Ambionse – How to Build
Download our PDF Ambionse Construction Guide
Estimating
- Divide the height of the wall by 0.3m and round up to determine the number of courses.
- Count up the number of 90° corners and multiply by the number of courses. This is the number of corner blocks required.
- Multiply the number of corner blocks by 0.315 m² / block to determine the area of the corner blocks.
- Determine the area of the wall (perimeter length x wall height) and subtract 80% of the window/door area.
- Subtract the area of corner blocks from the wall area to determine the area of straight blocks.
- Multiply this by 2.77 blocks /m² to determine the number of straight blocks required.
Ambionse corner blocks are available in Left Hand and Right Hand configuration. Half of the total number will be LH and half will be RH. They are packed in bags of 2, so ensure you order a even number of each of the corner blocks.
Ambionse straight blocks are available in packs of 8, so round the total required up to the next multiple of 8. (e.g. if your project requires 498 blocks, you need to order 504 blocks). This also helps to ensure you don’t run out of blocks.
The only difference to this method is when dealing with 300 Series of which there are no corner blocks. Simply follow Step 4 and Step 6
Construction
Footings and Slabs
Install a standard, level, footing or slab with reinforcing placed at the spacings required by the engineering design. Mark the perimeter of the wall with string or chalk lines to guide the placement of the blocks.
Placing Blocks
Assemble the blocks and start at the corners and work towards the centre of the wall. Fix the blocks on the footing or slab by applying a bead of foam adhesive. Subsequent courses are placed at a 150mm offset so vertical joins are staggered.
Bracing
Proper bracing will ensure straight walls and is an essential part of Ambionse construction. Place the bracing once 3 or 4 courses have been installed. The outside of all corners should be well supported and other braces should be spaced at 900mm centres.
Openings
Window and door openings are formed with timber formwork or boxing, to the rough opening dimensions required. The Ambionse blocks are cut to fit to the shape and size of openings. Install bracing across the opening to maintain alignment.
Steel Reinforcement
To achieve the required strength of wall, place vertical and horizontal reinforcing as required by the engineered design of the structure.
Concrete Placement
Once the walls are straight and plumb, the concrete can be placed with a pump. Make sure that the concrete mix and slump are correct.
Install Services
Simply cut chases into the Ambionse blocks and most wires and pipes can be placed into these. Larger plumbing pipes may be required to be set in place prior to placing concrete.
Interior and Exterior Finishes
The most common exterior finish is a modified plaster, but you are not limited to this. Most homes are finished internally by direct fixing plasterboard.
Things to Note
Engineering:
At this stage we do not provide any engineering designs. Any engineer competent with reinforced concrete design will be able to specify the details of lintel and general wall reinforcing requirement. The things to note are that the horizontal steel is limited to spacings of multiples of 300mm and the vertical steel to multiple of 150mm centres
Waterproofing Membranes:
It is important to ensure that waterproofing membranes are applied to below ground walls, as would be required for any concrete retaining basement walls. Follow the relevant manufacturers instructions for applying the membrane.
Suggested Tools:
Standard builders’ tools will be required. The list below shows some of the tools and materials that should be on hand when constructing an Ambionse wall.
| Hand Saw | Circular Saw | Keyhole Saw |
| Bracing System(available for hire) | Knife | Cordless Drill(s) |
| Masonry Drill | Builders Level & Laser Level | Zip/Cable Ties |
| Scaffolding Planks | Chalk & String Line | Broom |
| Timber for special bracing and window/door formwork | Adhesive Expanding Foam (and Gun & Cleaner) |
Rebar Bender/cutter |
Assembling the Blocks:
The Ambionse blocks arrive on site in bags ready for assembly. The bridges should be slid into the holder moulded into the side panels to create complete blocks. The blocks interlock with each other with tongue and groove joints, and the correct offset is ensured with the castellations on the top and bottom of the blocks.
Blank Ends:
EPS blank ends are available to finish off the ends of walls and depending on the design, also around openings.
Pouring Concrete:
We recommend a fine (10-12mm) pump mix with a slump of 120-150mm poured with a pump hose with a 75mm nozzle. It is best to build the wall to full height (max 3m) then pour the wall in lifts of about 1500mm, beginning at the sills. Once completed, then step up on the scaffolding and finish off the pour, with about 30 minutes between each lift. This is about enough time to allow the concrete to start setting up so it reduces the pressure on the lower section of the wall, but not long enough to form a construction joint. We do not recommend the use of a mechanical vibrator, but do suggest “rodding” the concrete