How much does 1 cube of shell rock weigh, the weight of 1 m3 of shell rock. The number of kilograms in 1 cubic meter, the number of tons in 1 cubic meter, kg in 1 m3. Bulk density of shell rock, shell rock specific gravity.

What do we want to learn today? How much does 1 cube of shell rock weigh, the weight of 1 m3 of shell rock? No problem, you can find out the number of kilograms or the number of tons at once, mass (weight of one cubic meter, weight of one cube, weight of one cubic meter, weight 1 m3) are indicated in Table 1. If anyone is interested, you can skim the small text below and read some explanations. How is the amount of substance, material, liquid or gas we need measured? Except for those cases when it is possible to reduce the calculation of the required quantity to the counting of goods, products, elements in pieces (piece counting), it is easiest for us to determine required quantity based on volume and weight (mass). In everyday life, the most common unit of volume measurement for us is 1 liter. However, the number of liters suitable for household calculations is not always an applicable method for determining the volume for economic activity. In addition, liters in our country have not become a generally accepted “production” and trade unit for measuring volume. One cubic meter, or in its abbreviated form - one cube, turned out to be a fairly convenient and popular unit of volume for practical use. We are accustomed to measuring almost all substances, liquids, materials and even gases in cubic meters. It's really convenient. After all, their costs, prices, rates, consumption rates, tariffs, supply contracts are almost always tied to cubic meters (cubes), and much less often to liters. No less important for practical activities It turns out that we know not only the volume, but also the weight (mass) of the substance occupying this volume: in this case we're talking about about how much 1 cube weighs (1 cubic meter, 1 cubic meter, 1 m3). Knowing mass and volume gives us a fairly complete idea of ​​quantity. Site visitors, when asking how much 1 cube weighs, often indicate specific units of mass in which they would like to know the answer to the question. As we noticed, most often they want to know the weight of 1 cube (1 cubic meter, 1 cubic meter, 1 m3) in kilograms (kg) or tons (t). Essentially, you need kg/m3 or t/m3. These are closely related units that define quantity. In principle, a fairly simple independent conversion of weight (mass) from tons to kilograms and vice versa is possible: from kilograms to tons. However, as practice has shown, for most site visitors more convenient option it would be find out immediately how many kilograms 1 cubic (1 m3) of shell rock weighs or how many tons 1 cubic (1 m3) of shell rock weighs, without converting kilograms into tons or vice versa - the number of tons into kilograms per cubic meter (one cubic meter, one cubic meter, one m3). Therefore, in Table 1 we indicated how much 1 cubic meter (1 cubic meter, 1 cubic meter) weighs in kilograms (kg) and tons (t). Choose the table column that you need yourself. By the way, when we ask how much 1 cubic meter (1 m3) weighs, we mean the number of kilograms or the number of tons. However, from a physical point of view, we are interested in density or specific gravity. The mass of a unit volume or the amount of substance contained in a unit volume is bulk density or specific gravity. In this case bulk density and specific gravity of shell rock, shell rock. Density and specific gravity in physics are usually measured not in kg/m3 or tons/m3, but in grams per cubic centimeter: g/cm3. Therefore, in Table 1, specific gravity and density (synonyms) are indicated in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3)

This building material, known for a long time and especially popular in the southern regions of Ukraine, is called shell rock, shell rock, shell rock. 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 territories of Ukraine were flooded with the sea, the remains of microorganisms and shellfish fell to the bottom and remained in 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 was 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, producing stones in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

They are lightweight but strong enough to be erected load-bearing walls buildings up to three floors high. The porous microstructure of shell rock, filled with air, provides it with excellent heat and sound insulation properties.

Properties and benefits of shell rock

By external signs construction shell rock is 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 of shell rock are 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 its 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 vary (22-70%), determines its low density and lightness. Its volumetric weight is 700-2,300 kg/m3. Several grades of shell rock of different strengths are used in construction - from M10 to M35.

Healthy

Although shell rock has many advantages, what gives it uniqueness is primarily environmental characteristics. Thus, it has a natural background radiation of about 13 μg/h, while the permissible natural norm in Ukraine is 25 μg/h. Moreover, this 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.

The uniqueness of shell rock is that walls made from it enrich the air with iodine and salt, and also have bactericidal properties (therefore, if the wall is multi-layered, it is useful for the layer of shell rock to face the inside of the house).

To top it all off, this stone does not cause allergic reactions. According to people living in houses made of shell rock, a person’s mood and vitality improve in them, and the general condition of the body improves.

Application on a grand scale

The wide range of possibilities for using shell rock can be attributed to its advantages. So, this stone can be used for:

• Construction of load-bearing walls and partitions;
• Construction of walls attic floors for which lightness is required;
• As insulation inside or outside walls made of brick or other materials;
• External and internal cladding of building walls;
• Artistic decoration of premises;
• Landscape design goals;
• Construction of fences, retaining walls, etc.

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 it to be used to make various architectural elements: rounded walls, arches, etc. Due to their high wear resistance, dense types 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.

Place of birth and supply of shell rock

Mining shell rock open method, in quarries. Special stone-cutting machines open the layers of rock and cut the stone. There are deposits of this material in Moldova, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Poland, Romania, but only domestic stone is presented on the Ukrainian market.

It is common in Crimea and the Odessa region, but in industrial scale shell rock is mined only on the Crimean peninsula, in the Saki region, where several deposits are developed.

Shell rock is not sold in DIY construction supermarkets because it does not have clear, standard sizes, density and proportions. Sales are carried out mainly by specialized companies that mine stone, supply it (including throughout Ukraine), and sometimes also build houses from it.

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 significant drawback- heterogeneity of 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. And that is why, 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 of different brands and with different structures can be found among the offers 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.

Pores in shell rock repeatedly worsen thermal insulation properties designs. A wall made of such shell rock not only “breathes,” but rather “sees through.”

There are two ways out of this situation. The first is to 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, it means the grade of material 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.

The second way out, which allows you to protect the house from both drafts and environmental influences, is the installation of an external barrier, that is, protection of the wall structure. The external barrier involves finishing with vapor-permeable plaster or facing brick with ventilation gap from the main wall.

You can also install a layer of insulation from mineral wool slabs or mats 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, 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 of profiles; the facade is mounted on a wooden beam using self-tapping screws. Wooden load-bearing beams are laid into the wall during the process of laying shell rock blocks. Making such a wall is easy, quick and simple.

Features of construction and finishing

The dimensions of a shell rock stone are usually about 20x20x40 cm, the exact standard is 18x18x38 cm. One block of shell rock replaces 7-9 bricks. Accordingly, to build a 1 m 2 wall one block thick (38-40 cm) you will need 30 blocks, or 18 if you put it in half a block (a wall 18-20 cm thick).

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.

You can build a house from shell rock 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: various types can be used, 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, any type of ceiling can be laid on top of a shell rock wall: 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.

Raw shell rock walls are often left indoors to enhance the home’s connection with nature. There is no dispute about tastes, but it is better to use only small sections of the walls as interior elements, and cover the rest with plaster, hide them under drywall or wood trim.

Shell rock is widely used as a building material in the coastal regions of southern Ukraine. The local builders have worked hard great experience construction and operation of shell rock houses. When starting to build such a house, you should take into account that this natural material has a number of features that distinguish it from artificial building stone (concrete blocks, bricks).

Shell rock has a relatively low density, which is why many people consider it not a very reliable material for the construction of buildings. Therefore, the construction of a house from shell rock needs justification.

As an example, we will give a simplified calculation for a three-story house with walls made of shell rock and reinforced concrete floors. The thickness of the walls in our calculation is 38 cm (one stone).

It should be noted that the house will be calculated only for conditions in seismically quiet areas. Such areas in the figure below are indicated in blue with the number 5 (illustration corresponds to the provisions of DBH B.1.1-12:2006 “Construction of buildings in seismically hazardous areas):

For regions of Ukraine with a higher degree of seismic hazard, the following additions must be made to the design of the future shell rock house:

- installation of a reinforced concrete frame and reinforced concrete belts;
- increasing the thickness of walls and piers;
- use of shell rock of higher grades;
- reduction of free wall spans.

If all of the above measures are taken, the question of the bearing capacity of the stone will no longer exist.

IN Table 1 the degree of strength of shell rock is given different types. For our calculations, we will choose the lowest strength, that is, the “weakest” option - “Crimean central and western (fine-porous yellow). The average grade of its strength is only 6M.

1. Our calculations will take into account only the area of ​​the walls on which the reinforced concrete floors will rest. These overlaps are highlighted in red in the following figure. This area bears the maximum load. The area of ​​the wall sections on which the floor slabs press is 56 × 16 cm².

2. Now you need to calculate the weight of the walls made of shell rock with the thickness indicated above of 38 cm. The height of such walls is 9 m (three floors). We multiply the total volume of the walls by the density of shell rock 1150 kg/m3 (taking into account the density of the masonry mortar 1800 kg/m3) and we get 55,750 kg - this is the weight of the walls of our future house.

3. Next, you need to calculate the weight of three reinforced concrete prefabricated floors (the first floor, the second and the attic). For the calculation, we take PK-60-12 slabs. The standard weight of one such plate is 2100 kg. In total, 18 slabs will be needed for construction. Taking into account the thickness of the screed (3 cm), the total weight of the floor slabs will be equal to 43,905 kg.

4. Then we calculate the load of the roof on the floor. To accurately calculate the roof, we will take the heaviest tiles at an angle of 45°. The specific load of the roof projection is 80 kgf/m2. Let us take into account that for Kyiv snow load averages 70 kgf/m². As a result, we find that the load from the roof (6x8 m) on the floor is 7200 kg.

5. Total weight house structures = 106,855 kg.

6. Specific load on the bottom row of stone: load on the block = 106,855 / 56 Z16 = 1.9 kgf/cm2.

7. The calculated compressive strength of masonry made of low-strength natural stone of regular shape (our shell rock M6 and laying mortar M10) = 2.16 kgf/m². (Data taken from SNiP II-22-81 “Reinforced stone and stone structures", table 7).

As we can see, despite the very heavy three-story house with three reinforced concrete floors, tiled roof And concrete screed the maximum load still does not exceed the permissible one - even when using the least durable shell rock.

Of course, the calculation we carried out for a house made of shell rock was quite simplified. We did not take into account the influence of window and door openings, as well as some other factors. However, even after carrying out such calculations, we were able to prove that shell rock is quite suitable for use as a self-supporting building material in the construction of individual houses.

MASONRY OF WALLS FROM SHELL ROCK

It must be remembered that the solution used for laying shell rock walls must be plastic. If the solution turns out to be too hard, it will be difficult even for experienced masons to lay shell rock walls. The “correct” masonry mortar should not spread, but at the same time be easily pliable. To create the optimal solution, you will need:

- cement PC-400 (1 bucket);
- sand (4 buckets);
- water (about 1 bucket).

When mixing such a composition without special additives, it will turn out to be too hard and will be unsuitable for laying shell rock. If you try to make it less rigid by adding water, the solution will quickly begin to separate, which will lead to an even greater loss of plasticity. Therefore, when mixing the solution, you need to use a suitable additive that will increase its plasticity characteristics. For this purpose, it is recommended to use the additive DOMOLIT-TR.

To prepare 1 cubic meter of solution, you will need about 0.5 kg of this additive (exact dosages are indicated in the instructions). If it is not possible to buy a supplement, you can use the usual one instead. liquid soap or detergent for dishes in the proportion of 10 ml for each liter of water for mixing the solution.

In the photo you see a masonry mortar whose consistency is optimal for laying shell rock walls.

If the volume of the masonry is 5000 shell rock blocks or more, it will be more profitable to use a concrete mixer to mix the solution. If there is no concrete mixer, the efficiency of the masonry team will noticeably decrease, since one worker will have to be allocated to mix the mortar. That is, a concrete mixer under such conditions will pay for itself very quickly. In addition, it is useful for preparing mortar and concrete during other construction work.

If the planned volumes of masonry work are small, the mortar for laying shell rock can be mixed manually. The kneading is done on a regular steel sheet or some other waterproof, durable surface.

The set of tools needed to build a shell rock house is as follows:

- trowel;
- mallet ( rubber hammer);
- nylon thread;
- measuring angle;
- high-quality construction level;
- buckets for solution.

Should be given special attention quality building level, since the accuracy of the masonry will depend on it. Don't buy cheap levels with flimsy bars. As for buckets, it is also not recommended to save on them: it is better to buy not plastic, but steel buckets that will not break under the weight of the solution.

The laying of the external walls of a house made of shell rock begins from the corners (the same as the laying of any other stone). The most time-consuming and responsible work at this stage is to bring the angle of the walls exactly. In our case, this task is complicated by poor geometry and irregular shape shell rock blocks. It is better to entrust the laying of corners to the most experienced masons. And if you decide to carry out the masonry yourself, without having such experience, invite a “consultant” mason to show you how to properly use a building level.

This is what the process of laying shell rock walls looks like:

The blocks need to be laid so that the upper corner of each block “looks” into the thread, but not close to it, but at a distance of 2 millimeters. If the block is applied close to the thread, it will be pressed through, which will lead to an arched curvature of the entire row. By correctly maintaining the masonry along the thread, you will eliminate all possible mistakes.

If the walls of the house, as in our case, are laid one stone wide, the masonry should be bandaged every 4th row of blocks. Bandaging can be done in two ways:

- laying a row of blocks across the wall (“poke”);
- placing a masonry mesh measuring 50x50x4 mm in the seam between the rows.

Wall binding is used to bind the wall of a house, making it more monolithic and durable. The red arrows in the following photo indicate rows of blocks with ligated masonry walls:

EQUIPMENT OF FLOORS IN A HOUSE MADE OF COLLAR SHELL

Floors in a house with shell rock walls can again be done in two ways:

- on the masonry, directly on the masonry mortar;
- along a reinforced concrete belt.

In seismically safe regions, marked in blue in the first figure in this article, floors can be made without installing a reinforced concrete belt (with a wall thickness of one stone, 38 cm). According to SNiP II-22-88, the length of the slab support surface must be at least 12 cm.

The design of a prefabricated reinforced concrete floor on walls made of shell stone without a reinforcing reinforced concrete belt is as follows:

The installation of a reinforced concrete belt for private residential buildings is necessary during construction in seismically unsafe areas, and also if the thickness of the walls is insufficient for stability (for example, when laying half a stone, 18 cm). This is what the belt structure looks like (in the diagram: 1 - concrete belt; 2 - formwork):

Since shell masonry is different uneven surface, it is impossible to lay the slabs exactly along the masonry. Often there is a level difference of 5-15 mm between the plates. Taking this into account, in order for the ceiling from the floor panels to be smooth, you can make a leveling concrete belt, on which the slabs will then be laid. However, this measure will only help if the slabs themselves are perfectly flat. Experienced builders note that the surface of the factory reinforced concrete slabs It is often uneven, which eliminates the possibility of making a smooth ceiling without subsequent additional finishing.

INTERIOR WALL FINISHING OF A HOUSE MADE OF SHELL

The best option for finishing it is plaster, since it adheres well to shell rock due to its porous, rough surface. Professional builders do not recommend finishing walls made of shell rock with plasterboard over a galvanized profile or wooden beam, since drilling this stone to install the profile is very difficult. Due to the heterogeneous structure of the shell rock, the drill moves greatly from its initial position when drilling.

There is an opinion that when plastering shell rock, you need to first strengthen a steel mesh on it, but this is not so - a layer of plaster will be well fixed to the stone even without the use of a mesh. The key is to spray before applying the base coat to create the initial rough layer.

In wet rooms, only cement-sand plaster is used, and for drier rooms, you can also use gypsum. Before calculating the cost-effectiveness of choosing between gypsum and cement-sand plaster, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the future plaster layer.

If the thickness of the plaster is small (up to 2 cm), it is more profitable to use gypsum machine plaster. If the layer thickness reaches 3-4 cm (or more), then the cost of gypsum plaster will exceed the benefits of cheaper work compared to ordinary cement-sand plaster, which is applied manually.

If your choice falls on machine-made gypsum plaster, do not forget that such a material will only be beneficial for large volumes of work - 200 sq. meters of walls or more. It is also necessary to remember that the majority of models of installations for plastering walls operate only from a three-phase voltage network.

The surface of natural shell rock is beautiful in its own way - it has an interesting texture and a pleasant warm color. Therefore, open cladding with this stone can be used as finishing. The shell rock finish will fit especially organically into the interior, where there are wooden or made from other materials. natural materials elements.

Shell rock is a porous, not very hard stone, having a light brown or red-yellow color. Formed from the shells of mollusks and other organisms living in the sea. Used in the construction of houses. For these purposes, blocks are cut out in the form of rectangular parallelepipeds. Despite his light weight, the blocks are strong enough, so they can be used for the construction of load-bearing walls up to 3 floors high. Due to its porous structure, shell rock retains heat well and has high sound insulation.

Characteristics of shell rock

This natural building material is quite dense and lightweight. Its characteristics are higher than those of building materials that were created artificially. The thermal conductivity of shell rock is 0.3-0.8 W/m2, which is lower than that of foam concrete, frost resistance is 25 cycles, average density material is 2,100 kg/m3, water absorption is 15%. The size of the shell rock is usually 380 x 180 x 180 mm, and the average weight is 15 - 25 kg.

Due to the fact that this material is sold in the form of rectangular blocks, it is very convenient to use in masonry walls.

Brands of shell rock

Depending on the characteristics, the stone is divided into the following grades:

• Brand M15. The stone is light, has high porosity and low density. The dimensions of the shell rock are 380 x 180 x 180 mm, weighs 15 kgf/cm2, color is light yellow. Used for the construction of houses no higher than 2 floors.
• Brand M25. Has a slightly higher density than the previous one. If it falls, it does not break into pieces. The dimensions of the shell rock are 380 x 180 x 180 mm, weight - 25 kgf/cm 2, light color.
• Brand 35. This brand of stone has the most high rate strength. It contains almost no sand. The dimensions of the shell rock are the same as in previous brands, weight 35 kgf/cm 2, color - yellow-white. In addition to the construction of walls, it is also used for the construction of basements and foundations.

Shell rock in house construction

To make a shell rock house stronger, it should be protected from moisture, the walls should be built on a reliable foundation and monolithic belts should be used.

This structure has both positive and negative sides. The advantages include:

1. Shell rock is a 100% pure material. During its formation, it was thoroughly saturated with iodine and sea salt, which will have positive influence on the health of the residents of the house. Thanks to iodine, it also protects against radiation and rodents will not live in it.
2. Has low thermal conductivity. Such a house is warm in winter and cool in summer.
3. High vapor permeability. This means that the walls in a shell rock house will “breathe”.
4. The material is easy to process.
5. Excellent noise absorption.
6. A house made of shell rock is not flammable and does not support combustion.
7. The material serves as a filter from harmful substances. Its porous structure absorbs harmful substances that come from outside.
8. Frost resistance. The blocks can withstand temperatures down to -60 degrees.
9. The material is light weight.
10. Speed ​​in construction due to the overall dimensions of the stone.
11. Fungus and mold do not grow on shell rock walls.
12. Attractive appearance. Stone blocks can be laid without seams or under jointing. The walls look natural and ultra-modern.

1. Relatively low load-bearing capacity. But it depends on the brand of shell rock. When building a house above one floor, you need to use blocks of the M25 and M35 brands. If you correctly calculate the concrete and reinforcement, then a shell rock house can last 100 years or more.
2. Not very reliable retention of fasteners. This only applies to blocks of the M15 brand; others in this sense are quite reliable and can easily withstand kitchen cabinets with their contents. This problem can also be easily solved using modern fasteners.
3. The exact geometry of the blocks is missing. When extracting stone in quarries, accurate overall dimensions. There may be deviations of 1-2 centimeters. But this rarely happens and if the mason has experience in masonry, he can easily fix this problem.
4. Water absorption. You can get rid of this disadvantage if you properly protect the walls from the outside - plaster them, treat them with special solutions that repel moisture, and insulate them. Before you start interior decoration, it is necessary to make insulation and complete finishing of the facade. If this is not done, then in winter residents will have significant costs for heating the house and feel dampness in the room.

Cost of a house made of shell rock

Many people are planning to build mansions. They are interested in the question of how much it costs to build a house from shell rock.

Some construction companies they promise to build such a house at a price of 7,500 rubles per square meter. Others say that this is a very low price. If you believe the first, then a box made of this natural stone will cost approximately $25,000 - $37,500 (1,550,000 - 2,300,000 rubles).

It is clear that this amount does not include finishing, roofing, communications, electricity, windows, doors and much more.

Shell rock, shell rock, shell rock - 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. 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 building materials, based on their technical parameters. In shell rock they are:

The density of shell rock is relatively small, but it can vary significantly between rocks in different locations due to the different composition of 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 (the net mass of the material without voids), however, differences may also be present here due to different chemical composition 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 a 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 technical specifications;
• Vapor permeability allows the walls to “breathe” without retaining moisture on the internal 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.

Cons

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 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 sedimentary origin, it is necessary to take into account the features of structures made of shell rock.

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 interior walls collected from shell rock like 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 shell rock thickness 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. Plaster mortars and facing with brick and stone will help to cope with the task.

Why is it better to plaster walls made of shell rock? For protection and cladding, ordinary cement-based or cement-based solutions are suitable. decorative plasters for facades or interior works. Thanks to its high porosity, the coating adheres well, adheres well and lasts a long time. Before work, it wouldn’t hurt to clean the blocks from dust and prime them with a deep-penetration primer on the stone.