How to make polystyrene concrete with your own hands: manufacturing technology, characteristics, step-by-step plan. Self-production of polystyrene concrete Polystyrene concrete blocks recipe

In this article we will talk about how to make polystyrene concrete with your own hands and what this material is. Currently, there is a widespread abandonment of traditional building materials in favor of fundamentally new technologies.

And this is not surprising, since thanks to progressive construction methods it is possible to erect buildings and structures that will be strong, light, durable and, most importantly, their price will be more affordable!

A typical example is polystyrene concrete - a material created thanks to new technologies and designed to grow and reduce the cost of individual construction.

Key Features

Lightweight cement-containing mortars, with polystyrene foam as a filler, have been used over the past 20 years. For the construction industry, this is a short period of time, but it is quite enough to determine that the material, if used correctly, is strong and durable.

Due to the low level of volumetric mass, the volumetric mass of which will meet the requirements of a particular application. The operational and technical characteristics of cement-containing mortars with the addition of polystyrene are determined in accordance with GOST R 51263-99.

Despite the fact that you can make a high-quality polystyrene concrete floor with your own hands, this material has proven itself to be an excellent solution for building walls and installing thermal insulation. An analysis of the cost of cement-containing mortars with various fillers shows that the price of polystyrene concrete is the most affordable.

Advantages without any disadvantages

In the photo - lightweight concrete poured into collapsible formwork

Among the distinctive qualities of polystyrene concrete are the following:

• environmental Safety due to the absence of toxins, both during production and during operation;
• durability(over 100 years);
• vapor permeability at the level of wood, which makes this material an excellent solution for the construction of residential premises;
• fire safety due to long-term resistance to open flame;
• hydrophobicity, not inferior to most traditional building materials;
• increased resistance to low temperatures;
• low level of thermal conductivity(walls 30-50 cm thick made of polystyrene concrete correspond to a brick wall more than 1 meter thick);
• optimal degree of sound insulation;
• no shrinkage, which is especially important when constructing floor screeds.

Important: Polystyrene concrete is characterized by ease of mechanical processing. Structures made using this material can be drilled, sawed, milled, fastened with nails and self-tapping screws.

Manufacturing technology

The instructions are no more complicated than making other types of cement-containing mortars. You can cope with this task yourself directly at the construction site.

The solution that we have to prepare is a composite material, that is, it contains a number of different components, including:

• Portland cement;
• siliceous aggregates (fly ash and/or quartz sand);
• porous filler (foamed polystyrene);
• modifying fillers (plasticizers and setting accelerators).

The production of concrete with the addition of polystyrene comes down to thorough and uniform mixing of the listed components with a certain amount of water.

The finished solution can be used in two ways:

• the mixture can be poured into special molds and thus wall blocks will be obtained;
• the mixture can be poured into collapsible or permanent formwork directly at the construction site.

Important: The preparation of polystyrene concrete does not require the use of specialized equipment; it will be enough to use a conventional mixer with forced mixing, the price of which is low.

Preparing polystyrene concrete

So, the mixer has been purchased or rented, all that remains is to get to work.

The sequence of loading ingredients into a running mixer is as follows:

• add volume-metered amounts of PVG (foamed granulated polystyrene) and chemical additives in accordance with the recipe;
• then water is added;
• After 2-3 minutes of mixing, add cement, then mix for another 3 minutes.

In total, preparing the solution takes about 5-6 minutes. At the exit we should get a cohesive, porous, homogeneous mixture.

Important: Despite the fact that most of the properties of the finished material are determined by the polystyrene content, strength depends on water. Adding water in excess will certainly lead to a decrease in the strength properties of the finished polystyrene concrete. A lack of water is also unacceptable, as it will lead to increased cracking.

Composition of polystyrene concrete

D400: 190 kg of M300 cement, 110 kg of seeded sand, 10 kg of polystyrene, 4 kg of latex, 115 l of water;

D500: 215 kg of M300 cement, 180 kg of seeded sand, 11 kg of polystyrene, 5 kg of latex, 130 l of water.

Important: The strength and durability of structures made using polystyrene concrete can be significantly increased by adding reinforcing fibers compatible with Portland cement to the mixture. The presence of reinforcing fibers in the hardened material minimizes the number of microdeformations caused by tensile shrinkage and temperature fluctuations during the hardening process of the mixture.

Conclusion

So, we have figured out which building material can be considered optimal, both from the point of view of characteristics and from the point of view of preparation in domestic conditions. Moreover, now you know how to make polystyrene concrete with your own hands and use it for its intended purpose.

You can find more useful and educational information by watching the video in this article.

The second half of the 20th century is characterized by a technological revolution that completely changed human life. New building materials and technologies for their processing have appeared. Construction began to happen faster and with better quality. Traditional stone and wood are gradually becoming a thing of the past.

Materials that just recently seemed incompatible are being replaced. One of these inventions was concrete with a light polymer filler.

Historical reference

Construction technologists have worked for many years to obtain durable, lightweight and cheap material. So that new high-rise buildings can be quickly built, reducing the load on the foundation. In the middle of the 20th century, a brilliant idea was proposed - instead of heavy crushed stone in concrete mixtures, use lightweight polystyrene foam. At that time, petrochemicals were still little developed, and the material turned out, although of high quality, was expensive.

It took 15 years of development for the technology to become affordable and commercially available. The founder of the invention, BASF, has today become a recognized world leader in the production of raw materials for polystyrene concrete.

Features of the material

The combination of petrochemicals and cement gave birth to a new high-strength material with excellent thermal insulation capabilities. The manufacturing technology is so simple that even a non-specialist can build a house from polystyrene concrete with his own hands.

The main components will be cheap, readily available materials.

• Everyone knows well about pressed sheets. In the same way, a number of companies have been producing granules for filling concrete mixtures for a long time.
• To create a strong structure, cement of a grade not lower than M300 is used.
• Sometimes sand is added to give additional density to the final material. As a rule, no more than 15%.
• Some types of concrete contain synthetic fibers. Its presence prevents shrinkage and the appearance of small cracks.
• To form a uniform structure, various plasticizers are added. When making polystyrene concrete with your own hands, you often use the usual Fairy detergent.

Polystyrene concrete standard

At the same time as Western companies, specialists from the Soviet Union carried out their development of lightweight concrete. Currently, Russia, as the successor to those developments, widely uses new materials in industrial construction. The VNIIzhelezobeton Institute has developed standard 33929-2016 for technical conditions for the production of concrete, which reflects all the requirements for the initial components and the final product.

1. Thermal insulation of floors, external walls and foundations. In this case, a large load is not provided; accordingly, in terms of strength, it is enough to have a grade of B0.35.
2. Insulation of external walls of high-rise buildings, monolithic filling of frame structures already requires more durable concrete B0.5-B1.
3. For buildings no higher than 2 floors and external non-load-bearing walls, the use of such concrete is allowed, but the strength grade should be B1.5-B2.5.

Private housing construction

Of course, in individual construction, few people comply with all the requirements and recommendations of GOST. Often the ingenuity of the developer finds the most unexpected applications for the material. At the same time, we must not forget that standards are developed by specialists based on many years of experience. Moreover, if the technology is violated, you can not only damage the structure, but also create a threat to your own safety. When making polystyrene concrete with your own hands, follow all technological requirements and proportions of the constituent elements.

Let's look at some of the most relevant areas of application.

Monolithic construction

How to build a monolithic house from polystyrene concrete? You can make the mixture with your own hands, assemble the formwork and pour the concrete. Everything is simple in words only. The use of ultra-light concrete for pouring monolithic walls, according to reviews, is the worst use of the material. Firstly, under construction site conditions it is difficult to mix cement with light polymer. The latter constantly strives to rise up. Secondly, such concrete shrinks and making the correct calculations yourself is not always easy. Thirdly, contact of the surface of a monolithic wall with an aggressive atmospheric environment often leads to rapid destruction of the structure. You can protect yourself from this with a thick layer of plaster, but it’s still unpleasant, because you have to do everything yourself.

Monolithic polystyrene concrete is often used as a filler between two load-bearing surfaces. For example, brickwork.

Concrete blocks

According to reviews, it is popular to make blocks from polystyrene concrete with your own hands. Firstly, depending on free time, the manufacturing process can be greatly extended. Secondly, there is no need to make batches in large volumes. It is enough to mix the concrete well for several blocks. Fill the formwork and calmly work on the next batch. Thirdly, finished blocks can be given time to gain strength without subjecting them to stress. The fact is that polystyrene concrete gains strength characteristics within 28 days. During drying, the blocks must be placed so that they are not exposed to precipitation or sunlight.

Subsequently, any building can be made from the finished blocks. This process is much simpler than bricklaying.

Insulation of floors and screeds

Lightweight, but quite durable material is excellent for insulating floors with polystyrene concrete. It’s very easy to make a batch with your own hands, pour it over the base and level it. Let's give it time to dry. You can begin the finishing coat. The design does not require additional insulation and is quite durable. Quite unexpectedly, this practice appeared when making polystyrene concrete screeds with your own hands on waterfowl. The ability to withstand high linear loads of the material is ideal for houses on the water. In addition, the material is not hygroscopic.

Making your own solution

When planning to work with lightweight concrete, you first need to decide what structure of the product you are interested in:

• dense;
• porous;
• coarse-pore.

Depending on this, a recipe for making the mixture is selected. At home, you should not start with porous and coarse mixtures. Their manufacture requires additional equipment and certain skills.

With a dense mixture everything is easier. A standard set of tools for making concrete is sufficient. Let's give an example of how to make polystyrene concrete with your own hands in the simplest conditions.

Composition of mixtures

As already noted, for durability of use it is important to comply with the recommended ratios of components and their quality. Otherwise, there is a possibility of rapid destruction and poor performance properties.

1. For floors, screeds, and floor insulation, grade B0.35 is suitable. The proportions of the mixture are as follows: per cubic meter of polystyrene take 160 kg of cement (grade no lower than M400), 1 kilogram of wood-saponified resin and dilute with 100 liters of water.
2. To fill the walls, B0.75 concrete is already being made as durable insulation. In this case, the grade of cement can be slightly lowered, to M300, 160 kg of it will be required, 75 kg of river sand, 9 kg of polystyrene and 5 kg of latex are added. You need 95 liters of water.
3. For wall blocks it is better to use grade B1.5. When making polystyrene concrete blocks with your own hands, the proportions look like this: 190 kg of M300 cement, 110 kg of river sand, 10 kg of latex, 115 liters of water.
4. For structures bearing heavy loads, the maximum possible strength is B2.5. Naturally, we need to take more cement. Brand M300 needs 180 kg, sand is not used, polystyrene - 11 kg, latex - 5 kg. Everything is mixed with 130 liters of water.

Tool used

To prepare polystyrene concrete with your own hands, you do not need any special equipment. An ordinary stirrer and appropriate containers are sufficient. To produce blocks, it is worth stocking up on formwork. You can make it from wood, but it is better to use industrial metal. It is better to carry out the work indoors, so that the finished blocks can dry under a canopy.

When building a house, a primitive mixer will not be enough. You can purchase a small active concrete mixer and work quietly. This is quite enough for the home team.

Those who want to produce blocks in large quantities, for example to build a farm, should think about additional equipment. To make the blocks strong, the concrete mixture must be subjected to vibration. For this purpose, there are special vibrating tables or hand-held vibrators. The choice is up to the owner, depending on his plans.

The technologies for making polystyrene concrete with your own hands are practically no different from the production of other concretes. The main thing is to learn a few simple rules and always follow them:

1. All recommendations on proportions are strictly followed. Keep an eye on the composition.
2. Only high quality cement is purchased. The brand must match that stated in the passport. Avoid dubious sellers.
3. are taken only from well-known manufacturers. It may seem more expensive, but high-quality products will quickly show their cost-effectiveness.
4. Don't forget about plasticizers, they play an important role in making concrete homogeneous.

Polystyrene concrete was first invented about 20 years ago; its manufacturing technology is regulated by GOST R 51263-99. Initially, it was supposed to serve as insulation, but this material has gained popularity only in recent years due to its low thermal conductivity. Before choosing this building material, you need to have a clear idea of ​​what polystyrene concrete is, what kind of structures it is suitable for, and know its pros and cons.

Composition and properties

The building material belongs to the category of lightweight concrete, the composition includes:

1. cement;
2. quartz sand;
3. polystyrene granules with a diameter of less than 20 mm;
4. water;
5. hardener;
6. foamed tree resin.

One of the features of the material is the ability to make it yourself at home.

The building material has gained wide popularity due to the following characteristics:

• high thermal insulation - a wall made of 30 cm of polystyrene concrete corresponds to a brick wall 180 cm thick;
• the properties of the material are close to wood, but more durable;
• withstands temperatures from -50 0 C to +60 0 C;
• environmental safety - the composition includes natural substances and polystyrene;
• fire safety - the substance belongs to the non-flammable class;
• polystyrene concrete does not absorb moisture well and is not susceptible to fungus formation;
• due to the lightness of the blocks, the pressure on the foundation is reduced;
• a wall made of polystyrene blocks dampens sound up to 65 dB, providing sound insulation to the room.

The disadvantages of the material include:

• complexity plastering, the material does not adhere well to the plaster, additional surface treatment is required;
• Difficulties arise when installing door and window structures; when performing this work, you need to use a special technology to avoid loosening.

Studies were carried out on the resistance of the material to temperatures, during which a block of polystyrene concrete was exposed to a temperature of 1000 0 C, and the material also went through 50 cycles of freezing and thawing. As a result of the tests, the integrity of the block was slightly compromised. It is recommended to plaster and paint walls made of polystyrene concrete blocks to increase their service life.

Scope of application and types of polystyrene concrete

The building material has average strength. The wall is 30 cm thick and can withstand a distributed load of up to 30 tons. The right solution would be to build a house made of polystyrene concrete up to 3 floors high. This material is used to make both individual blocks and monolithic walls and is used for cladding buildings. Due to the fact that the substance hardens quickly, it is very convenient to fill screeds, floors, and walls with polystyrene concrete.

The material is used not only in new buildings, but also for renovation of buildings. These blocks are used to insulate and strengthen roofs, walls, and ceilings.

Depending on the scope of application, it is necessary to select a material of appropriate density, it is designated by the letter D. The minimum density is D150, the maximum is D550.

Polystyrene concrete with a lower density is well suited for insulation; for building a house you need to choose monolithic polystyrene concrete with a high density.

One of the main advantages is the ability to produce polystyrene concrete directly on the construction site. However, to obtain high-quality material, it is necessary to study the technology and strictly observe proportions.

Making polystyrene concrete with your own hands

Depending on the purpose, the density of the material is chosen. The proportions for the production of polystyrene concrete of various densities are given in the table:

Density, kg/m3		Cement, kg	Expanded polystyrene crumbs, m3

How to make polystyrene concrete:

1. dissolve the resin until smooth, pour boiling water over it;
2. pour some water into a concrete mixer or other container; add a plasticizer (at the discretion of the manufacturer);
3. add some polystyrene;
4. add water and cement, mix the solution until smooth;
5. add the remaining polystyrene and mix.

Various products can be made from the finished solution.

Polystyrene concrete products

1. Floor slabs

First of all, it is necessary to make and install formwork from boards of the required length (boards) and timber (support). For each shield you need to use at least 7 supports. In order for the ceiling to be even, sheets of plywood need to be laid on the inside of the shield. The formwork must be mounted taking into account the installed frame and located at a distance of 5-7 cm from the lower edge of the frame beams. To strengthen the structure, you need to perform reinforcement; for this you can use metal mesh, wire, rods, pipes. The mesh must be laid on top of the formwork, metal pipes must be welded to the installed beams, and the rods must be installed below the pipes. Pour the polystyrene concrete solution into the mold made in this way.

2. Wall panels

Initially, you need to make a mold of the required size with a flat bottom and place it on a flat surface. Pour the solution into the mold; for this type of product you need to use high-density material. Leave the form with the solution for 24-36 hours, depending on environmental conditions (temperature, humidity). After removal from the mold, the finished product should be placed in a cool room. The panels are ready for use after 3 weeks.

3. Floors

Floors made of this material differ favorably from concrete ones in that they retain heat well, and from wooden floors - they are moisture resistant. For this type of work, liquid polystyrene concrete is used. For floors in public buildings with heavy loads, it is preferable to use a high-density solution.

Before pouring, the surface must be cleaned, primed with cement and watered. It is necessary to install beacons along the entire perimeter and fill the solution above their level. The poured surface must be leveled. The screed should harden within 24 hours, after which it is worth correcting its condition and covering up the cracks. This material is used as an intermediate layer, 3-4 cm thick. Final leveling is performed with a solution of sand and cement.

4. Jumpers

When building a house, reinforced lintels can be made for window and door openings using polystyrene concrete. The technology for their manufacture is similar to the technology for manufacturing wall panels, but a prerequisite is strengthening the structure with reinforcement.

For the production of polystyrene concrete products, it is recommended to add active additives to the solution to bind the solution with the plasticizer. Amount of additive per 1 kg. cement 20-30 gr.

Preparing polystyrene concrete is a fairly simple process. To do this, just mix a dry mixture of cement, sand with water and polystyrene foam granules. Producing the material at home allows you to significantly save money.

Polystyrene concrete, or expanded polystyrene concrete, is a type of lightweight concrete filled with polystyrene granules. This material was invented in the mid-20th century in Germany, but in Russia it gained popularity only in recent decades. The composition of polystyrene concrete includes cement, quartz sand, water, polystyrene in the form of granules and additives that accelerate hardening and form air bubbles. For example, saponified tree resin is used as air-entraining additives. Depending on the air content, polystyrene foam concrete comes in different grades of density. What is important is that polystyrene concrete can be made at home and a house can be built from it. Therefore, in the article you will not only see a description of this building material, but also learn how to make polystyrene concrete with your own hands.

Characteristics of polystyrene concrete

Like any material, polystyrene concrete has its positive and negative sides.

Advantages of polystyrene concrete:

• durability;
• small weight;
• good noise and heat insulating properties, it is used for thermal insulation, in particular, roofing;
• resists mold;
• does not emit harmful substances;
• the blocks do not break or crack.

Disadvantages of polystyrene concrete:

• low strength at fastening points, for example, windows and doors;
• the need for additional protection from water, plastering - in a damp environment the material loses strength, wetted polystyrene concrete becomes brittle after freezing and thawing;
• UV protection is required;
• although expanded polystyrene concrete does not burn, it becomes fragile due to high temperatures;
• Despite the small mass, large blocks are inconvenient to work with.

Polystyrene concrete is produced in the form of blocks of different sizes. For construction in the middle zone, blocks with a thickness of 400 mm are usually used, in more northern areas - 500 mm. Blocks of smaller sizes are also produced, from which you can build partitions inside a house or apartment, and decorative panels of different colors for decoration. Expanded polystyrene concrete is also produced in the form of dry mixtures.

Polystyrene concrete is used in both low-rise and high-rise (up to 25 floors) construction in the form of ready-made blocks or monolithic walls and ceilings, for which it is poured into removable or permanent formwork. In addition, polystyrene in the form of dry mixtures is used for thermal insulation, for example, roofing, leveling floors, and sealing air ducts. Due to its low weight, it can be used for building superstructures. For laying walls made of polystyrene concrete blocks, special glue or warm mortar is used.

It is worth noting that different density grades of polystyrene concrete are intended for different purposes. Polystyrene concrete grades D150 and D200 are used only for thermal insulation, D250 and D300 - for thermal insulation and non-load-bearing walls, internal partitions, and grades with a higher density can already be used for the construction of load-bearing walls. The numbers in the brand name indicate density in kilograms per cubic meter.

Often it is the choice of material with insufficient density that leads to the fact that fasteners in polystyrene concrete walls do not hold well.

In addition to blocks and dry mixes, some companies produce house kits from polystyrene concrete. You can either choose such house kits from ready-made options or order them according to your own design. The kit includes large slabs for walls and ceilings, from which you can quickly assemble a house right on the site. In addition to the speed of building such a house, the use of monolithic slabs reduces the number of seams through which heat will escape from the house in winter.

Expanded polystyrene concrete, like any building material, has its own characteristics and disadvantages, and its own area of ​​application. It is significantly distinguished from other types of lightweight concrete by lower thermal conductivity and greater strength.

Making polystyrene concrete at home

So, having become familiar with the basic properties of polystyrene concrete and its scope of application, let’s consider how this building material can be made at home, without significant loss of quality. But first, you need to decide what you need it for, since the manufacturing technology may differ in each case.

Recipe for making polystyrene concrete

Polystyrene concrete is used:

• When insulating the roof and attic.
• For pouring monolithic walls of a house.
• For making blocks.

In both cases, you need to make a high-quality solution, the strength of which will allow you to obtain the desired result. For the attic, you can make a less durable solution, so this point will be described separately.

When deciding to insulate the roof with polystyrene concrete, it is important to take into account that its slope should not exceed 30%.

The table below shows the proportions for obtaining 1 m 3 of polystyrene concrete of different densities.

• The first step is to properly prepare a solution of saponified tree resin (STR) in a liter jar by pouring boiling water over it.
• The resin dissolves until smooth.
• Instead of resin, you can use liquid soap or detergent, but in this case the thermal insulation properties of the material deteriorate.
• 10 liters of water are poured into a concrete mixer and a plasticizer is added.
• Having started the concrete mixer, we pour some of the polystyrene into it.
• Add the required amount of cement and water, mix the solution until a homogeneous composition is obtained.
• Lastly, the rest of the polystyrene is poured. After mixing, the solution is ready for intended use.

To insulate the attic, the mixture is prepared as follows:

• A trough is installed right in the attic and 3 buckets of polystyrene are poured into it.
• Then 1.5 liters of water is poured into this container with 30 ml of detergent or liquid soap added to it.
• Mix everything so that the balls are moistened with water.
• A bucket of M400 cement is added, and everything is mixed again with a mixer.
• As mixing progresses, water is added.

The finished mixture is used to insulate the attic, laying it in a layer of approximately 10 cm.

Opinions differ about the composition of fillers for attic insulation, so some people use clay and sand instead of cement.

As you can understand, it is not difficult to make polystyrene concrete at home, but in order for it to correspond to a certain brand, it is important to maintain proportions when making it. It is important to take into account that the higher the strength of the material, the lower its thermal insulation properties, and vice versa.

In a short article it is impossible to describe all the methods for producing polystyrene concrete, and this is not necessary. If you have your own developments and experience in this area, then your comments will be an excellent addition to the material already presented.

Video

Watch the production of polystyrene concrete, which will be poured into the formwork:

This video shows the condition of polystyrene concrete walls after two years of operation of the building:

Polystyrene concrete combines excellent thermal insulation and strength. The scope of its application is very wide: from the construction of walls to the insulation of ceilings and floors. This material is actively used in industrial and private construction. Blocks made from polystyrene granules and concrete are light in weight, and the manufacturing process is practically no different from the preparation of other building mixtures. Having the required amount of materials in stock, you can make blocks with your own hands and build any building from them.

Polystyrene concrete is a lightweight type of concrete. Its density is no more than 1800 kg/m3, but it is stronger than other varieties of this group of materials. The mixture for preparing blocks includes:

Polystyrene granules in small quantities have almost no effect on the strength characteristics of concrete, but significantly improve thermal insulation. The balls consist of 80% air and only 20% of the material itself, the size of the cells inside the granules is less than 1 mm.

The technical characteristics of the material depend on the density of the blocks, that is, the ratio of the proportions of concrete mixture and polystyrene. There are three types of structure:

1. Dense;
2. Porous;
3. Large-pored.

Without using special installations for mixing components, only the first one can be prepared. Finished blocks have low thermal conductivity and vapor permeability. The material does not absorb moisture well, however, it needs protection in the form of a layer of plaster or facing bricks. This is due to the limited freezing and thawing cycle; some types of blocks develop cracks after just 20 cycles. In addition, precipitation can wash out granules located close to the surface, resulting in the formation of voids in polystyrene concrete.

Advantages

The main advantage of polystyrene concrete over other similar building materials is that, with low density and light weight, it has the lowest thermal conductivity. It also has other features that distinguish this material:

• Environmentally friendly and safe;
• Not flammable;
• Can be manufactured directly on the construction site;
• The blocks can be easily shaped into any shape; a saw can be used for cutting;
• Due to its low weight, there is no need to use special equipment;
• Withstands temperatures from -55 to 70 degrees without consequences;
• Universal to use;
• The service life of a building made of polystyrene concrete with proper preparation of the mixture and high-quality protection from atmospheric agents is 100 years.

Ready-made blocks are an expensive material, but if you purchase all the components and prepare the products yourself, the costs will be significantly reduced. Therefore, the ability to do all the work yourself can also be considered one of the advantages of the material.

Flaws

There is no ideal building material. Despite all the significant advantages, polystyrene concrete still has some disadvantages:

• The blocks do not burn, but under the influence of high temperatures the granules melt, resulting in voids that reduce the quality of thermal insulation;
• Polystyrene concrete does not allow steam to pass through, so it will be necessary to provide good ventilation in the building;
• Granules located close to the surface of the walls can be washed out and fall off. To avoid this, the finished wall must be protected with plaster, putty or other cladding.

Disadvantages can be mitigated if you approach the construction process carefully. Many are confused by the high cost of the material, but if you consider that there is no need for additional insulation, and also that the blocks have a long service life, then the investment is quite profitable.

Scope of application

Polystyrene concrete is an almost universal material for private construction. It can be used at all stages of building construction and will cope with its tasks perfectly:

To build walls and partitions, you will need to make blocks. For insulation, you need to use a liquid solution as a screed. Sometimes the material is used to insulate walls, then it is necessary to build formwork and pour the mixture into it. In this case, it is important to provide reinforcement so that the polystyrene concrete layer does not crumble.

Before preparing the mixture, it is necessary to determine which quality is more important in a particular case - thermal insulation or strength, and select the desired ratio of the main components.

Making polystyrene concrete with your own hands

Blocks of this material are divided by brand. Depending on the purpose of the mixture, the ratio of components and, accordingly, the brand changes. For insulation, it is enough to make a solution of grade D 200-300, for the construction of walls - D 350-450, for load-bearing structures - D 500.

Proportions for preparing insulation (D 200-300):

• Cement – ​​160 kg;
• Polystyrene granules – 30 kg;
• Water – 100 l;
• Plasticizer – 1 kg.

Proportions for making blocks (D 350-450):

• Cement – ​​Cement – ​​190 kg;
• Polystyrene granules – 10 kg;
• Sand – 110 kg;
• Plasticizer – 10 kg;
• Water – 115 l.

Proportions for load-bearing structures (D 500):

• Cement – ​​215 kg;
• Polystyrene – 11 kg;
• Sand – 180 kg;
• Plasticizer – 5 kg;
• Water – 130 l.

The amount of water can be adjusted if the mixture turns out dry or liquid. The correct composition should be of a uniform thick consistency, not crumble or tear, but also not spread too much.

Preparation

You can mix the components manually. To do this you will need a large container, such as a bathtub and a shovel. In this case, the composition must be raked from the edges and thrown into the center.

The work will go faster and easier if you have a concrete mixer at your disposal. But only the forced action model is suitable; in the gravitational model, polystyrene granules will always be on the surface and it will not be possible to obtain a homogeneous mixture.

If the mixture will be used for screeding or insulation, it is necessary to prepare formwork with reinforcement. To make building blocks, you need wooden or metal molds. They are pre-lubricated with machine oil so that the finished products can be easily separated. The molds can be any size, but the larger they are, the more likely it is that the block will break when removed.

A place should be provided for final drying of the finished blocks. It should be protected from precipitation and direct sunlight, and well ventilated.

Stages of work

The most important thing in preparing the mixture is maintaining the proportions and sequence of loading the components into the container. The quality of the material depends on this.

Preparation steps in a concrete mixer:

1. Pour water into a container and dilute plasticizers in it.
2. Pour in the granules and stir for several minutes so that they take up water and are evenly distributed throughout the water column.
3. Add cement and, if necessary, sand and reinforcing fibers. Stir until smooth.

The whole job will take no more than 5-10 minutes, after which you can use the mixture for its intended purpose. The process of preparing polystyrene concrete blocks in a concrete mixer is presented in the video.

When kneading manually, all components are loaded simultaneously.

The finished composition is poured into formwork or molds. You can remove the blocks from the molds after 2-3 days. After this, they need to be dried for another 2 weeks, this period may vary depending on the temperature and humidity of the surrounding air.

Recommendations for working with polystyrene concrete blocks

The material has disadvantages. To reduce them to a minimum, experts use rules proven from their own experience:

• To make blocks, use only high-quality, certified polystyrene granules. Craftsmen have already tried adding pieces of extruded polystyrene instead, but the technical characteristics of such material have not yet been studied.
• Measure the proportions as accurately as possible, and be sure to add plasticizers.
• When laying blocks, use special glue, not cement mortar.
• Reinforce every third row of masonry with metal rods.
• Dry the blocks well after removing them from the molds. The drying time depends on the size of the blocks, temperature and humidity and varies from 1 week to a month.
• Cover the outside of the polystyrene concrete wall with a layer of plaster or brick.

Polystyrene concrete is excellent for private construction. It is suitable for both residential and non-residential buildings. You can produce blocks yourself, right on the construction site. They are easy to work with - their weight is much less than brick and ordinary concrete, due to this there is no need for special equipment and additional labor.