More and more private builders are paying attention to the environmental characteristics of building materials and technologies. This is why the popularity is growing natural material shell rock.
This building material, long known and especially popular in the southern regions, is called "shell rock", "shell rock", "shell". Denser rocks of the same origin and composition are limestone and marble. The name of shell rock reflects its constructive essence: all limestones are of organic origin, and shell rock - porous limestone - consists mainly of shells of mollusks and other marine organisms.
The process of its formation took more than one million years. The coastal areas were flooded with the sea, the remains of microorganisms and mollusks fell to the bottom and remained in the sea sand. Over time, the water receded, the sandbanks were gradually covered with a layer of soil, which became a kind of press, under which dense rock formed.
Shell rock is a soft, porous stone of yellow, reddish-yellow or light brown color. Material for construction is cut out of solid rock, obtaining stones in the form rectangular parallelepiped. They are lightweight but strong enough to be erected load-bearing walls building up to three floors high. The porous microstructure of shell rock, filled with air, provides it with excellent heat and soundproofing properties.
Properties and advantages of shell rock as a building material
By external signs construction shell rock are divided into two groups: yellow, with a compressive strength of 5-15 kg/cm2, and white, with a compressive strength of 10-20 kg/cm2. The chemical composition of shell rock is constant and does not depend on the deposit. In addition, this is a material with pronounced layering.
The main advantages and advantages of shell rock - low thermal conductivity, high vapor permeability, good sound insulation properties and environmental friendliness.
Thanks to its porous structure, the stone “breathes” freely and excess moisture is simply displaced without destroying it. It is always dry in a shell rock house, since the moisture formed inside passes through the walls, and if they get wet, they dry quickly. In such a house it is cool in summer and warm in winter. The material does not rot or burn, but under the influence high temperature burns out and collapses. Its advantages include low price. Thus, a wall made of shell rock is about 20% cheaper than the same one made of foam concrete and almost half the price of a brick one. The low thermal conductivity and good soundproofing properties of shell rock are associated with the presence of air pores. The porosity of the material, which can be different (22-70%), determines its high density and lightness. His volume weight is 700-2,300 kg/m3. Several grades of shell rock of different strengths are used in construction - from M10 to M35.
Use of shell rock in construction
The wide range of uses of shell rock can be attributed to its advantages.
So, this stone can be used for:
- construction of load-bearing walls and partitions;
- building walls attic floors for which lightness is required;
- as insulation inside or outside walls made of brick or other materials;
- outdoor and internal lining building walls;
- decorative elements in building interiors;
- landscape design purposes;
- construction of fences, retaining walls, etc.
Possibilities of shell rock as a building material
- Dense shell rock can be sanded and processed
- When making a fireplace, shell rock is combined with refractory bricks
- Shell rock is inexpensive and beautiful material for the construction of fences
- It is easy to cut blocks for arched openings from shell rock
- The texture of shell rock stands out against the background of other stones
- A wall made of polished and untreated stone looks impressive
Health benefits - environmental characteristics of shell rock
Although shell rock has many advantages, it is primarily its environmental characteristics that make it unique. Thus, it has a natural background radiation of about 13 μg/h, with an acceptable natural rate of 25 μg/h. Moreover, it is the only material in the world that is 100% resistant to radiation. In addition, it is absolutely inert and does not react with substances contained in other construction and finishing materials. And also, as experience shows, rodents do not breed in buildings made of this stone.
Shell rock walls enrich the air with iodine, salt and have bactericidal properties (if the wall is multi-layered, it is useful that the shell rock layer faces the inside of the house). This stone also does not cause allergic reactions. Houses made of shell rock improve mood and vitality, and also improve the general condition of the body.
In addition, crushed stone and sand from shell rock are good fillers for lightweight concrete. It is also used in the production of lime and other binding materials. The only things that cannot be made from shell rock are stoves, fireplaces and chimneys.
The ease of processing of this material allows you to make various architectural elements from it: rounded walls, arches, etc. Due to the high wear resistance of bone, dense varieties of shell rock are suitable for cladding flights of stairs, terraces and porch. For example, the steps of a staircase cast from concrete can be faced with shell rock tiles.
Material heterogeneity: one problem and several solutions
Not a single barrel of honey is complete without a fly in the ointment. The same can be said about shell rock. Despite a lot of advantages, it has a significant drawback - the heterogeneity of the structure.
The porosity index of this material varies widely, which causes differences in other physical characteristics, primarily in thermal conductivity. Different layers in a quarry also mean different densities and textures of the stone. It is this drawback that prevents shell rock from being sold in supermarkets. Therefore, when purchasing it, you need to be careful: to build a house, you should select a batch with the same characteristics and structure. The heterogeneity of the material is associated with its natural origin and depends on the state of the formation from which it was extracted. Therefore, shell rock blocks different brands and with different structures can be found among the proposals of all mining companies.
The heterogeneity of the structure leads to the fact that the material may have through or open pores.
There are especially many of them in low-density shell rock. Such pores repeatedly worsen thermal insulation properties designs. A wall made of such shell rock does not “breathe”, but rather “sees through”.
There are two ways out of this situation.
First exit.
Choose a material without open pores, inspecting and setting aside heavier stones, weighing at least 16 kg (they have a denser structure and smaller pores), and also check the quality certificate. The main way to test the density of a stone is to hit it against a hard surface. If it splits into no more than three parts, then the material grade is M25 and it is quite dense. The lower the density, the more parts and sand will be generated from the impact. Shell rock of the M35 brand does not break at all. If the stone has a uniform structure, correct geometry and high density, the wall will reliably protect the house from the winter cold.
However, due to the same porosity, shell rock easily absorbs moisture and substances dissolved in it. Therefore upon completion construction work It is advisable to coat it with a special water- and dirt-repellent solution, which will protect the surface of the material from exposure to rain, dirt and water-soluble salts. If the building is located on a street with heavy traffic, it will also need treatment with an oil-hydrophobic compound. The bactericidal composition will protect the stone from lichen, moss and fungi. There are also special compounds, protecting shell rock from the effects of acids, alkalis, paints and organic solvents.
Second exit, allowing you to protect the house from drafts and environmental influences -
Construction of an external barrier, that is, protection of the wall structure.
The external barrier involves finishing with vapor-permeable plaster or facing with brick with a ventilation gap from the main wall. You can also install a layer of insulation from mineral wool slabs on the outside, using the “ wet facade"or "ventilated facade". Such a house will be warm, reliable and natural inside.
New effective method- installation of a wooden ventilated facade “eco-house”, developed by a Kharkov company that builds eco-friendly houses. This technology is interesting due to its combination of natural materials: wood and shell rock. A wooden sheathing is “put on” the load-bearing wall made of shell rock, of course with a ventilation gap. At the same time, unlike the usual ventilated facade, there is no special system profiles, the facade is mounted on a wooden beam using self-tapping screws. Wooden load-bearing beams laid in the wall during the process of laying shell rock blocks. Making such a wall is easy, quick and simple.
Features of construction and finishing from shell rock
Stone sizes from shell rock- about 20 x 20 x 40 cm, the exact standard is 18 x 18 x 38 cm. Accordingly, to build a 1 m2 wall one block thick (38-40 cm) you will need 30 blocks, or 18 if you put it in half a block (a wall thick 18-20 cm). One block of shell rock replaces 7-9 bricks. A wall one block wide is sufficient for our climate, provided that a wind barrier is installed, and a half-block wall will have to be insulated.
Construction of a house from shell rock or you can do it yourself: thanks to the large size of the stone, laying it is quite simple and does not require serious skills, as is the case with ceramic bricks. There are no special requirements for the foundation: you can use different types of it, depending on the type of soil, terrain characteristics, etc. If you are not sure of the quality of the foundation, it is better to make the foundation monolithic or use a foundation slab. Also on top of the wall
Shell rock can be used to lay any type of floor: wooden, metal, reinforced concrete, but for environmental reasons it is better to use wooden beams. In seismic areas, monolithic reinforced concrete belts are made along the perimeter of the walls and floors are laid on them.
The layering of shell rock makes it easier to process. It may be needed for connecting with other walls or structures, inserting lintels, installing beams and solving other structural problems. This stone is easy to cut with any saw, including a hand saw.
Strength and reliability of shell rock
The lightness of shell rock gives a deceptive impression. It seems that such a stone will not withstand a large static load. However, the minimum grade of mined shell rock - M10 - implies a design load on one stone that is an order of magnitude greater than that required for the stone of the bottom row of a two-story building. That is, even with the minimum density of shell rock, its safety margin is at least tenfold. Kharkov Institute of Forensic Expertise named after. Bokarius conducted an examination of the strength and reliability of this material and received a positive result.
True, less dense stone is bad because during loading and unloading operations it crumbles, acquiring an uneven surface, and this increases the consumption of mortar when laying the wall. Therefore, stones of grades M10, M15, M20 weighing 8-12 kg are best used for the construction of garages, bathhouses, outbuildings, as well as third, attic floors of houses. M25 grade stone weighs about 14-17 kg and is best suited for the construction of 2-3-story houses, even with reinforced concrete panels ceilings Finally, a stone of grade M35 weighing 22-25 kg will be a reliable foundation and is suitable for the construction of the first floors of buildings more than two floors high. But it is rarely used, because it is not cheap, and the M25 grade is sufficient for most designs, especially in low-rise construction.
Brands of shell rock
The stronger the shell rock, the more noticeable its pores. Typically, the following grades of shell rock are used in construction: M35, M25, M15, M10.
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Shell rock and foam block
Analyzing which is better - shell rock or foam block, their general and individual qualities will be compared.
Comparison of shell rock and foam blocks with other materials
Since the foam block is artificial material, its qualities completely depend on the manufacturer. All data taken for comparison assume that the foam blocks comply with the requirements of GOST 25192-82 and GOST 21520-89.
Main disadvantages and advantages
Shell rock or foam block, which is better? To answer, you need to know the features of each specific case, not forgetting to carefully study all the main parameters.
Advantages
The main advantages of natural stone are its environmental friendliness and durability:
- Shell rock consists of the mineral remains of dead sea creatures and sedimentary rocks. Very rich in iodine - interior walls made from this material have a beneficial effect on the thyroid gland. Prevents diabetes.
- The layers from which the stones are cut were formed millions of years ago.
By the time it arrived at the construction site, the shell rock had survived every possible cataclysm in nature thousands of times. Its durability indicator is proven by nature.
These shell rock walls have withstood more than one siege.
The opportunity to leave the most original stones part of the design, gives in comparison “what better foam block or shellfish?”, a significant point for the shell.
But the foam block also has its advantages. Produced according to a prescription, it has clear characteristics that allow engineering calculations.
More precise geometric dimensions make it much easier and faster.
Both materials have high noise and heat insulation characteristics.
Flaws
Main general disadvantage- low strength, but the foam block may still be at the production stage. In this case, its bending strength becomes several times higher.
When deciding whether shell rock or foam block is better to choose for load-bearing walls, this factor plays a very important role.
The second problem is the high degree of moisture absorption. Voids that retain heat well are also well filled with liquid.
A high percentage of shell rock is still in the quarry
The foam block splits no worse than shell rock!
Important! The strength of one package of foam blocks is usually stable. To check, just try to break one. If it breaks with difficulty, the halves will be needed in the masonry. If it’s easy, it’s better to return the entire package to the seller.
This method is not applicable to shell rock, since the characteristics may differ within the same stone. For such a check, you need to break all the blocks.
Production technology
Foam blocks are made from a mixture of cement and sand, and shells are cut from layers along the banks south seas. It is this difference that gives rise to factors influencing the choice: which is better, foam block or shell rock?
Rakushnyak
Available deposits of shell rock are found in places where the sea retreated from its boundaries thousands of years ago. The location of the quarries is on the coasts of the Black, Azov and Caspian seas.
Until the mid-20th century, stone was cut and hollowed out by hand. Shock loads led to frequent cracking of blocks.
Nowadays sawing machines operate in the quarries, carefully cutting out products from the layers.
Foam block
The method for making foam blocks is very simple.
- Cement, sand, foaming agents and water are mixed in a special mixer with high blade speeds.
- The liquid mixture is poured into molds.
- After the solution hardens, the blocks mature for 4 weeks.
This availability of production leads to the appearance of frankly bad products on the market.
One person can easily complete the entire process
Advice! There is no need to buy products of unknown origin. The presence of certificates does not guarantee the integrity of the manufacturer. But at least it gives you a chance to buy foam blocks of normal quality.
Characteristics
In terms of technical indicators, in addition to ecology, the foam block is superior to shell.
Rakushnyak
Depending on the mining region, quarry, formation and set natural factors Shell rock parameters are a very relative concept. Such instability is a significant disadvantage when comparing which is better, foam block or shell rock.
Differences in density and strength of shell rock by place of origin
Standard cut blocks have dimensions of 380/180/180. Unfortunately, these dimensions are kept within the range of 20-30 mm.
- The substance of the blocks, hardened over thousands of years, does not react with other materials.
- Deep pores are the basis for the setting of the plaster mortar.
Shell rock is divided according to strength grades.
- M15- used only as insulation.
- M25- construction of one-story buildings is possible.
- M35- allows the construction of load-bearing walls up to 3-4 floors high.
Dimensions and weight of shell rock by brand
Externally, stones various brands can be distinguished by the number of pores and color - the fewer cavities and the whiter, the stronger the block. At the same time, there are durable blocks with large pores. Nature does not like to comply with standards.
Foam block
Produced artificially, it has a wider range of characteristics:
- The strength of a foam block can significantly exceed shell rock. However, the thermal insulation will become worse and the weight of the block will increase.
Characteristics of foam blocks
- All parameters of the selected brand of foam concrete are stable for each block.
Blocks of the same party are like twins
- Foam blocks have wide choose by size.
Dimensions of foam concrete blocks
From the point of view of convenience and speed of work, as well as accuracy preliminary calculations, foam blocks clearly win.
Application
The advantage of the shell is the ability to use leftovers for design purposes.
Rakushnyak
The main purpose is construction; the originality of each stone provides many additional possibilities.
The blocks are easy to cut into decorative tiles or other parts for interior and exterior work.
Create an exclusive landscape with your own hands.
Shellweed in the landscape Advice! Structures made of shell rock are not bearing loads, can be laid on clay, environmentally friendly mortar. The amount of water depends on the parameters of the clay.
Foam block
These blocks are used to build internal partitions and external load-bearing walls.
Shell rock has a wider range of applications. But it is more difficult to build from it, so the price of the work will be higher and the construction period will increase. By watching the video in this article you can learn more interesting facts.
Video about shellfish:
Video about foam blocks:
Price
Since foam block can be produced in any region, its cost is stable and depends on the brand of density.
In mining areas, shell rock is one of the cheapest building materials. As you move away from the quarry, its price increases. This feature can be decisive in comparison - shell rock or foam block, which is better to choose for your home.
When deciding to buy Crimean shell rock for the construction and decoration of a house, you probably thought about what advantages this choice of material brings?
We tried to describe all the main advantages and characteristics of Crimean shell rock in this article.
Advantages of using shell rock in construction
Let's start with the fact that shell rock is a natural material that has been created over thousands of years from the remains of sea shells and mollusks and thanks to this has acquired a lot of unique and useful properties. It has both strength and porosity, lightness and reliability, beauty and a unique structure.
The advantages of limestone stone are as follows:
- the “shell” does not oxidize and does not react with other substances; it can be considered a completely inert material;
- does not burn, does not melt, does not emit harmful substances when heated;
- creates a favorable background for human habitation, enriching the air with ionic particles and disinfecting it;
- can be easily processed with standard tools, which allows you to create various shapes;
- has high levels of strength, abrasion, resistance to weather factors, frost resistance;
- the pores of shell rock provide good thermal and sound insulation and easily release moisture;
- does not transmit radiation at all and itself has neutral radiation;
- perfect for building houses and for cladding various structures;
- has a unique appearance and more than a dozen natural colors;
- the cost of shell rock is significantly lower than that of traditional materials (brick, foam concrete).
Using Crimean shell rock as a building material, you can be sure that the result will please you beauty, durability and comfort for many decades. But there are also limitations and nuances, which will be discussed below.
Characteristics of shell rock for construction
Traditional stone block has dimensions 18x18x38 cm, so calculating the exact number of blocks for construction is not difficult.
Eg, 1 sq. meter of surface will contain 30 standard elements when laying “in one brick”.
When laying half a brick, only 18 blocks will be required.
The thickness of the walls of one block is quite enough for the climate middle zone provided that a wind barrier is installed. A half-brick wall will require additional insulation.
The dimensions and weight of the Crimean shell rock allow construction to be carried out on one’s own. One block replaces 7-9 ceramic bricks, so stone laying is done quickly and easily, without requiring special skills.
There are also no increased requirements for the foundation: any type of foundation can be laid in accordance with the characteristics of the topography and soil. The most popular and win-win option is monolithic foundation or concrete slab.
During the work it may become necessary to additional processing blocks(for bandaging elements, making lintels, laying beams, etc.). Due to the layered nature of the material, it is very easy to process, including regular sawing. hand saw. Many homeowners leave interior shell walls bare to emphasize the message of sustainability and connection to nature. But it is quite acceptable to leave only a small part of the walls untreated, covering the rest with plaster or drywall.
Walls made of shell rock can withstand any type of ceiling: wood, metal, reinforced concrete. But if you are planning to build environmentally friendly housing, it is better to stop at wooden beams. In seismically dangerous regions they use monolithic belts made of reinforced concrete on which the floors are laid.
On the question of the strength of shell rock
The apparent lightness and fragility of the Crimean shell rock is deceptive. Research by the Kharkov Institute of Forensic Expertise named after. Bokarius proved the high strength characteristics of this material.
Thus, the lightest stone of grade M10 has a design load (per stone) that is several times higher than that required for the bottom row of a building of 2 floors. This means that even blocks with a minimum density have a 10-fold safety margin.
Of course, in reality, stone grades M10, M15 are not used for capital construction , because easily deteriorates during loading and unloading, crumbles, increasing the time for laying walls and mortar consumption. But for the construction of garages, sheds, bathhouses and attic floors, this is the most optimal and cost-effective solution.
M25 stone has a mass of 14-17 kg and is widely used for the construction of houses with 2 and 3 floors. Even reinforced concrete floors can be laid on it without fear.
Shell rock M35 is the most durable, dense and heaviest(its weight is 22-25 kg), it is used for the construction of the first floors of buildings (provided that the building is 3 floors or higher.) However, it is not often used by builders due to its high cost. In low-rise construction, shell rock of the M25 grade is most often used, since its characteristics are quite sufficient for most buildings.
How is the problem of heterogeneity of the Crimean shell rock solved?
Against the backdrop of many advantages, the Crimean shell stone also has one drawback, which could turn out to be a serious obstacle to its widespread use in construction. This is the heterogeneous density of a given material.
The fact is that its completely natural origin does not allow consistently obtaining blocks with the same structure. By extracting stone from different layers, it is impossible to obtain the same density and structure.
The porosity index of the “shell” varies within significant limits. This causes differences in all other characteristics, primarily in the stone’s ability to conduct and retain heat.
Perhaps it is for this reason that Crimean shell rock is difficult to buy in a construction supermarket. After all, it is necessary to carefully select a batch of the same brand, with the same structure and density, ideally as a one-time purchase from one mining company.
There are several brands of shells, each of which has its own density and purpose.. If the density of the material is low, there is a danger of having through and open pores in it. In this case, the shell wall will no longer “breathe”, but will “see through”.
Fortunately, there are two ways to fix this situation.
The first way is a thorough individual check of blocks
It is necessary to choose a stone without open pores, setting aside the heaviest blocks (weighing 16 kg or more, they have a higher density and smaller pores), with a uniform structure and geometrically correct shape. The density of the stone is checked in two ways:
- checking the quality certificate, which indicates the brand of shell rock;
- hitting a hard surface. The more small debris and sand left after the impact, the lower the density. Thus, a fairly dense stone of the M25 grade will break into no more than 3 pieces, and the M35 grade will not break at all. Such blocks will reliably protect the walls from wind and cold.
But even high-quality Crimean stone needs additional processing. Due to its porosity, shell rock easily absorbs moisture, salts and other liquid contaminants, so upon completion of construction work it is coated with a water-repellent composition. There are also special compounds that protect the surface from the effects of oils (if the house is located on a street with heavy traffic), from bacteria, fungus and moss, as well as from the effects of organic and inorganic substances (paint, acids and alkalis, etc.).
The second way is to install an external wall barrier
Installing a barrier means applying vapor-permeable plaster or installing curtain façade With air gap between the main wall and the cladding. In addition, it is not prohibited to install insulation boards made of mineral wool. The use of “wet facade” and “ventilated facade” technologies will be equally successful. Thus, the house will retain its environmental friendliness and all other positive traits, having purchased additional protection from cold, moisture, wind.
One of the options for beautiful and effective strengthening external protection The walls are a ventilated facade made of wood. The authors of the technology are a Kharkov company that produces eco-friendly housing. Ventilated facade in in this case made of wood, Basic structure made of steel or aluminum profiles and there are no anchors, and the sheathing is attached to the wall using ordinary self-tapping screws, for which purpose shell rock is laid into the wall at the construction stage wooden beams. The installation of such a facade is inexpensive and does not require much effort and time.
Shell rock, shell rock are the names of sedimentary rock, a type of limestone formed from the organic remains of marine living organisms, mainly from shells and their fragments. The main component of shell rock is calcium carbonate.
The main deposits of shell rock are located in places of prehistoric seas. As the waters receded over time, the remains of sea creatures that had accumulated on the seabed for millions of years were exposed. Under the influence of natural conditions, the skeletons of prehistoric sea creatures were compressed to the hardness of stone.
Characteristics of shell rock
Shell rock is a type of limestone, mainly consisting of calcium salts. Its chemical composition, regardless of the deposit, is almost the same.
| Types of stone by color | Chemical composition (%) | Density (g/cm3) | Specific gravity (kg/m3) | ||
| CaCO3 | MgCO3 | Insoluble residue | |||
| Yellow and yellowish gray | 90-95 | 3-8 | 2 | 0,8-2,3 | 800-2300 |
| Yellowish-gray with green tint, slightly marly | 84-85 | 5-6 | 10 | ||
| Yellowish-gray, slightly sandy | 85-90 | 3-5 | 5-6 | ||
The popularity of shell rock as a building material is due to its strength and attractive structure. Depending on the porosity, there are three types of stone:
- Grade M15 is a stone of high porosity and, as a result, low strength. Its color is light yellow. Sand impurities in large quantities, having high thermal conductivity, make the stone “cold”. Stone blocks of this brand are extremely fragile and light, but they are successfully used for the construction of low one-story buildings (garages, sheds, bathhouses, fences, etc.).
- Grade M25 is a stone of greater strength and less porosity. The most common brand in construction practice. Color - light yellow. The strength indicators of M25 are greater than those of brick, gas or foam concrete.
- M35 is the brand of shell rock with the highest density. Low porosity provides high specific shell weight and high strength. The yellow-white color of the stone, dense structure and low water absorption make it an excellent material for external cladding buildings, giving them a unique flavor. It is also used in the construction of multi-story buildings when laying foundations and constructing cellars. The density is close to concrete.
Extraction and application
Shell rock is one of the few building materials that nature has given us practically in finished form. Stone mining involves cutting geological layers into blocks using special machines. certain size. Appearance The quality of stone even within one deposit can vary significantly. The stone is easy to saw and process. Depending on the further purpose, the surface of the stone will be simply sawn, polished or slightly rough.
Advantages of the material:
- relatively small shell stone weight,
- low cost,
- unique texture,
- simple processing and installation,
- excellent adhesion due to the porous structure,
- low thermal conductivity,
- good sound insulation and frost resistance (with correct installation and operation without loss of quality can withstand more than 100 seasons),
- does not enter into chemical reactions with other building materials.
Shell rock is widely used in low-rise construction, internal and exterior decoration. Looks great in landscape projects personal plots(fences, retaining walls, grottoes, fountains, etc.). Polished shell rock tiles impregnated with hydrophobic solutions are used as decorative finishing.
Shell rock, shell rock, shell - all these are names of the same building material from which private houses are built in southern latitudes, including in Russia. In this article we will consider: is it worth building a house from shell rock, what are the features of the material and the main points that need to be taken into account during design and installation work.
What kind of material is this
Building materials in most cases are of natural origin. As a rule, they are environmentally friendly and relatively inexpensive, unlike synthetic ones, although there are exceptions.
What is shell rock? It is a stone, a type of limestone. It is of sedimentary origin, as the name suggests - it consists predominantly of shells of mollusks (shells). In many rocks you can find imprints of even ancient living creatures that lived hundreds and thousands of years ago. As geologists would say, the rock is of “zoological origin.”
Shell rock is a soft and porous stone, which is typical of sedimentary rocks. It is used primarily as a raw material for construction and finishing materials, masonry blocks are made from it.
Specifications
Constructors and designers accept Construction Materials, relying on them technical specifications. In shell rock they are:
The density of shell rock is relatively small, but can vary significantly between rocks in different locations due to different composition deposits. The parameter is determined in the laboratory, and it is taken into account when choosing a material for making blocks. A more accurate value is specific gravity(pure mass of material without voids), however, differences may also be present here due to the different chemical composition of the samples.
Due to its high porosity, the thermal conductivity of shell rock is high, that is, the walls prevent rapid heat exchange. At the same time, they allow steam to pass through, and steam does not accumulate on indoor surfaces and mold does not grow. In winter, the house is warm enough without high heating costs, and in summer it is relatively cool.
Advantages and disadvantages of building materials
For construction purposes, shell rock is used in the form of blocks for building walls. Convenient shape allows you to collect vertical structures in short time.
Shell rock blocks have advantages and disadvantages, after assessing which you can decide on the advisability of their use.
pros
The shellfish has many advantages:
- Convenient size 390×190×190 mm (universal);
- The ease of cutting and processing makes shell rock convenient for installation, which significantly speeds up the process of preparing products for the construction of walls;
- Excellent specifications;
- Vapor permeability allows the walls to “breathe” without retaining moisture on the interior walls of the premises;
- Exclusively natural origin ensures a healthy microclimate without synthetic impurities;
- Shell rock consists of compounds of calcium, iodine and sea salt, which means that the indoor air will be endowed with healing properties, albeit small.
Minuses
Shell shell has very few disadvantages, but they must be taken into account:
- The stone is not hard, so it easily crumbles and breaks if improperly transported, stored and laid;
- High vapor permeability and a significant softening coefficient require careful insulation of walls from water ingress and high humidity;
- The relatively low load-bearing capacity does not allow the construction of massive tall houses.
A house made of shell rock has the same pros and cons as the material itself: the structures are light and warm, but require significant vapor barrier.
Basics of shell rock construction
When designing a house from natural material of sedimentary origin, it is necessary to take into account the features of shell rock structures.
Foundation
Shellweed - relatively lightweight material, but requires a reliable foundation. It is ideal to install a foundation made of reinforced concrete strip or piles - such foundations practically do not “lead” when the soil expands. The basic rule of a shell house is that the walls should be as high as possible on the ground so that the rock does not absorb water. Minimum height base - 40 cm.
You should not use shell rock as a material for building a foundation - expensive work will be required to waterproof the internal and external walls basement
Walls
External and internal shell rock walls are assembled similarly aerated concrete blocks. They are laid in one or several rows depending on the accepted thickness of the structure with bandaging of the seams, and sometimes reinforcement is used. The masonry is laid with a lime-based mortar - such a solution holds the stone better.
Correctly selected thickness of shell rock for wall construction eliminates the need for additional insulation. Brick cladding can be used as a protective facing layer. Such a wall is built similarly to a multilayer one - several rows are erected in parallel with periodic dressings.
Jumpers
Lintel over window and doorways- This concrete beam. However, a shell rock house can be built using supports made of the same material as the walls. The choice always remains with the developer. It should be noted that a concrete lintel can withstand significantly greater loads than a shell rock lintel.
A prerequisite is that the beam must be reinforced with two rows of reinforcement with a diameter of 10-12 mm, if construction is carried out without precise structural calculations. Protective layer concrete should not be less than 2 diameters of reinforcement.
If shell rock lintels are selected, dense stone must be used for these purposes. The beam is made from several fragments of a wedge-shaped structure.
Roof
For a shell rock house you should take pitched roofs any configuration and size, the main requirement is the organization of maximum drainage from the unprotected facade, the installation of drainage gutters.
Finishing
Shell shell is a porous material and, as already mentioned, absorbs water well due to its high porosity. This must be taken into account when choosing a finishing method. Materials must prevent the penetration of water and moisture. Will help you cope with the task plaster solutions and facing with brick and stone.
Why is it better to plaster walls made of shell rock: for protection and cladding, ordinary cement-based or decorative plasters for facades or interior works. Thanks to its high porosity, the coating adheres well, adheres well and lasts a long time. It won’t hurt to clean the blocks from dust and prime them with soil before work. deep penetration on stone.