All You Need To Know About Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks

AAC blocks were invented by a Swedish architect in November 1924, who was looking for a building material that would resist decay, combustibility, and termites. In this article, we are going to discuss different types of AAC blocks and their advantages and disadvantages.

What Are AAC Blocks ?

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) block is a low-maintenance precast building material with excellent thermal insulation and durability. The heat-insulating properties of AAC blocks keep the building cooler and prevent outside heat from entering, resulting in significant savings on air conditioning costs. AAC blocks also guarantee savings in foundation load, structural steel consumption, and mortar consumption.

Types Of AAC Blocks

• Fire Resistant AAC Blocks

   

• 200 Mm AAC Block

   

• 100 mm AAC Block

   

• Long-lasting AAC Block

   

• Rectangular Fly Ash Aac Blocks

Advantages Of AAC Blocks

• - Easy & Faster Workability :

• AAC blocks are about half the weight and ten times the size of traditional bricks. This one-of-a-kind property allows for simple installation and provides the desired flexibility, making adjustments, cutting, shaping, and so on a breeze. AAC blocks have fewer joints and consistent dimensions, making them easier to lay and the construction process faster. Finally, lightweight blocks are easy to transport, which helps to reduce overall logistics and shipping costs when compared to traditional brick transportation costs.
  

• - Disaster Resistant :

• Self-weight and gravity are usually the two vertical forces that a building is designed to handle. Earthquakes, for example, cause horizontal forces. As a result of the manufacturing process, AAC blocks become extremely strong, resulting in a durable finished structure. In comparison to conventional bricks, AAC bricks can handle higher seismic loads.
  

• - Thermal Insulation And Energy Conservation :

• By foaming the concrete with hydrogen, the material provides excellent heat insulation, allowing temperatures to be warm in winter and cool in summer. Thus, it can reduce your air-conditioning costs by about 25%. Due to their energy-efficient production, AAC blocks are energy-efficient throughout their lifetimes.
  

• - Soundproof :

• Because AAC blocks are lightweight and porous, they reduce sound significantly. It is for these reasons that AAC blocks are widely used in the construction of studios, hospitals, hotels, etc.
  

• - Sustainable And Pocket-Friendly :

• AAC blocks are produced with a minimum amount of waste using natural, non-toxic raw materials. Some of the waste or offcuts produced can be recycled or used to make aggregates. Its use of non-biodegradable materials makes the building more durable and steady, preventing rot and mould. Furthermore, because AAC blocks are lightweight, energy-efficient, and simple to install, they reduce labour costs.
  

• - Fire Resistance :

• Comparatively to other building materials, AAC blocks are noncombustible and provide fire resistance of up to six hours, depending on their thickness and up to 1,200 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it has also significant fire safety implications.
  

• - Moisture Proof :

• Moisture can cause significant structural damage. The macro-pores within AAC blocks ensure low water absorption. As a result, they offer better moisture protection.
   

Disadvantages Of AAC Blocks
 

• - Due to their brittle nature, AAC blocks demand greater caution when handling and transporting than clay red brick. AAC blocks are expensive per unit, but overall masonry costs are low because less cement mortar is used during installation.

•  - Because AAC blocks are brittle by nature, they can break readily. It is fragile by nature because of the spaces.

•  - They have a very high water absorption rate. This causes fissures in the structure as a result of their expansion when water is absorbed and contraction when moisture is lost.

•  - Interior finishes must have low vapour permeability and exterior finishes must have high permeability when installed in high-humidity settings.