An important question is which aerated concrete block to choose for load-bearing walls?

Selecting the appropriate aerated concrete block type is essential when constructing load-bearing walls. Because of their superior insulation qualities and low weight, these blocks are widely used in construction. But not all aerated concrete blocks are made equal, and choosing the correct one can have a big impact on your structure’s performance and longevity.

There are different grades and densities of aerated concrete blocks, so they are suitable for different kinds of projects. You need a block that can sustain a significant amount of weight while retaining structural integrity for load-bearing walls. It’s critical to comprehend the particular needs of your project and how various building blocks fulfill them.

Your decision may be influenced by elements such as thermal insulation, compressive strength, and soundproofing. A block’s compressive strength tells you how much weight it can support, but insulation qualities affect your building’s comfort and energy efficiency. You can choose the aerated concrete block that will best support your load-bearing walls and overall construction goals by carefully weighing these factors.

For load-bearing walls, selecting the appropriate aerated concrete block is essential since it has a direct impact on the longevity and structural integrity of a building. Which type will support the weight and withstand different stresses best depends on a number of factors, including load-bearing capacity, block density, and thermal insulation. Making an informed decision guarantees your construction project’s effectiveness and safety.

What is aerated concrete?

Aerated concrete blocks are a type of building material that are part of the cellular concrete family and are used for load-bearing walls. Because of their large number of pores, they resemble porous chocolate or sponges.

The following materials are used in the creation of aerated concrete:

• cement;
• sand;
• water;
• special additives that form a porous structure.

Ash, lime, and gypsum are occasionally added to the mixture.

Aerated concrete for exterior walls is not the same as concrete meant for lintels, openings, or partitions. These products ought to meet other technical requirements and be more durable. If certain performance indicators are not taken into consideration when building non-load-bearing walls, then they become crucial when building load-bearing, critical structures.

Structural blocks, for instance, can be used to build load-bearing walls.However, thermal insulation blocks are not appropriate for this kind of work because their purpose is to create a favorable temperature regime in the room; in the summer, they prevent heat from entering the space, and in the winter, they prevent cold from penetrating the walls.

For an existing load-bearing wall, thermal insulation blocks are used as insulation.

Additionally, there are different types of aerated concrete depending on the parameters of the technological process:

1. Autoclave. Designed for critical structures, since they are subject to additional processing of the material.
2. Non-autoclave blocks. They do not undergo special treatment in an oven at high temperatures, so using them in the construction of load-bearing walls is not recommended.

Products of superior quality have to abide by GOST regulations governing production technology.

For instance, the following state requirements are followed in the production of aerated concrete cellular blocks:

• GOST 25485-2019. This GOST replaced the previous document GOST 25485-89. According to it, aerated concrete blocks during strength tests on the 28th day should belong to the compressive strength class: structural and thermal insulation products – B1, B1.5, B2, B2.5, B3.5, B5, B7.5, B10, and structural – B7.5, B10, B12.5. Shrinkage after final hardening of material grades not lower than D500 should not be more than 3 mm per 1 m. For aerated concrete grades D400 and lower, this indicator is not standardized.
• GOST 21520-89.
• SN 277-80.
• GOST 31359-2007. According to this standard, for aerated concrete blocks used in the construction of load-bearing walls, frost resistance should be at least F15 (depending on the climate). The harsher and more humid the climate, the higher this indicator should be. After thawing, the wall should not lose its compressive strength by more than 15% of the original value and its weight by more than 5%.
• GOST 31360-2007.

Characteristics for external and internal structures

Thermal conductivity is one of the key features of aerated concrete products. The walls are less likely to become damp and wet the lower it is. You Compared to other building materials, aerated concrete has a thermal conductivity that is several times lower.

For instance, solid brick has a thermal conductivity that is four times higher—between 0.45 and 0.55 W/m°×C—than this indicator, which is 0.12 W/m°×C. The thermal conductivity of wood is 0.15 W/m°×C, higher than that of aerated concrete, too.

The density of the blocks also affects this indicator; the higher the density, the greater the strength and thermal conductivity because there are fewer porous cells and air in the product.

Thermal conductivity increases nearly 2.5 times and equals 0.29 W/m°×C at density D1000.

The dimensions of standard aerated blocks for external structures are as follows:

• about 60 cm in length;
• from 20 to 50 cm in thickness;
• from 20 to 25 cm in height.

The choice of blocks for an external load-bearing wall should unquestionably be made with a minimum thickness of 30 cm. It is appropriate to use blocks starting at 20 cm in thickness for building internal load-bearing walls.

Material strength for load-bearing structures To ensure that the building can support the load during operation, it is advised to select at least D500.

For load-bearing structures, a single block may weigh up to 19 kg. This is practical since it requires fewer personnel or specialized equipment to lift, carry, and lay material.

Tips for choosing

The blocks used for building load-bearing walls, both inside and outside, must have a minimum strength and density of D500.

The building will be stronger if the external structures are made of thicker material; on the other hand, the internal load-bearing wall will require more free space when it is laid.

As a result, in this instance, you are able to buy goods with a minimum 20 cm allowed thickness.

Buildings no taller than three stories may be constructed using material with strength D500. The maximum number of storeys permitted increases with increasing strength index.

When buying material, it’s important to read the accompanying documents, which should include the manufacturer’s address, the product’s release date, and the GOST standards that were followed during production.

A product’s look can reveal a lot about its quality as well. Even though the material is delicate, this does not mean that it will crumble and break into pieces the moment you pick it up. This indicates that the buyer is dealing with phony or subpar content if it occurs. It is preferable to avoid buying such goods.

Features of masonry

In order to shield the foundation’s cleaned surface from water damage, a waterproofing layer (wider than the wall’s dimensions) is laid before the first row of elements is installed.

The blocks are positioned in the first row, which is laid out using cement-sand mortar, starting from the building’s corner. If the blocks’ surface has been cleared of dust and debris beforehand, additional rows can be placed on special glue.

A stretched cord is used to check the masonry’s evenness, and a rubber hammer is used to make adjustments. You can use the order to direct the overall plane’s evenness.

Every row’s joints shouldn’t cross over. You can stack the components in a checkerboard pattern to stop this. Reinforcement or reinforcing mesh can be used to increase the strength of the structure.

For load-bearing walls, selecting the appropriate aerated concrete block is essential to the success of any building project. The kind of block you choose will have a significant impact on the structure’s durability and strength. It’s crucial to take into account elements like the density, compressive strength, and thermal insulation of the block. These factors will affect the wall’s functionality as well as your building’s overall energy efficiency.

Consider the particular requirements of your project when making your decision. Blocks with a higher density are better at supporting weight and are the best choice for structures that hold large loads. On the other hand, to keep your building cozy and energy-efficient, search for blocks with good thermal qualities if insulation is a top concern.

Additionally, take into account any local building codes and regulations that might specify requirements for load-bearing walls. Making an informed decision and navigating these requirements can be facilitated by speaking with a construction expert. You can guarantee the long-term performance and structural integrity of your building project by choosing the appropriate aerated concrete block.

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