Masonry Magazine February 2011 Page. 30
An Energy-Saving Block
Northeast Solite's latest innovation for the masonry industry is an environmentally conscious block, the Solar/Stud Block.
BY RALPH ACAMPORA AND DIANNE WALSH
The Solar/Stud Block, or SSB, is described as an energy-saving, sustainable, environmentally conscious total wall-building system. The block is a lightweight, load-bearing unit that may be used as a hollow, partially reinforced or fully reinforced building component.
The primary material used in its manufacture is lightweight aggregate. Portland cement is the binder, with the option of green supplementary post- and pre-consumer materials that may be available to the individual producer. Elemix expanded polystyrene additive is also used in the mix design to impart fastening properties beyond those of conventional masonry. This results in an extremely lightweight, energy-efficient unit. The overall footprint of the SSB is 11 5/8 inches wide X 15 5/8 inches long X 7 5/8 inches high. Two units are manufactured at once in the mold design.
The insulating insert is expanded polystyrene supplied by Concrete Block Insulating Systems. The insert does contain a percentage of recycled material. The design includes a corner filler piece that interlocks.
Inset Right: SSB Unit
Far Right: SSB Course Layout