How to make building blocks from expanded clay concrete. Do-it-yourself house made of expanded clay concrete blocks

Expanded clay concrete is a granular material that is made by mixing cement, sand and expanded clay in a certain proportion of 1:2:3.

Perfect for making fireplaces or chimneys, as well as for the construction of residential premises.

Technical characteristics of expanded clay concrete

Expanded clay concrete is a light and environmentally friendly material.

Its use in the construction of walls or floors of a dwelling significantly reduce the cost of construction as a whole. Almost any building material can be combined with expanded clay concrete blocks.

Speaking about the properties of the material, it is worth mentioning its technical characteristics:

• block strength 25-150 kg/cm²;
• thermal conductivity of the material 0.15-0.45 W/mºC (depending on density);
• shrinkage is absent;
• water absorption - 50%;
• frost resistance - up to 200 cycles of freezing and thawing;
• fire resistant.

1.1 Manufacturing technology

The production of expanded clay concrete blocks affects the structure of the material. They can be monolithic or slotted (hollow).

The composition of expanded clay concrete: cement, sand, expanded clay in a certain proportion - 1:2:3. Production consists of 5 main stages:

• connection of all components;
• pouring the solution into the mold;
• solidification and hardening of blocks;
• drying (at least 2 days);
• warehousing.

The density of the material will depend on the proportion in which the components are mixed. The composition of expanded clay concrete may be non-standard, selection: for 1 part of cement, you need to take 2 parts of dry sand, add 1 part of water and from 1 to 6 parts of expanded clay.

It is possible that the resulting mixture will be too dry. To do this, replace the water with a special mixture, for example, Peskobeton.

A vibropress is used to harden the material and this will take at least one day.

The production of expanded clay concrete blocks is also possible at home. The difference lies not only in the manufacturing process itself, but also in the composition of the materials. The proportions of claydite concrete made by hand are as follows:

• expanded clay gravel - 8 parts;
• pure sand (without impurities) fine - 2 parts;
• water according to the calculation - 225 l per 1 m³ of the produced mixture.

It is also worth considering that a little more sand will be required, since 3 parts will need to be used when forming the textured layer of blocks.

For those who make the material with their own hands, it is worth considering one important point - washing powder is used in the production process with their own hands! Even 1 teaspoon of powder gives a certain plasticity to the finished material (it is dissolved in water).

When making expanded clay concrete with your own hands, it is worth considering that the solution (cement milk) should resemble plasticine before solidification. This can be done if you follow the rules for the manufacture of expanded clay concrete blocks. Dry components must be combined with each other, and only after that add water with washing powder.

The production of expanded clay concrete by yourself (with your own hands) can be mastered quite quickly. It is important not to deviate from the technology, as well as to correctly make the proportions of high-quality expanded clay concrete per 1 m².

Making a good plastic mixture (cement milk) is half the battle. Forming the mixture is the next step in the production of blocks with your own hands. The technology is here too.

Forming is carried out using L-shaped halves of the board, the thickness of which should not exceed 20 mm.

Forming technology affects the size of expanded clay concrete blocks. On average, the weight of the finished block is 16 kg, the dimensions are 390 × 190 × 140 and 190 × 190 × 140 mm.

The selection of the quality of the components is as important as the selection of materials when forming the block. Steel strips acting as a latch, machine oil for lubricating the walls of the formwork, boards for the floor pallet - it would seem a trifle, but they affect the quality of the material produced.

The mixtures must be non-fractional (without fine debris or without sand and silt). It is important to consider technological "secrets". You can make a formwork rammer using a wooden block. When ramming, it is important to observe the appearance of cement "milk", and then level the floor mixture with a trowel.

The curing process is very important. It is the longest, because it can reach 28 days. Please note that expanded clay concrete mixtures must not only be motionless, but they must not dry out at high temperatures.

In this case, the liquid (cement milk) from the mixture will quickly evaporate. As a result, the solution (milk) will crack and will not be durable.

1.2 Production of expanded clay concrete blocks on the machine (video)

2 Scope of expanded clay concrete

The selection of expanded clay concrete blocks is important depending on the area in which they will be used.

corpulent or monolithic blocks are used to form the foundation, during the construction of load-bearing walls, floors.

Hollow blocks are most often used for the construction of non-residential premises or low-rise buildings. The thermal insulation properties of such a material make it very popular.

2.1 Advantages of expanded clay concrete

The main advantages of expanded clay concrete: simplicity and ease of transportation of components for production and ready-made blocks with your own hands. The material is resistant to temperature changes and retains its properties for many years.

In addition, expanded clay concrete is not subject to corrosion, exposure to harmful substances, adverse weather conditions.

For cold regions, expanded clay concrete is a real salvation. If we compare its consumption with the consumption of cement during the construction of a house, then the consumption indicators will be 2 times less. Properties such as heat retention can significantly save on heaters.

Expanded clay concrete is a material with excellent insulation. In industrial production a special technology for plugging holes is used, due to which such an effect can be achieved. During laying, excessive moisture does not get inside the blocks or on the surface, which prevents the appearance of mold and fungus in the building made of expanded clay concrete.

Despite the fact that the main scope of expanded clay concrete is the construction of walls, there are several other areas of application for this material. For example, making fireplaces, laying the floor.

As noted earlier, such material perfectly conducts and retains heat. What else do you need for a fireplace? Dense expanded clay concrete will not be hot outside, which makes the fireplace safe during its operation. And inside, accordingly, it will heat up quickly enough, and the accumulated heat will be retained for a long time.

The rapid development of advanced technologies has led to the emergence of unique building materials, including expanded clay concrete. This type of concrete complies with all GOST 6133-99 standards and is an indispensable solution for the construction of all kinds of buildings. The proportions of expanded clay concrete for blocks imply the introduction of expanded clay, not crushed stone.

Description and characteristics

The material is characterized by low weight and excellent performance characteristics that are characteristic of concrete structures. Due to its low thermal conductivity, it can be used for arranging wall structures and ceilings.

The characteristics of expanded clay concrete blocks are as follows:

1. Strength - 35-150 kg per cubic centimeter.
2. Density - 700−1500 kg per cubic meter.
3. Thermal conductivity - 0.15−0.45 W / mGrad.
4. Frost resistance - 50−200 cycles.
5. Shrinkage - 0% mm/m.
6. Moisture absorption - 50%.

In the manufacture of expanded clay concrete with your own hands, the proportions are selected taking into account the required consistency and features of the building. To create blocks with different densities, it is necessary to calculate the correct ratio of the plasticizer, which gives the composition elastic properties, as well as other components that determine a number of key characteristics of expanded clay concrete.

Externally, expanded clay concrete is characterized by a cellular structure with different pore sizes (it is determined by the firing mode of the main aggregate). Depending on the porosity, three types of material can be distinguished: coarse-porous, porous, and also dense.

As for the performance properties and benefits, they directly depend on the homogeneity of the structure of the concrete mixture. Normative strength indicators are determined by the correctly chosen ratio of expanded clay gravel with fine and coarse fractions. If the material will be used as the basis for the construction of structures, it must be additionally equipped with reinforcement, which will increase strength.

In most cases, expanded clay concrete is used to form enclosing and heat-insulating layers in multilayer building forms. The characteristics and serviceability of the final composition depend on the selected proportions and the correct ratio of the components. It is important to understand that the recipe for expanded clay concrete for flooring and building blocks varies significantly.

When laying the screed, the type of surface must be taken into account, as it determines the composition of the mixture. The optimal proportion for the manufacture of a screed with a height of 30 mm per 1 m² is as follows: 40 kg of a mixture of sand concrete grade M300 and 35 kg of expanded clay gravel.

Advantages and disadvantages of the screed

Expanded clay concrete screeds guarantee high reliability of the floor base, as well as its resistance to moisture, air and negative temperatures. Among the key advantages of the design, the following points should be highlighted:

But, in addition to the advantages, the claydite-concrete screed also has disadvantages. First of all, this is a significant rise in the height of the floor, as well as the need to polish the floor surface after the composition dries.

Production technology

The technology for the production of expanded clay concrete blocks is particularly simple and affordable, which makes it particularly popular among a wide audience of builders. Such material can be used for the construction of a small residential or commercial building in a country house or a plot near the house, the construction of premises on insufficiently good soil, and many other household tasks.

The high popularity of the technology is due to the excellent properties of the material and the affordable cost of production. It can be made without any special difficulties directly on a private site, without using sophisticated equipment and the help of specialists.

Blocks of expanded clay concrete can be both hollow and full-bodied. At the same time, regardless of the form, they include the main filler - expanded clay gravel. Solid structures are in demand for arranging the foundation and cladding of external walls, while hollow structures play the role of soundproof and heat-insulating partitions between the internal and external walls of the building.

When using porous technology, it is possible to increase the bearing capacity of the foundation and wall structures of the room. At the same time, the main advantage of using such concrete is a significant reduction in the cost of construction work, a long service life of the product and a low weight of expanded clay concrete.

Composition and proportions

Without a doubt, claydite concrete is currently one of the most popular building materials. The composition per 1 m³ should include the following components:

1. cement mixture.
2. Sand.
3. Fine expanded clay, which is created on the basis of natural raw materials.
4. Water without all sorts of impurities and chemicals. It should be noted that in no case should water with an acidity below pH 4 be used to dilute the mixture. Sea water should also not be used, as it can lead to the appearance of a white coating.

Also, the composition of expanded clay concrete (proportions per 1 m³ are calculated in advance at the construction site) may include several additional additives, such as sawdust, wood ash and plasticizers.

In order for the future building mixture to meet all the requirements, You must adhere to the following guidelines and rules:

1. You can increase the elastic properties with the help of quartz sand.
2. To make the future block moisture resistant, expanded clay gravel (without sand) must be added to its composition.
3. Portland cement branded from M400 is characterized by excellent binding properties, so it is better to give preference to this particular model.
4. The cement mixture has a positive effect on the strength characteristics of the structure, however, in the presence of this component, the weight of the product increases significantly.
5. Provided that the future block will be subjected to heat treatment, it is better to use alite cement.

As for the density of raw materials, it directly depends on the components that are introduced into the composition of expanded clay concrete blocks. The proportions for a material with a normal density imply the introduction of large-fraction expanded clay. In most cases, such blocks are used to equip heat-insulating partitions.

If we are talking about the construction of load-bearing wall structures, it is advisable to use fine expanded clay. Too many small particles will make the block quite heavy, so experts recommend looking for a "golden mean" by mixing large and small "stones" for expanded clay concrete. The proportions per 1 m³ are determined by the type of work that is planned.

Before you start creating a mixture, you need to carefully study the recipe and pay attention to a few recommendations. This will avoid many difficulties at different stages of production, as well as get a high quality product with the best features:

It is not difficult to make sure that the mixture is ready: to do this, you need to scoop up a homogeneous mass with a shovel and see if it spreads or not. If the slide begins to spread over the shovel, this indicates that the expanded clay concrete is too liquid. If the consistency is stable and not loose, then the required ratio of components has been achieved.

Depending on the design features, different grades of concrete are used for the manufacture of expanded clay blocks:

1. M50 - suitable for the construction of partitions.
2. M75 - is an indispensable element for the construction of load-bearing walls for industrial and residential facilities.
3. M100 - are used in the construction of premises with a small number of storeys, insulation of enclosing structures and the arrangement of monolithic floor slabs and screeds.
4. M150−200 - this brand of concrete is used for the construction of load-bearing structures and when creating wall blocks or panels. The material is distinguished by its ability to withstand strong temperature fluctuations and chemical attack.
5. M200 - is a popular composition for creating light blocks and floors. The advantage of the material is resistance to moisture and chemicals.

Mixes of expanded clay blocks

As mentioned above, the proportions and recipe of the expanded clay concrete mixture depend on the characteristics of the project for which they are intended. For example, if you need to make high-quality blocks, it is better to follow this recipe:

1. To begin with, one part of cement and 2-3 parts of sand are mixed.
2. After obtaining a homogeneous mass, 0.9-1 part of water is added to the consistency.
3. Then the composition is stirred again, and 5-6 parts of expanded clay are added to it.

If the filler is not moist enough, it is better to increase the volume of water. In the absence of good sand, you can use Peskobeton. In the manufacture of expanded clay concrete for the floor, one part of cement and one part of water, three parts of sand and two parts of expanded clay are mixed. For a wet CB screed, it is customary to use expanded clay gravel in the proportion of 0.5–0.6 m3 of expanded clay per 1.4–1.5 tons of sand-cement composition.

If the task is to prepare materials for wall structures, then the optimal proportions will look like this:

1. 1 part cement.
2. 1.5 parts of expanded clay sand with a fraction of up to 5 mm.
3. 1 part of fine expanded clay.

If you want to create expanded clay concrete for floors, it is better to use such a batch: 1 part of cement, 3 parts of sand, 1.5 parts of water, 4-5 parts of expanded clay.

Types of placeholders

A variety of components can be used as fillers for expanded clay concrete. In addition to expanded clay or expanded clay sand, quartz sand or a larger additive, including gravel, can be used. In this case, expanded clay will play the role of the base.

Among the main varieties of fillers are:

1. Gravel with an angular or rounded shape.
2. Crushed stone with an irregular angular shape and a rough surface.

Depending on the bulk weight, 12 grades of expanded clay are distinguished, and two types (A and B) are used in terms of strength. Preparing claydite concrete blocks at home is much easier than it might seem at first. The main thing is to follow the above recommendations, follow step-by-step instructions and not deviate from the established recipe. In this case, the final raw material will be of the highest quality, reliable and durable.

Expanded clay blocks are blocks of expanded clay concrete - a variety of "light" concrete. This material has replaced the previously popular cinder blocks. The composition and manufacturing technology of expanded clay and cinder blocks are almost identical. The only difference is that blast-furnace slag served as a filler in slag concrete, which negatively affected the frost resistance and strength of the masonry. After replacing the slag with expanded clay, they improved many times over, as did the degree of its environmental friendliness.

Expanded clay concrete is an artificial material made on the basis of cement, water and expanded clay. Expanded clay is obtained by firing fusible clay.

It is a round or oval irregular granules that have a diameter of 4-8 mm. Smaller granules are called expanded clay sand.

A expanded clay granule at a break is similar in structure to a frozen foam. Due to the sintered shell, the granules are particularly durable.

The line for the production of turnkey blocks includes:

• vibropress with control panel;
• concrete mixer;
• overpass for installation of a concrete mixer with a receiving tray;
• shaping equipment;
• molding trays.

The manufacturing technology of expanded clay blocks is significantly different from the production process of foam blocks. This leads to the fact that expanded clay concrete has the best technical qualities. It does not need additional insulation, and when the temperature difference does not form condensate.

The technological process can be divided into the following stages:

• mixture preparation;
• molding;
• hardening using a vibrating machine;
• drying products;
• transportation to the warehouse.

Calculations and technology do not differ fundamentally from the construction of the house itself. The only condition is the implementation of a separate foundation.

How to properly lay claydite blocks with your own hands during suburban construction can be found in the article.

Preparing the mixture

The production of one block will require 0.01 m3 of solution. How to prepare the mixture and from what is determined by GOST and TU and may vary somewhat.

Approximate proportions are as follows:

• expanded clay - 60%;
• sand - 20-22%;
• cement - 10%;
• water - 8-10%.

Subject to such proportions, a strong material is obtained, which is light in weight and has good thermal insulation. The weight of the finished block in its raw form is 11 kg, in dry form - 9.5 kg.

In order for the blocks to be as strong and durable as possible, more cement must be added to the expanded clay mixture. But it should be noted that in this case the thermal conductivity of the material will increase, so the walls will be somewhat colder.

Cement for the production of blocks must be fresh and perfectly clean. It is advisable to take cement grade M400 or M500. Expanded clay sand must be taken 2 times less than expanded clay. This will ensure the optimal density of the material.

To get a glossy surface, glue for stone or tiles can be added to the solution. But at the same time, the environmental safety of the material is reduced. Also, special air-entraining additives are added to the solution. As a rule, wood saponified resin is used for this.

To increase the strength of the material, a plasticizer is added to it (about 5 g per 1 block). Such material is characterized by higher water resistance and frost resistance. It is more resistant to cracking and block abrasion.

Preparation of a mixture for expanded clay blocks in a pear-type concrete mixer:

molding

After mixing the components, the solution is sent to the molding, where the future blocks are given the desired shape and size.

Vibrating machine hardening

To ensure the hardening of the solution, a vibrating machine is used. Due to vibrations, the solution in the molds becomes more dense and acquires the required structure. When the solution reaches its maximum density, the excess mixture is removed with a steel plate.

Drying products

Blocks are sent to dry directly in the molds. It can be produced naturally or by steaming in a special chamber.

Drying takes about two days. If a plasticizer was added to the mixture, the drying time is reduced to 6-8 hours.

Transportation to the warehouse

Finished blocks are stored in a dry room. After drying, they are ready for sale and use.

Do-it-yourself expanded clay block production

Since the production technology is quite simple and does not involve significant investments, it is possible to organize the manufacture of the material at home. All that is required for this is to purchase raw materials and special equipment. At the same time, the cost of one block will be only 18-20 rubles.

Block Making Equipment

To ensure the minimum production process for the production of expanded clay blocks, you will need:

• vibrating table;
• concrete mixer;
• molding trays made of metal.

You can purchase a vibrocompression unit that replaces the vibrating table and molds.

You will also need a room with a flat floor, a power supply, ventilation and heating system and an open area that can be used for drying and storing products.

Some brands of vibropresses produce up to 120 blocks per hour, others - up to 70. There are small machines that can be stored in a utility room and used to produce blocks in small volumes.

At the initial stage of manufacturing expanded clay blocks, you can limit yourself to equipment with a capacity of about 0.6 kW and a capacity of 20 blocks per hour. You can buy it for about 2 thousand rubles. The price of more powerful machines is much more expensive - about 30 thousand rubles.

In the photo - the most popular machines for the independent production of expanded clay blocks:

How to independently make a machine for the production of expanded clay concrete

A machine for the production of expanded clay blocks can be made by hand. At the same time, its cost will be 10 times cheaper than that of the factory one.

The most elementary version of the machine is performed according to the "laying hen" scheme. It consists of a molding box without a bottom (matrix) and a vibrator, which is located on the side wall. To make the matrix easy to remove, it should be equipped with handles.

The standard size of one block is 390*190*188mm. The percentage of voidness is not more than 30%. The voids may be rectangular or round. The main thing is that the void former has a taper so that the mold can be easily removed from the block.

To make a matrix, you need to cut a blank in the form of a block of sheet metal from 3 mm thick. In this case, you need to make a 5 cm margin for tamping. From the workpiece, you need to make a through box that does not have a bottom. The welding seam must be done from the outside.

To make the machine more stable, strips of thin shaped pipes should be welded from the ends and rubber upholstery should be made around the perimeter of the base. To prevent the solution from waking up, it is necessary to make a fringing apron.

The vibrator can be made from an electric motor from a washing machine with a power of 150 watts. To do this, you need to perform a center shift. On the shaft you need to attach a metal bar with a hole from the edge - an eccentric. The parameters of the eccentric are determined experimentally.

An example of a drawing of a machine for the production of expanded clay blocks

Computer model of a machine for expanded clay concrete blocks

A brief description of the process of manufacturing claydite blocks at home

Prepare the mixture. The kneading process should have the following sequence:

• water is poured;
• cement is poured (with continuous stirring) and mixed with water;
• a small aggregate is added, after that - a large one;
• the mass is mixed until semi-dry.

It is possible to produce blocks with various fillers: expanded clay, brick waste, sawdust, polystyrene foam, etc.

At first, kneading can be done manually. As production expands, it will be possible to buy a special concrete mixer. The output volume of such a device is about 125 liters.

Place the solution in molds and send it for pressing. The properties of the finished material largely depend on the density of the solution, so it will not be possible to do without a vibrating machine.

Send blocks to dry. It is most convenient to store them in pyramidal piles with a clearance of 2-3 cm between the blocks. In order for the product to acquire greater strength, it is advisable to keep the blocks in the air for about a week.

Get ready-made blocks from the forms. It is advisable to purchase molds with removable sides so that you can remove the products without damage. Place finished products in a warehouse or immediately send for sale.

On the video - all the stages of the process of producing a claydite block with your own hands, as well as a description of the machine required for this:

Making expanded clay concrete blocks on your own is quite simple, and production has a high level of profitability due to the low cost of materials. Therefore, the manufacture of expanded clay concrete is a great idea for start-up entrepreneurs.

Expanded clay, as a bulk insulation, is used not only for thermal insulation measures related to the insulation of floors. It is often used for the production of concrete blocks, where it acts as a filler. From this, the blocks become light, because expanded clay is several times lighter than gravel or crushed stone, which it replaces in expanded clay concrete blocks, plus the thermal conductivity of the wall material itself decreases. The manufacture of expanded clay concrete blocks is no different from ordinary concrete blocks, the main thing is to strictly follow the recipe of the mortar used.

Let us designate the composition of expanded clay concrete for the manufacture of blocks based on 1 m³ of the prepared solution.

The above recipe corresponds to M150 concrete, which is sufficient for the assembly of wall structures.

Today, much attention is paid to such characteristics as moisture resistance. Therefore, in order to produce blocks of expanded clay concrete, which could easily withstand high humidity and even direct exposure to water (for example, oblique rain), waterproofing materials are added to the solution. One of them is bituminous mastic, which is closed as a 10% aqueous solution.

It should be noted that this solution has a slightly modified formulation.

There are different approaches to the production of expanded clay concrete blocks. A production line with powerful equipment and high productivity, where dispensers are installed, set to weight limits exactly according to the recipe. The second is the manual method, where the components are weighed more often in buckets. Therefore, it is worth indicating the weight of materials in buckets (10 l):

• cement - 13 kg;
• sand - 16;
• water - 10;
• expanded clay (gravel) - 4-4.5;
• expanded clay (sand) - 5.5-6.

Equipment for the production of

For the production of expanded clay concrete blocks (manually) you need:

• concrete mixer;
• several shovels;
• machine with a vibrator;
• several forms.

A concrete mixer can be purchased or rented. Machine tools are also sold, although these are not the cheapest equipment. You can make them yourself, and if you are a good welder, then one machine will take one day to assemble. Machine structures are huge. Basically, these are frame units, forms are installed and rigidly fixed inside. A vibrator is also rigidly attached to the frame, powered by a 220 volt network. The device is sold in hardware stores.

Another option is a vibrating table, which is a horizontal plane. It is usually mounted on springs, and a vibrator is attached to it. For the machine, you will have to make several forms with your own hands. And the larger the table area, the more forms will fit on it, the higher the performance of home-made equipment.

Important! Do not overdo it, because the vibrator has a certain power, which is enough to vibrate a certain mass.

Form for expanded clay concrete blocks

For the manufacture of molds, various flat materials are used: sheet iron with a thickness of at least 2 mm, boards, plywood, OSB boards, etc. The main task of the manufacturer of works is to adjust the dimensions of the form to the dimensions of the block: 190x188x390 mm (standard load-bearing wall block). There are so-called semi-blocks (used for the construction of partitions), dimensions: 90x188x390.

One of the features of expanded clay concrete blocks is voids, which lighten the stone without reducing the bearing capacity, reduce the cost by reducing the volume of the mixture used, and increase the thermal performance of the product. Therefore, during manufacture, three pipes with a diameter of 40-50 mm are rigidly installed in the molds, located at the same distance from each other and the walls of the mold.

Pipes are interconnected by welding with horizontal jumpers (reinforcement, angle or steel tape). They are attached to the walls of the mold by electric welding, if the mold is made of steel sheet, or with the help of self-tapping screws, if wooden products are used.

Production technology

The technological process itself is carried out in any room with a well-functioning ventilation system. The dimensions of the room depend on the dimensions of the machines used. Expanded clay blocks after manufacturing must undergo a drying process carried out in an open area on the street. If there is a possibility of precipitation, then it is better to erect a canopy over the site.

First of all, a solution is prepared: cement and part of the water are poured into the concrete mixer. The mixture is stirred for several minutes until a homogeneous composition is obtained. Then sand and expanded clay are added to it in portions. At the end, the rest of the water is added. The final solution should be thick and plastic.

After that, it is poured out of the concrete mixer into a container (trough) prepared in advance, and from there it is thrown with shovels into molds laid on a vibrating table or installed on a vibrating machine. Before this, the walls of the molds are coated with used technical oil so that the blocks can easily come out after hardening. The floor of the vibrating table or platform is sprinkled with fine sand so that the concrete does not stick.

Forms are evenly filled with mortar, for example, a couple of shovels thrown into them with a mixture. Then the vibrator is turned on, the concrete solution is evenly distributed over the entire volume of the mold and it is compacted. After which the process is repeated. This procedure is repeated several times to complete the forms completely. Sometimes, in order to give more accurate dimensions, the laid and compacted solution is additionally pressed on top with a metal cover; it will create a flat and smooth surface on the surface of the block.

In this form, directly in the forms, expanded clay blocks should stand for at least a day. After that, they are pulled out, laid on a street platform so that there is a gap between them within 2-3 cm. Blocks of expanded clay concrete should be dried for 28 days, which will give them branded strength. The material should dry on all sides evenly, so each block is turned over from side to side during drying. If you put them on wooden pallets to dry, then you don’t need to deal with coups.

Production of expanded clay concrete blocks as a business

It is not a problem to start producing claydite blocks in order to make a profit. The main thing is to accurately calculate everything. As practice shows, the main requirement is not for equipment, but for the size of the room and outdoor area. The larger they are, the more blocks can be laid for drying, which lasts about a month. Therefore, various drying options are offered. One of these is shown in the photo below, where special racks are visible with stacking blocks by floors.

Everything else rests on the cost of raw materials, which jumps depending on the season. In summer, cement is always more expensive, because the demand for it grows due to an increase in construction volumes. This is especially true for the private sector.

Therefore, it is optimal to produce expanded clay blocks during the autumn-spring period. If the room is heated, then production is not stopped in winter. Consumption of finished wall material in winter is small, sometimes it is reduced to zero, but in summer the entire produced stock of products will be sold out. Here it will be necessary to recalculate its cost at the new price of cement and other components. This is where the big profit lies.

Who is not the first year in this type of business trying to foresee everything. Someone is trying to purchase materials at a low price in winter, but there is a nuance - cement loses its properties over time, quality decreases. Someone, as described above, is trying to increase the production of blocks in the winter. In any case, this is a profitable business while construction is at its peak, as long as building materials are in demand. Expanded clay concrete blocks today are at the peak of popularity due to their low price, high thermal performance and ease of installation.

Ease of manufacture and low cost of components allow you to master the production of expanded clay concrete blocks on your own. The composition of expanded clay concrete includes clay granulated expanded clay, which after firing becomes very light and durable. In addition, expanded clay granules have a low ability to absorb moisture, so this building material is ideal for building walls and floors in poorly heated rooms. High and sound insulation make it a popular material for the construction of residential buildings and outbuildings. The price of expanded clay concrete mounting blocks is approximately one third lower than the cost of a brick (under equal conditions for the construction of a certain type of building).

How to prepare a mixture for the production of blocks

To prepare expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands, you need to know how the proportions for the composition are drawn up. This material is considered absolutely safe for humans, since only natural components are included in the composition of expanded clay concrete. It is recommended to use expanded clay granules for manufacturing, not exceeding 1 cm in diameter. This building material is used to prepare the floor as a heater.

The ease of manufacture of expanded clay concrete building blocks opens up the possibility of large-scale handicraft production, so you can make the blocks yourself. This is due to the fact that non-compliance with the proportions of the components and their savings leads to a low quality of the finished product (the price does not match the quality of the blocks). In addition, it is necessary to use sand with improved grain size (enriched), since the use of river sand can affect the strength of the material.

The technology of preparation of the working mixture is the mixing of all its components in a certain sequence and with exact proportions. For this you need to take:

• portland cement (recommended grade M-400), which, according to technology, plays the role of a binding component - 1 part;
• water - 1 part;
• fine fraction expanded clay - in the proportion of 8 parts;
• sand (enriched) - 3 parts.

To make claydite concrete blocks with your own hands, you need to know that a 100-kilogram prepared mixture can be used to produce 10 blocks. According to GOST is 190 * 390 * 188 mm. can vary from 7 to 20 kg, depending on the volume of voids. Saponified wood resin is added to the composition of expanded clay concrete according to the technology, which makes it possible to increase the resistance of the material to low temperatures, as well as lignosulfonate for a better bonding of the components of the composition.

Foreman's advice: to improve the plastic characteristics of expanded clay concrete mounting blocks, you can add 1 tbsp to the working composition. a spoonful of ordinary washing powder.

What equipment is required

To independently make expanded clay concrete mounting blocks, you will need to use certain equipment. Its price is low, so the vibration machine can be purchased for personal use. You can also use rental machines and equipment, the price of which is negotiated for a certain period. The machine allows in a special form to evenly distribute the mass of the working composition so that the finished product is as strong as possible. There are models that are equipped with void formers, thanks to which hollow blocks can be prepared (solid ones are obtained without them).

You will also need an electric concrete mixer, in which it is necessary to place all the components in certain proportions, where they are thoroughly mixed (the concrete mixer must be fixedly installed on the floor). To obtain blocks, you will need special forms that can be purchased. Their price is low, in addition, you can choose models with different configurations of cavities. Forms can be made independently, for which wooden boards and tin are used.

Foreman's advice A: Buying equipment can be avoided. To do this, manual mixing of the working mixture is carried out with the obligatory observance of proportions. You can do without a vibrating machine, for which the filled composition is carefully tamped, and then leveled along the border of the form. For more information on the manual production of blocks, see the video.

Features of the technology of self-preparation of expanded clay concrete

Surely you have repeatedly thought about what the voids inside the expanded clay concrete assembly blocks are for. It is easy to guess that, first of all, they are necessary for a significant reduction in the weight of the product. In addition, voids during masonry form so-called air wells, which reduce thermal conductivity.

It is recommended to thoroughly mix the solution until a soft plastic mass is obtained. After its preparation, you can start filling out the forms in which the solution will harden for 24 hours. The total curing time for the blocks is 3 weeks (28 days). A day after solidification, the blocks are laid on pallets on the floor surface.

It is impossible to allow direct hit of beams of a sunlight on finished products. Therefore, during the period of complete solidification, it is recommended that the blocks folded on the floor be periodically poured with water, and then covered with plastic wrap. It will be possible to use finished products after a month, when the cement will fully gain its strength.

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