Qcon blocks

**johpam** · 04-10-2009, 05:50 PM

I want to build a extension to an excisting double storied house. 1 Bedroom plus ensuite (bathroom) downstairs and the same on top on the second foor. I want to use Qcon brick. I am wondering if you can use 20 or 25cm thick Qcon bricks alone and don`t use any concrete pillars or do you still need to build a concrete frame and then fill in the frame with Qcon bricks. The 2 rooms will be completely free standing and will be joint by walkways to the excisting house. The rooms will 4.5 by 5 meters. The ensuites will be 4.5 by 2 meters. I want to have 3 meter ceiling height, the same a the excisting house.

Thanks johpam

**dirtydog** · 04-10-2009, 11:42 PM

Unless your in a district that the planning office has already passed a qcon building without beams its not worth the effort, you would have to prove to them that qcon blocks have the structural integrity to build a 2 story building which could take an extremely long time or quite a bit of bribe money.

**Stinky** · 05-10-2009, 02:36 AM

I know little of Thai building regulations, but I can tell you that if you build with 25mm Qcon bricks alone with no concrete frame to act as supporting structural framework work your project is not viable and likely to collapse.
In what you've described here a concreat framework would constitute the integral structural stability as 25 Qcon blocks are not designed for anything more than panelling.

**DrAndy** · 05-10-2009, 02:55 AM

You will have to use concrete pillars as QCON is like weetabix, except it does not taste good

**Stinky** · 05-10-2009, 03:01 AM

^ or I could have said that

**johpam** · 05-10-2009, 06:48 AM

Well it looks like I need a concrete frame. Shitttt. Thanks everybody for your info. I will start next month sometime when I feel like it. I might have to make a little thread about it and show you folks how to fcuk up an easy building project.

Do you folks recommend to buy ready made upright concrete post or pour them onsite.

Cheers johpam

**dirtydog** · 05-10-2009, 06:56 AM

There are no ready made concrete beams for 2 story buildings.

**johpam** · 05-10-2009, 08:07 AM

Thanks DD
I thought they were available because I "build" a open shet 12 by 18 meter and 6 meters high in Mai and got ready made ones. But yes looking back at it, it would by impossible to attach the beams. Fcuk I should think before I ask.
Cheers johpam

**Maxion** · 10-10-2009, 07:58 PM

I would just like to correct the misunderstanding here about Q-con blocks.
Manufacturers of Q-con blocks provide technical data which includes load values and are used extensively throughout the world in load bearing situations.
My Thai house situated just outside of Bangkok is constructed on a strip footing tied into a concrete raft. External cavity walls are built with standard 70mm Q-con blocks topped off with a concrete ring beam which carries the trussed steel roof. Window and door openings are headed with Q-con beams.
I have worked on many large construction projects in Bangkok and Singapore. If anyone needs technical help with construction in Thailand please PM me.

**Maxion** · 10-10-2009, 08:23 PM

This picture might be of interest to those looking to build without the traditional load bearing columns.

This house was built without columns using standard Thai blocks which like any brick or block; have load values.

I am not allowed to post links or pics so here is URL to photo.

img11.imageshack.us/img11/7427/nocolumns.jpg

**DrAndy** · 10-10-2009, 08:56 PM

so they are not like weetabix!

If you are correct maxion, I am incorrect, they are loadbearing

**Maxion** · 10-10-2009, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by DrAndy

so they are not like weetabix!

If you are correct maxion, I am incorrect, they are loadbearing

They are a bit like weetabix I guess and for this reason people think they weak under compression.

**splitlid** · 10-10-2009, 09:38 PM

maxion, they do not look like Q-con blocks in your picture. rather concrete blocks.

**DrAndy** · 10-10-2009, 10:08 PM

true; the inner ones under the door arch look like QCON, the rest not

concrete blocks are the loadbearing blocks, the QCON are inside for insulation

however, the site says

A variety of Walling System is possible,
however the standard Q-CON buildings
has 200 mm thick external load bearing
walls and 100 or 125 mm internal
non load bearing walls.

To be used for all walls, external and internal,
loadbearing or non-loadbearing, infill walls to
framed structures, party walls, and fire rated walls.

although it is still a problem to get such a building approved in thailand, seemingly

**DrAndy** · 10-10-2009, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by Shitdigit

I know little of Thai building regulations, but I can tell you that if you build with 25mm Qcon bricks alone with no concrete frame to act as supporting structural framework work your project is not viable and likely to collapse.

true enough, but nobody has heard of 25mm QCON

**Stinky** · 11-10-2009, 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by DrAndy

true enough, but nobody has heard of 25mm QCON

I've no Idea what sizes are available, I'm assuming johpam has supplied the correct info.

**Maxion** · 11-10-2009, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by splitlid

maxion, they do not look like Q-con blocks in your picture. rather concrete blocks.

If you look at my post you will see I say standard Thai blocks in the picture. I posted the picture as an example of building without columns not to show the use of Q-con.

Sorry for confusion.

**Maxion** · 11-10-2009, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by johpam

I want to build a extension to an excisting double storied house. 1 Bedroom plus ensuite (bathroom) downstairs and the same on top on the second foor. I want to use Qcon brick. I am wondering if you can use 20 or 25cm thick Qcon bricks alone and don`t use any concrete pillars or do you still need to build a concrete frame and then fill in the frame with Qcon bricks. The 2 rooms will be completely free standing and will be joint by walkways to the excisting house. The rooms will 4.5 by 5 meters. The ensuites will be 4.5 by 2 meters. I want to have 3 meter ceiling height, the same a the excisting house.

Thanks johpam

In this situation I would stick with traditional column construction. As already mentioned, getting approval for non standard construction can be difficult in some regions and even more so if it’s an addition to existing dwelling.

If you really want to construct column free with q-con then seek advice from local architect about approval and be sure to use a constructor who knows the q-con system. It’s a fast and efficient building material but a nightmare when in the wrong hands.

**splitlid** · 11-10-2009, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by Maxion

Originally Posted by splitlid

maxion, they do not look like Q-con blocks in your picture. rather concrete blocks.

If you look at my post you will see I say standard Thai blocks in the picture. I posted the picture as an example of building without columns not to show the use of Q-con.

Sorry for confusion.

cheers, im easily confused sometimes.

**DrAndy** · 11-10-2009, 02:25 PM

me too

**cambtek** · 11-10-2009, 05:31 PM

I dont think he means 25mm thick blocks-do you.
A wall inch thick would be the thinnest wall in the world wouldnt it?
Maybe he means 25 centimetre?

**johpam** · 11-10-2009, 08:05 PM

I said (see my 1st post) 20/25 cm thick Qcon blocks which is centimeters (or 200/250 millimeters). i will build with a contrete frame because some other people have advised me to go that way.
Cheers johpam

**Norton** · 11-10-2009, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by johpam

The 2 rooms will be completely free standing and will be joint by walkways to the excisting house. The rooms will 4.5 by 5 meters. The ensuites will be 4.5 by 2 meters.

Will the roof of your existing house extend over the walkways and integrate with the roof on the extension?

**DrAndy** · 11-10-2009, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by Shitdigit

Originally Posted by DrAndy

true enough, but nobody has heard of 25mm QCON

I've no Idea what sizes are available, I'm assuming johpam has supplied the correct info.

he did, he said 25cm, not mm

**DrAndy** · 11-10-2009, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by johpam

I said (see my 1st post) 20/25 cm thick Qcon blocks which is centimeters (or 200/250 millimeters). i will build with a contrete frame because some other people have advised me to go that way.
Cheers johpam

probably safer as Thailands planning regs are not very up to date wrt new materials in many districts

I am also not very sure of QCON resistance to seismic shocks; whilst it has good load bearing, it may not have good shear strength

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