Description of polystyrene concrete: characteristics + Pros and Video

Polystyrene concrete is an innovation among building materials. If you ask a casual passer-by about what popular building materials he knows for building houses, then bricks and wood will most likely be among the first options. Yes, it has been for the last several hundred years, but still a lot has changed. Due to the development of the system of building technologies, new building materials with improved properties began to appear, and one of these is polystyrene concrete.

In the beginning, the material was not as popular as it is now (due to the fact that the raw materials for its manufacture cost fabulous money).

Getting to know the material

But in the late 1960s, it turned out to improve the technological process, which reduced the cost. From that moment on, blocks of polystyrene concrete (i.e. PSB blocks) became a fairly popular material, and it became especially in demand for low-rise suburban construction. At the moment, Canada, France, Germany and Canada are the largest consumers of such a practical and inexpensive material for construction work.

Polystyrene concrete is composite, that is, complex in the composition of materials, which is classified as lightweight concrete. Such materials have a reduced density,

which makes it possible to solve several construction tasks at once:

• Reduce the weight of the building.
• To improve its characteristics of the thermal insulation type.
• Reduce the final cost in construction (due to lower labor costs and increased productivity of builders).

To create the material use:

• Portland cement ( one of the types of cement).

• Water.
• Polystyrene, it also plays the role of a filler in the form of granules with different fractions and heat-insulating properties (polystyrene is a polymer that has a wide range of applications).
• Quartz sand.
• Plasticizers - many additives (for example, resin) that help make the mixture more plastic, and due to the additives, the blocks do not crack when solidifying and drying.

Polymer granules (which are very similar to foam balls) help to create a lightweight structure of polystyrene concrete.

The low density of aerated concrete and foam concrete is ensured by air pores that appear as a result of chemical reactions.

Manufacturing methods

Two methods are used to make blocks from polystyrene concrete:

1. Handicraft (foundry ). It is extremely popular with home craftsmen due to the fact that the components are very affordable and simple manufacturing technology. The process strongly resembles the production of non-autoclaved aerated concrete - all the necessary components are first mixed, then the mixture is poured into molds and kept until complete hardening (from 3 to 7 days).Injection technology will be very unprofitable for large-scale production (there are many labor-intensive operations for preparing and maintaining molds).

2. Vibrocompression (vibroforming). For industrial production, a more concentrated mixture is kneaded here, in which there is more cement and less water. Then it is poured into molds and sent to a vibrating press, and then kept to a semi-dry state. When demoulding, you can get blocks that will have a clear geometry, and then they can be sent for final drying.

Material with different densities can be obtained by changing the ratio of components, as well as using different types of polystyrene granules (the larger the diameter of the polymer balls, the lower the specific gravity and strength).

Disadvantages of blocks made by hand

The presence of forms and a concrete mixer makes it possible to create an established home production of blocks,

but there are still a few comments on finished products:

• Although self-made production helps to reduce the construction budget, but it takes a lot of time.
• It is not known in advance what parameters the blocks will have, since the production process itself is difficult to control.
• Handmade products have a low density level.
• Due to inaccurate dosing, you can get a batch of blocks that differ in quality.
• Products will have poor geometry and this will increase material consumption during installation.

Yes, the quality of the blocks will affect how durable your home will be.

Advantages and disadvantages of polystyrene concrete blocks

If you think about building a country house, then most owners choose polystyrene concrete blocks as a building material, the advantages and disadvantages of which can be determine due to the granular structure of the material.

The advantages include:

• Efficiency - the material attracts with its low cost.
• Low heat conductivity - excellent thermal insulation properties make it possible not to equip additional wall insulation with foam or mineral wool.
• Low weight and density (when compared with classic concrete) - this helps to reduce the load on the foundation (and in general, it can be made lighter), and also reduces the costs of laying and transportation.

• Low water absorption (will only absorb on the surface), it turns out that there is a low level of thermal conductivity, even if you have high humidity conditions.
• Good sound insulation.
• Processing - polystyrene concrete blocks for the house lend themselves well to mechanical processing (they can be sawed and channeled without effort), and this is very valuable for laying communications.
• Frost resistance - according to GOST, the minimum indicator is set at 25 freeze and thaw cycles for materials of a structural type, which are used to erect external walls. The frost resistance of the thermal insulation material is not standardized.

  In regions with very cold winters, walls can be protected by additionally insulating or plastering.

• Environmentally friendly . From polystyrene, which is used to make polystyrene concrete, ceiling moldings, toys and even yogurt cups are made. Harmful additives can only get into the material during the construction of the garage.

But, like any of the building materials, PSB has its disadvantages:

• Low compressive strength (used for the construction of buildings that are no higher than two floors).

  Doors and windows can begin to loosen over time.

• Low vapor permeability . Walls made of polystyrene concrete will not breathe, and this, of course, will affect the microclimate of the room. To remove moisture, forced ventilation and air conditioning are required.
• Combustibility .

  The concrete block frame is not combustible, unlike its filler. Polystyrene begins to decompose due to the action of fire, and this leads to a decrease in the strength and heat-shielding properties of the material.

• Mount . In order for the swivel bracket (and with it the TV) to be firmly attached to the block wall, you will need to use anchors and dowels, which are specially designed for fastening to lightweight concrete.
• Shrinkage .

  Small, equal to 0.1 cm per 1 meter, but this is exactly 3 times more than that of foam concrete and aerated concrete.

• Low Adhesion level . This is the same adhesion to finishing materials. This problem will be common with all lightweight concrete, where adhesion is increased by surface treatment with a standard primer or concrete contact (i.

  e. acrylic primer).

Now that you know about all the pros and cons, consider what types of material are.

Varieties of material

According to the building codes specified in GOST R51253-99, the following products of such categories are provided:

• Structural with D450-600 marking.
• Structural and thermal insulation, marked with D350 to D450.

• Thermal insulation, marking D150-350.

Also, building blocks can be classified according to the scope and size:

• Polystyrene concrete blocks for external walls ( structural ) have a density from D500 to D600 (i.e. from 500 to 600 kg / m ³ ). With the industrial method of manufacturing, the products have parameters 18.

  8 * 30 * 58. 8 cm, as well as 30 * 38 * 58. 8 cm.

• Blocks that are used to organize an internal partition (, i.e.

  heat-insulating) and have a density from D400, as well as dimensions 9. 2 * 30 * 58. 8 cm and 9.2 * 60 * 58. 8 cm.

• Lintels of reinforced type (protect openings) - have a density from D400 and a length from 1.2 to 3 meters, as well as a different section (14 * 23.5 cm, 14 * 29. 5 cm, 18 * 23.5 cm and 18 * 29.

  5 cm).

• Facing e (also decorative) products differ in the presence of a molded front surface, have a density of D300 and different sizes. The facade faced with such blocks does not need additional finishing (it can be painted if desired).

Now let's consider in which areas polystyrene concrete blocks are used.

Scope

The scope of SIS blocks will depend on the density of the material:

1. Classical construction - structural products are used for the construction of the main walls, as well as partitions.

   A distinction can be made between ordinary and reinforced (i.e., reinforced blocks).

2. Monolithic construction (for thermal insulation). The material is used both in the form of blocks and in liquid form.

   The mixture is prepared already at the facility, and then used for floor screed, for insulation of the roof, pouring the floor and filling the frame. It is also used for fire protection coatings.

3. In as finishing material . They make masonry blocks with a decorative face, as well as finishing panels to decorate the facade of the house.
4. As insulation (also for thermal insulation).

   slabs with low density, heat-insulating are produced.

5. To create a chimney or ventilation duct.

As you can see, the material can be used not locally, but for building a house inside and out.

A little about the quality

There are no problems with the construction of houses from polystyrene concrete - such a building material is quite common.

To determine the quality of a product, you should remember:

• Any quality product has quality certificates, which indicate all the characteristics of the material.

• The choice of the brand of the product will depend on the type of construction (outbuilding or residential building). The standard size of an ordinary polystyrene concrete block is 18.8 * 30 * 58. 8 cm, and the large 38 * 30 * 58. 8 cm.

• A durable block that can withstand a fall from a height of 4 meters, or survive 3-4 hits with a sledgehammer.
• The granules on the cut of the material will stand out clearly, have the same size and are evenly spaced, adjoining each other.
• The material must not have voids.

Now let's talk about construction.

Construction of cottages from polystyrene concrete blocks

A house built from polystyrene concrete and having an area of ​​100-130 m ² (two-storey) can be built in about 3 months.

The process will go through the following stages:

• Foundation - The total weight of the structure will be small, so the foundation can be made not very massive.Pouring basement walls with liquid polystyrene concrete makes it possible to make it really warm and dry.
• Erection of walls - the structure will be erected quickly, but accuracy in the installation of blocks will be required, and on top of each row, reinforcement mesh should also be laid, which helps to increase the rigidity of the structure. To avoid cold bridges, the thickness of the glue in the seams should be minimized.
• Ceiling and floor covering .

  They should be made from PSB blocks, but you can simply fill with a liquid solution. Before screed the floor, you should arrange the water distribution for the whole house.

• Communications and roof . They are installed in accordance with the project.
• Exterior decoration .

  They make it and take into account the characteristics of the material. Decorative facade blocks PSB, which have a textured front surface or plaster, are quite popular for finishing.

And, naturally, you can't wait to find out about the price of the material.

Cost of PSB products

Generally speaking, the cost of polystyrene concrete blocks will be 15% higher than that of analogues like foam concrete and aerated concrete ..

. First of all, you should determine the size and grade of the material (thermal or structural). Products with decorative finishes will be 25% more expensive than ordinary ones for construction.

Price in Moscow time for a block with dimensions 59.5 * 37.

5 * 29. 5 cm averaged (for 1 m ³ , excluding the cost for delivery to the construction site), will be:

• D250 - from 3000 to 3300 rubles.
• D300 - from 3350 to 3450 rubles.
• D350 - from 3450 to 3600 rubles.
• D400 - from 3600 to 3800 rubles.

• D450 - from 3800 to 3900 rubles.
• D500 - from 3800 to 4000 rubles.
• D600 - from 4300 to 4400 rubles.

But, nevertheless, the price justifies itself.

Conclusion

Yes, there are no building materials in the world that do not have flaws.

Each of the species has only a part of good properties, and the rest is safely attributed to disadvantages. Sellers of polystyrene concrete blocks are often not shy and openly deceive buyers by distorting information and properties of blocks. The result is that the material is misused, the construction technology is disrupted, this turns into deep disappointment and a waste of money.

When choosing a material for building a country house, carefully study the characteristics, especially points regarding use and performance. PSB have some advantages over other building materials, and they should be understood and also used for their intended purpose.