Which blocks are suitable for external and internal supporting wall structures, the rules for their laying

In any construction project, selecting the proper building blocks is essential for constructing both exterior and interior walls. The kind of blocks you choose will influence the building’s overall durability, insulation, and structural integrity. The longevity and quality of your building can be greatly affected by your ability to lay blocks correctly and your understanding of their differences.

Internal walls need to take load-bearing capacity and sound insulation into account. Commonly used materials for blocks include clay, concrete, and lightweight aggregate concrete. These blocks are easily laid in a way that guarantees stability and even load distribution throughout the building, and they have enough strength to support the structure.

Conversely, blocks for external walls need to be weather-resistant and offer adequate thermal insulation. Aerated concrete blocks and reinforced concrete blocks are well-liked options because of their resistance to changes in temperature and moisture. When these blocks are laid correctly, their insulation and weatherproofing qualities are improved, maintaining the building’s comfort and energy efficiency.

Blocks for walls, whether internal or external, must be laid according to precise instructions. To avoid structural problems and guarantee the walls’ integrity over time, it’s essential to maintain a level base, use the right mortar, and align the walls precisely. Following these guidelines improves the building’s visual appeal while also bolstering its security and ability to withstand environmental influences.

Requirements for load -bearing block walls

Current state standards strictly regulate the wall sizes of block material.

They are dependent upon several elements, including the object’s intended use, the number of stories, the development area’s climate, the properties of the soil, and the kind of masonry.

Determining the wall structure’s layer count at the project stage is crucial because a wall with more layers will be thinner overall.

Every wall structure that rests on the house’s foundation, as well as the ceiling, combine to form a single spatial structure or framework that must be able to withstand overloads and atmospheric influences.

A load-bearing wall’s minimum thickness, determined by strength conditions, is set forth in JV "Stone and Reinforced Stone Structures," published in 2012 and registered under No. 15.13330. Paragraph 9.16 of that publication contains this criteria. It is set between 1:20 and 1:25 of the height of the entire job. For this reason, the developer of a two-story home with a 6.6 m ceiling will have to ensure that the block wall’s thickness is no less than:

Nonetheless, thermal protection conditions lead heating engineers in the field of energy-efficient technologies to conclude that this size is insufficient for a warm home. Their stance is supported by state law and codified in SNiP II-3-79, which has been in effect since March 1998.

According to new guidelines, wall thickness had to be increased for the following purposes in order to increase walls’ thermal resistance by 2.8–3.5 times:

• brick external load-bearing wall from 51 to 155 cm;
• lightweight concrete from 30 to 105 cm;
• cellular blocks from 25 to 75 cm.

Since the foundation and the construction budget could not bear such an increase, designers have resorted to building multilayer structures that are thinner and more resistant to heat. These days, only hot climates and private low-rise buildings qualify as areas where single-layer external load-bearing walls are better.

When building a house, wall thickness is a crucial metric that should be determined during the design phase.

External

This kind of load-bearing wall structure is intended to serve as the house’s external fence and compositional facade decoration.

According to the capital class of the object, the design of such walls must satisfy requirements for strength, durability, and fire resistance. It must also be able to maintain the hygienic temperature and humidity levels that have been established in the house’s rooms.

Forces operating on the load-bearing wall outside:

1. Vertical loads from the weight of the walls and above the installed structures: floors and roofing, furniture and equipment, as well as the weight of snow that has fallen on the roof. They act on compression of wall blocks. The calculated resistance that structures are able to provide to such compression depends on the strength class of the stone and the brand of masonry mortar.
2. Horizontal loads, created by wind pressure and transmission of thrust from the roof structure.
3. Torques strive to expand a certain section of the wall.

With the exception of the northern regions of the nation, where it should be at least 600 mm, all types of houses can use load-bearing block walls made of stone that are 350–400 mm wide due to their excellent strength margin and resistance to compressive and bending loads, as demonstrated by the design and construction of low-rise residential buildings.

Note: Because the strength of a load-bearing wall varies depending on the materials used to build it, different stones will have varying wall thicknesses.

Depending on the material used to make the blocks, the external walls’ width:

1. Aerated concrete and foam concrete have standard dimensions: L.= 600 mm, Height. = 200 mm y, but the width can be from 125 to 500 mm. For the central regions of the country, the most acceptable value for this indicator is 450 mm for a single-layer wall, for a multi-layer wall 350 mm +100 mm of heat-insulating and finishing layers.
2. Shell rock is a heat-resistant wall material compared to concrete. In order to build a warm house from this material, you will need to do the masonry in 1.5 blocks, with a total width of the resulting structure 600 mm.
3. Expanded clay concrete blocks are quite popular due to their low cost. The width of expanded clay ranges from 190 to 450 mm. Optimal masonry – 2 blocks, which meets the requirements of SNiP for 2-storey houses – 380 mm. If the house design provides for external brick finishing, then in this case it is possible to reduce the width of the wall.

Internal

Block interior walls are both load-bearing and self-supporting.

The initial buildings, which will divide the space into rooms, need to be strong enough to support the weight of the floors and buildings above.

These walls are composed of a single layer of stone, usually ranging in thickness from 250 to 300 mm, excluding finishing layers, based on the strength requirements.

Self-supporting walls and partitions must rest on the floors floor by floor in accordance with operating conditions; they do not draw weight from the building structures above them.

Internal block walls guarantee the house’s structural integrity in accordance with all standard attributes, including durability, deformation resistance, and crack resistance. These parameters need to be monitored during the masonry process as well as when the house is being used. Negative phenomena from precipitation occurring naturally, processes related to temperature and subsidence, and emergency situations brought on by utility network operation—such as gas explosions or flooding—must all be considered.

Crucial! According to the project, load-bearing and self-supporting walls should last for at least a century.

Selecting appropriate building blocks for both external and internal supporting wall structures is essential for ensuring the longevity and steadiness of any structure. Lightweight blocks, such as gypsum or aerated concrete, are useful for interior walls because they are easy to handle and offer good thermal insulation. Denser and more durable bricks, like concrete or clay blocks, are favored for external walls because they provide superior resistance to weather and outside forces. For both kinds, proper laying methods are crucial to guaranteeing strength and reducing future structural problems. Comprehending these options and adhering to proper installation techniques can greatly improve the general caliber and durability of a building’s wall constructions.

What types of stones are suitable?

Customers can choose from a variety of artificial blocks for both internal and external walls from the block masonry segment of the building materials market.

The most popular materials for wall structures of private households

1. Aerated concrete, foam concrete. Scope of application: external/internal, load-bearing/self-supporting walls, as well as partitions. The material is very light and does not create a significant load on the foundation. It is characterized by the highest heat-protective properties, high vapor permeability, which ensures air ventilation in the house. The disadvantages of developers include its relatively low strength, which requires additional reinforcement of masonry rows, the ability to accumulate moisture in the pores and high wind blowability. To protect against them, you will need to install moisture and wind protection.
2. Expanded clay concrete – artificial stone, the working mass of which consists of expanded clay crushed stone filler, water and cement. They are mixed into a paste-like state, poured into molds, and then heat-treated. Such elements are more durable, capable of retaining moisture, resistant to temperature changes, and have high heat and sound protection. Application area: external/internal load-bearing and self-supporting walls, as well as an independent heat-protective layer in multi-layer walls.
3. Slag concrete – artificial wall stones obtained by vibrocompressing a mixture of cement, sand and slag in molds. The blocks have the lowest production cost, heat and sound protection properties. Experts consider the unaesthetic appearance and fragility of the stone to be disadvantages. Application area: external load-bearing walls. Due to the possible presence of harmful substances in the slag, it is not recommended to install them in living rooms.
4. Ceramic blocks – a modern building material for the construction of walls with excellent energy saving characteristics. A warm house can be built with a thickness of external walls of at least 40 cm without additional thermal insulation. Such walls also have high noise insulation. This stone can also be used for the construction of interior partitions. For high-rise buildings with a large number of apartments, this is an excellent solution that allows you to create good sound insulation between them. Light weight, high strength and vapor permeability have made this material the most effective for high-rise construction. Among its disadvantages, users include the high cost and fragility of the stone due to the slotted structure, and therefore the developer must exercise caution during transport and loading and unloading operations. During storage, moisture protection of the material at the construction site is required. Areas of application: external/internal load-bearing and self-supporting walls.

Size

Basic dimensions of blocks for external load-bearing walls and their cost per 1 m 3:

1. Foam concrete, D700, 400x300x600 — 3100 rub.
2. Aerated concrete, D600, 500x250x625 — 2800 rub.
3. Slag concrete, D600, 190x240x390 — 2200 rub.
4. Ceramics "Kerakam", M100,14,6 NF, 219x250x510 – 4870 rub.
5. Expanded clay, M75, 290x188x390 — 3300 rub.

The standard size of internal wall blocks and their price per cubic meter:

1. Foam concrete, D600, 200x300x600 — 2700 rub.
2. Aerated concrete, D600, 375x250x625 — 2800 rub.
3. Ceramics “Magma”, 219x250x380 – 3900 rub.
4. Expanded clay, M 75, 190x188x390 — 3200 rub.

The best block building materials

Building a wall out of blocks is a current, objective trend that is growing quickly. Despite having varied physical and technical characteristics, they are nearly equal in size due to the current diversity of manufacturers. Their cost and application areas are affected by this.

Depending on the production technology and source material, the average price per piece varies by region and ranges from 35 to 130 rubles.

Outside

Basic external non-load-bearing wall block dimensions and price per 1 m 3:

1. Foam concrete, D600, 100x300x600 — 2500 rub.
2. Aerated concrete, D600, 100x250x625 — 2300 rub.
3. Slag concrete, D600, 90x240x390 — 2000 rub.
4. Ceramics "Kerakam", M75,14,6 NF, 100x250x510 – 4500 rub.
5. Expanded clay, M75, 90x188x390 — 2900 rub.

Inside

Basic internal wall block dimensions and price per 1 m 3:

1. Foam concrete, D500, 100x300x600 — 2200 rub.
2. Aerated concrete, D500, 100x250x625 — 2200 rub.
3. Ceramics “Magma”, 100x250x380 – 3800 rub.
4. Expanded clay, M 50, 90x188x390 — 2800 rub.

Materials, consumables and tools

The following equipment, supplies, and consumables must be ready for block wall construction by the master:

• glue for laying stones or masonry mortar, which is prepared independently;
• wall blocks;
• reinforcement or reinforced mesh to strengthen the masonry;
• boards for formwork for pouring a concrete belt over technological openings and before installing the ceiling;
• measuring tools: square, level, cord-mooring and plumb lines;
• utensils for mixing and carrying the solution;
• brush;
• Master OK;
• glue carriage;
• hammer and mallet;
• carpenter"s kit;
• hacksaw;
• wall chaser;
• drill;
• Bulgarian.

Step-by-step instructions for laying

To prevent the stone from absorbing moisture from the atmosphere, blocks must be supplied straight from the manufacturer, stacked on pallets that have been carefully covered with polyethylene.

The movie is taken out of its packaging and oriented toward the house’s construction site. The film is kept because it will be necessary to shield the "freshly laid" masonry from the elements in the event of extreme heat or rain.

Typical technology for laying:

1. Check the quality of the foundation along the diagonal of the box.
2. Mark corners for walls, locations of technological openings for doors.
3. The foundation is waterproofed using several layers of roofing material with an overhang of at least 50 mm and an overlap of strips of at least 150 mm.
4. A level is used to determine the highest corner of the foundation and indicate the location for laying the 1st block.
5. The 1st row of blocks is installed on cement masonry mortar; the thickness of its layer levels out the difference in foundation heights by laying the smallest layer of mortar on the 1st stone.
6. Using a different layer of mortar, the stones are placed, aligned with a mallet at the same level as the 1st.
7. A construction cord is pulled between the corner stones along their outer side, along which the stones will be aligned.
8. To lay a 2-row, thin joint masonry mortar is prepared according to the recommendations of the adhesive manufacturer.
9. The second row is performed with a seam offset, the dressing is performed in a checkerboard pattern by 1/3 of the block, but not less than 10 cm.
10. If the craftsman does not have additional stones on site, adjustment to the required size is done with a hacksaw.
11. The cut surfaces are treated with a sanding board so that the surface is even and smooth, to reduce the thickness of the glue.
12. Reinforcement of load-bearing wall structures in houses up to 3 floors is carried out through 2 rows on the 3rd, and reinforcement of corners in accordance with the project.

Possible difficulties and errors

A person’s life goes through a very significant stage when they build a house; sometimes they prepare for it for years, saving money, selecting a project, and selecting a construction company.

When developers choose to construct their own block walls, they frequently make the following errors if they lack sufficient construction experience:

• violation of the rules for transporting and storing materials: a lot of broken stone or moistened stone;
• violation of the equality of diagonals along the foundation; errors during its construction, the first row of blocks was not aligned;
• there is no waterproofing between the foundation and the 1st row of blocks;
• incorrectly selected brand of adhesive for masonry stone;
• thick seams when laying;
• there is no vertical or horizontal reinforcement of the walls;
• insufficient reinforced belt for floor slabs.

Average prices in the Russian Federation

Block Type	Suitable Application
Concrete Blocks	Generally used for both external and internal walls due to their strength and durability. They provide good thermal insulation.
Clay Bricks	Commonly used for internal walls due to their aesthetic appeal and moderate strength. External use requires weatherproofing treatments.
AAC Blocks (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete)	Lightweight and thermally insulating, suitable for both internal and external walls. They require specific mortar and handling techniques.
Composite Blocks (e.g., Concrete with Insulation)	Designed for superior thermal performance, suitable for external walls to enhance energy efficiency. Internal use depends on space and thermal requirements.

Selecting the appropriate blocks for both exterior and interior walls is essential to any building’s structural soundness and effectiveness. Buildings that use internal walls to partition spaces mainly benefit from blocks that are easy to install and provide good sound insulation. Aerated concrete blocks, which are well-known for their thermal and acoustic qualities, and lightweight concrete blocks are popular options.

More stringent requirements apply to external supporting walls. The weight of the entire structure rests on these walls, which also have to withstand environmental elements like weather and temperature fluctuations. For such applications, concrete blocks—especially those reinforced with steel or other materials—offer the requisite strength and durability. For the building’s longevity and safety, they guarantee stability and longevity.

It is imperative to adhere to specific guidelines when laying blocks. A solid structure is ensured by proper alignment and leveling, which averts problems like instability or cracking later on. To ensure a strong bond, mortar should be applied evenly and each block should fit snugly with its neighbors. A wall’s overall strength and quality are greatly enhanced by careful attention to detail during the laying process.

The selection of blocks for supporting walls, both internal and external, ultimately depends on a number of variables, such as structural specifications, local climate, and financial constraints. Builders can design structures that are not only structurally sound but also efficient in terms of energy use and upkeep by knowing these factors and following best practices when choosing and laying blocks.

Video on the topic

Load-bearing walls on adhesive foam in winter! And so it was possible?

Thin load-bearing walls. 150–250 mm?!

MASONRY OF AERATED CONCRETE. CORRECT TYPING OF SEAMS AND SHORT EXTRA BLOCKS

Load-bearing walls made of stone in seismic engineering. Masonry from B3.5 with seismicity 8 points is possible? (No. 4)

Bandaging load-bearing walls made of aerated concrete of various densities | Anton Sheboldasov – Bonolit.

Connection of external and internal walls made of aerated concrete in the Sumarokovo house