Formwork blocks provide an easy way to erect walls and partitions. They can be veneered or sealed with plaster. The filling plays an important role because it determines the strength and load-bearing capacity of the construction.
Shuttering stones are often used for garden walls
How to fill formwork blocks:
- flow concrete: simple and reliable method for strong concrete walls
- stones: as filling material for non-supporting constructions
- Earth: ideal for stones that are to be planted later
- sand: suitable as a gap filler in combination with concrete
flow concrete
To prevent the liquid concrete from spilling out of the gaps when pouring in, you must place the stones close together. A spirit level and wall cord will help you to align the elements vertically and horizontally. If the subfloor is uneven, we recommend leveling it out with a thin layer of mortar. Then you bring in the reinforcement so that the wall and wall are stronger and more resilient.
filling
Order the flow concrete you need from a supplier. Convenient and easy is the filling with the help of a concrete pump, which pumps the mass from the mixer into the formwork blocks. Liquid concrete usually compacts automatically. A wooden stick serves as a poking aid for critical areas to release air bubbles manually. The material can be loaded within 24 hours, reaching full strength after 28 days.
stones
A filling with concrete is necessary when the stones are loaded by pressure. Loose materials such as grit, (46.95€) gravel or crushed stone are sufficient if the wall is used for decorative purposes and is not under the load of earth masses. If there is no concrete or stone wall crown, the entire construction must be water-permeable. It is therefore not recommended to fill the lowest formwork blocks with concrete.
Earth
So-called plant rings or embankment stones, which are open at the top and bottom, have proven to be popular and decorative garden elements. These formwork blocks can be flexibly combined and planted. Filling in earth makes the structure heavy enough to support slopes and withstand the pressure of the earth masses. When stacking, you should make sure that the individual rows are slightly offset to the back. Part of the wall remains open and offers space for later planting.
Hints
The bottom row of stones is placed in wet concrete, which later serves as the foundation. Since the stones are open, rainwater must be able to seep off the concrete surface. Before setting, make deep grooves in the mass that drain the water. A layer of gravel under the soil filling promotes good water drainage.
sand
For smaller walls that do not have any special supporting function, leftover sand is sufficient as a gap filler. If you want to fill in several layers of concrete and sand, you have to work in a waterproof intermediate layer. Otherwise, the sand will draw liquid out of the concrete, preventing it from achieving its full strength. A piece of cement wrap or a garden pond liner will come in handy.