WEIGHT: CLC is much lighter than brick jelly lime concrete, which reduces the overall load on the structure.
THERMAL PROPERTIES: CLC offers better thermal insulation, leading to cooler indoor environments in hot climates like India.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: CLC uses industrial waste, making it more eco-friendly compared to traditional brick jelly lime concrete.
CONSTRUCTION SPEED: The larger size and lighter weight of CLC blocks make them quicker and easier to install, reducing construction time and costs.
These advantages make CLC a superior choice for weathering courses, particularly in areas with high temperatures and where eco-friendliness and cost-efficiency are critical considerations(qgreentech)(ri)(vincivilworld) (paramvisions).
Cellular Lightweight Concrete (CLC) blocks are a popular choice in modern construction due to their lightweight, cost efficiency, and environmental benefits. The latest advancements in CLC block production involve improvements in materials and manufacturing processes to enhance performance and reduce costs.
MIXING: The primary materials include cement, fly ash, water, and a foaming agent. The foaming agent generates air bubbles, creating the lightweight property of CLC.
FOAM GENERATION: A foam generator produces stable foam, which is mixed with the slurry of cement and fly ash.
MOLDING: The mixture is poured into molds and allowed to set for 18-24 hours.
CURING: Curing can take up to 28 days, although steam curing can accelerate the process for highereduction
Lightweight: CLC blocks are significantly lighter than traditional bricks, reducing the overall load on structures and simplifying handling and transportation.
Thermal and Sound Insulation: The air pockets within the blocks provide excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, improving energy efficiency in buildings.
Fire and Pest Resistance: CLC blocks offer superior fire resistance and are not susceptible to pests (theconstructor) (aspiringyouths).
Eco-Friendly: Utilizing fly ash, a byproduct of industrial waste, CLC blocks are environmentally friendly and help in waste management(happho)(aspiringyouths).
Lower Strength: CLC blocks have lower strength compared to conventional concrete, making them less suitable for load-bearing applications.
Higher Cost: Despite long-term savings, the initial cost of CLC blocks can be higher than traditional bricks.
Handling and Availability: They require careful handling due to their lightweight nature, and availability can be limited in certain regions(aspiringyouths) (civilengineeringstudy).
Overall, CLC blocks are an excellent choice for non-load-bearing applications and offer multiple benefits that align with modern sustainable construction practices.