Earth block, heavy, load-bearing, AK II (295 × 140 × 90 mm)
Pressed, unfired earth block without cement, made in Berlin from regional excavated soil.
Earth block to DIN 18945: LS p – 5 – II – 2.2 – S. Compressive strength class 5, application class AK II, bulk density 2020 kg/m³, thermal conductivity λ = 1.4 W/(m·K), water vapour diffusion resistance factor µ = 5/10, building material class A1 (non-combustible).
For load-bearing earth block masonry up to building class 4 according to DIN 18940; laid with earth masonry mortar M 2.0.
Requirement with 15 mm joints: approx. 30.7 blocks/m² (14 cm wall), 61.4 blocks/m² (29.5 cm), 92.2 blocks/m² (45 cm).
Sales unit: Euro pallet with 102 blocks of approx. 7.8 kg each, approx. 826 kg per pallet.
Not waterproof – ensure structural moisture protection, store dry.
The earthbound earth block has its own format: 295 mm long, 140 mm wide and 90 mm high. Its length is exactly two block widths plus a 15 mm joint. This lets you build three wall thicknesses in bond with a single block: 14 cm, 29.5 cm and 45 cm.
The pressed, unfired block is made in Berlin – from laboratory-tested excavated soil, without cement, lime or any other binder.
The three wall thicknesses
- 14 cm: block laid lengthwise. Slim wall thickness for interior walls and infill panels, approx. 30.7 blocks per m².
- 29.5 cm: two block widths plus joint or one block crosswise, approx. 61.4 blocks per m².
- 45 cm: one block length plus one block width plus joint, approx. 92.2 blocks per m².
With a block height of 90 mm and a 15 mm bed joint, each course is 10.5 cm high.
Applications
For load-bearing and non-load-bearing earth block masonry according to DIN 18940 up to building class 4: interior walls as well as rendered or clad exterior masonry that is structurally protected from the weather (application class AK II). As with any masonry, load-bearing walls are designed by the structural engineer.
Exterior walls only with an insulated facade
The heavy earth block stores a lot of heat but provides very little insulation (λ = 1.4 W/(m·K)). Without insulation, a 29.5 cm wall reaches a U-value of about 2.6 W/(m²·K), a 45 cm wall about 2.0 W/(m²·K). The German Building Energy Act (GEG) requires 0.24 W/(m²·K) for exterior walls. For an exterior wall, always plan an insulated facade, for example around 16 cm of wood fibre insulation (λ = 0.040 W/(m·K)) with render or ventilated cladding. The earth wall is then on the inside and brings its thermal mass into the room.
Timber-frame infill and interior walls in renovation
With a width of 14 cm, the block is suitable for filling the panels of interior timber-frame walls and for new interior walls in existing buildings. A 14 cm wall including mortar weighs around 296 kg per m² of wall area (without plaster). This high mass benefits sound insulation between rooms. With a heat capacity of approx. 1.0 kJ/(kg·K), each square metre of wall stores around 82 Wh per degree of temperature change.
- The blocks are set into the panel with fully filled joints using the earthbound earth masonry mortar. The connection to the timber is made, for example, with triangular battens or a groove in the post.
- Check beforehand that the sole plate and beams can carry the weight of the heavy infill. If in doubt, ask a structural engineer.
- Exterior panels only with weather protection and insulation, for example an insulated, clad facade (application class AK II). The block is not intended for exposed half-timbering.
Installation
The blocks are laid with the earthbound earth masonry mortar M 2.0, with fully filled 15 mm bed and head joints. The mortar is delivered earth-moist; you adjust the consistency on site with water. The blocks are unfired and not waterproof: store them dry and protect blocks and fresh masonry from rain.
Quantity per m² of wall
| Wall thickness | Blocks per m² | Mortar per m² | 1 pallet covers | 1 big bag of mortar covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 cm | approx. 30.7 | approx. 56.8 kg | approx. 3.3 m² | approx. 13.2 m² |
| 29.5 cm | approx. 61.4 | approx. 146.5 kg | approx. 1.7 m² | approx. 5.1 m² |
| 45 cm | approx. 92.2 | approx. 236.3 kg | approx. 1.1 m² | approx. 3.2 m² |
Example: for 20 m² of 14 cm wall you need around 614 blocks (7 pallets) and around 1,140 kg of mortar (2 big bags).
Technical data
| Format (L × W × H) | 295 × 140 × 90 mm |
| Designation according to DIN 18945 | LS p – 5 – II – 2,2 – S |
| Compressive strength class | 5 |
| Application class | AK II |
| Bulk density | 2,020 kg/m³ |
| Mass per unit area of a 14 cm wall incl. mortar, without plaster | approx. 296 kg/m² |
| Thermal conductivity λ | 1.4 W/(m·K) |
| U-value without insulation (29.5 / 45 cm) | approx. 2.6 / 2.0 W/(m²·K) |
| Water vapour diffusion resistance factor µ | 5/10 |
| Building material class | A1 (non-combustible) |
| Weight per block | approx. 7.8 kg |
| Sales unit | Euro pallet with 102 blocks, approx. 826 kg |
Delivery
The blocks are delivered by haulier directly from the Berlin plant to your site, delivery time approx. 2–3 weeks; larger quantities on request. Sold in full pallets only, the Euro pallet is charged per pallet. Lower graduated prices apply from 4, 12 and 24 pallets per order. The pallets cannot be stacked during transport. On site you can store them dry and protected from moisture up to two layers high.
Frequently asked questions
Which wall thickness is right for my interior wall?
For most interior walls 14 cm is enough. Whether the wall can be load-bearing is decided by the structural engineer. 29.5 cm and 45 cm are mainly an option for higher loads or for exterior walls with an insulated facade.
Can I use it to fill timber-frame panels?
Yes, especially for interior timber-frame walls. At 14 cm the block fits many panels. Because of the weight, check beforehand that the timber structure can carry the infill. Outside only behind an insulated, clad facade, not as exposed half-timbering.
Can I use the block outdoors?
Yes, but only rendered or clad and structurally protected from the weather (application class AK II), and in heated buildings always with an insulated facade. Exposed exterior masonry is not possible.
Which mortar do I need?
The earthbound earth masonry mortar M 2.0. It is matched to the block and supplied in a 750 kg big bag.
Can I order individual blocks?
No, the blocks are only available in full pallets of 102 blocks each.
Photo: Raquel Gómez Delgado
Handelsmarke Adresse
Earthbound GmbHFlughafen Tegel 1, 13405 Berlin, Germany
contact@eb.eco