Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC)

What is AAC?

 Autoclaved Aerated Concrete or AAC is a lightweight, precast

concrete material that comes in two forms: blocks and panels.
Developed in Sweden during the 1920s, AAC offers structural
strength, heat and sound insulation, and fire resistance in one
material.

 Being aerated, AAC contains 50-60% air and has a density of 750
kgs/cbm. It weighs only about 40% of conventional CHB while the
compressive strength averages 4.2 MPa which is twice the PNS
(Philippine National Standard) requirement for Type II non load-
bearing CHB.

 Unlike other concrete products, AAC may be sawn, drilled, chiseled,

nailed or screwed using conventional carpentry or electric power
tools. Thin bed mortar is used as adhesive to join the blocks or panels
together.
Product composition

 Its main ingredients (cement, lime, silica sand, gypsum, and water)
are mixed into a slurry. Aluminum powder is added as an expansion
agent. The chemical reaction generates tiny air bubbles and causes
the mixture to expand to nearly twice its original volume.

 After its initial setting, it transforms into a semi-solid state which is

then wire cut into precisely sized blocks or panels and then baked
(autoclaved).

 Autoclaving uses high-pressure steam at temperatures of up to 190°C

to accelerate hydration of the concrete. It can produce in 8 to 14
hours concrete strengths equal to that of concrete moist-cured for 28
days at 70°F.
Autoclave
Pressure Vessel

High pressure
steam-curing
AAC Blocks
AAC Blocks
Applications

Internal Wall External Wall

AAC Blocks

Available sizes

Length (mm) 600

Thickness (mm) 100, 120, 125, 150, 200, 250, 300

Height (mm) 200, 240, 250, 300, 400

AAC Blocks

Size and weight comparison vs. 4-inch CHB

Per Piece Per Square Meter

Comparison Remarks
AAC CHB AAC CHB

600x400x100mm 400x200x100mm
Size 4.16 pcs 12.5 pcs 1 AAC = 3 CHB
24x16x4 inches 16x8x4 inches

AAC is 40% of
Weight 18 kgs 15 kgs 75 kgs 187 kgs
CHB weight
AAC Blocks
Tongue and Groove
AAC Blocks vs. CHB
Installation Cost (100mm thick internal wall)
CHB AAC
ITEM Amount Amount
Unit Unit
(P/sqm) (P/sqm)
Block size (mm) 400x200x100 600x400x100
Price per piece P 14.00 P 208.00
Materials
Pcs per sqm 12.5 P 175.00 4.16 P 865.00
Rebars (10mm) 80.00 10.00
Mortar 200.00 100.00
Laying
Labor 150.00 100.00

Plastering Mortar 250.00 -

(two sides) Labor 300.00 -
Skim coating
Labor + Materials 200.00 200.00
(two sides)
Cost per Sqm P 1,355.00 P 1,275.00
6% savings

* CHB installation somewhat varies. Figures are based on local contractors’ regular pricing.
AAC Blocks vs. CHB (cont.)

Direct cost savings is just around 6%. However, AAC offers many
advantages that outweighs a simple direct cost comparison as follows:
 NO NEED FOR PLASTERING resulting to early project completion
(i.e., man hours saved is practically equivalent to the total wall area
coverage divided by 8 sqm per day average plastering rate).
 BLOCK LAYING IS TWO TIMES OR MORE FASTER (i.e., 8 sqm per
day for CHB vs. 16+ sqm per day for AAC). In addition, mortar wastage is
very minimal. Since larger blocks means fewer blocks and fewer joints
per given area, the amount of masonry involved is greatly reduced.
 For mid- to high-rise buildings, the DEAD LOAD IS LESSER allowing
the entire structure to be lighter thus saving on foundation costs. Also
reduces the amount of steel and concrete used in structural components
like beams and columns.
 Ideal for mid- to high-rise buildings when MOVING OR
TRANSPORTING the blocks to upper floor work areas.
AAC Block
Installation

Basic tools
AAC Block
Installation

Thin bed mortar

AAC Block
Installation

Block laying
AAC Block Installation
For external walls
AAC Block Installation
Connect to beam/slab soffits
AAC Block Installation
For internal walls
AAC Block
Installation

Conduits
AAC Block
Installation

Conduit installation
AAC Block
Installation

Wet Areas
 Concrete lintels cast in place can be used over all openings.
AAC Block
Installation

Wall Openings
 NO NEED FOR PLASTERING (SKIM COAT ONLY)
AAC Block
Installation

Finishing
AAC Panels
AAC Panels

Accessories
AAC Panels

Internal Wall
AAC Panels

External Wall
Benefits of AAC

 Lightweight
AAC is a lightweight product compared to other solid building
materials. The low weight has advantages when transporting and
working with the product, as well as for structural design where savings
in weight make more affordable structures possible.
 Insulating
The excellent thermal insulation properties of AAC mean that a
pleasant interior environment can be achieved and maintained.
Requires no additional investment for insulation and reduces heating or
cooling expenses.
 Fireproof
AAC is totally inorganic and incombustible. It provides maximum fire
safety with a Fire Rating of 4 hours (100mm) and above depending on
the thickness.
Benefits of AAC (cont.)

 Soundproof
Since its porous internal structure is comprised of up to 60% air, AAC
absorbs much more sound than conventional concrete and similar
products effectively reducing sound wave transmission.
*Sound Transmission Class (STC) Rating: 40 dB for 100mm thickness
 Precise
The patented manufacturing process ensures that blocks and panels
are always produced with accurate dimensions. It can be sawn, drilled,
and routed using normal wood working tools.
 Multi-purpose
AAC can be used for all applications including both internal and
external walls, roofs and floors (precast panel type). Blocks can easily
be shaped for decorative and functional architectural details.
Environment Friendly

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an

internationally-recognized green building certification system. The following
description of LEED credits, with the use of AAC, represents qualified
LEED points which can be considered for certification.
 EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance
Points can be awarded to a building envelope constructed with AAC. The
high R-value (thermal resistance) of AAC and its inherent thermal mass
create an excellent energy efficient living environment.
 MR Credit 2.1 & 2.2: Construction Waste Management
AAC has the ability to have 100% usage. During the installation process,
every cut block can be used anywhere in the construction building. Any
waste that does occur can be crushed and used as a non-structural backfill
and recycled in wall components.
 MR Credit 4: Recycle Content
Points are earned for materials composed of 10% to 20% recycled
content based on cost. Recycled content in AAC are cement and steel bar
reinforcement used in AAC precast panels.
Environment Friendly (cont.)

 IEQ Credit 4: Low-Emitting Energy

Points awarded to materials containing little to no volatile organic
compounds (VOC's). AAC fits perfectly into this category as it contains
zero VOC's and is completely non-polluting.
 IEQ Credit 7: Thermal Comfort
Thermal efficiency, breathability, and equilibrium moisture content are
all attributes of an AAC building envelope. The composition of raw and
natural materials, combined with non-pollutants, make AAC buildings a
comfortable and healthy living environment.
 Other credit possibilities
Innovation and Design: AAC is completely pest, termite, and mold
resistant. Due to the resistance, AAC contributes to longevity, less
maintenance, and healthy indoor quality for the built environment.
Advantages of Thin Joint Construction

Thin joint construction utilizes 2-3mm thick mortar joints using a

quick-setting adhesive mortar enabling faster and easier construction.

 Faster and easier laying of blocks

With a typical mortar setting time of 20 minutes, once a course of
blocks is laid the next course can be started thus enabling continual
laying. Also, unlike normal 10mm mortar joints there is little chance of
the blocks ‘floating’ on the mortar.
 Less waste and mess
Mortar mixing consists of nothing more than adding water to the pre-
mixed mortar powder – no cement mixers required, just an electric
stirrer. Only mix as much as required. No separate stocks of sand,
cement, admixtures, etc.
Advantages of Thin Joint Construction (cont.)

 Stability and Strength

The fast-setting and adhesive nature of thin joint mortar bond the
blocks together quickly and thoroughly allowing builds to proceed
upwards quickly and safely. Furthermore, thin joint mortar walls were
shown to have an enhanced compressive strength over conventional
mortar.
 Increased airtightness
The significant reduction in the proportion of mortar in a wall improves
airtightness. The likelihood of mortar beds and perpends being left
unfilled is greatly reduced due to the laying method practically assuring
a fully-filled mortar joint at all times.
 Impermeability and crack resistance
Compared to the normal 10mm mortar joints, thin joint construction
minimizes drying shrinkage (moisture movement) of the joint seam and
enhances impermeability and crack resistance capacity of the wall.
Shipping
Test Report: Compressive Strength
Test Report: Fire Rating
Test Report: Sound Rating
Test Report:

Screw Pull Out

Test Report:

Moisture
Absorption
Test Report:

Mortar Bonding
Strength