Natural Aggregate Building Blocks

Bescrete building blocks from Besblock, are manufactured from the earth's natural aggregates. Proven over millions of years, these are acknowledged to be amongst the most durable materials known to man.

The composition of this raw material, which conforms to
BS 882 : 1992, gives the finished product (manufactured to BS 6073 : Part 1 : 1981) a superior and consistent chemical stability free from deleterious substances.

This consistency would be difficult to equal with products manufactured from FBA (furnace bottom ash), as the chemical stability is wholly dependent on efficient combustion of the primary raw material within the furnace which may give variable results.

The Advantages of Bescrete Natural Aggregate Building Blocks

Continuing improvements to the already high standards demanded of thermal insulation have revealed the necessity for including additional insulation linings. This trend is moving the emphasis away from using lightweight concrete blocks for thermal insulation.

With new building regulations requiring higher thermal insulation standards for external walls and with likely moves towards even higher standards, it is no longer possible to try to attain all the necessary thermal performances using standard elements alone.

Dense concrete blocks now offer the designer a superior alternative due to their higher strength, lower shrinkage and greater durability.

Higher Strength
When building in accordance with Approved Document A1/2, units with a compressive strength of 7N/mm2 (or greater) may be used for all levels of dwellings of up to three stories, giving no concentrated load design problems at lintel ends or where heavy concrete floors bear on the wall. Using the higher strength units also means that the wall thickness can be reduced to 90mm thick units for either or both leaves.

Lower Shrinkage
Bescrete building blocks have a low drying shrinkage of 0.4% and a relatively high tensile strength, so they are unlikely to give shrinkage cracking problems for domestic size walls.
They will also give a reliable performance, with appropriate movement joints, for building with larger walls. They are compatible with all the likely mortar specifications up to designation (i) if required.

Their higher density also gives improved resistance to noise transmission through the outer leaf, compared to lighter weight materials, and the same units can be used to provide a high-quality sound insulating party wall. High density also improves the gravitational stability of cantilevered masonry such as parapets, chimneys and boundary walls etc., and makes them less likely to fail in the event of severe wind conditions.

Greater Durability

Concrete, manufactured from natural aggregates, has a good record of durability, particularly in walls exposed to freeze-thaw. The lack of any harmful soluble salts also means that the mortar is certain to resist erosion.

Thermally, their heat storage ability enables room temperatures to be maintained at more even constants. Lightweight blocks require less energy to raise them to temperature, but cool more quickly.

Manufacture and Quality Control

Bescrete Blocks are cast in steel moulds onto steel pallets, compacted by vibration and then steam cured.
At Besblock Ltd., we use the very highest precision machinery available in this field.
This incorporates a uncontrolled vibration system which ensures a uniform density throughout the mould, giving a consistent test quality on every block. As a result, the high strengths attained in both the Bescrete Cellular and Hollow blocks are unmatched by most of our competitors.