The term porotherm is used for this type of brick due to its desired thermal insulation characteristics. The perforation of the clay brick provides an exception walling system which facilitates thermal insulation resulting in cooler interiors in hot seasons and warm interior conditions in cold seasons.

Top Features Of Porotherm:

1. Excellent thermal & sound insulation 2. Lightweight, easy to handle on-site

3. Mason friendly

4. Lowest water absorption, no shrinkage cracks

5. Easy installation of loads

6. Natural and Green building solution,

Porotherm clay bricks are horizontally or vertically perforated clay bricks. they are manufactured in variety of sizes (400x200x200, 400x200x150, 400x200x100 mm) from natural clay, coal ash, rice husk, and granite slurry.

The porotherm clay bricks are easy to use, economical, environmentally friendly, and it can be used for the construction of both non-load bearing walls and load-bearing walls. The porotherm bricks are low weight, durable, strong, and possess a satisfactory fire resistance.

It can be used with dry mortar which eliminates the need for curing time.

Porotherm Bricks - Properties

Porotherm clay blocks

1. The compressive strength is greater than 3.5MPa

2. High thermal and sound insulation.

3. Low weight: it is lighter than traditional solid concrete block by 60 percent.

4. Density range from 694 to 783 kg/m3

5. Large in size but light in weight results in low dead load

6. Water absorption is around 15

7. High fire resistance

Load bearing Walls

Applications of Porotherm Bricks

• Load bearing and non-load bearing wall constructions.

• Partition wall (internal walls)

• Infill panels within framed structures.

• Single leaf or monolithic internal and external walls.

• The inner leaf of brick-faced cavity walls.

• Inner and outer leaves of rendered cavity walls.

Porotherm Bricks - Advantages:

a. Good Compressive Strength

The compressive strength of porotherm brick is greater than 3.5MPa. The application of high temperature during its manufacturing process and the presence of terracotta material in its composition gives the material excellent strength.

b. Thermal Insulation

Porotherm bricks have great thermal insulation which is obtained due to the perforation of the bricks.

c. High Durability

The high compressive strength, fire resistance, and resistance against carbonation makes porotherm bricks highly durable and has a long life span. Water absorption is around 15% that is why the risk of dampness, cracks or shrinkage of walls is substantially low.

d. Cost-effective

Not only does the porotherm bricks saves a lot of energy but also cut construction and operation cost. The usage of this type of brick would eliminate need for using AC in summer and heaters in winter, hence save energy.

Load considered while designing the structure significantly reduced due to lightweight of blocks, there the overall structural cost (steel & Concrete Consumption) come down.

increased productivity during the construction stage comparatively bricks and block masonry. hence it cuts construction cost. Finally, it has zero maintenance costs.

e. Environmentally Friendly

The porotherm bricks have recycled content. Due to the fact that chemical materials are not used in its composition, so it would not cause allergic issues.

Porotherm clay blocks it comes in half sizes to avoid cutting of blocks and reduced to zero wastage, the dimensions of blocks always uniform, it will reduce excess mortar and wastage.

f. Speed of Construction

Wall construction speed increases substantially when porotherm bricks are used. This is due to the brick lightweight, ease of handling, and elimination of curing time since sand and cement is not needed for the construction of porotherm brick walls (Applicable only for the drywall construction method).

Additionally, it can be cut and chisel easily which makes fixture installation much easier. Finally, porotherm ensure a clean and dry worksite that is why it leaves no debris to be disposed.

The project at Mysore - Total Project Completed in 4.5 Months (using Porotherm Vertical perforation blocks)

Link for more project details - https://www.featureconstructions.com/Portfolio/RESIDENCE-FOR-Mr.-GEETHA-CHANDRASHEKARAN

Porotherm Bricks - Disadvantages

1. Porotherm clay bricks cannot be used in the construction of huge structures due to its density which is about 694 to 783 kg/m3.

2. It may be exposed to salt attacks due to its water absorption which is about 15% and hence the strength of the structure would be decreased.

3. Porotherm bricks cannot be used in the construction of foundation and base-slab works in areas of the high groundwater table. This is because such bricks may not able to withstand the negative pressure of water and capillary action.