Knowing the necessary wall thickness when building a home with foam block walls is essential to guaranteeing both energy efficiency and structural integrity. Foam blocks are lightweight and insulating materials that are widely used in construction because of their thermal efficiency and ease of use.
The structural load that foam block walls must support and the required level of thermal insulation are the main determinants of the wall’s thickness. Thick walls are frequently advised in harsh climate areas to improve insulation and lower annual heating and cooling expenses.
Builders usually take the climate zone where the house will be located into account when calculating the proper thickness for foam block walls. In order to obtain higher R-values (a measure of thermal resistance) in colder climates, thicker walls are required. This reduces the amount of energy needed for heating while maintaining comfortable interior temperatures.
The intended use of the house and local building codes are important factors to consider when determining the thickness of a foam block wall, in addition to climate. Depending on the load-bearing requirements, residential homes may need different thicknesses than commercial buildings or other structures.
What does the concept mean??
Initially, the goal of developing cellular blocks was to provide a laying building material with better thermal protection as an alternative to brick. The developers had to give up some of its strength properties in order to accomplish this.
Therefore, it’s crucial that a developer who decides to construct a house out of foam blocks selects the appropriate ones with geometric parameters so that they match the following features:
- load-bearing internal walls
- external walls;
- partitions.
The thickness of foam block walls isa crucial factor that needs to be considered when building certain kinds of walls. The minimum thickness required to give the structure the following characteristics is
- strength;
- durability;
- energy efficiency;
- soundproof.
What does it affect??
Whether a wall is inside or outside of a house determines how wide it is. In the first scenario, this indicator is crucial for the house’s dependability, thermal protection from cold outdoor temperatures, and noise reduction from street noise pollution.
Since internal walls are used in generally stable temperature ranges of +16 to -25 C, they do not require thermal protection; however, they must be able to withstand force loads and sound effects.
Prior to determining the thickness of structures, design standards must be followed. SP 15 is regarded as the foundational standard. 13330, which was released in 2012 and specifies their minimal dimensions for reinforced masonry and masonry constructions.
9.16. of this standard states that the smallest indicator for the thickness of load-bearing structures should be 1/25 of the house’s height, regardless of the computation’s final results. Therefore, in terms of strength, this figure should be at least 150 mm for a one-story house.
Subsequently, the thickness is determined based on heat, sound, and noise reduction conditions. Here, you must ascertain whether single- or double-layer walls will be utilized.
The foam block’s properties allow it to completely satisfy the specifications for single-layer walls because it can withstand both mechanical loads and heat losses. He can also be employed successfully in two-layer structures, with the installation of a second layer for noise and thermal protection.
In order to get the lowest construction cost while maximizing the facility’s strength and energy efficiency, you must conduct a technical and financial computation of the allowable wall dimensions in order to choose the appropriate modification of the masonry material.
What data is taken into account when calculating?
The choice of foam concrete width is influenced by a number of factors. Any house built in accordance with urban planning regulations must follow the project, which is preceded by geological surveys at the intended construction site.
They enable us to predict how the soil will behave in the future in the vicinity of a residential structure. The foundation for calculating each of the facility’s structural components is these studies.
Furthermore influencing a structure’s thickness are:
- According to the norm, the number of floors of the building should not be less than 1/25 of the height of the house.
- Climatic characteristics.
- Sanitary requirements for sound insulation.
- Thermal conductivity of the material.
- Type of structure – load-bearing or non-load-bearing.
- Installation option – external or internal.
Knowing the proper thickness of foam block walls is essential for longevity and insulation when building a home. Building codes, insulation objectives, and climate all affect the necessary thickness. Take into account both the intended energy efficiency and the local climate when performing the calculation. This entails striking a balance between the walls’ structural integrity and the insulation value (R-value) required to maintain a comfortable house. When calculations are done correctly, safety regulations are met and thermal efficiency is maintained in the walls. This post will walk you through the process of figuring out how thick your foam block walls should be for your building project so you can create a sustainable and well-insulated house.
What does the indicator depend on??
Foam block dimensions are defined by GOST 215 20.89. Additionally, these standards permit the buyer to request a modification of the individual laying element’s dimensions. The 625*300*200 mm size of foam concrete blocks is the most widely used size. They are produced in the range of 100 to 1200 and are modified based on strength, bearing the designation D.
The following can be installed, depending on the modification:
- outside;
- inside;
- to be load-bearing or non-bearing;
- can be used as a separate protective layer for heat, sound and noise insulation.
For load-bearing, a wall that is 30 cm wide will usually be adequate. One block, D600 or D700, of masonry is completed; however, an additional layer of at least 10 cm will be needed for heat and noise protection.
Location
One fundamental factor that establishes wall thickness is resistance and stability to wall overloads. Non-load-bearing structures are indoors and have a minimum width; load-bearing structures are external and internal and have the highest loads.
Every type experiences loads differently, which are considered during the design phase:
- pressure;
- compression;
- wind pressure;
- bias;
- gap.
Outside the building
The density of the block is more important in determining the width of the external load-bearing walls than its size. Foam blocks, starting with D600, can be used for external walls, according to experts.
The density of the stacked blocks increases with the size and mass of the house. For load-bearing foam concrete wall structures, a block with a geometry of 600 * 300 * 200 mm is sufficient if the local climate does not demand strong thermal protection; in this instance, they are laid flat into two blocks.
The ideal thickness indicator for the capital’s northern districts is 400 mm; building components measuring 600 * 300 * 200 mm with a D600 grade will be needed, enabling the construction of a three-story home. Using foam blocks of this brand will effectively insulate against noise and provide heat protection.
Inside the house
The wall doesn’t require thermal insulation because it will be indoors and only be impacted by the load-bearing load from other house structures. But sound and noise protection might be necessary depending on where the house is located. Experts in this field feel that 300 mm is the ideal thickness for these kinds of walls.
Purpose
Oversized foam blocks are not used because doing so will result in an impressive weight of the building, necessitating the construction of an expensive foundation with reinforcement. This will increase the project’s cost and construction time.
Furthermore, this leads to a notable deceleration in the pace of construction. Nearly finished ideal block sizes that are employed based on the wall’s intended use:
- 20*40*60 cm – load-bearing external walls;
- 30*20*60 cm – internal load-bearing walls;
- 10*30*60 cm – non-load-bearing interior partition in the house.
Carrier
An internal load-bearing structure is a foam concrete block structure that supports the weight of other building components that rest on it, such as a floor slab or a wall on the second floor.
With the exception of thermal protection features, internal load-bearing walls composed of foam blocks are equivalent to external load-bearing structures in terms of load-bearing parameters. Experts estimate that the internal load-bearing wall structure can have a minimum thickness of 300 mm when accounting for the aforementioned factors.
Partition
One of the main characteristics of the internal partition is its limited load capacity. Additionally, since it is situated in areas with indoor air temperatures, thermal protection is not necessary. As a result, in actuality, smaller block sizes are selected for these wall structures. A size of 100*300*600 mm is appropriate. In this instance, the wall thickness will be 100 mm since the block is placed at the end.
The nation manufactures six standard sizes of 50–125 mm wide foam concrete blocks that meet the requirements of SNiP and urban planning standards. These blocks are used to construct interior partitions in kitchens, loggias, and bathrooms. The foam block measures 600 mm in length.
Products with a thickness of 50 to 75 mm guarantee the strength of bathroom partition walls and light walls on balconies, with the addition of extra 8 mm reinforcement belts for reinforcement. This kind of wall can conceal utility lines and has the required soundproofing qualities.
The installation of interior walls is done using 100 mm partition foam blocks, which makes sense given the structure’s large area and greater load support needs. Its thickness also makes it possible for you to install doors of any standard size with confidence.
Optimal size for different climatic regions
Foam concrete walls for homes with the same building volumes vary greatly depending on the climatic zone and how well the home blocks heat loss; this parameter is denoted by the letter "R." The SNIP tables for the various cities contain the indicator.
Given that Rk= S/Kt, where
- S is the thickness of the wall, then from this ratio you can simply determine the minimum width of the wall, S = Rk*Kt m.
- Kt—calculated thermal conductivity of the foam block, W/m *C.
The reference data for the foam concrete block states that:
- D500, mixed with the addition of ash, Kt=0.120 W/m*S.
- D600 on sand, Kt =0.14 W/m*S.
How to calculate correctly?
Extensive thermophysical and strength calculations are needed to determine the thickness of the foam concrete wall, with the necessary level of strength and thermal insulation of the building.
For instance, a house with a 10 x 10 m floor plan and a wall thickness of 100 mm can support 10,000 kg of weight. This is for the D600 brand. An additional eighteen tons or so will be added to the weight due to the second floor’s floor slabs and roofing.
300 mm foam block walls will be adequate to support the building’s weight load, accounting for the furnishings and equipment on the second story, the snow load on the roof, and the blocks’ aging process.
With the knowledge of Kt for stone and the R index for different cities, you can calculate the lowest value that will account for the house’s heat losses:
- Krasnodar D500/D600, Rk= 2.34, S=280/ 320 mm.
- Sochi D500/D600, Rk=1.75.S=210/245 mm.
- Tikhoretsk D500/D600, Rk= 2.45.S=294/343 mm.
- Rostov-on-Don, D500/D600, Rk= 2.64.S=316/369 mm.
- Taganrog D500/D600, Rk= 2.6,S=312/364 mm.
- Stavropol D500/D600, Rk= 2.53.S=303/354 mm.
Knowing the required wall thickness is essential when constructing a home with foam block walls. Foam block wall thickness is determined by a number of variables, including local building codes, the need for insulation, and structural integrity. Generally speaking, thicker walls are stronger and offer better insulation, but they also cost more to build.
Achieving the proper thickness requires striking a balance between these variables. Take into account the local climate and insulation needs first. When compared to colder regions, warmer climates might require less insulation. Check your area’s building codes to make sure the minimum wall thickness requirements are met.
Furthermore, specific advice based on the layout of your home and the surrounding environment can be given by structural engineers or architects. To find the ideal foam block wall thickness, they take into account variables like wind resistance, seismic considerations, and load-bearing capacity.
To sum up, it is important to carefully consider the thickness of foam block walls in order to satisfy both structural and insulating needs. A sturdy and energy-efficient house is guaranteed when these factors are balanced. A well-built home with foam block walls requires professional consultation and adherence to local building codes.
