About Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC)

What Is AAC?

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) has been widely used across the world for the construction
projects. AAC is a concrete building material that is light weighted and cut into blocks.

AAC Block is basically made from 5 types of raw materials such as

Silica/ Fly ash,

Lime,
Sand,
Water and
Gypsum

The combination of the above mentioned raw materials is the reason for the lightness, structural
strength, fire resistance and thermal resistance of the AAC block.

What Is AAC Used For ?

AAC block is suitable and useful in all types of construction projects from schools, hotels, hospitals,
industrial projects and residential projects to commercial projects. From internal walls to external
walls, framed walls to infill walls, fire break walls, party walls, etc, AAC block could be simply used
anywhere.

AAC History

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Autoclaved Aerated Block was developed in early 1990s in Sweden. The German Engineers
discovered that if aluminium powder was foamed with the mixture of finely divided quartz and lime
and then autoclaved at 180 degree Celsius, a insulating, fire resistant, sound absorbing and
lightweight building material was produced. Refining the technology, the Germans have been
manufacturing lime silica AAC for more than 50 years.

Due to its relatively low consumption of readily available raw materials, excellent durability, energy
efficiency, relative cost effectiveness, and ability to be recycled, AAC is well deserving of its “green”
designation.

AAC Application :

Residential properties,

Commercial properties,

Institutional properties,

Hospitals & Hotels,

Multistoryed buildings,

Industrial properties,

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Extensions and renovations

For the purpose of insulation

Murals and crafts

Advantages Of AAC Block Over The Conventional Red Brick:

 Better structural strength

 Enhanced heat prevention

 Acts as a better heat insulator

 Eco-friendly product

 Great Resistance for fire

 Better sound insulation

 Availability in custom sizes and Flexibility for designing

 Cost Effective Product

AAC Advantages For Owners:

1. Cost effectiveness

o a. Lower Utility Bills

o b. Lower Maintenance costs

o c. Lower insurance premium

2. Fire Resistance

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 o a. Enhanced protection of individual and the property

3. Improved quality of indoor air

4. High level of thermal efficiency

AAC Advantages For Contractors:

1. Faster construction

2. Workability of the AAC Block

3. Competitive Rate

FEATURES OF AUTOCLAVED AERATED CONCRETE BLOCK

Cost Saving

AAC block weighs almost around 80% less as

compared to the conventional red brick
ultimately resulting into great reduction of
deadweight. Further, the reduced
deadweight results into reduction of the use of
cement and steel which helps great in cost
savings.

Faster Construction

As the AAC block is very easy to handle,

manipulate and use, ordinary tools for cutting
the wood such as the drill, band saws, etc. could
be easily used to cut and align the AAC.
Moreover, the AAC blocks come with larger
sizes and fewer joints. This ultimately results in
faster construction work as the installation time
is significantly reduced due to fewer amounts of

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 blocks and the masonry amount involved is also
lowered resulting into reduced time-to-finish.

Water Saver

The AAC block constitutes of “macro” pores

within its structure, unlike the conventional red
brick that constitutes of the macro pores. The
macro pores significantly blocks the capillary
action as well as reduces the absorption of
water within the AAC blocks to minimal.

Fire Resistant

Depending upon the thickness of the AAC

blocks, they offer fire resistance from 2 hours
up to 6 hours. These blocks are highly suitable
for the areas where fire safety is of great
priority.

Energy Efficiant

AAC block walls help maintaining the inner and

outer temperatures ultimately lowering the
energy costs. Thermal insulation is one of the
finest features of the AAC blocks.

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 Earthquake Resistant

The light weight property of the AAC blocks

results into higher steadiness of the AAC blocks
in the structure of the buildings. As the impact
of the earthquake is directly proportional to the
weight of the building, the building constructed
using AAC blocks are more reliable and safer.

Long Lasting

AAC blocks are highly superior in terms of the

strength. Higher level of strength of these
blocks gives higher stability to the structure of
the building.

Environment Friendly

The potential of the AAC blocks of averting

200mn tones of emissions of CO2 within the
environment helps saving $20 billion each year.

Pest Resistant

AAC blocks consist of the inorganic material in

its constitution that helps preventing/avoiding
termites, damages or losses.

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 Easy To Use

AAC blocks are quickly and accurately cut with a

band saw or hand saw to the desired dimension
including accurate angles and other shapes.
AAC can also be drilled, nailed, grooved, routed,
shaped, sculpted, carved, coated, floated,
screwed into and milled with common tools and
finished with paint, tile, plaster, or veneer.
Simplifies hydro-sanitary and electrical
installations, such as pipes or ducts, which can
be installed easily inside it.
Its also Available in custom sizes.
That why AAC is extremely workable product.
Because it can be shaped by ordinary power
tools with ease

Versatile

Almost any design can be achieved with ACC.

Non-Toxic

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete products do not

contain any toxic gas substances. The product
does not harbour or encourage vermin.

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 Thermal Insulation

AAC blocks are suitable for both external and

internal construction. The thermal conductivity
of the AAC blocks helps maintaining the inner
temperature to be warm during the winters and
cool during the summers.

Lightweight

AAC weight approximately 1/3 of clay brick

without compromise in strength that Reduces
dead weight on the foundations and structural
members. Thus economy in constructions .This
attribute makes the design and construction of
AAC buildings easier and less strenuous. The
lighter weight doesn't compromise strength as
AAC has a compressive strength of 435 psi.

Moisture Resistance

Moisture from both external and internal

sources can cause damage to buildings,
therefore, moisture protection is a primary
consideration.
External moisture sources include rain and
water from the soil. Internal moisture, usually in
the form of humidity, can cause condensation
on the surface of the walls as well as
condensation inside the wall itself.
AAC has a very porous structure which is
characterized by "macro" pores. Macro pores
are small air bubbles evenly distributed

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 throughout the material. Therefore, absorption
of water into the AAC material is minimal.

Sound Proof

The porous structure of the AAC blocks results

into enhanced sound absorption. The Sound
Transmission Class (STC) rating of the AAC
blocks up to 45 db. Thus, AAC blocks have been
the most ideal material for the construction of
walls in auditorium, hotels, hospitals, studios,
etc.

Advantages of AAC Block

Thermal Insulation

Highest thermal rating in the industry R30! Thus provides well insulated interiors, keeping out warm
air in summers and cold air in winters. AAc reduces air conditioning cost by 20%.

AAC provides superior thermal insulation due to its cellular structure and results in substantial power
savings where air conditioned needs is necessary.

Environmentally Sound

AAC is manufactured with abundant Fly ash (which makes it a green Product), unlike traditional clay
bricks which uses the fertile top soil which was otherwise used for Agriculture. Manufacturing of AAC
blocks produces no waste products or pollution. Its manufacturing enquires little energy as
compared to other materials for walling.

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Go-Green Nature

Least carbon footprint with a potential offset of 0.8 tonne CO2 per m3. In India itself AAC has
potential to avert 200mn tones of CO2 emissions into environment – a saving of $20 bn every year. A
Green Building material – contributes to LEED rating.

Earthquake Resistant

Earthquake forces on structure are proportional to the weight of the building, hence AAC shows
excellent resistant to earthquake forces. Regions of the seismic activities like exclusively use AAC. It
has been proven to withstand wind loads of category 5 tropical storms.

Energy Efficient

AAC is 100% green building material & is a walling material of choice in LEED certified buildings (ITC
centre the highest rated green building has been built using AAC) It is most energy and resource
efficient in the sense that it uses least amount of energy & material per m3 of product.

Unlike brick manufacturing process which use precious layer too-layer agricultural soil, AAC uses fly
ash (65% of its weight), thus provides the most constructive solution to the nation’s fly-ash utilization
problem.

Fire Resistant

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Its unique cellular structure provides excellent fire rating. Due to this Cellular structure AAC blocks do
not disintegrate even in fire. It is best in class fire rating of 4 hours. The melting point of AAC is over
1600 degree Celsius, more than twice the typical temperature in building fire 650 degree Celsius.

Pest Resistant

With solid wall construction and finishes, there are fewer if any, cavities for insects and rodents to
dwell in. Termites and ants do not eat or nest in AAC.

Being made up of inorganic minerals, it does not promote growth of molds.

Water Barrier

Its structure does not allow for capability action making it impervious to water. Its water barrier
properties are further enhanced by adding silicone based additives.

High Strength

High pressure steam-curing autoclaving process gives AAC unmatchable strength to weight ratio,
higher than even M 150 concrete, and far exceeds the Indian building Code Requirements.

Cost Savings

Being light weight AAC drastically reduces the weight of the building. Resulting into reduction in steel
(up to 27%) and cement (up to 20%) structural cost savings.

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Being 8 times the size of a clay brick, AAC wall construction involves 1/3rd of the joints, thus an
overall mortar savings up to 66%.

Its automatic manufacturing process gives AAC an exceptional dimensional accuracy & smooth
surfaces, eliminating need of three-coat plaster walls and allows for a final 6mm skin coat
(putty/pop).

Floor Space Area

Use of thinner blocks (6” instead of 9” exterior walls) because of its excellent water barrio &
insulation properties leads to an increase in floor space area between 3-5%.

OTHER FEATURES

Ease Of Working

AAC can be drilled, sawed, nailed, and chiselled. Basically, one may work Autoclaved Aerated
Concrete like wood, using wood working tools.

Long Lasting

AAC being steam cured above 220 Deg C and at 14 kg /cm2 pressure becomes inert and does not
have any effect of water damage or weather damage on it.

Versatility Of Usage

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Unlike standard concrete, AAC yields readily without chipping or cracking.

Faster Construction

AAC's advantages in construction is its quick and easy installation since the material can be routed,
sanded and cut to size on site using standard carbon tip band saws, hand saws and drills.

Light Weight

It weighs approximately 1/3 of the weight of normal walling materials. AAC provides significant
benefits where weight is a concern in building design. AAC is the perfect material for renovations. It
causes dead weight reduction of the building and hence the reduction in structural costs.

Acoustic Properties:

With its closed air pockets, AAC can provide very good sound insulation/ sound absorption with an
STC (Sound Transmission class) rating of 44. It can also be used as a sound barrier wall along busy
roads.

Sound Proof

AAC wall has an excellent Sound transmission Class ( STC) rating of 44. Result virtually sound proof
interiors.

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  AAC consists 80% air by volume, making it lightest available Walling Material (weighs 1/4th
that of clay bricks).

 It was formed as a result of reaction of Aluminum on a proportionate blend of Lime, Cement

& Flyash; the hydrogen gas that escapes creates millions of tiny air cells giving it a strong
honeycomb like structure.

 It is further strengthened by High pressure steam curing in Autoclaves

Cost Analysis

Cost Impact Analysis - G + 5 Structure ( 50000 Sq. Feet )

Brick Wall AAC Wall Saving In AAC

Walling Cost 1050000 1666667 -616667

Mortar Cost 340000 113334 226666

Plaster Cost 408000 136000 272000

Structural Cost 4500000 3055556 1444444

Increased Floor
1250000
Area*

6298000 4971557 2576443

40 % Saving In Overall Project Cost

Cost Comparison Of Brick Wall And Pravin Buildtech Block

Area :- 100 Sq.Feet Wall

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 Brick Masonry Pravin Buildtech Blocks
( 4 Inch ) ( 4 Inch )

Rate /
Material Quantity Amount Quantity Amount
Unit

Bricks 4 534 2136 67 3216

Cement Bags 260 1.3 338 1 260

Mortar
Sand ( C.Feet) 1000 0.1 100 0.0425 43

Cement Bags 260 6 1560 2 520

Plaster
Sand ( C.Feet) 1000 0.16 160 0.04 40

2 Sides Total 4294 4079

Rate Per Sq.Feet 42.94 40.79

Technical Specification

Property Units Sizes

Size Mm 625 X 240 X Thickness

Thickness Mm 50,75,100,125,150,200,225

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 Compressive Strength N / Mm 2 > 3 - 4.5 ( IS 2185 )

Normal Dry Density Kg / M 3 450 - 650

Sound Absorption De Upto 42

Fire Resistance Hrs. 4*

Thermal Conductivity "K" W / Mk 0.16 - 0.18

Thermal Resistance K-M2 / W 0.46

Heat Transmission Coefficient

W / M2k 2.17
'U'

Drying Shrinkage % 0.04 % ( Size Of Block )

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