From the decision to build through the right planning to completion
Whether in building construction or civil engineering, the world has seen a steady construction boom for years. When undertaking a new build, two questions should be clarified by the architects, planning and engineering agencies, construction companies, trade businesses and even the building owner. Namely, where CN Construct expanded clay is required in bulk outdoors and what the green spaces around the building are going to look like after completion of the building.
CN Construct expanded clay is a building material which combines and offers many positive properties. It is frost-proof, pressure-resistant, stable, sound- and heat-insulating with good drainage, resistant to rodents and rotting, shock-absorbing and even fireproof as it complies with fire safety class 1 A.
Quality for outdoor areas with CN Construct expanded clay in grain size 10 - 20 mm
As a component of a highly-effective system, our Leca expanded clay also offers effective protection when it comes to the increasingly topical subject of “protection from radon”. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive noble gas. It rises from the subsoil, penetrates buildings on the ground and accumulates inside rooms. The fact is that radon is the third most prevalent cause of lung cancer in Germany.
CN Construct expanded clay 10 - 20 mm is usually filled as loose bulk in outdoor applications – as a fast and easy solution. The architect specifies the respective layer thickness. Its positive properties have an immediate effect. A walking-floor vehicle can be loaded with approx. 90 m³ of material. When building a house, for example, the floor slab or foundations are poured on top of the loose expanded clay. Our product is also a reliable and ecologically sustainable lightweight construction material.
The term “lightweight construction material” is entirely appropriate as it has a bulk density of only approx. 245 kg/m³, a grain gross density of approx. 400 kg/m³, a grain compressive strength of 0.75 N/mm², and a friction angle of φ'tr > 40°.
Loose expanded clay is available in bound and unbound form.
In bound form, a binding agent such as cement and water is added to the expanded clay and mixed. The correct mixing ratio can vary depending on the application and should be taken into consideration.
In unbound form, the expended clay is merely compacted after spreading, whereby reinforcement is advisable; see photo above.
As is often the case, it all comes down to proportionality.
The proportionality must be right. If the costs of a construction material on a site are relatively high but its benefits are low, it goes without saying that there is no proportionality. On the other hand, if a construction material is available at a fair price and offering several advantages, there is proportionality.
Our tip: Take advantage of our expertise and our CN Construct expanded clay products for a good result on your construction site.