Comparisons & Applications
Information through statistics
Comparison Chart Brick and Mortar
| ECOPANEL | HOLLOW BLOCKS | AAC BLOCKS | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Compressive Strength - Wall Section (N/mm²) |
4.0 - 5.0 |
1.3 - 3.5 |
3.0 - 4.0 |
|
Direct Pullout (N) |
Up to 2200 |
Up to 710 |
Up to 320 |
|
Density (Kg/m³) |
600 ± 7% |
1400 - 1900 |
400 - 1000 |
|
U Value (W/m².K) |
Up to 0.274 |
2.3 - 2.8 |
0.3 - 0.4 |
|
Fire Rating (Insulation & Integrity) |
3 Hours |
Varies |
0-4 Hours |
|
Acoustic STC Rating (dB) |
Up to 60 |
Up to 46 |
Up to 39 |
|
Joint Capacity (kN/m) |
Up to 17.38 |
2 - 2.5 |
2 - 2.5 |
|
Flexural Strength-Face (kN/m) |
Up to 8.10 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Flexural Strength-Side |
Up to 8.10 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Axial Load Capacity (kN) |
Up to 140.3 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Plaster Requirement |
Not Required |
Required |
Required |
|
Wet Areas |
Acceptable |
Acceptable |
Acceptable |
Comparison Time
A comparison of time taken to build a finished wall (2 sides plaster) ready to paint on both side
- Wall Area = 16 sqm
- Length = 4.5m
- Height = 3.5m
- 2 point lateral support
- 1 existing and 1 to be installed by contractor No fire proofing
| ECOPANEL 2400 x 600 x 90 PANELS | BLOCK AND MORTAR 200 x 400 x140 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Step |
Time |
Step |
Time |
|
Location marking |
0.5 hr |
Location marking |
0.5 hr |
|
Bottom and top track cutting and setting |
1.0 hr |
Mortar mixing and setting out |
1.0 hr |
|
Install first panel with dowel bars |
1.0 hr |
Block laying |
24 hrs |
|
Installation of vertical panels |
2 hrs |
Curing time |
24 hrs |
|
Measuring and cutting of horizontal panels |
1.0 hr |
Manual plastering |
5.0 hrs |
|
Installation of horizontal panels |
1.5 hrs |
Curing time |
48 hrs |
|
Closing of head track |
1.0 hr |
Note: Block work walls cannot be built higher than 6 courses without the mortar setting i.e. 24 hours. Rigid scaffolding is required to be fixed for block work at 1.5m height. |
|
|
Closing of joints |
2.0 hrs |
||
|
Finishing of joints |
3.5 hrs |
||
|
Note: Panels only require mobile scaffolding and not restricted by height. |
|||
|
Total time |
13.5 Hrs |
Content |
102.5 hrs |
Comparison Cost
|
Brick/block and mortar construction |
Lightweight EcoPanel wall construction |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Cost per sq. metre of dwelling <80m² |
R7071.00* |
R5500.00 |
|
Cost per m² of walling incl. plaster |
R530.00 |
R428.00
(No plaster needed) |
|
Cost of raft foundation per m² (typical) |
R1020.00 |
R890.00
(uses 20% less steel) |
|
Labour cost @R50/hr (see table above for 16 m² area) |
R1525,00
(based on 30,5 hours of labour time) |
R675.00
(based on 13,5 hours of labour time) |
*Based on March 2021 study by STATSSA (EstimationQS.com 2021)
Uses & Applications
- TEMPORARY RELOCATABLE UNITS - TRU (30M2)
- DISASTER/EMERGENCY HOUSING
- BACKROOMS FOR RENTAL (12M2)
- SHACK/INFORMAL DWELLING REPLACEMENT
- RDP/BNG LOW COST HOUSING (40M2)
- AFFORDABLE/SOCIAL HOUSING
- TEMPORARY OFFICES/CLINICS
- GARDEN ROOMS/HOME OFFICES
- CONTAINERS FOR BUSINESS USAGE (BUSINESS IN A BOX)
- SCHOOL BUILDINGS
- HOSPITALS
- GARAGES (SINGLE AND DOUBLE)
- FIELD AND MOBILE TOILETS
- STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
- WALL PARTITIONING
- BUILDING EXTENSIONS TO BRICK HOUSES
- FLOORING SYSTEMS
