Poundfield Products manufactures a range of walling products suitable for a number of applications. The latest product to join the Poundfield family is the Betaloc block, a concrete shuttering system offering significant advantages and profit over conventional hollow concrete blocks.
The Betaloc system is designed for vertical and horizontal reinforcement, creating excessive strength both compressively and laterally, which can be used for more demanding projects together with general everyday constructional needs.
Incorporating a unique dry build process, the Betaloc allows the blocks to be laid to a running bond in a combination of full and third lengths.
Dry building allows non-masons to construct with Betaloc, as no mortar is required for the joints, thus saving time and extra cost implications. Therefore, while not-so-skilled persons on site are building footings, foundations and many other applications using the Betaloc blocks, more skilled workers can concentrate on other areas of the project, creating a faster rate of construction.
Betaloc Products has also developed a pack to assist in the DIY construction of Betaloc blocks. The pack includes: steel reinforcement bars cut to the required size of the project, plastic wheel spacers and safety caps, together with easy-tofollow instructions, so the project can be carried out to a safe and satisfactory standard. It is always advisable that professional advice is sought before any project is undertaken.
Betaloc blocks are currently available in a 225mm width, with the 300mm coming soon and both weighing in at less than 20kgs, which conform to the HSE guidelines for single man repetitive lifting. Betaloc blocks consist of a full and half length standard block and also a full and half length plain block for ends and corners of walls. Although Betaloc blocks are lighter than most conventional hollow blocks and clearly more versatile, they can still accomplish compression strength to a minimum of 7.3N/mm2.
Betaloc Shuttering Blocks can be used for footings, foundations, retaining walls, lateral/load bearing walls, sheer walls, bund walls, industrial structures, swimming pools, ponds and much more.
There are many distinct advantages in using the Betaloc block to that of using a conventional dense hollow block: • Unique design allowing stronger reinforcement both laterally and compressively • Dry stack building process • Less cost and time overall • Allows for fast track construction • No mortar required • Non-mason friendly • Less materials required • Beginners’ construction pack When the wall of Betaloc blocks has reached the desired height or a maximum of 2.25m and is plumb, it is ready for the concrete to be poured in as you would a normal hollow concrete block construction. The concrete then falls down the cavities to ensure there is no segregation, which in turn produces a wall with a magnitude of lateral and compressive strength.
The way you construct will never be the same again after you’ve used Betaloc blocks, as they are a fundamental way to save money and time.
SPECIFICATION NOTES
Manufacture Betaloc blocks are manufactured to fine tolerances using aggregates complying with BS EN 12620 and cement to BS EN 197.
Dimensions, Weights & Tolerances Betabloc blocks achieve a minimum compressive strength of 7.3 N/mm2 and are available in two standard sizes.
450mm long x 225mm high x 225mm wide - weight = 20 kg / 450mm long x 225mm high x 300mm wide - weight = 20 kg Manufacturing tolerances length, height & width + 2mm or - 2mm.
Fire Resistance Minimum fire resistance of Betaloc blocks: 1 hour Resistance to Sulphate Attack & Frost Damage The standard concrete in filled Betaloc wall system is resistant to ACEC Class AC-1 sulphates in accordance with BRE Special Digest 1 and has adequate resistance to freeze / thaw conditions.
Concrete Infill The Betaloc block wall system is bonded with insitu concrete, which is placed down through the inter-connected pockets in the dry bonded blocks, together with steel reinforcement to form a composite section with high vertical and lateral load resistance.
The concrete infill is to be design strength class C25/30 in accordance with the requirements of BS 8500 using 10mm maximum size aggregate, minimum cement content of 300 kg/m3 OPC and a free water cement ratio of 0.55.
