The manufacturing of cement has been
causing a lot of pollution and in order to reduce the environmental effects,
the different admixture was used as partial replacement of cement. It was found
that structural lightweight concrete can reduce the dead weight and increase
the strength of the structural components. The strength and durability of
lightweight concrete were concentrated elaborately. The Lightweight Concrete Blocks in used both in internal and external construction. It is made up of a
cement based mortar which is mixed with 20% of volume air. This type of
concrete block weighs 10 to 40% less than normal concrete blocks. These
concrete blocks are known for their insulation capability and resistance to
fire.
These concrete blocks are easy to
install and is known worldwide for their reliability, and stiffness. They are
ideally used for fire rated applications and they are eco-friendly too. With
the use of concrete blocks, there will be a reduction of 30% of the
environmental wastes, 50% of greenhouse radiation and 60% integrated energy on
the surface of the brick. They also don’t get affected by harsh climatic
conditions and they don’t degrade under changing atmospheric conditions.
Advantages of Lightweight Concrete
Blocks
- It is easy and quick to install the blocks on site and the blocks offer easy workability.
- It reduces the heating and cooling loads in the building because of its thermal efficiency.
- They are easy to be transported on the site and it cuts down the labor and installation costs. It helps faster construction of buildings as they are easy to install.
- Using any standard tools, the lightweight concrete materials can be sanded or cut to any size.
- These blocks have a uniform texture which resists the chipping and cracking. It helps in producing sharp corners and surfaces.
How to Make Lightweight Concrete Blocks ?
There are different ways of preparing
these blocks and we are discussing a single process in this article.
Step 1 – Prepare
the material
The concrete blocks are made with
simple adjustments in the ratio of concrete mix with a lightweight aggregate.
Step 2
– Mix water
The process is started with the mixing
of water. Insert colorants for changing the block colors.
Step 3 –
Add cement mix
Pour in the cement with the water and
additives mixture.
Step 4 –
Add sand
The addition of sand will make the
concrete heavier. Use an only 5-gallon bucket of sand to get the ultimate
lightweight mixture.
Step 5 –
Add perlite
Add perlite as it acts as the
lightweight aggregate.
Step 6 –
Add Molds
The mixture is ready to pour into the
molds once it has reached the right consistency.
Step 7 –
Drying
Now dry up the mixture and wait for 24
hours before uncovering and removal of the molds.
Step 8 –Installation
The concrete is ready for installation
once it has fully cured.
It has been a feature in the
construction industry and the concrete is made with a lightweight coarse
aggregate. The lightweight aggregates used in structural lightweight concrete
are typically expanded shale, clay or slate materials that have been fired in a
rotary kiln to develop a porous structure.
