Internal corners can be formed by continuing the QT FullMesh around the corner or by embedding a QT CornerMesh into the base coat render. External corners can be formed by embedding a QT CornerMesh into the base coat render or by fixing a corner bead prior to rendering. In all cases the abutting corner panels must be bonded with polyurethane foam adhesive.

3.2 Relief Joints

Relief joints are required to accommodate any structural movement or panel movement due to temperature or moisture changes. If the panel above or below an opening is less than 300mm in depth or more than 2400mm in length the panel must be articulated by creating a vertical expansion joint to reduce and/or relieve the stress in the panel and coating system. All other corner openings must be reinforced with QT 45˚Mesh. The QT 45˚Mesh helps prevent any 45˚hairline cracks forming from the corner of any opening.

3. 3 Control joints

Control joints are designed to relieve structural movement between the wall cladding and building frame and also relieve any stress that builds up in the applied coating system. Vertical control joints are required at no greater than 5 metre centres (+ or – 500mm) in walls greater than 8 metres in length. Double studs are required at all vertical control joints. Vertical joints are best aligned with windows, doors, openings, or internal corners. Where timber floor joists are used a 15mm (nom), horizontal control joint must be provided at floor levels to allow for shrinkage and movement of the joists. 10mm control joints must also occur where the QT EcoSeries Wall Panels meet alternative wall claddings eg. Weatherboard, brickwork, etc. On gable ends, a horizontal control joint will be required at the top plate of the wall so as to separate the gable wall from the wall below. Control joints can be formed with the use of a backing rod and sealant or by the installation of uPVC expansion bead.

3. 4 Junctions

BGC Duratex provides a tough, durable, waterproof wall cladding system.

Duratex:

• is tough and durable
• is a waterproof wall cladding system
• is fire resistant
• ideal for lightweight construction
• factory applied blue tint for ease of identification
• can be used in residential and commercial applications
• accepts a wide range of textured coatings

*some sizes may not be available in all states, please check with your local BGC office for availability.

String Line – A string line is required to accurately set out and lay Hebel PowerBlock Walls.

Brick/Block-laying Profiles – used to gauge the block course are being laid level.

Mixing Bucket – a minimum 20 litre bucket is required for mixing Hebel Mortar, Hebel Adhesive and Hebel HighBuild render.

Electric Drill – an electric drill is required to mix the Hebel Mortar, Hebel Adhesive and Hebel HighBuild render. It is also used to drill clearance holes in the blocks so they can be placed over the tied down rods where required.

Stirrer – fitted to the electric drill, the stirrer is used to mix the Hebel Mortar, Hebel Adhesive and Hebel HighBuild render inside the mixing bucket.

Notched Trowel – the notched trowel is used to apply the Hebel Adhesive to the Hebel surfaces. The width of the trowel must match the block thickness to ensure the adhesive is applied with full and even coverage.

Rubber Mallet – a rubber mallet is required to ‘tap’ the Hebel PowerBlocks onto the adhesive and into place.

Spirit Level – required to install the blocks level and plumb.

Hand Saw – a Hebel handsaw can be used to cut Hebel PowerBlocks to length and height.

Powered Bandsaw – a bandsaw is ideal for cutting Hebel PowerBlocks. (perfect when there are many site cuts to be performed).

Hebel Square – a purpose built square is available for use when marking and cutting Hebel PowerBlocks.

Steel, Plastic and Timber Trowels – these trowels may be required for the installation of the Highbuild render and texture coatings.

Sanding Float – used to even out inconsistencies in the Hebel PowerBlock Wall in preparation for render/texture coats.

Hebel Hand Router – may be used to chase services into solid Hebel walls.

Circular Saw – (fitted with a diamond blade) may be used to chase services into solid Hebel walls.

Electric Router – may be used to chase services into solid Hebel walls.

Crane – may be required to lift large Hebel Lintels and Hebel custom floor panels

Lifting Grabs – required for use in conjunction with crane for lifting Hebel lintels and custom floor panels.

Scaffold – Scaffold is required when building block walls. The amount of scaffold depends on the height of the walls.

Sealant Gun – required to fill the control joints in the Hebel PowerBlock Walls.

• Acoustic Performance: Significantly reduced sound transmission between units and rooms.
• Good Impact Noise Resistance: 75mm Hebel Intertenancy 001 has discontinuous construction and can be selected to reduce the transfer of impact noise.
• Fire Protection: Tested systems have very good fire rating properties.
• Lightweight: Lighter loads on structures compared to masonry block, for equivalent R_w + C_tr rating.
• Slender Walls: Wall thicknesses range from 275 to 325mm.
• Cost Effective: Cost savings compared to traditional masonry construction.
• No Wet Trades: Less mess and a cleaner, safer work area.
• Less Wastage: Greatly reduced waste, as panels are available in a range of standard lengths. This allows for best suited panel length selection, which eliminates or reduces off-cut waste.
• Speed of Construction: Fast installation and assembly speeds with smaller construction crew requirements.
• Security: Steel reinforced AAC panels provide a high degree of security between units.
• Thermal Resistance: Excellent thermal resistance.
• Technical Support: Competent technical staff can assist with systems information

The following images show a typical two storey Hebel Party Wall installation.

 Image 2.1: PowerPanel installed in ground floor PartyWall.

 Image 2.2: Awaiting installation of base track and panels for second storey.

Image 2.3: Second storey panel installation

• 75mm Hebel Intertenancy 001 has been assessed to comply with the BCA requirements for ‘Discontinuous Construction’.
• This table must be read in conjunction with all the information provided in this Design Guide, NºHBLA228 LRPW January 2008, and acoustic opinion (PKA – A034) provided by PKA Acoustic Consulting P/L and fire assessment (WFRA – 45771.3) provided by Warrington Fire Research (Aust) Pty Ltd.
• Selection of a Hebel PartyWall from Table 6.1 should be taken with specialist consultant’s advice.

75mm Hebel Intertenancy 001
Typical Layout	Wall Description	Acoustic
	Lining material as per system table Timber framing in accordance with AS1684 or AS1720.1* Cavity insulation as per system table 10-20mm separation between frame and Hebel PowerPanel + aluminium bracket connection 75mm thick Hebel PowerPanel (3m max. length) 10-20mm separation between frame and Hebel PowerPanel + aluminium bracket connection Cavity insulation as per system table Timber framing in accordance with AS1684 or AS1720.1* Lining material as per system table	PKA-A034Deemed Discontinuous Construction by BCA Vol. 2 Clause 3.8.6.2 and Clause 1.2.2(vi)

Note: * Timber framing requires studs at 450mm maximum spacings and mid-height nogging (refer PKA – A034), and for steel framing, frames to be designed in accordance with AS3623 or AS4600.

Table 6.2: 75mm Hebel Intertenancy 002

• This table must be read in conjunction with all the information provided in this Design Guide, NºHBLA228 LRPW January 2008, and acoustic opinion (PKA – A044) provided by PKA Acoustic Consulting P/L., and Fire assessment (WFRA – 45772.1) provided by Warrington Fire Research (Aust) Pty Ltd.
• Selection of a Hebel PartyWall from Table 6.2 should be taken with specialist consultant’s advice.

• 75MM HEBEL INTERTENANCY 002 CAN NOT BE USEDWITH STEEL FRAMING.

75mm Hebel Intertenancy 002
Typical Layout	Wall Description	Acoustic
	Lining material as per system table Timber framing in accordance with AS1684 or AS1720.1* Cavity insulation as per system table 20-25mm separation between frame and Hebel PowerPanel + steel top hat connection 75mm thick Hebel PowerPanel (3m max. length) 20-25mm separation between frame and Hebel PowerPanel + steel top hat connection Cavity insulation as per system table Timber framing in accordance with AS1684 or AS1720.1* Lining material as per system table	PKA-A044NOT Discontinuous Construction by BCA Vol. 2 Clause 3.8.6.2

Note: * Timber framing requires studs at 450mm maximum spacings and mid-height nogging (refer PKA – A044).

Manufacturing Tolerances

Hebel PowerPanel Physical Properties

1) Hebel PowerPanel profile and nominal dimensions are shown in Section 12.0.

2) Panel reinforcement is a single layer of steel mesh with 4 longitudinal wires of 5mm diameter.

3) Nominal dry density of AAC = 510 kg/m³.

4) Average working density of AAC = 663 kg/m³ at 30% moisture content.

5) Average service life density of AAC = 561 kg/m³ at 10% moisture content.

6) For custom PowerPanel, average working density = 707 kg/m³ at 30% moisture content.

PowerPanel Strength Properties

1) Characteristic Compressive Strength or AAC, f ’_m = 2.8 MPa.

2) Average Compressive Strength of AAC = 4.0 MPa.

3) Characteristic Modulus of Rupture, f’_ut = 0.60 MPa.

PowerPanel Acoustic Properties

1) Panel only with no plasterboard or other lining R_w = 36dB, R_w+C_tr = 33dB (refer to acoustic test ATF-676).

PowerPanel Thermal Properties

1) R-Value of PowerPanel with no plasterboard or other lining = 0.51 m².K/W (4% moisture content).

Fire Hazard Indices

CSR Hebel AAC products have the following early fire hazard indices, determined in accordance with AS1530.3:1990:

Fire Resistance Level (FRL)

For fire performance characteristics of Hebel low rise party wall systems, refer to Section 8.0 of this publication.

A2 Assessment Methods

Test Reports

Tests performed on 75mm Hebel Intertenancy 001 and 002 have been done in accordance with relevant Australian Standards at the time of testing.

Fire test reports and assessments have been issued by Warrington Fire Research (Aust) Pty Ltd.

Test reports, assessments and opinions quoted in this design guide are available on request from CSR Hebel.

Sound Insulation Estimates

Acoustic consultants often use computer models to determine sound transmission estimates for specific wall system configurations. These are known as ‘Acoustic Assessments’ or ‘Acoustic Opinions’. The computer model predicts the R_w performance expected from a laboratory test on the system. Acoustic opinions have been issued by PKA Acoustic Consulting Pty Ltd All acoustic opinions quoted in this design guide are available on request from CSR Hebel.