The assortment includes various types of products - solid ones for foundation masonry and hollow concrete blocks used for masonry walls. This material is a modern alternative to brick walls and foundations, while the characteristics of the blocks make it possible to simplify and speed up the construction of any object.
What determines the cost of concrete blocks?
If you compare the cost of the concrete blocks we present with the price of other materials with similar characteristics, it becomes clear that using blocks is much more profitable. The relatively low cost of this material allows us to maintain an affordable price for finished products.
Partnerships with leading factories allow us to keep selling prices for materials at a level accessible to most clients.
How much do building blocks cost?
The answer to this question depends on various factors. For example, hollow products are cheaper because their production requires less cement than the production of monolithic solid foundation materials. The following are built from hollow blocks:
- walls;
- bearing structures;
- interior partitions;
- fencing.
Solid products are used for foundations, basements, and basements. They are much stronger and more reliable, but are more expensive. Also, the price of concrete blocks is influenced by the dimensions of the products, wall thickness, strength parameters, frost resistance, etc. All products we offer have a high strength class corresponding to heavy concrete and frost resistance of 50 cycles, which makes them reliable building materials.
Even when building a small country house made of brick or wood, the financial costs will be considerable. Foundation work requires approximately one-fifth of the total construction cost. In the case of a foundation made up of foundation blocks, this includes the purchase of material, payment for the work of builders, and the cost of special equipment. Some of the costs can be reduced, or even eliminated, if you prepare the materials for construction yourself, that is, make the blocks yourself. To do this, you will need to perform preliminary calculations, as well as stock up on materials.
A foundation block made independently is not inferior in quality to a block purchased at a construction site.
Work on the construction of the foundation for which the blocks were made with your own hands can be done in this way: the prepared formwork is installed in place, the mixture is poured into it. After the composition has hardened a little, the formwork is removed and rearranged further. The process is repeated. One formwork is used repeatedly in this way. But the described method may not always be convenient, even if several formworks are used. More often, blocks are made separately with your own hands and stored.
In terms of reliability and strength, concrete blocks made by hand are not much inferior to those purchased using building materials. They are quite strong and reliable, and as for the manufacturing technology at home, it is not so complicated. The main thing is to correctly calculate the dimensions most suitable for the future cement product. Its length should be such that it is easy and without sawing to lay the product into the foundation. When making calculations, you need to select the dimensions in such a way that you can move the blocks with your own hands or with assistants, without the use of special equipment.
Tools and materials for work
To work you will need:
- collapsible formwork into which cement composition will need to be poured;
- coarse sand, fraction 1.5 mm;
- crushed stone fraction 10 mm;
- Portland cement M300;
- shovel;
- water;
- construction trowel;
- wood hacksaw;
- metal scissors;
- electric drill.
To make your own formwork, you need to select the following materials:
- boards or moisture-resistant plywood;
- steel sheet 1 mm thick;
- metal rod with a diameter of 12 mm;
- M12 nuts – 2 pcs.
The boards must be selected or processed so that their width is equal to the height of the block. The length should be equal to the length of the block, to which another 20 cm is added. One side of each board should be well planed and painted with waterproof paint. On the side that is painted, step back 10 cm from the edge on each side and make two transverse cuts - they should go 5-6 mm deep. Between these cuts the distance corresponding to the length of the future product is obtained. On the sides, in the middle of the distance between the cut and the edge, holes should be drilled for tightening the formwork with a diameter of 14 mm.
You need to cut two rectangular parts from a steel sheet. Their purpose is to cover the sides of the formwork being constructed. On one side of the rectangle the length should be equal to the height of the block, on the other it must be calculated by adding 10 cm to the previous value. Prepare the rods - they will be needed for tightening. Their length should be 80-90 cm greater than the width of the blocks. There should be a thread at the end of each rod - if you can’t do it yourself, contact a workshop.
The formwork is assembled as follows. The prepared boards are installed side by side, their side edges should be parallel to each other. In this case, the painted surfaces must be turned inside the assembled product. Insert tie rods into the holes made. Insert rectangular metal elements into the grooves of the notches - these will be the ends of the formwork. Place the nuts on the rods, but do not tighten them all the way yet. First, you need to place special wooden inserts nearby - they are needed to fix the width of the product.
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Making cement blocks
When making foundation blocks, it is better to use concrete grade M200 and class B15. If the technology is followed correctly, this strength is enough to support a building about two floors high. The higher the grade of cement used, the stronger the foundation blocks. To make good concrete, you will need M300 Portland cement, sand and crushed stone. You can make stronger blocks with your own hands if you reinforce the products with metal wire.
Boris R., Balashikha
I would like to express my gratitude to the Avtostroy company. They advised me on all the questions that were unclear to me regarding paving slabs, they chose a delivery time that was convenient for me, and in general it’s nice when people do their job well.
Elena L., Moscow
As a woman, all these construction issues are difficult for me to understand, but given the current circumstances, you can’t learn anything. When I needed to buy paving slabs for my parents’ property, I spent quite a long time looking around for what and where I could buy. The products are basically the same everywhere, but experience suggests that not everything is so simple. In the end, I chose the Avtostroy company, which I do not regret.
Alexey B., Korolev
Well what can I say. Everything is fine, no problems, I ordered and bought paving slabs and curbs. Regular, gray, so I can’t tell you about the color. The quality is good, no chips, no, God forbid, cracks. Delivered the next day after ordering, without prepayment. They unloaded it themselves; the car was equipped with a crane. This was especially helpful, considering that I was alone and did not specify how the unloading would be carried out. But everything worked out well, the pallets with paving slabs and curbs were unloaded in a place convenient for me.
Prefabricated structures help to significantly reduce the construction time of any structure. Foundation blocks are usually intended for the construction of buildings with basements. They form the walls of the underground part of the building, at the same time being the basis of the future house. Foundation blocks can be solid or hollow. And they are made from heavy, porous or silicate concrete.
Standards
Foundation blocks are produced taking into account the standards prescribed in GOST 13579-78. Here are the following:
- structural types of concrete products;
- specifications;
- dimensional parameters;
- requirements for materials;
- permissible deviations;
- rules relating to acceptance and control;
- methods of storage and transportation.
Hollow blocks are produced under the FBP brand. In their body, along a length equal to 2380 mm, there are blind recesses that do not reach the closed edge of 30 mm. The height of the products is 580mm, and the width is 400, 500 and 600mm. The voids at the entrance have a rectangular cross-section, narrowing as they deepen. Their sizes:
- along the length at the entrance - 430mm, at the bottom - 350mm;
- width at the entrance - 160, 220 and 320 mm, depending on the width of the foundation blocks;
- depth – 550mm.
Each FBP contains four holes, moving from a rectangular shape in the open part to a rounded shape in the closed part.
Foundation blocks have symbols indicating the type of product (in our case - FBP), three sizes in decimeters, rounded up, type of concrete and GOST number. For example: FBS 24.5.6-S GOST 13579-78. Such marking is considered standard, although industry regulations have the right to slightly change it.
The type of concrete means:
- T – heavy;
- C – has medium density (silicate);
- P – made using porous aggregates (expanded clay concrete).
All of the listed types of material are used for the production of foundation blocks with voids. The relationship between the type of concrete and its compressive strength class for FBP:
- for heavy and expanded clay concrete – B12.5;
- for silicate – B15.
The reference mass of products, in this case, is:
- from heavy concrete – 1.05…1.4t;
- from silicate – 0.88…1.17t;
- from expanded clay concrete - 0.79...1.05 t.
Frost resistance, as well as water resistance of concrete, is accepted according to building codes, depending on the climatic conditions of the region and the type of operation of the foundation. These explanations are given in the design documentation. Particular attention is paid to the geological conditions of the construction site. In particular, an important parameter is the aggressiveness of the environment. After research, adjustments are made to the requirements for the composition of the concrete mixture from which the products will be made.
All foundation blocks with voids are equipped with two P2 mounting loops. They are a reinforcing bar bent in a certain way with a diameter of 10 mm. GOST presents drawings and dimensions of loops. They are installed in special recesses at a distance of 80mm from the end of the block. There should be no concrete sagging on the surface of the protruding part of the rods.
Permissible deviations
Standards define tolerances for linear dimensions in both directions:
- length – within 13mm;
- width – within 8mm;
- height – within 8mm.
The straightness of the surfaces should not deviate by more than 3mm along the entire length or width of the foundation blocks. In addition, their body is not allowed to have cracks other than minor surface defects.
Peculiarities
The use of hollow blocks, despite the apparent fragility of the products, increases the reliability of the foundation. The fact is that its safety factor increases due to the reinforcement of the structure with vertical reinforcing bars and as a result of filling the voids with concrete mortar. The blocks, in this case, perform the function of permanent formwork, entering into a fairly rigid monolithic bond with concrete poured inside the structural holes. The foundation is strong and weakly reacts to lateral loads.
Professionals argue that FBPs do not justify themselves in low-rise construction.
Their arguments are as follows. It is impossible to lift the foundation blocks manually, so a construction crane must be ordered to install them. Its work is estimated in machine hours, taking into account downtime, which is not cheap for a private developer. In addition, a truck is needed to transport the products to the installation site, and for the process of installing the blocks itself, a portioned mixture of the solution is required. All these factors influence the rise in cost of construction of a foundation made of hollow blocks.
Prefabricated products have their undoubted advantages. But their full benefit is manifested in the construction of underground parts of high-rise buildings. In this case, the blocks provide:
- speed of masonry - no need to build formwork and wait for the concrete to set completely;
- clear geometry of basement walls due to standard sizes of industrial products;
- declared density and strength.
FBP voids are filled not only with concrete, but also with insulation. This makes it possible to use blocks when constructing foundation walls of unheated basements and even above-ground structures of industrial workshops or utility rooms that are not provided with central heating. In certain cases, hollow blocks are used as protective casings for pipelines of heating systems or water supply. In this case, the space between the pipes and the inner walls of the concrete blocks is filled with heat-insulating foam.
In building a house, one of the most important elements is a high-quality foundation, since it is on this that the future construction will rest. Therefore, it must be built not only from high-quality materials, but also be installed correctly. Today, foundations made from FBS blocks are very popular, this is due not only to the high quality of the material, but also to the relatively affordable cost. Of course, many people wonder how to build a foundation from blocks.
Building a base from foundation blocks is quite simple and quick, and for more convenient work you can choose blocks of different sizes.
It is durable and highly reliable, but at the same time it is necessary to take into account the fact that these parameters are also ensured by proper installation.
The main advantage of such a foundation is that it can withstand both high and low temperatures, therefore, such a foundation is suitable for different climatic conditions. Installing a block foundation is a simple process, but it requires care and attention.
If you are planning on your own, it is advisable to use smaller block sizes, since an average block weighs up to 500 kg, so you will need additional lifting equipment. A wide selection of sizes and models of FBS blocks is another advantage; thanks to this assortment, you can build not only a block foundation, but also build walls, but wall blocks are required for their construction.
FBS is a ready-made material and you just need to buy slabs of the appropriate size, so there is no need to grind or saw off anything.
The following tools and materials are needed:
- foundation blocks (preferably with ready-made holes);
- fittings;
- waterproofing material;
- concrete mixture;
- sand;
- shovel;
- concrete mixer;
- building level and hydraulic level;
- rope;
- wheelbarrows and containers for moving the solution;
- thin steel wire or nylon twine;
- Master OK;
- level;
- hammer;
- chisel;
- roulette;
- Construction crane.
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Dimensions of foundation blocks
Before building a foundation from blocks, you need to decide on the type of blocks for construction. Their sizes can vary significantly. What size blocks are needed depends on the purpose of the building. For example, a block foundation for a house, especially a permanent one, must withstand a colossal weight load. To do this, choose massive and wide blocks that can only be laid using a construction crane.
If the foundation is being built for a small building, for example, a garage, bathhouse, country house or outbuilding, you can use small blocks. A block foundation is built quite quickly, unlike a poured one. Almost immediately after its construction, you can begin laying walls.
In addition to their dimensions, the blocks also differ in density. It is better to use blocks with a density of 1500-1800 kg/m³.
It must be greater than the calculated thickness of the walls of the building.
The width of the blocks selected for construction is also taken into account. The blocks must fit freely into the trench.
The depth of the trench depends on the size of the structure and the composition of the soil.
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Installation of foundation blocks
It is better to install a FBS foundation in the warm season. The ideal time is summer.
Foundation blocks cannot be installed on a wet or damp surface; in unfavorable weather conditions, it is better to postpone construction. Before you start building a block foundation, you need to prepare the foundation, for this you need to install the axles, and then make a breakdown and dig a trench.
To transfer the axes, pull the axial threads and, using a body kit, transfer the intersection points to the bottom of the pit. It is worth thinking in advance about the cushion under the foundation - it should be made of sand, which must first be sifted and compacted. The thickness of the pillow is on average 5-10 cm, and its width should exceed 20-30 cm. This all applies to the construction of a strip foundation made of FBS.
If you plan to make a foundation from columnar blocks, you need to create special cabinets and pillows. The pillow must be in all holes and it is made according to a special pattern. The bottom of the pit needs to be flattened, then a cushion of crushed stone and sand must be made and carefully leveled. The resulting pillow can be covered with bitumen mastic. The main task is to make all the pits the same design and length. An ordinary rope will help you with this, which you need to stretch between the support points of the base.
The installation of the foundation must begin with blocks that serve as beacons; they are placed at corners, at intersections and on lintels. The correspondence of the direction and the project depends on how accurately the beacon blocks are installed. Then you need to move the pier upstairs, this needs to be done gradually, each time increasing the rows of stacked blocks.
Deviations are easily corrected with a crowbar, with the help of which the foundation blocks are moved to where they should be. Using a level, compliance with the drawings and correct placement of beacon blocks is checked, although any deviations are considered normal. If the level shows that the permissible standard has been exceeded, the block must be pulled out of the masonry and installed again.
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The principle of constructing a foundation from FBS
The main thing that you should pay close attention to is the adhesion of the blocks, which must be thorough; the adhesion is done using cement. Before laying, you need to prepare the solution, taking care in advance of its required consistency, since then you cannot add water to it, as this will affect the quality of the work.
Laying the blocks is similar to brickwork; horizontal deviations should not be more than 10 mm. For durability, the foundation is reinforced with a metal grid. Sealing seams and joints is a prerequisite when constructing a foundation made of blocks, especially when constructing garages, basements, and basements.
To do this, the joints are filled with a special solution, which contains a waterproofing additive, which significantly increases its performance properties and. The thickness of the mortar depends on the size of the blocks. The gaps between the blocks are filled with reinforced concrete monolithic inserts. When you need to remember that the calculation is made based on the greatest height of the masonry, which should not be more than 5 blocks.
According to building standards and norms, small gaps can be made between concrete blocks to allow communications into the house: sewerage, electricity, and water supply. Indeed, today communications are carried out underground.
The work is completed with mandatory waterproofing of the foundation, installation of a reliable drainage system and high-quality blind area with the necessary slope from the main building. Drainage can be done using a clay castle or other available methods.
