Topfit Brick - Innovative Foam Concrete Brick

7 Advantages of Topfit Brick

1)Stable

Topfit Brick is composed of cement, slag, sand, water, admixture and air, thus belongs to both air hardening and water hardening materials. It is then further stabilized by pressured steam curing to promote and complete the chemical reaction of concreting, achieving high strength and stability.

2)Light Weight, reduction in Construction Costs

Topfit Brick's normal density ranges from 1,100 kg /m3 ~ 1,300 kg /m3, which weighs 2/3 of clay bricks and mortar bricks, and 1/2 of in-situ concrete. With Topfit Brick, weight of walls becomes lighter, and consequently the weight of the static self-load of the building itself. Consequently, quantity of foundation and columns will decrease, consumption of reinforcing steel and concrete will lessen, reducing the overall construction costs

3)Reasonable Design and Increase Net Area of Building

4) Water proofing, Non-permeability

5)High Compressive Strength
Subject to different building's design requirements, compressive strength and density of Topfit Brick can be varied. Heat Insulation Brick: density 400 -600 kg /m3, compressive strength 0.5-1.5 Mpa; Wall Brick: density 1,100 -1,300 kg /m3, compressive strength 3.5-10 Mpa. All these specifications completely satisfy the structural requirements of general buildings. (See the specifications for details).

6) Better Sound Insulation

7)Heating Insulation, Fire Resistance
Topfit Brick possesses superior heat insulation characteristic. It is made of non-flammable raw materials, together with its micro-pored structure, enhancing its higher heat insulation and fire resistance to other wall materials. A 100 mm thick wall has a fire resistance limit exceeding 4 hours

Raw Materials of Topfit Brick

High quality cement, slag, river sand, water, admixture and air

Requirements for Bricklaying

1. The bricklaying method for Topfit Brick is the same as that of traditional clay bricks. Two anchoring rods of φ 6 mm with length not less than 500 mm should be installed at 500 mm intervals between wall and column.
2. There is no special requirement for mortar in application. Ordinary cement mortar or cement sand mix is suitable.
3. Topfit Brick can be nailed, drilled, chiseled and accommodates expansion bolts.
4. Spray with water 1 day in advance of laying Topfit Brick. Instant “spray and lay” is prohibited.
5. Laying height should not exceed 1.5 m per day.
6. Final laying works ( 200 mm of wall beneath the beam or roof) should be laid at least 7 days later when the original wall is rigid and stable. The bricks must be placed rigidly against the column, slab and beam. The laying angle of bricks is optimal at 60o –70o, any space or opening must be completely filled with mortar

Finishing Requirements

• There is no special requirement of material or treatment to wall surface for finishing. Ordinary cement-lime-sand mix or cement-sand mix is suitable.
• Plastering of mortar should be done 7 days after finish of bricklaying.
• Anti-cracking measures should be taken before mortaring. Between the wall and the column or the beam, 200 mm wide steel wire mesh should be placed to , cover at least 100 mm on each of the wall and the column/beam.
• Spray water on wall surface 1 or 2 days prior mortaring. Water-cement mix should be paste on external wall or areas that demands waterproofing.

Horizontal Laying for Roof Insulation

After the concrete roof is cleaned and the waterproofing layer and leveling layer are laid, the bricks should be placed on 1:3 cement mortar bedding. Gaps of 20 mm wide as expansion joints should be made every 4 m both horizontally and longitudinal directions, with waterproofing plaster filling these gaps. Roofs subject to human access should be applied with cement mortar after heat insulation bricks have been laid