Arch Type Lintels (LA)

Arch type lintels are also load-bearing members but with added architectural features that can be designed with various shape and sizes of arches applicable for openings at external facades or internal walls. Reinforcement mats are specially arranged to facilitate fabrication and avoid exposure after cutting the required shape. Arches can be designed with single panel where height of arch does not exceed 30 cm or multi layers of panels for high arches.

Box Type Lintels (LB)

Box type lintels are designed with special steel reinforcement arrangement to be used where lintel depth is limited. They are suitable for block wall construction, produced with depth equal to the height of Siporex blocks for ease of construction. This eliminates shuttering and cast-in-situ works as well as avoids thermal bridges caused by the use of traditional concrete lintel. The maximum obtainable lengths (free spans) in meters for Box type lintels of various design loads and thicknesses are shown in table below.

The minimum permissible end bearings for all types of lintels are as follows: for L ≤ 2400 mm 200 mm each end for L > 2400 mm 300 mm each end Due to the special reinforcement arrangement, lintels must never be cut.

Other heights and spans of lintels can be designed by our technical department depending on their particular condition and considering the clear span of openings as well as design loads. Since Siporex lintels are constructed with the same materials as the wall panels or Siporex masonry blocks, the surfaces are easily finished and the possibility of cracks due to different thermal expansion is eliminated.

Masonry Blocks Dimensions

For the past decades, LCC Siporex had been supplying Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks with a standard face size of 25 cm high x 60 cm long only in various thicknesses. However, due to the increasing demand and growing popularity of the use of AAC blocks, LCC Siporex have started the production of new dimensions of blocks in line with the continued expansion of additional manufacturing plant to sustain the market requirements. Siporex blocks are now produced at the following standard sizes:

Standard face size: 25 cm high x 60 cm long: | Thickness: 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 cm

Standard face size: 20 cm high x 60 cm long: | Thickness: 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 cm

Hordi Blocks

Hordi blocks or infill blocks for ribbed slabs can be produced in various dimensions to form lightweight infill between in-situ reinforced concrete ribs designed to span in one or both directions. Due to their excellent bondage to in-situ concrete, Siporex Hordi blocks are easily arranged to form permanent part of the slab, providing excellent thermal insulation as well as fire resistance material. Hordi blocks are produced with density of 450 kg/m3 according to the following dimensions:

Length : 60 cm Width : 37/38 cm or 40 cm Thickness : 20, 25, 30, 35 cm

Other sizes may be produced upon request only.

Hordi blocks are not available in stock and are manufactured against order only.

Thermal Insulating Tiles

Roof insulation of existing conventional roof can still be improved with the use of Siporex thermal insulating tiles available at the following dimensions:

60 x 60 x 7.5 cm 60 x 25 x 7.5 cm 60 x 25 x 5 cm

Other dimensions can be produced upon request.

Packing Data for Siporex Blocks

Siporex blocks are delivered ready for use and packed in easily transportable wooden pallets. The pallets should be unloaded at the site by construction-site cranes, forklifts or other suitable hoisting equipments. For ease in unloading of materials, it is suggested to order Siporex blocks in whole bundle or pallet volume to avoid handling loose quantities. Following table is an easy reference in making order of some standard sizes of Siporex blocks in bundles or pallets.

Block Laying

The first course should be laid on cement-mortar bed of thickness about 1 to 3 cm depending on the evenness of the base and should maintain a correct level for fast installation progress in the following courses. It is recommended to spray the mortar face of the block before installation to keep damp at erection time especially during the hot seasons. After installation, spray with water twice a day for 3 consecutive days for curing of the mortar. Three types of Mortars can be applied on the succeeding courses:

Glue for Siporex  (BONDCHEM – for thin joints):

Pre-mixed mortar – only water is to be added. Thickness of glue should not exceed 3 mm in horizontal and vertical joints in order to achieve the ideal consumption rate as follows:

7 kg/m2 for Siporex blocks 25 cm thick 6 kg/m2 for Siporex blocks 20 cm thick 5 kg/m2 for Siporex blocks 15 cm thick

Ordinary Mortar with Gesol 

1:6 Cement : Sand (by volume) respectively in addition to water (with 10% of Gesol). The erection can be carried out normally as for conventional blocks. (Gesol is a liquid material used as bonding agent and retardant for the mortar especially during hot weather. Gesol is available at Siporex factory in 3 kg and 25 kg plastic containers).

Ordinary Mortar with Lime:

1:1:10 Cement : Lime : Sand (by volume)

Plastering of Siporex Block Wall

Before plastering, dirt and loose particles should be removed from walls. Spray walls with water and follow one of the two methods mentioned below:

Traditional Plastering: Similar to plastering of conventional block walls with the following mix:

Splattering (3mm): Use 1 cement : 3 sand mixed with solution of water and Gesol (20% of the volume). Spray with water twice a day. Ordinary Plastering Mortar: (1 – 1.5 cm thick, apply 24 hours after the splattering) Use 1 cement : 6 sand mixed with solution of water and Gesol (10% of volume).

Plastering with Pre-mixed Mortar  Water is added to the pre-mixed plaster supplied in bags of 25 and 50 kgs. Surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned and wetted without any splattering. Apply plaster directly with a thickness ranging between 0.5 to 1 cm In both above methods, walls should be watered twice a day after plastering for three consecutive days.

Cladding with Marble or Artificial Stone

Marble or artificial stones are fixed using hooks and screws. It is necessary to use screws with plastic plugs like Fisher and Hilti anchors in addition to several other types specially made for use in cellular concrete. Refer to “Typical Connection Details” at Section 7 of the LCC-Siporex Technical Guide

Bolts and Fixings

Various type of bolts and fixings applicable for both Siporex blocks walls and reinforced panels are discussed in Section 10 of the LCC-Siporex Technical Guide. These types of fixings are used in installation of doors and windows, as well as wall accessories with weights not exceeding the allowable loads of the type of fixing used. Through-bolts should be used in case of heavy fixtures such as water tanks and hanging lavatories (please Refer to “Fixings to Siporex” at Section 10 of the LCC-Siporex Technical Guide).