Understanding Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Applications

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete known as AAC contains cement and fine aggregates but there is an expansion agent that is added to the mixture to aerate it. The majority of the ingredients is made of air for this type of concrete.

AAC is used by different companies for various applications. Hebel building products primarily contain AAC and provide innovative building solutions for walls and flooring.  They can be used for roofing as well. AAC panels can be connected to each other with thin bed mortar. The lightweight of the material is very useful when transporting the material as well as working with it at the site. A worker can easily manoeuvre it. This material is great at thermal and sound insulation as well as resistant to fire. Because of the strength of the material coupled with the insulation properties, this provides an excellent material for covering the building envelope. As these are lightweight, they can be easily installed and screwed onto the partition locations. You can also use these to cover electrical and plumbing lines as a chasing method.

As AAC is cement based, it is incredibly resistant to many environments. So you can use it in high moisture or humidity environments without being affected by mould or mildew. It is also resistant to insects. The fire resistance of the material is such that an eight inch thick AAC panel has a four hour fire rating. There are no toxic fumes that will come out as this material will not burn. If you are in an urban area with a lot of distracting noises, AAC will be able to provide sufficient sound insulation when used as partition walls and frame walls. You inquire from the supplier about the specifications of the product and which type of AAC panel is recommended for better sound absorption. You need to be aware of the limitations of AAC as well. Because of the aeration of the concrete, the strength of this material is not comparable to conventional concrete products. So some reinforcement is required when used for load bearing purposes. A protective finish or a coating is essential to make sure that the product is protected from the elements. 

You can find AAC in different sizes and forms. There are blocks and panels that are available widely. Blocks are stacked the same way masonry walls are constructed but a thin bed mortar is used to bind the blocks to each other. These blocks are lighter than traditional masonry and this will not exert a larger force on the slabs and foundation. As AAC blocks are quite similar to traditional concrete, concrete masons can install them easily and no special skill is required. AAC panels will be installed vertically and reinforced when used for loadbearing walls. The height of panels can vary depending on the application. If you are going for a greater height, you will need some equipment or a small crane to place them at the site. When placing panels, you will need to start from a corner and place one panel at a time.