rods, less often with a metal mesh;
walls made of aerated concrete of increased length and surfaces that perceive lateral forces. Reinforcement of aerated concrete masonry creates an additional level of reinforcement that allows compensating for the action of strong winds and provides additional thermal insulation of the object. Strengthening is recommended to be carried out with a masonry mesh;
area that receives loads from the roof. The supporting surface is reinforced with metal reinforcement with a diameter of 10-14 mm, with the help of which a single reinforcing system is created that evenly distributes the load of the truss structure along the perimeter of the structure. There is an equalization of loads, which excludes the occurrence of deformation of the wall of aerated concrete;

Many builders are wondering if it is worth doing additional strengthening of masonry from aerated concrete blocks.

areas of windows and doors. Strengthening is carried out by concreting reinforcing bars with a diameter of 8-12 mm in previously prepared longitudinal grooves of the upper level of the floor blocks. There is no doubt whether it is advisable to reinforce door and window openings - after all, they perceive loads from the total weight located above the masonry elements.

Houses made of aerated concrete, reinforced in compliance with the rules, are much stronger. Alternating forces do not have a detrimental effect on the structure, which increases the service life.

Aerated concrete is a fairly common building material today. It has a minimum cost and has excellent performance properties. Houses are built from it, inside which it is possible to create an optimal microclimate. Such buildings usually do not require additional thermal insulation. However, in order for the building to be durable and reliable, it is necessary to provide for the reinforcement of its walls.

These works are carried out according to state standards 5781-82, which provides for the number of reinforcement bars in the amount of at least two. Such blocks are used for low-rise construction, where there may be doubt about the strength of the foundation. After all, it gives a drawdown over time, and this is reflected exponentially on the walls. The material cracks over time. Therefore, before building a house from aerated concrete blocks, one should consider the technology of laying metal reinforcement.

What does it give

If we take into account the deformation properties, as well as the fragility and tendency to cracking of aerated concrete blocks, it is imperative to reinforce the walls from the described material. The reinforcing cage is located at the level of overlap to ensure uniform distribution of vertical loads.

During the construction of the wall, longitudinal strobes are made on a number of blocks, the diameter of which will correspond to the diameter of the metal rod. This is where the fittings are placed. Such a measure is usually taken for each row. This approach eliminates cracking of the blocks and preserves the integrity of the masonry. If you follow state standards З1З59-2007, then the walls of aerated concrete should have a height of no more than 20 m or 5 floors, with regard to load-bearing structures. If we are talking about self-supporting walls, then their height should not exceed 9 floors or 30 m, respectively.

Reinforcement features

Whatever the masonry, it is subjected to three types of loads. For this reason, the instruction, which you can find in state standards 5781-82, provides for the presence of transverse reinforcement, which guarantees the strength of the structure in terms of tearing, stretching and breaking. If the step from one floor to another is more than 3 m, then the reinforcement should be carried out in two levels in height. If we are talking about a conventional structure, where the step between the floors does not exceed 3 m, then the reinforcement of the masonry is carried out only in the window sill zone.

It is very simple to form a strobe on your own, because the stone has a porous structure. But during the cutting process, chips may occur, so 60 mm must be retreated from the edge of the block so as not to split the wall. For load-bearing reinforced lintels, it is recommended to use tray blocks in the form of the letter P. If you lay them out in one row, they form a long tray, where it is very convenient to lay reinforcement on a pre-filled mortar.

Reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks should also be carried out in cases where the thickness of the partition does not exceed 200 mm. In this case, one rod can be dispensed with, which is located horizontally and has a diameter ranging from 8 to 12 mm. If the height of the building is more than 1.5 floors, then the reinforcement should be two-row. Aerated concrete reinforced lintels can be rounded together with strobes, repeating their outlines. In this case, the rods should not have breaks.

If it turns out that the transition must be made in the place where the turn is, the reinforcement is displaced, and an insert is made in the center of the span. You can tie the reinforcement at the corner with wire or special steel soft wire. Sometimes the reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks with reinforcement involves the use of gas or electric welding. However, this method takes a lot of time compared to tying seams, so it is not very convenient.

Work methodology

Reinforcement of rows of aerated concrete blocks is necessary if the walls are of impressive length, since they are characterized by high windage. They will be subject to lateral wind pressure. All this can cause cracking of the masonry under the influence of bending. In addition to the window sill area, it is necessary to reinforce the first row of blocks with reinforcement, because they will carry the lateral and vertical load from the ceiling and wall. For this, an A-III rod is used, the thickness of which is 8 mm.

In special cases, it is permissible to use reinforcement with a diameter of 6 mm. For maximum protection of the masonry from the occurrence of cracks under loads of various nature, reinforcement is carried out on the first, every fourth row, without taking into account vertical reinforcement, which is performed in areas prone to earthquakes. It is important to achieve seismic stability. Vertical reinforcement will depend on the degree of risk. In this case, before the construction of the building, an order from the relevant authorities must be obtained.

What else you need to know about reinforcement

In autoclaved blocks, diamond drilling is permissible only in cases where the drill cannot collide with metal bridges. If this feature is not taken into account, then the drill may break. It is important to keep this recommendation in mind when using diamond wheels that may collide with rebar. If you want to cut concrete with bars, then you should purchase an abrasive disc designed for cutting reinforced concrete.

mesh reinforcement

Reinforcement of masonry from aerated concrete blocks can be carried out by one of two methods, among them:

laying a monolithic belt;
reinforcement of masonry with reinforcing mesh.

Both methods are aimed at increasing the deformation resistance of the masonry, but they do not affect the bearing capacity of the walls. Inter-row reinforcement can be performed with a wire mesh, the thickness of which is 3 mm. You can use strips of galvanized steel, while the cross section will be 8 x 1.5 mm.

Gating is not required if the reinforcement is carried out with strips or a mesh, because the embedded products have a minimum thickness, which reduces the laboriousness of raising the walls of the building. Reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks with mesh may involve the use of material with a cell size of 50 x 50 mm. In this case, the thickness of the wire will vary from 3 to 4 mm. Gating should be abandoned, but a layer of glue should be applied to the surface of the gas block, forming a thickness ranging from 2 to 3 mm. When laying the mesh, its edges are removed from the ends by 5 cm. A second layer of glue is distributed on the surface.

Advantages of fiberglass reinforcement

Reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks with fiberglass reinforcement has been carried out more and more often lately. This fact cannot be called an accident, because the described material has many advantages, namely:

low weight;
high resistance to corrosion;
mechanical strength;
high resistance to aggressive environments;
the possibility of operation in any climatic zones;
the possibility of easy transportation;
ease of installation.

Features of reinforcement with fiberglass reinforcement

Fibers for reinforcement must be cut with a grinder into separate blanks of the desired length. Knitting, if necessary, is carried out with plastic clamps. This technology allows reinforcement to be carried out quite simply and quickly. The operation does not take long. When working with fiberglass, it is necessary to use special protective equipment, these can be gloves and a protective mask.

Reinforcement allows you to build walls that will remain radio-transparent. For electromagnetic waves, they will not become an obstacle. Mobile communication does not deteriorate. Fiberglass is inexpensive, which does not negatively affect the overall cost of construction. In addition, the fibers do not conduct electricity.

Strengthening the first row

The reinforcement of the first row of aerated concrete blocks is carried out, as well as the reinforcement of every fourth row. To do this, strobes are made in the products, if they are not provided by the manufacturer of the products. The embedded surface should be cleaned of dust and filled with glue. In order to bend the reinforcement at the corners, you should use manual fixtures. The reinforcement should be pressed in so that it is covered with adhesive. From the outer surface of the block, the element should be removed by 6 cm.

Conclusion

Reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks with mesh or reinforcement is mandatory under window openings. The reinforcement should extend beyond the opening by 90 cm. If possible, this value can be increased to 1.5 m.

Aerated concrete is an economical building material that allows you to quickly build durable and reliable houses in which an optimal microclimate is easily maintained. The only drawback of aerated concrete blocks is their low tensile and bending strength, due to which reinforcement of aerated concrete is a necessary stage of construction. Proper reinforcement will be the best prevention of cracks in the masonry that worsen the aesthetic qualities of the building.

The following areas need to be reinforced:

The first row above the foundation - it takes on the entire mass of walls, ceilings and roofs, therefore it requires especially careful reinforcement.
The rows on which overlaps lie.
Window and door partitions and blocks under openings.
The top row on which the roof truss system rests.
Every 4th row of masonry. There are disputes about the need for this moment, but most experts agree that such reinforcement is mandatory with a large wall length (from 6 m) - in this case, the reinforcement improves the resistance of the aerated concrete structure to wind load.

Reinforcement of walls from gas silicate blocks is carried out in three ways:

using reinforcement made of metal or fiberglass rods;
reinforcing mesh;
monolithic concrete belt.

It is believed that this type of amplification is optional. It is necessary only in certain situations in which an increased load is placed on the building:

during construction in areas with high seismic activity;
if necessary, reduce construction costs by using less dense aerated concrete, sacrificing the bearing capacity of the walls;
if there are openings with a large area in the masonry - wide or two-story windows, large doors or garage doors.

The number of rods is selected based on the estimated load on the building; in most cases, one is sufficient, additional reinforcement is placed when a high seismic load is possible. Each rod is buried in the foundation either at the stage of its pouring, or after it has gained strength in the drilled holes.

Reinforcement selection

Inter-row reinforcement of the gas block is carried out using steel reinforcement with a diameter of 8 mm. It provides sufficient strength, and also simplifies the work of punching the strobe in the masonry.

Another option is fiberglass reinforcement. In our country, it is not very common, although it has a wide range of advantages:

small mass - even with a large number of rods, the load on the building increases slightly;
resistance to moisture - the material does not oxidize under any conditions;
low coefficient of thermal conductivity, due to which the reinforcement does not impair the thermal insulation characteristics of aerated concrete;
longer service life than steel, at half the cost.

Reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks with fiberglass reinforcement, however, has disadvantages. Chief among them is the inconvenience of knitting. Instead of wire or welding, special sleeves are used; in addition, composite products must be bent in advance.

You can also use a masonry mesh - it is made of wire, which is thinner than steel bars (3–5 mm), but covers a large area, due to which it is compared in strength with conventional reinforcement. Instead of wire, a reinforcement mesh of galvanized metal strips 8 mm wide and 1.5 mm thick can be used. The advantage of this method is that there is no need to break through the strobe before reinforcing the aerated concrete blocks.

Necessary tools and materials

Before starting work, you need to prepare the following materials:

reinforcing mesh;
steel bars of different diameters;
knitting wire;
ingredients for making concrete.

Reinforcement of aerated concrete masonry is done using the following tools:

Shtroborez - manual or electric; you can also use a router or a circular saw, which allows you to get a V-shaped strobe.
Measurement tools.
Bulgarian for cutting rods.
Machine for bending reinforcement rods.
Welding machine or hook for knitting reinforcement.

You will also need auxiliary devices - a container for mixing concrete, a construction mixer, a brush for cleaning the strobe from dust, etc.

Reinforcement technology

The procedure for reinforcing aerated concrete masonry differs depending on the method of strengthening the wall.

To construct a concrete belt, you will need wooden formwork or thin additional blocks, which you can make yourself by sawing full-sized blocks with a regular hacksaw.

The procedure is as follows:

From the outside, an additional block 100 mm thick or a wooden board is glued to the wall. From the inside, a block is installed twice as thin.
Expanded polystyrene is glued to the inside of the thin part of the formwork for thermal insulation.
Reinforcement is laid inside the formwork, placed on stands at a height of 50 mm from the wall surface. Then, in increments of 30 cm, vertical jumpers are placed so long that the reinforcement is located 50 mm from the upper edge of the concrete belt. The lintels are connected by horizontal bars, on which the second longitudinal part of the reinforcement is mounted.
The structure is poured with concrete.

Construction can be continued 2 weeks after the reinforcement of the masonry from aerated concrete blocks, when the concrete gains strength.

Reinforcing blocks with rods or mesh is much easier. In the case of rods, a strobe is made at a distance of 60 mm from the edge of the block, the depth of which should be equal to the diameter of the reinforcement. The strobes are cleaned of dust and filled with glue, in which the rods are inserted; the individual elements then need to be connected by welding.

If reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks with a mesh is done, it is still easier, since there is no need to cut through the strobes. It is enough to apply a layer of glue 3 mm thick on the masonry and lay the reinforcement; another layer of bonding material is applied on top. The edges of the mesh should not reach the edges of the wall by 50 mm.

Thus, the reinforcement of aerated concrete structures is a fairly simple procedure and should not be skipped. It will not take much time and effort, but it will save money by maintaining the integrity of the walls in the future.

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How to reinforce aerated concrete masonry. Reinforcement of aerated concrete walls

Problem areas requiring mandatory wall reinforcement:

Technology

Order of execution

Reinforcement of aerated concrete during masonry

Door and window openings

Construction of a building

Methods for laying a metal frame

Deepening reinforcement into the cavity of the stone

Steel reinforcement cage laying

Implementation of works

Reinforcement of door and window lintels

Reinforcement of the armored belt for ceilings

Methods for reinforcing aerated concrete blocks

Vertical reinforcement

Reinforcement features

Reinforcing masonry with meshes

Recommendations of manufacturers for the reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks

Do I need to reinforce the walls of aerated concrete

Reinforcement features

Characteristics of aerated concrete blocks and the necessary tools for work

2 Do I need vertical reinforcement

General information

Horizontal reinforcement

Requirements for wall reinforcement technology

Fiberglass - an alternative to metal

The experience of the Finns in the construction of aerated concrete houses

REINFORCEMENT OF AERATED CONCRETE MASONRY

Strengthening openings

Reinforcement materials

Why reinforce aerated concrete during construction

Masonry reinforcement principles

Reinforcement of the upper and lower rows

Types of wall reinforcement

Reinforcement of openings

Building a reinforcing belt

Why reinforce aerated concrete

Materials used

Metal galvanized mesh

Basalt grid

Metal mounting perforated tape

fiberglass reinforcement

How to properly reinforce window and door lintels

Rebar laying technology

The device of the armored belt is easiest to carry out using additional gas blocks with a thickness of 101 and 50 mm:

Inter-row reinforcement of masonry is easy to perform:

When reinforcing with a mesh, grooves are not used:

How is the creation of an armored belt

Order of execution

Vertical and horizontal reinforcement

Problem areas that need strengthening

What does it give

Reinforcement features

Work methodology

What else you need to know about reinforcement

mesh reinforcement

Advantages of fiberglass reinforcement

Features of reinforcement with fiberglass reinforcement

Strengthening the first row

Conclusion

Reinforcement selection

Necessary tools and materials

Reinforcement technology

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