Cutting Besto® blocks
The blocks are cut with a band saw. Cutting is easy and fast, and may be carried out dry, noiselessly and creating no dust

Fixation
Traction tests were carried out on a number of types of fixations (classical or chemical).
Wrenching resistance values for BESTO^® blocks are identical to those found for ordinary concrete blocks, thanks to their thick walls.

Painting
Tests showed identical paint consumption for a BESTO^® wall or for ordinary concrete walls. Implementation time is similar for both block types

Cementation
No known contraindications.

Laying proofing and desolidarization of membranes
BESTO^® blocks are compatible with membranes. There is no difference to current practices. According to requirements, a proofing membrane may be inserted between two multi-function blocks, for example.

Wall crossings: cross walls and corners
The BESTO^® technique prevents masonry crossing. Walls are applied against each other. Joint quality is equivalent to welding.
The CSTC bending tests carried out show a clean break in the block and not in the joint in the event of extreme mechanical constraint. 

Grooving
Grooving is easy with BESTO^® blocks.
The wall thickness (at least 50 mm) closes off the unit for insertion of electrical wiring.

First line of masonry
The first line of masonry is carried out in classical fashion on a traditional mortar in order to make up the irregularities of the floor slab. 

Protective coating for buried walls
The BESTO^® technique allows us to use a bitumen and rubber coating. This is a product which retains its elastic properties after it has dried. It may even be applied during rainy weather, and does not require any prior surface treatment (cementation or other).

• Support blocks: reinforcement blocks for under the lintels.
• A neoprene strip over the support block prevents spalling on the upper arris, and ensures the proper mortar thickness between the support block and the lintel.
• Lintels: BESTO^® lintels may be set on either side of the supporting blocks. Lay length is 29 cm.
• End blocks: recess flanks of end blocks and half-blocks are totally closed, and this allows the woodwork to be set in easily.

Expansion joints for longer walls
A Besto® wall can withstand the traction produced by shrinkage or expansion. An expansion joint must be used every 20 metres maximum, as in traditional masonry. In practice, however, the wall would not be longer than 10 metres.

Hollow core slabs
All kinds of slabs may be used with BESTO^® structures.

Stoneworkers’ approval of the Besto technique
Extremely widespread, since it is so simple to implement

Smoothness and boarding
Smoothness of BESTO^® walls is such that they allow the following: 

• a thin coating 3 - 5 mm thick (plaster, for example).
• tiling may be attached to the wall directly.

Homogeneity of materials
All BESTO^® building items are in expanded clay concrete.
Their homogeneity reduces the risk of cracks. 

Thermal bridges
The mortar joint is ± 3 mm thick and is uninterrupted.
This generates a reduction of ± 85 % of potential thermal bridges with respect to traditional types of masonry. 

Insulation of BESTO^® structures
Besto imposes different construction techniques for supporting walls and face walls.
Supporting masonry constructions are built first, and with no crockets, thus allowing insulation boards to be inserted easily and properly at a later stage.
The crockets are inserted during the face wall masonry stage, and are thus always correctly positioned with respect to face walls.
The BESTO^® technique also allows polyurethane foam to be applied directly on supporting walls.

Vertical joint
It is not necessary to create a vertical joint for the sake of acoustics, heat conductivity, fire resistance or mechanical compression.
The vertical joint will only be included for the following reasons:

• side thrust mechanical reasons (wind resistance or hearth pressure).
• wall opacification.

Has the system been certified ?
Yes. There is permanent monitoring of the quality of the blocks, the BESTO^® mortar, and the technique.

Raw materials used
BESTO^® construction materials are built from concrete composed of noble and natural materials: much expanded clay, cement and a small amount of sand.

Masonry framework
No framework is required for BESTO^® masonry.
The coupling formed by BESTO^® mortar and BESTO^® construction features is sufficient.
A BESTO^® wall is relatively elastic, and can deform without cracking. 

Belt under flooring
The rules of the BESTO^® technique require a reinforced concrete belt to distribute the loads evenly.