How Strong is Aircrete? Deflection Test Lightweight Concrete Garden Box Panels

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Күн бұрын

What's the deflection strength of aircrete? I test the point load strength of aircrete garden box panels in this episode. These panels link together to make long lasting rot-proof garden boxes. I test 4 lightweight panels made from Aircrete. These panels were made in Part 3.6 of my Garden Box series. I load the panels with weight till their breaking point.
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Пікірлер: 310

@MANaboutTOOLS 2 ай бұрын

I now have molds ready-to-go here: manabouttools.com/product-category/abs-plastic-molds/

@mrjoshd1 3 жыл бұрын

Having spent approx. 7 years in precast concrete industry as Quality Control - breaking concrete samples - it is possible that you are laying the panels the wrong way when looking for strength. The wire reinforcement should always be placed on the tension side of the panel. In your case, it would have been the side closest to the ground. This would explain the additional strength in the double reinforced panels as the tensile pressure was being handled by the steel.

@j.j.maaskant7287 Жыл бұрын

The way he uses the panels, the weight of the ground inside the box will be pushing in the same direction as he is testing. You are right though. The reinforcement would be more beneficial on the bottom side of this test.

@jaandel1 11 ай бұрын

@@j.j.maaskant7287why dont use rebar its no expensive ... still don't understand . Several manufatures they dont even use it as well but use fiberglass and others but are not ligth are heavy

@nicholashall3479 2 жыл бұрын

Bravo! I've seen dozens of aircrete videos, but nobody ever tests it. Yours are the first. Thanks a ton (no pun intended) for doing it and sharing the results with us. :)

@DarinM1967 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Panel 3 is an example why "ferro-cement" is so strong and flexible. Just imagine instead of using mesh with huge openings, to instead using something like rabbit-wire which has smaller openings. Ferro-Cement gets its strength and durability from the lattice structure of cement/fly-ash to metal/basalt mesh.

@notthesnail 3 жыл бұрын

So, in planning to replace my own cedar raised beds, it seems to me the take-aways of these builds and testing are: Portland cement is good enough; use vermiculite or perlite to save weight, whichever is readily available or least cost; use a double layer of mesh or heavier hog fencing; CSA cement seems to offer no advantage if wear from landscaping and garden tools is a concern. And even though you don't seem concerned about the amount of pressure raised beds will see from frost heave, I'll save the effort and reduce the risk by not bothering with aircrete. Frost moves everything in Canada (except maybe in lower BC).

@zukobringas5096 2 жыл бұрын

I would love to see you repair those cracks with concrete epoxy and do another test to see how the repair fares. Thanks, looking forward for more videos.

@9realitycheck9 4 жыл бұрын

Although many of the projects I will never attempt, they are really cool. Thank you for doing the work, filming/editing and sharing the content! Thumbs Up!

@nobreighner 3 жыл бұрын

Very impressive to have homemade aircrete span that load. And even more impressive for the pinned end connections to take the shear.

@earlliverseed1617 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the information. This information is of so much important for my future projects.

@juanvilches530 2 жыл бұрын

Es primera vez que veo a alguien hablando y mostrando sus resultados con aircrete de forma tan científica, y el único que ha mostrado resultados de CALIDAD, me quedo con tu fórmula de doble malla metálica y aircrete. MUCHAS GRACIAS

@kgs2127 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much for these tests, the information is EXTREMELY helpful!

@DavinStewart 2 жыл бұрын

This was great content. It was also nice to see that all the panels survived the winter freezes without any problems. Liked!

@semperparatus3685 3 жыл бұрын

Your methodology is similar to what I'd do to test my own work. Thank you for the work as well as concise and coherent presentation. Well done!

@rocki_bb Жыл бұрын

I don't know if you would be interested in doing an additional test/update on this series, but I think lava rock might give interesting results. Lava rock as an aggregate is something that's being used/tested by areas of the concrete/cement industry. It's lighter than traditional aggregate, and the unique texture of lava rock may allow the concrete to cure internally for longer due to the way it can hold water. I plan to make some panels using lava rocks. The biggest downside so far is the need to wash the lava rocks and screen/sort them for size.

@ReevansElectro 3 жыл бұрын

I really like your approach and thinking. You sound very competent.

@PierreRiopelClone 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting and nice choice of options to compare.

@TrungHoangXuan215 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for show us your test! Hope your back are fine after that!

@edic2619 2 жыл бұрын

VERY GOOD DEMONSTRATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF DESIGNS FOR PANELS.

@nadronnocojr 3 жыл бұрын

Ima fan of project farm , and like him I like your tests, creativity and ability to convey information with out crazy edits ,and sill sound effects. Well done , thanks for taking time out to help us weekend warriors ... it’s really easy to comprehend and fun .. Most excellent

@kim1570 3 жыл бұрын

Very, very helpful! Precise and straight to the point. Thanks!

@irvkanode539 4 жыл бұрын

Wow! That's dedication moving all that weight. Great video series. I need to replace 10 rotted 4x8 beds and you've convinced me to use your plans.

@RedandAprilOff-Grid 2 жыл бұрын

Cool! You have better data on aircrete than anyone else I have seen. We are making our first aircrete batches, it's a challenge but we are starting to figure it out. Hope to start testing our samples soon. 👍😊 Thanks for the great info!

@shephusted2714 4 жыл бұрын

great to see the tests - adding rebar along with wire mesh may beef them up much more - it was a good showing of how a little materials science and engineering can go a long way - all the components need to be optimized according to your use case but the modular design was nice to see

@photorealm Жыл бұрын

Great job, very helpful. Thanks for sharing.

@-robo- 4 жыл бұрын

Sodium silicate (Water Glass) strengthens and seals concrete. In fact that is one of its primary uses. It is commercially available, and you can easily make yourself. I would love to see a video testing Sodium silicate on aircrete.

@agentstrickland 4 жыл бұрын

Neat panels, neat test!

@luckynmd1319 4 жыл бұрын

I love your videos! Great scientific approach. It's true that there are more tests that could be performed and repeated for data accuracy but I personally think that it would be a waste of time. The goal is not to make a thesis but simply find the best materials for garden boxes. I just subscribed! Long live your channel!

@TheTitian69 3 жыл бұрын

Smart no BS direct to point well spoken good information presented well .

@rtheprizeisright7323 2 жыл бұрын

this was a cool video to see im researching whether to do this or just pavers or cinder blocks for a garden bed I've been planning it for a couple years

@imranpasha7583 3 жыл бұрын

Very hardwork sir... Nice

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot!

@B30pt87 11 ай бұрын

Thak you! This was a good test, and well explained. As someone who is going to build an aircrete dome I really appreciate this video. (I subscribed.)

@lolitabonita08 4 жыл бұрын

YIPPYYYYY NO ANNOYING MUSIC THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! love your videos but they are hard to watch because of the music...u are a genius...

@MANaboutTOOLS 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@salvitoregachione1237 3 жыл бұрын

. . . With terrible taste in music apparently

@lolitabonita08 3 жыл бұрын

@@salvitoregachione1237 it can be viewed as that if it is your wish...but I am talking about the annoy issue of music on top the conversation of the person on the video...besides 99.9 of the music nowadays is pure trash...

@badcamerax Жыл бұрын

great channel must recomended

@michaelhaidee 4 жыл бұрын

Entertaining 👍. Nice job. Liked how you built the giant Jenga tower with the bricks in panel #3. Lol.

@farukilhan1251 3 жыл бұрын

you are a such a nice man that sharing very useful knowledge with great manner. Thumbs up :)

@nirpanialive2136 3 жыл бұрын

GREAT WORK WITH VERY VERY POLITE .THANKS A LOT .GOD BLESS YOU

@patandsandytrierweiler2440 2 жыл бұрын

Ok. Very cool video. Thanks! Not rigorously engineered and neither is my following comment: Your panels get their tensile strength from the wire mesh. A logical next step is to stretch the horizontal mesh elements probably using bolts/ nuts/maybe springs ( split washers) outside of the forms during the curing process. ( e.g. crude pre-stressed air crete) I admit it... overkill for a garden bed but, a fairly easy alteration if you have the forms.

@edic2619 2 жыл бұрын

GREAT VIDEO. THANKS FOR YOU TIME ON VIDEO, MUCH APPRECIATED.

@brucemarmy8500 2 жыл бұрын

This is a very impressive video production. So, I'm subbed, now. Hope to see more videos from the Man about Tools

@MANaboutTOOLS 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

@simonl7784 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Great vids buddy! subbed

@iwantosavemoney 4 жыл бұрын

Super cool I have to say it would hurt my feeling to do this test to be honest. Nice work I really like this series their are a lot more things you can do with these also.

@Mudpuppynme 3 жыл бұрын

I ran out of breath just watching you load the bricks and put them back lol! Subscribed because you are thorough and a good teacher, thanks! Thinking of using Aircrete for a project brought me here.

@DoloresJNurss 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the hard work you put into this! I kept wondering when your back was going to snap.

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It actually was not too bad. Gave me a good workout.

@zacharyrivera566 3 жыл бұрын

Great presentation 🙂.

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@Moist_yet_Crispy 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video! Please keep them coming with aircrete!

@indupacs.a.6215 4 жыл бұрын

Very impressive! Thanks !

@michaelgiraitis1278 4 жыл бұрын

Thinking on ferrocrete, 2, 3, or more layers of 1/2" or 1/4" mesh would help. They make free form houses and even boats using multiple layers of mesh.

@gregbrown1083 4 жыл бұрын

Good job with these tests. I wonder if a C channel shaped reinforcing grid would add more strength than the double grid. Thanks for all your hard work on this. Good luck.

@georgemaze7926 3 жыл бұрын

Outstanding video thanks please make more videos thanks, I'm making aircrete planter boxes for my plants and trees, so far so good wire mesh is the way to go.

@habeebkhan1734 3 жыл бұрын

thanks for great lesson

@sogorusg1342 3 жыл бұрын

I think that iff you separate the double mesh will be adding more strength to the panel and second, the perlite has the the capability of absorbing water so is better if you added it already wet, so That way the mixture won't dry to fast, instead will be adding water to cure slowly.. Thanks for sharing your efforts, keep inspiring others.

@diananiesser3640 3 жыл бұрын

I find your experiments super interesting! It would also be interesting to see a series of air crete with higher glass fiber content and / or quality steel fibers which are frequently used for the reinforcement of shotcrete.

@williamreilly3172 3 жыл бұрын

Shotcrete?

@madaven818 3 жыл бұрын

I loved this, thanks dude

@robertnancarrow9433 2 жыл бұрын

That is real good excellent buddy

@avinashwaghmare8321 4 жыл бұрын

I am going to try this

@bhawaniparida3646 4 жыл бұрын

than you , great practical tutorial

@randomideas2308 3 жыл бұрын

Great research and description of your methods. Tremendous amount of work went into this! I wonder whether the variation in failure loads was related to how deep the steel reinforcement was located. If set deeply at the time of placement it would be in a much more favorable position to resist the deforming stress. Have you though about rounded ends to allow angles other than 90 degrees to be used? Maybe incorporate a semicircle of 2 inch plastic pipe at the end of the forms? Thanks again, great project

@AshleyMillsTube 4 жыл бұрын

Would be amazing to see 10 of each type, with a proper load gauge, but would be a heck of a lot of work and panels. really interesting video thanks

@josephlalngaihzuala5769 3 жыл бұрын

Informative.. thank you.

@louishermann7676 2 жыл бұрын

I know this is an older video but liked and subbed after this stellar comparison of the raw facts and trends in your experiment. There's really not enough of this content for aircrete on KZfaq.

@MANaboutTOOLS 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!!

@richardjackson2016 Жыл бұрын

Great video

@MANaboutTOOLS Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@Reman1975 3 жыл бұрын

I don't know why the hell KZfaq offered up this video to me (A IT repair engineer who's never even mixed regular concrete, let alone "Aircrete")........ But on the other hand, they say "All knowledge is useful", and I did find watching these material tests surprisingly interesting. So thanks for the info.

@collinE83 2 жыл бұрын

you have some of the best looking aircrete I’ve seen on KZfaq. Usually it’s all crumbly and full of air pockets. I wonder what you’ve done different to get a better product...

@emanuelramos4169 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video series. I'm going to make some of these. I was just thinking that if you rounded the edges it would allow them to pivot around the rod. Then you could use panels to make a hexagonal or octagonal perimeter for a tree.

@MANaboutTOOLS 2 жыл бұрын

That has been suggested and I believe it would work.

@nyoung827 Жыл бұрын

I wonder if connecting the 2 mesh layers with a few short pieces of perpendicular rebar between then, and offsetting the two mesh layers, would greatly increase the strength

@tealkerberus748 3 жыл бұрын

What I read about aircrete is that it's not bad insulation. Comparing the results in this vid to the other one, I reckon that's about right. Good vid. Thank you.

@melinda5777 7 күн бұрын

I just love Darwins' (Honey Do Carpenter) Foam mate!!❤

@l2iowacowgirl893 4 ай бұрын

Thank you

@jdwilsun 2 жыл бұрын

Great work. Thank you. I wish to know how strong aircrete would be if both sides have embeded various types of synthetic mesh; nylon, polyeter, & especially basalt.

@maderightamerica3216 2 жыл бұрын

I would imagine if you put a steel rod inside you wouldn't have to worry about the strength even if you stacked them on top of each other to make a wall. As for cracking during the winter swelling of the soil, one can only try it and test the results. Thanks for showing us what works and what doesn't.

@MrJackfriday Жыл бұрын

this needs a revisit

@hoof138 4 жыл бұрын

I like your idea u can use foam bubbles I think will be useful

@rogersahlin2022 3 жыл бұрын

Nice vid! I would like to see you try this test with aircrete but instead of steel mesh, use bamboo mesh. I just found out about this material and bamboo gets really strong in concrete.

@gretewitten2539 3 жыл бұрын

Great! Thank you 🙏

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

You're most welcome!

@khaledsherifm 4 жыл бұрын

Nice work The position of the mesh wire as far as I remember, you made it in the middle, it should be near the bottom for more tensile forces for the application you use.

@MANaboutTOOLS 4 жыл бұрын

I agree.

@fakiirification 4 жыл бұрын

depends on the structural use of the beam. these things dont experience much vertical force so the mesh is sufficient to add some reinforcement.

@laconeccionvideo 3 жыл бұрын

Great!, for me your test is enough due the tested material is the same day production. I´ve worked as supplier quality engineer at some electronics companies and I'm impressed about results.. now I'm going to start the production of some parts for my garden. Which is the thickness and large of the pieces? Regards!!!

@tomkelly8827 3 жыл бұрын

I wonder if aircrete fibres need to be longer then fibre for heavy concrete to make a difference. also it is amazing to see what a double layre of mesh can do! wow! Interesting to see how perlite really detracts from the mix Thanks for sharing!

@brucemarmy8500 2 жыл бұрын

Tensile strength is not the only measure of utility in aircrete. For instance floors and ceilings may be OK with perlite, or sand to create the most useful mix for the application.Just seal it for it's environment.

@Kybossls 4 жыл бұрын

Kent, thank you for this information. I’m busy making more of these, my next wish item is to have a green house for the garden. Have you considered taking one on as a project? Something in the size of 10’x14” adjustable every 2 feet? I have looked at the pergola and other wood projects you have made, would do us all a great favor by having the plans and material list. Stay safe out there during this time.

@victorabadia9700 4 жыл бұрын

I would like to see that. Maybe they could be inter-lockable for expanding length and width?

@FrugalBuilding 4 жыл бұрын

I am currently working on a geodesic greenhouse that will use a version of what Kent has done here as the foundation. I designed some blocks that are 18" tall and 40" long that taper from 5" thick at the base to 3" thick at the top. These will connect together as do Kent's except they will make a circle of 16 ft diameter to support the greenhouse.

@bryanroshan7787 3 жыл бұрын

I would love to see how they respond to impact forces

@rbudidarmawan6265 4 жыл бұрын

Would you try to make fabric reinforced concrete and test it?

@ed056 2 жыл бұрын

I'm no engineer but it seems to me that you could greatly improve the strength by using an interlinked horizontal 'D' shape for the two reinforcing panels creating a 'Arch & Dome Effect' which will evenly distribute the force from the center point to the entire structure.

@mnoxman 4 жыл бұрын

Here is a suggestion for a 'curve wrecker' panel. Embed two tubes the length of the panel. They could be plastic conduit/plumbing or some thing else that is very thin walled. After the panel is made and cured put threaded rod in to the tube. Put a washer and nut on each end and tighten to a fairly high tension. The tube and the rod should fit closely. You will need to up your game as far as the amount of weight it will take after that. This is pre-stressing them. That said. Your right in that the 150# panel would suffice. Particularly if you mound up the soil away from the panel in fall.

@simonlang2001 4 жыл бұрын

So did you do the same test with the regular concrete panels, if so how did they fair?

@markwhite9148 3 жыл бұрын

Galvanized mesh was a good addition

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

It really made a difference.

@bigearlrrr 4 жыл бұрын

have you tried treating either the aircrete or concrete pieces with a concrete sealer, whats your thoughts ?

@AircreteHarry 4 жыл бұрын

Great test! I found because of all the air bubbles in the Aircrete it does not grab onto fibers well. I did not see much deference in strength when I added Basalt fiber chopped or Helix micro rebar to the Aircrete. I look forward to see what your findings will be after add chopped fibers.

@MANaboutTOOLS 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Harry!!

@johnallen9819 2 жыл бұрын

Fibers,wire mesh, rebar.... I just want something structurally sound

@AircreteHarry 2 жыл бұрын

@@johnallen9819 For Aircrete a super fine PVA Fibers will work well.

@CaseyColeCorbin 3 жыл бұрын

Did it hurt to see them break after you put so much work in making them? (It hurt me a little! :) ) Also, with the wire, still holding them together I am wondering f they are still usable? Did you assemble them back into to planter box? Great channel BTW! I love seeing your process and you present very well!

@MH-cj1gz 3 жыл бұрын

7:52 count your hand weight. Great video!!!

@silentknight101 4 жыл бұрын

Shouldn't the perlite have helped with the compressive strength?, btw, great info on the tests!

@rayabad 3 жыл бұрын

I noticed you are loading them with the wire mesh on top for compression it should be utilize for tension at the bottom. If you load them with the wire mesh at the bottom you will be amaze how much load your panel can handle. Try them standing and it will hold more load. Reinforce with wire mesh on top and bottom of your panel would be perfect for structural load. You can also try inserting a plastic tube at the bottom then insert an allthread rod after its cured put nuts and washers on both end and tighten.for a pre-stressed air create that you might be able to use for a bridge on a mini pond. More power...

@kim1570 3 жыл бұрын

I was thinking exactly the same, with using a pvc pipe with a threaded rod inserted into it.

@billbucktube 3 жыл бұрын

I like it.

@ralphferrazsilva7224 3 жыл бұрын

Good night, good job, what line and material you used, dosages please

@FBPrepping 3 жыл бұрын

If you want resistance, forget the perlite and add another mesh layer. Thanks for a test pretty well done amigo!

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Yes! An additional mesh layer makes the most difference.

@mattevans-koch9353 4 жыл бұрын

Again, good practical testing. Thank you for the video. I suspect that the perlite may not have the shear strength that solid rock type material has and that may be why the two panels that had it were weaker than the two which didn't. Have you determined the soil pressure that a full garden box exerts when unfrozen and then when the soil freezes at say 50% moisture content? My experience with retaining walls has shown that having some form of drainage media against the inside of the wall reduces the hydrostatic pressure and in certain instances provides a bit of free ze expansion relief. Really find your videos informative and professionally produced. Keep up the great work.

@1414141x 4 жыл бұрын

If it is the case that the forces of the freezing of soil can be detremental to the panels, then it could be alleviated to some extent by lining the panels with a compressible material, say polysterene sheets prior to filling with soil. This would allow some expansion without affecting the panels - a side benefit would be in keeping the soil warmer for longer due to the insulation the polysterene could offer !

@bryanroshan7787 3 жыл бұрын

Also a control with pure non foamed up concrete would be good.

@tacosforus1688 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for breaking all those panels for us, good sir. May you be blessed with many good taco dinners.

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@sunrael7985 4 жыл бұрын

It would be awesome if you could have plans for triangles and octagons in order to create more geometric garden designs. I just purchased the plans today and am about to make my molds. Thanks for your videos i was about to use wood until I watched all your tutorials.

@MANaboutTOOLS 4 жыл бұрын

The variations are endless!

@philip5176 2 жыл бұрын

Glass fiber doesn't add any measurable strength but increases resistance to micro cracks. Which the test does seem to prove from what I could see. Reasons you may want this is to have better weather resistance to protect the steel inside that is tensile strength to the compression strength of the concrete.