How to make wood concrete blocks with your own hands. Do-it-yourself arbolite production at home Do-it-yourself arbolite blocks manufacturing technology
For the construction of cottages, country houses, cottages, garages, you can use inexpensive wood concrete. The technology of its production differs depending on the conditions in which the material is located. Arbolite is made both at the factory and with their own hands. When self-manufacturing, certain proportions of raw materials must be observed in order to achieve its high strength. Wood concrete has a number of advantages, among which it is worth highlighting low cost, minimal thermal conductivity, ease of production, natural ingredients. From such a building material it will be possible to build a block, panels and slabs of the required shapes. By pouring the mixture into the formwork, you will get a monolithic wood concrete, which is used for the construction of external bearing walls low houses of two or three floors and partitions, as well as heat and sound insulating building materials.
In this short review, we will consider the nuances of the production and use of wood concrete blocks at home.
Sawdust concrete is made from three main components:
1. portland cement or sulfate-resistant mixture (its pozzolanic appearance cannot be added);
2. modifying additives and organic filler supplied by the timber industry. These can be sawdust, small chips, needles, wood chips, crushed bark and hard stems of agricultural crops;
3. chemical additives, which regulate the porosity of wood concrete, accelerate hardening, increase bactericidal properties and make the material more durable.
Advantages
Do-it-yourself arbolite is easy to make at home, just fill the mold with a pre-made mixture. The technology is simple, it is enough to know the proportions of the components. This procedure can be performed independently at the facility, saving money on the transportation of building materials. Among the shortcomings that characterize wood concrete, only high moisture absorption in the range of 50-80% is called. Due to low moisture resistance in areas with high humidity you will need waterproofing and a high concrete foundation. But the arbolite block has a lot of advantages:
1. multifunctionality - suitable for different construction works, you can give yourself the necessary shape by sawing.
2. economy - this building material is made from waste, and high thermal insulation allows you to spend less on heating;
3. heat resistance, despite the content of wood waste;
4. when properly processed is not affected by microorganisms;
5. provides sound insulation;
6. homogeneous lightweight material, indispensable on problematic soils and in seismically active zones;
7. Perfectly holds fasteners and light fittings for finishing.
It should be noted that not all types of wood are suitable for adding to wood concrete: coniferous and hardwood except beech. The use of the latter is not allowed.
What will be needed for work?
Manufacturing technology involves a choice among two options: with large financial investments and budget. The first involves the purchase or rental of special equipment, including wood chips for the manufacture of wood concrete, mixers, rammers, molds and ovens for drying finished products.
The second option will be useful to those who are interested in making wood concrete at home for a private household. Of the equipment you only need a concrete mixer. Technology system, on which the wood concrete is created, at the first stage involves the preparation of the filler. To do this, it is necessary to take only dry woodworking waste, because wet wood takes on water and swells, and this can cause uneven drying, in which the wood block can be deformed and destroyed.
To protect yourself from decay processes, clean the filler from microorganisms. The first stage at which wood concrete blocks are produced will be the processing of the mixture with a solution of lime. For each cubic meter, 2.5 kg of cement and 150-200 liters of water are required. After that wood waste incubated for three days, stirring regularly.
Hydrated lime, calcium chloride or aluminum sulphate in the ratio of 2-4% of the amount of cement can be used as chemical additives. For such purposes, liquid glass is also used in the proportion of 9-10 kg per cubic meter of wood concrete.
The second stage involves the manufacture of a mold where the wood concrete block will be stored. From necessary tools and raw materials we need:
- boards and bars;
- hacksaw;
- to choose from: plywood, steel or linoleum;
- nails and hammer;
- pencil and ruler.
The form for sawdust concrete consists of a bottom and side walls, which we realize from boards of the required size. It is better to make collapsible containers to facilitate stripping. It is convenient to make a long form with bridges, where the wood block can be produced in in large numbers simultaneously. Finished products for storing material must be sheathed on the inside with plywood, a thin sheet of iron or steel. There are also factory fixtures with which it will be possible to build an arbolite block of complex design, but if you are making building materials only for yourself, these are extra costs.
Proportions and manufacturing technology
The instruction, according to which arbolite is produced in 1 cubic meter, assumes the following proportions of materials: 250-300 kg of filler, the same amount of Portland cement and 400 liters of water. The ratio of components is regulated depending on specific tasks: for example, less cement can be taken for insulation and partitions in houses. If you add more, the wood concrete will become stronger, but heavier. With the introduction of liquid glass, the block will be harder, but also brittle. The proportions of chemical additives are discussed above.
When preparatory work finished, we proceed directly to the process of mixing wood concrete. According to technology, first we pour the filler cleared of earth, leaves and other impurities into the concrete mixer, and then fill it with a solution of water with chemical additives. The arbolite mixture must be pre-mixed, and only after that it is possible to pour Portland cement into a small amount. The instruction will help you to follow the technological process. It is better to mix the ingredients gradually, rather than all at once, to avoid lumps.
The form where the wood concrete will be stored must first be lubricated with a solution of lime. Next, you need to put the mixture there, thoroughly tamping the layers. To make a lightweight block, you can insert a block of wood into the mold to create voids. If necessary, it is easy to do it yourself and its weighted version for load-bearing walls by adding reinforcement.
If desired, it will come out to independently make a decorated block of wood concrete. To do this, you need to lay stones at the bottom of the mold and pour them with a concrete solution about 2 cm thick. Then the arbolite mixture is made in the classical way. In this process, it is important that the wood concrete block remains in shape for at least 24 hours, and then stored under a canopy for drying, which, depending on the temperature, can last about two weeks. In order for the block to acquire maximum strength, it is recommended to put it under a film for final hydration at a temperature of 15 ° C for 10 days while still wet. To ensure a long service life, try not to let the fresh block cool down below 0°C. Sawdust concrete in the summer in the heat will not dry out and crack during drying, if it is periodically sprayed with water.
If time permits, it is better to make the first entry small in order to check the ratio of ingredients, the properties of the wood concrete block and determine suitability for specific purposes. The finished block of the trial batch is checked for reliability. For this purpose, a testing scheme is being developed, during which it is tested for the possibility of sawing with different tools, perforating, gluing, and bearing weights. When observing some inconsistency of the blocks with the tasks set, it is necessary to correct the proportions of the composition.
Having prepared a sufficient number of forms, it is possible to organize the production of wood concrete at home with a volume of about a hundred blocks per day. This is enough for you to ensure an uninterrupted construction process. The guide will help to maintain the proportions of the components if the arbolite mixture is made by hand for the implementation of private building plans.
How to make wood concrete blocks with your own hands?
When choosing a material for building a house, many developers prefer blocks, the use of which allows to reduce the construction cycle. The building material used is subject to requirements for environmental friendliness, strength, thermal conductivity and soundproofing properties. Gradually, interest in wood concrete, made from wood chips mixed with cement, is increasing. By making wood concrete blocks with your own hands, you can significantly reduce the overall level of costs. Let us consider in detail the features of the technology.
Chip blocks - advantages and disadvantages
The performance characteristics of wood concrete are determined by the following points:
- properly selected components;
- the ratio of ingredients in the mixture;
- compliance with technological requirements.
Self-made blocks from wood chips have several advantages:
- low level of thermal conductivity. The heat-conducting properties of wood concrete are comparable to wood. In a wood concrete building with a standard wall width, it is supported comfortable temperature with minimal heat loss;
- sufficient strength. The material withstands compressive loads up to 5 MPa, as well as bending forces up to 1 MPa. Arbolite retains its integrity with uneven shrinkage of the structure, it is able to restore its shape;
- freeze resistance. Performance is maintained for 30-50 deep freeze cycles. The frost resistance of the material is quite high;
Let's immediately determine that wood concrete and sawdust concrete are different materials with different characteristics
- improved soundproofing properties. Wood chips, which is a filler, effectively absorb external noise. This allows you to reliably soundproof the room, providing comfortable conditions for residents;
- small weight. Using lightweight wood concrete products with increased dimensions, it is possible to erect the walls of a building in a limited time. In addition, due to the light weight of the walls, the load on the foundation is significantly reduced;
- ecological purity. The use of environmentally friendly components for the manufacture of wood concrete eliminates the release of harmful substances during operation. The material is absolutely harmless to others;
- usability. The material is easily processed with household tool. There are no problems when drilling, cutting, and the need to use reinforcing meshes when plastering walls is eliminated;
- slight shrinkage. The value of the indicator does not exceed 0.6%, which confirms the preservation of the geometric dimensions of the walls under the action of the load. Block building material retains its dimensions after drying;
- low cost. The use of inexpensive woodworking waste, which accumulates at specialized enterprises, makes it possible at low cost to produce the number of blocks necessary to build a house.
Along with the advantages, . Weak sides:
- increased hygroscopicity. The moisture absorption of wood concrete reaches 85%. Care should be taken to ensure reliable waterproofing of the foundation of the building, as well as thorough plastering of the walls from the inside and outside of the building;
The characteristics of the arboblock are not bad. Added to the plus side is the light weight. big sizes and good ability to absorb sounds
- structural changes of the arbolite array during heating. Despite the fact that wood concrete does not ignite under the influence of open fire, at elevated temperatures the material loses its strength due to smoldering wood chips;
- increased dimensional tolerances. Deviations from standard sizes are caused by making molds for wood concrete blocks with your own hands. As a result, the need for plaster increases.
The disadvantages include an increased interest in building materials from rodents, as well as the possibility of the development of microorganisms with a reduced concentration of lime.
Do-it-yourself arbolite blocks manufacturing technology
The production process of products from wood concrete is similar to the technology for manufacturing products from lightweight concrete. Observing the technology and choosing the right recipe, you can make ordinary blocks, as well as non-standard arbolite slabs with your own hands. Developers are attracted by the simple recipe and the availability of components. However, there are a number of nuances.
Ingredients used
Do-it-yourself arbolite blocks are prepared from the following ingredients:
- Portland cement marked M400. The binder must be loose and fresh to combine the components of the mixture into a common array with the necessary strength;
- special additives. Calcium chloride, silicates, aluminum sulphate, lime or calcium nitrate are used as mineralizers. They reduce moisture absorption, and also prevent the development of microorganisms;
Arbolite belongs to lightweight concrete, the technology is almost standard, with the exception of some nuances: the need for pressing and using not an ordinary gravity concrete mixer, but a forced
- wood chips. It is used as a filler, must be cleaned of foreign matter, dried and have a certain size. The aggregate is also treated with lime to prevent decay;
- water. The use of purified water is recommended. Moisture is gradually absorbed by the filler, and it is saturated with mineralizers included in the mixture.
The quality of building materials is affected proper preparation raw materials. Woodworking waste should be soaked for 4-7 days, stirring regularly. This allows you to reduce the sugar content in the raw material.
Component ratios and product dimensions
By changing the concentration of components in the working mixture, it is possible to manufacture products for various purposes, differing in density:
- heat-insulating, with a specific gravity of 0.5 t/m3;
- structural, the density of which is 0.5–0.85 t/m3.
With an increase in the specific gravity, the strength characteristics increase, according to which the classification of products is carried out.
The cement must be dry and fresh. Chips - a certain size
Thermal insulation blocks corresponding to class B0.75 are used for thermal insulation of main walls and include the following ingredients per 1 m3 of solution:
- chips - 0.18–0.2 tons;
- portland cement m 0.25–0.3 t;
- water - 0.3–0.35 t;
- calcium chloride - 8-10 kg.
Arbolit is considered excellent building material, which is suitable for the construction of walls of any premises. This material belongs to the group of lightweight concretes and in the common people it is sometimes called sawdust concrete.
Manufacturing technology
Since arbolite is sawdust concrete, it is easy to guess that its composition, like any other concrete, includes cement grades 400 and 500. Sometimes cement with even higher rates is used in the manufacture of arbolite to increase the strength of finished products. As for the filler, small wood chips, shavings, and, of course, sawdust are added to the concrete. With a lack of any of the listed fillers, it is replaced with the remains of foliage, needles or bark, which should not exceed 5% by weight of the replaced filler.
The dimensions of the materials used in the wood concrete should not exceed 5 mm in thickness and 25 mm in length. That is why all organics are first passed through the crusher, and only then mixed with cement. At factories, special chemicals are added to organic waste that neutralize the sugar present in organic matter. This sugar has a very negative effect on the strength of wood concrete, so its neutralization is simply necessary.
Calcium chloride and aluminum sulfate are used as chemicals. Naturally, if wood concrete is made at home, then such substances may simply not be at hand, so you can do without them. However, if sugar is not removed at all, then the wood concrete will swell and in order to avoid this, it is necessary to withstand wood waste for 3-4 months on the street under the open sky.
The production of wood concrete should begin with the processing of organic matter. To do this, crushed wood pulp is poured with water and thoroughly mixed. Experts recommend keeping wood waste in lime mortar for about 3 hours, which also contributes to the decomposition of sugar. Organics soaked in lime mortar are mixed with cement until a homogeneous mass.
The ratio of water, sawdust and cement should approximately look like this: 4:3:3.
Such a wood-cement mortar is mixed in a concrete mixer, because the formation of lumps is unacceptable here. The resulting mass should be slightly crumbly, but when squeezed in a fist, it should hold the shape of a lump. If the solution holds its shape, then it is ready for further use for its intended purpose.
Advantages of wood concrete
In the west, wood concrete is one of the most sought-after materials, and slowly it begins to conquer our market due to a number of significant advantages:
- blocks, lintels, slabs can be made from wood concrete, or it can be used for monolithic pouring of walls;
- hardened wood concrete is easily amenable to any processing, so it can be sawn, drilled and adjusted in other ways to the desired size;
- wood concrete is a very profitable building material, because the ingredients used in its manufacture are very affordable and the production technology itself does not take much time and money;
- any finish is very well suited to hardened wood concrete, so walls made from it can be plastered, lined with facing bricks and even sheathed with drywall without installing a frame and reinforcing mesh;
- wood concrete boasts good thermal insulation, so houses built from wood concrete blocks require much less heating than brick and tile counterparts;
- one of the main advantages of the material is that it is absolutely fireproof because, despite the presence of wood waste, it does not catch fire;
- also, arbolite does not rot and is not subject to fungal infections;
- it is frost-resistant, therefore it is widely used for the construction of residential facilities in the northern regions;
- In addition, wood concrete is characterized by good sound insulation, which is also a significant advantage.
Independent production of blocks from wood concrete
Most often, blocks are made from the finished arbolite mixture, which are easily transported, do not weigh much and are suitable for construction. different type. It is possible to make such blocks as simply as the wood concrete itself, since nothing special is required for this.
Forms for wood concrete blocks can be made from wooden boxes with a removable bottom. Some experienced home manufacturers recommend lining the box with linoleum on the inside to make it easier to take out the finished block. AT finished form wood concrete is laid in two or three stages in layers, and each layer must be carefully compacted. The surface of the last layer should remain uneven, and about 2 cm should be left to the edge of the sides so that this space can still be filled with plaster.
The outer surface of the blocks can be lubricated with cement mortar, which will increase their strength and resistance to weathering. It is recommended to keep the blocks in shape for at least a day, so that the mixture has time to harden. After that, the blocks are transferred under a canopy, as they can dry out in the sun and subsequently crumble.
Wood concrete is considered a clean environmental material, so buildings built from it do not adversely affect human health.
The characteristics of wood concrete deservedly draw attention to themselves if you want to build one or two-storey house. Not the last factor when choosing it is that it is quite simple to make monolithic walls and arbolite blocks with your own hands. Full set necessary equipment depends on where you can buy ready-made chips, or you have to make it yourself. To complete the picture, the full technology for the production of wood concrete is considered.
The main component of wood concrete
90% wood concrete consists of wood chips, so the first step is to take care of its purchase or harvesting. It is best if pine boards serve as the material for it, but it has nothing against the use of other GOSTs.
One of the nuances of the production of wood concrete blocks is the use of wood, because it natural material containing sugar compounds. If they are not neutralized, then subsequently they will react with the remaining components of the wood concrete, which will at least provoke its swelling. To avoid this, the boards, and preferably ready-made wood chips, are kept for a month in the open air.
More fast way is the soaking of wood chips in chemical solutions, which is carried out for 3 days. For their preparation, aluminum sulfate (aluminum sulfate), calcium chloride, slaked lime or liquid glass are used. These components are commercially available and easy to find in agricultural stores.
Practice has shown that the best solution is aluminum sulfate, which, after reacting with sugars, strengthens the wood concrete block. Liquid glass is not recommended - it increases the fragility of the finished material.
Many recipes for do-it-yourself arbolite blocks omit this stage as well, adding neutralizing chemicals directly during the mixing of the arbolite mixture. In this case, their proportions are observed at about 3% of the total weight of the cement used.
Chip cutter for wood concrete
If a large-scale construction is being started, and it is not always possible to buy the amount of wood chips, then you cannot do without a wood chipper. This device crushes the boards into chips, which are then completely ready for use (if the wood is aged).
The principle of the device is very simple - a metal disk (usually 50 cm in diameter) is put on the shaft, in which armholes (3-4, depending on the model) are made, located relative to each other at an angle of 120 ° or 90 °. Near each cutout, at an angle to it, a knife is attached, which cuts off a piece of the board and feeds it into the armhole, after which it enters the crushing chamber, where it is brought to its final size.
The creation and operation of the chipper is clearly shown in the following video:
Despite the apparent simplicity of the design, not everyone has a self-made chipper, since for the manufacture of a shaft and a flywheel with knives, a lathe and milling machine. This equipment for processing wood concrete components will have to be at least partially ordered on the side.
If a lathe is not an unsolvable question, then how to make a chipper is shown in the following diagram.
Solution preparation: proportions
There are no special secrets here - you just need to mix all the components. There is only one limitation - from the moment the kneading is completed and until the solution enters the molding container, no more than 15 minutes should pass. After this time, the chemical reaction of the cement begins.
The basic procedure for filling the mixer tank (ratio of components in buckets for one batch):
- Chips fall asleep. If it was previously soaked in a solution, then you can not dry it - the next component will still add water. Quantity - 6 buckets.
- Calcium chloride (or another component) is added to the water. Proportions - 2-4% by weight of cement, which will be used for mixing (1 bucket). Visually, this is about 1-2 full glasses. Everything is mixed and poured into the mixer to the wood chips and the mixer starts. One bucket of water is also taken.
- When the wood chips are evenly moistened, it's time to add the cement. It is poured into the mixer and now we have to wait until all the chips are evenly covered with cement - all of it should become the corresponding color. The brand of cement used is 500.
Formation of wood concrete blocks
When the solution is ready, it is poured into a suitable container and now it must be used up within 15 minutes. To form and make arbolite blocks with your own hands, a lot of methods have been invented - in production these are collapsible formwork for 6-12 blocks, and at home they are usually made one at a time in home-made stencils.
One of the video production methods:
Wood concrete manufacturing technology provides for two molding options:
- Quick stripping - after the initial setting of the cement. In fact, this is a non-stop process - the formation of a block (filling the solution into a mold), pressing (or vibropressing), stripping and sending it to dry. Together with the preparation of the solution, even one person can make 80-100 blocks per day. The advantage of the method is the speed of manufacturing new wood concrete blocks and the non-stop process.
- Demoulding in a day - after pressure testing, the block is left in the mold for 24 hours, after which only demoulding and final drying is carried out. Making arbolite blocks with your own hands in this way can be even faster, but only if there are a sufficient number of forms in which the arbolite can be left overnight. The advantages of the method are close to perfect shape block, which, after setting the concrete, does not have the possibility of even the slightest skew.
The worse the geometry of the blocks, the thicker the cement joints will be between them, which form cold bridges. To reduce thermal conductivity, the blocks are given a zigzag shape, which breaks such a bridge, preventing direct heat outflow.
To form blocks, a special machine or stencils are used - all this equipment for wood concrete blocks can be done by hand.
Using the machine
Both devices can be used in any of the methods, but their machine is often made for quick demoulding, in order to increase the pace of production. Their indisputable advantage is the pressing of the block on the vibrating table. The forming process itself is simple and the equipment can be trusted by workers with minimal training.
Semi-automatic machine operation on video:
- The finished mixture is poured into a measuring container (1), which moves on the guides (2), pouring the solution into the mold (3).
- A cover (5) of the press is installed on top of the solution (its height can be adjusted with pins (6) for people different height) and pressed down with the lever (7).
- After pressing, the vibrating table (8) is switched on. It works for 20-30 seconds and automatically turns off (you can use the simplest time relay) - you can’t ram it longer, because then the cement will be shaken off to the bottom of the block.
- The lever is folded back (9), the cover of the press is removed (10) and the mold is lifted up (11), for which the pedal is pressed.
The finished wood concrete block can be taken to dry (12). After 2-3 days, it will gain sufficient strength for transportation.
To use the formwork method in a day, the mold is collapsible and removable, and the top cover can be fixed in it with latches or other convenient way. After tamping, the block is removed directly from the mold and sent for settling.
Arbolit using a stencil
Two main types of molds are used - in the form of a box without a bottom and top, as well as collapsible, in the form of two letters "G", which snap around the bottom to form a rigid box covered with a lid. It, in turn, is also fixed with separate latches that are cut into the side walls.
Regardless of which mold is used, the basic algorithm is as follows:
- The box is being prepared for filling the arbolite mixture. The through is placed on a hard surface (1), covered with cellophane (so that the block does not stick), the whole box is wetted from the inside.
- The first layer of the mixture is poured, compacted, the second layer is added on top, if necessary the third and covered with a lid. (2) oppression (weight or something suitable) rests on the through box, at the collapsible top part fixed with latches (3).
- If you have a puncher at hand, then you can walk along the lid with it, this will replace the vibrating table.
- Depending on the technology used, formwork is stripped or the form is left to stand.
If a through box is quickly demoulded, then first it rises up (4), then the oppression is removed and the cover is removed. The block is sent for drying along with the base on which it was formed.
Briefly about the main
The production of high-quality wood concrete at home is not an out of the ordinary task. The only serious difficulty may be the search for a chipper. In extreme cases, it can be made or ordered, but if there is a place to buy ready-made wood chips, then this problem is removed.
Used wood chips should be kept in the sun for about a month to neutralize the organic matter inside it. You can use for the solution and get wet.
There are two main ways to strip the finished blocks. To choose the right one, it makes sense to make trial blocks and compare the results.
For the construction of houses, various types of block materials are used to speed up construction. When choosing blocks, it is important to take into account the strength of the material, environmental friendliness, heat-insulating and sound-conducting properties. The interest of developers to wood concrete, which is produced on the basis of cement and wood chips, has increased. It is not difficult to make block wood concrete and wood concrete slabs with your own hands, having previously prepared wood and Portland cement. Let's dwell on the properties of the material, consider the advantages and disadvantages of products, get acquainted with the nuances of technology.
What is a ready-made arbolite block
Chip blocks are a type of lightweight concrete. They are distinguished by a large-porous structure and a filler, which is used as wood shavings. Standard products have the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with dimensions of 0.5x0.3x0.2 m. Block products are also produced with other dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the molding box. Along with blocks, arbolite products are produced in the form of plates, to increase the strength of which reinforcement is performed.
Wood concrete includes the following components:
- wood filler in the form of chips of certain sizes;
- special active additives with chemical components;
- binder based on Portland cement M400;
- water, providing the plasticity of arbolite solutions.
One of the conditions for obtaining quality material– uniform mixing of ingredients. First, the mass of each type of feedstock is determined depending on the required amount of solution. Then the weighed components are mixed and the next step is performed - filling the formwork boxes with mortar. To ensure the increased density of the blocks, the mixture is compacted in the molds. It is easy for developers manufacturing wood concrete to master this method of producing wood concrete.
Solid walls are built from arbolite blocks and internal partitions are erected in low-rise buildings:
- residential buildings;
- economic objects;
- industrial buildings.
Blocks and slabs are produced from the arbolite mixture, which differ in specific gravity and functional purpose. The margin of safety and the specific gravity of the wood concrete are connected by a direct proportion. More dense products are superior in terms of strength characteristics to blocks with reduced density.
Arbolit is classified into the following types:
- material with a density of up to 500 kg / m3, used for insulation various kinds building structures;
- structural products with a specific gravity of 500-800 kg / m3, which is used for the construction of load-bearing walls.
The use of wood filler and the coarse-mesh structure of the wood concrete mass do not allow the material to be used under heavy loads. You should make sure of the quality of the material when purchasing wood concrete for the construction of a private house. High-quality raw materials are not always used and the working mixture is saturated with liquid glass, which reduces hygroscopicity.
For the construction of a private house, you should make sure the quality of the material The main performance characteristics of wood concrete blocks
When planning to make blocks or wood concrete slabs with your own hands, you should familiarize yourself with the properties of the building material.
The performance of the material depends on the following factors:
- quality of raw materials;
- the proportions of the components in the solution;
- meeting the requirements of the technological process.
Main characteristics:
- density. Depending on the density of the raw materials used and the specifics of the manufacturing technology, the specific gravity of the material varies in the range from 0.5 to 0.85 t/m3;
- strength. It characterizes the ability of a material to perceive compressive loads. The load capacity for structural materials is B1.5-B3.5, and for heat-insulating materials - B0.35-B1.0;
- thermal conductivity. The ability of wood concrete to conduct heat is expressed by the coefficient of thermal conductivity, which increases from 0.09 W / m ° C for thermal insulation materials up to 0.14 W/m°C for structural blocks;
- frost resistance. The resistance of the material to the effects of temperature changes depends on the moisture content of porous wood concrete, which is able to maintain integrity during cyclic freezing;
Wood concrete is a high thermal insulation material - moisture absorption. The material is characterized by increased hygroscopicity associated with capillary filling of wood filler with moisture. In the process of saturating the wood concrete with moisture through the air cells, the volume of the material increases by 1.5 times;
- shrinkage. The ability of the material to change the initial volume depends on the initial moisture content. The process of size reduction finally stops a couple of months after the blocks are made;
- fire safety. Despite the wood chips inside the wood concrete blocks, the blocks are included in the group of slow-burning materials. Arbolite material belongs to the products of group G1;
- vapor permeability. The porous array of arbolite slabs does not create obstacles for steam escaping from the room, which helps to maintain a comfortable microclimate inside the building.
Important characteristics of wood concrete products also include soundproofing properties, due to which the material prevents the penetration of external noise into the room. In terms of sound absorption, wood concrete surpasses traditionally used materials - brick, wood and.
Wood concrete building blocks - advantages and disadvantages of the material
Wood concrete is gradually gaining popularity in the construction industry due to serious benefits:
Wood concrete surpasses traditionally used materials in terms of sound absorption - reduced thermal conductivity. In buildings built from arbolite blocks, the temperature favorable for living quarters is maintained all year round. In addition, due to the reduced thermal conductivity, heating costs are reduced;
- sufficient margin of safety. With a compression force of 5 MPa and a bending load of 1 MPa, the material is not destroyed. Due to the strength of the material, arbolite products gradually restore their shape and original dimensions;
- resistance to deep freezing. Manufacturers of wood concrete blocks and slabs guarantee the frost resistance of products. Tests confirm the preservation of the performance characteristics of the material after 40-60 cycles of intensive cooling, followed by a sharp settling;
- ability to reduce noise exposure. The soundproofing characteristics of wood shavings used as a filler make it possible to create favorable conditions for those living in the room by absorbing external noise;
- reduced weight with increased volume. Using light and voluminous blocks of wood concrete, it is easy to quickly build the main walls of the house. The reduced mass of block material can significantly reduce the load on the foundation;
- harm to health and environment. The manufacturing technology of wood concrete products involves the use of environmentally friendly raw materials. The absence of harmful emissions from wood concrete confirms the harmlessness of the material to others;
- ease of use. Arbolit is easy to cut into blanks of the required size using an improvised tool. Problematic situations when cutting material and forming channels in it are excluded. In addition, a reinforcing mesh is not required for plastering wood concrete;
- maintaining original dimensions under load. Due to the low shrinkage of wood concrete blocks, not exceeding 0.6%, the likelihood of cracking on the walls of the building is reduced. The dimensions of the block material after being removed from the molds and dried are preserved;
- affordable price. The low cost of the material is ensured by the use of cheap waste that accumulates at woodworking enterprises in the process of manufacturing various products;
Wood concrete is harmless to health and the environment - durability. Despite the fact that wood concrete has recently gained popularity in the construction market, it is a building material with a long service life. Safe operation wood concrete structures is guaranteed for up to half a century.
Arbolit is in demand in the construction industry due to a set of advantages. After analyzing the shortcomings of wood concrete, we get a complete picture of the characteristics of the building material.
So, weak sides wood concrete:
- instability of product dimensions. Increased dimensional tolerances are associated with the use of molds by different manufacturers that differ in size. Avoid increased consumption plaster composition, associated with dimensional deviations, allows the purchase of blocks from one supplier;
- irreversible changes in the structure of wood concrete during intense heating. And although open fire does not cause ignition of wood concrete products, due to the high temperature associated with sudden heating, chips smolder. This significantly reduces the strength of the material;
- tendency to absorb moisture. Due to the increased hygroscopicity of the wood concrete, accelerated moisture saturation of unprotected walls occurs. The surface of the material needs to be plastered on the outside and inside of the building. It is also necessary to waterproof the foundation with which the arbolite blocks come into contact.
Other disadvantages include:
- the possibility of development of microorganisms due to the reduced concentration of lime;
- the need for additional insulation of wood concrete, which is easily blown;
- characteristic odor associated with the introduction of chemical reagents into the material;
- block damage by various rodents showing interest in it.
Having decided to make wood concrete slabs with your own hands for building a house, get acquainted with the advantages of the material and carefully analyze the disadvantages.
Due to the complex of advantages, wood concrete is widely used in construction. How to make wood concrete slabs with your own hands
The answer to the question of how to make wood concrete blocks with your own hands is of interest to many developers. For the manufacture of products should:
- deal with technology;
- choose a proven recipe;
- purchase the necessary components;
- prepare equipment and tools;
- make mold boxes.
Let's take a closer look at the main points.
What materials and equipment are used for the production of blocks
For self-manufacturing wood concrete should be prepared:
- initial components in the required amount;
- shovels and buckets for loading ingredients into the mixer;
- chipping unit for preliminary crushing of material;
- separator for cleaning shredded wood chips;
- crusher for crushing chips to the required fraction;
- concrete mixer for mixing components;
- mold box;
- rammer to compact the mixture.
For the industrial production of wood concrete, a vibrating platform will be required, which allows the production of blocks of increased density.
Preparation of wood chips for the production of wood concrete blocks The composition of the working mixture and the proportions of ingredients
Despite the simple recipe for the preparation of wood concrete and the availability of raw materials, attention should be paid to quality issues.
The filler, which is used as sawdust, shavings or wood chips, requires special preparation:
- cleaning from foreign inclusions;
- crushing to sizes not exceeding 0.5x1x4 cm;
- drying for two to three months;
- lime treatment to prevent decay.
A lime mortar of 15% concentration is introduced in an amount of up to 500 liters per cubic meter of chips. Soaking woodworking waste is carried out with regular mixing of the material. The process takes no more than one week. During this period, the sugar content in the wood decreases, which reduces the likelihood of decay. It is allowed to use purchased raw materials or grind wood waste at home using a crusher.
In addition to wood chips, for the manufacture of wood concrete you will also need:
- cement brand M400 or M500. Do not use cured material. Fresh cement is needed, which crumbles easily. The strength of blocks and slabs depends on the quality of the binder;
- special additives that reduce moisture absorption and prevent the development of microorganisms. The technology provides for the possibility of using slaked lime, calcium chloride, liquid glass and alumina.
The necessary plasticity of the wood concrete mixture is provided by introducing water absorbed by the filler.
Do-it-yourself arbolite blocks To prepare a cubic meter of arbolite solution, you will need:
- chips in an amount of 200 to 300 kg;
- cement, the weight of which is 250-350 kg;
- mineralizing additives - 8-12 kg.
Depending on the percentages of the ingredients, the density of the blocks changes.
How to make a mold for wood concrete blocks with your own hands
To pour the solution, you need a form for wood concrete blocks. It is easy to make it with your own hands using various materials:
- moisture resistant plywood;
- sheet metal;
- planed boards.
The box design is simple. This is a collapsible container in which there is no bottom, and there are carrying handles. Inner dimensions shapes are determined by the dimensions of the blocks.
Technology requirements for the manufacture of the mixture
Independent production of blocks is popular today. It allows you to reduce costs. The craftsmen who make it will easily master the technology for the production of wood concrete.
It includes the following steps:
- Drying wood chips.
- Crushing wood to the desired size.
- Chip mineralization by soaking.
- Weighing the feedstock and loading into the mixer.
- Thorough mixing of components.
- Pouring the prepared mixture into molds.
- Sealing molded products.
- Settling products for a week.
- Removal of products from molding boxes.
Finished products should be laid out in a ventilated area and dried for three weeks.
Available technology and a simple recipe allow you to make arbolite slabs with your own hands. The use of high-quality raw materials, compliance with the recipe and technology will make it possible to obtain durable wood concrete.