Concrete Blocks: Benefits of Using Light Weight Concrete Blocks

Lightweight concrete blocks have revolutionised the construction industry. They are often preferred by builders of houses and construction companies because of their many benefits. Take note, though, that those advantages may vary according to the type of concrete used. After all, lightweight concrete can be manufactured in different ways. They are classified as foamed, aggregated, and AAC (autoclaved aerated concrete.) The general advantages of lightweight concrete are the following:

· Efficient

As the name implies, the main advantage of lightweight concrete is its density or weight per unit. They weigh between 1400 to 1800 kg/m³. This directly affects labour process and time, allowing builders to finish their projects faster.

· Lower Cost

Construction companies can realise great savings when using this type of concrete because the units are transported in a larger amount. With lightweight concrete, the designer of the structure can reduce the sizes of the columns and other structural elements. Therefore, the large investment cost of this concrete is offset by the reduced volume of concrete needed. 

· Reduced dead load

The structural load of a building or a house is a factor that must be considered during design. This is especially important in tall buildings. Lightweight concrete is ideal for most constructions such as floors, external cladding, and partition. They make it possible to build structures with unique designs that could have been rejected otherwise because of weight restrictions.

· Durable

Durability is also  an issue with lightweight concrete because they can have the strength and characteristics of a normal weight concrete.

· Better thermal insulation

Lightweight concrete allows builders to create comfortable and sustainable structures. A 125 mm wall made of AAC blocks can provide four times thermal insulation than a 230 mm wall made of red clay brick.

It pays to evaluate all your options when you are in the market for an AAC contractor in India. Some of the things that you should check to get an idea of the quality of the company's AAC blocks include their customer testimonials, recent projects, awards, and recognition.

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC): A Sustainable Building Material for Construction

Since 1923, autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks have become more popular with builders as a result of a need to shift to green building methods. AAC bricks manufacturers have made the material easily accessible and cost-effective to purchase, further adding to their popularity. AAC is a type of fly ash, which is combined with water, lime, cement, and an aerating material to create panels and blocks. It comes with several closed air pockets, and its composition makes it an energy efficient, lightweight, and sustainable, building material for construction.

AAC bricks manufacturers carefully formulate and create their products to make sure that the material weighs about 80 percent less than regular bricks. So, by using AAC blocks, you can considerably reduce the deadweight of your structure. Moreover, usage of cement and steel can be minimized, which means more savings on your part. Reputable manufacturers have developed their own mortar for use with their AAC blocks, too, which further improves the practicality of the building material as it reduces turnaround time and water consumption.

Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks are like clay bricks with their strength and superb insulation properties, but they are lighter and greener to produce. And with a lighter weight, the blocks can easily be transported by AAC brick manufacturers to your construction site at a more cost-effective rate. The material has impressive compressive strength in the 3.5-4N/m2 range, which is greater than 2.5-3N/m2 compressive strength of clay bricks. This way, it is a trusted material for constructing high-rise buildings and other structures such as schools, homes, government buildings, and hospitals.

High-quality AAC blocks from reputable AAC bricks manufacturers are resistant to fire and earthquake. They meet the stringent fire safety requirements, as they can withstand temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Celsius. Cellular air pockets in each brick provide thermal transmittance, which is around 60 percent of a clay brick. This way, AAC provides better thermal insulation to effectively withstand frost and heat conditions.

AAC: Choose Right Block Suppliers & Manufacturers in India

AAC or Autoclaved Aerated Concrete is one of the greatest innovations in the construction industry. Because of the low-density property of this material, it can dramatically reduce logistics costs. Buildings made with it are also more resistant to fire and heat due to its capability to withstand temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Celsius. Aside from being naturally resistant to pests and moulds, its strength is also phenomenal, being in the range of 3.5 to 4 N/sq.m.—which is significantly higher compared to lower ratings of traditional clay bricks. More and more contractors use AAC in their buildings, and it’s easy to see why.

For first time users, looking for the right AAC block suppliers can be a daunting task. But this should not be the case. If you follow the tips below, you can definitely get the best quality products from a reliable source.

•    Trusted AAC block suppliers always present the results of material tests to their customers. Never work with a company that cannot provide their test results (or refuse to provide them). Always ask for their ‘Strength and Density Evaluations’ and other similar assessments. Carefully study the findings to see if their products meet the highest standards.

•    The manufacturer must have its own research and development facility. Companies that continue to innovate and improve their products are the suppliers that you should do business with. You can be sure that their blocks will progressively become more effective in terms of strength, physical properties, and overall cost.

 

•    It also makes sense to choose AAC block suppliers that are based locally or has warehouses near your project area. This will help you save more and give you quick access to more inventory.

 

You are not only looking for AAC block suppliers—you are searching for a partner in your business. Choose a manufacturer that can meet all your requirements on time, all the time.

Important Tips While Choosing Block Manufacturers in India

India is one of the leaders in the development of efficient construction and building materials, and one of its most popular innovations is the AAC block. Much has been said about the benefits of this newer type of blocks as well as its advantages over red brick. However, little is known about the manufacturers. Choosing the AAC blocks manufacturers in India is critical to ensuring that you will get high-quality products to use in building truly strong and durable structures. Need help in selecting a reliable and reputable manufacturer or supplier of these construction materials from India? Here are some of the essential tips to keep in mind.

1. Find out more about the manufacturer's history and locations

For practical reasons, you will want to work with an AAC blocks manufacturer that has offices in the north and west, such as in Mumbai and in Haryana. Make sure that they use a synchronized delivery chain so that your orders can be delivered to you fast and efficiently. The history of the manufacturer is also important because longevity says a lot in this industry. It also shows how they are dedicated and committed to helping their clients.

2. See what other products and services are they offering

The best AAC blocks manufacturers in India also offer other products such as adhesives and ready-mix plasters. They likewise offer value-added services and complete solutions.

3. Ask how they make AAC blocks

The kind of technology they use is essential in ensuring timely delivery. Aside from this, it also determines the quality and consistency of AAC blocks they make. You should find this information on their website.

4. Find out who their clients are

The best manufacturers are proud to show a portfolio of finished buildings that used their AAC blocks. They can also give you references that you can call from their long list of satisfied clients. You can even visit the finished buildings made using their blocks to check the quality yourself, if you wish.

AAC Industry of India– Scenario

Building green and using eco-friendly materials for construction has been gaining popularity, and a growing number of AAC blocks manufacturers have sprung up to meet the demand. The industry is facing many challenges in terms of costs, but key players remain optimistic.

Challenges for the AAC Industry

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete or AAC blocks have been around in India since 1972, but it wasn’t until 2010 when manufacturing and production started ramping up—around the same time the popularity of green building materials started growing. Even with all the positive benefits that AAC blocks delivers, it is faced with a number of challenges that cause its limited use as a building material.

The preferred raw material for AAC blocks is fly ash or pond ash—a by-product of burning coal that is composed of silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide and calcium oxide. This inorganic mix is ideal for processing into blocks. While the material itself is cheap, transportation ramps up the costs, as fly ash in India has to be transported from 300km away. Sand—another component for making AAC blocks—is not easily accessible due to legal and environmental concerns, and this likewise drives the prices upwards. The relatively high cost compared to conventional fired blocks ultimately limits the accessibility of AAC blocks, which is why they are often utilized only in high rise construction and higher-end projects.

Overcoming the Issues

To remedy this, a campaign for greater awareness of the benefits of AAC materials is essential. The campaign needs to focus on boosting the popularity of AAC as a building material that is more efficient, durable, and practical in the long term.

Legislation to support the sourcing of materials will also contribute to driving costs down, making AAC more accessible for everyone as the supply is guaranteed and the prices become more affordable. Mandatory recommendation for the use of AAC materials for schools and institutional construction work can also boost usage.

Standard Size Available in Light Weight Bricks

Today’s construction technology offers a myriad of options when it comes to building materials. Traditional components have been improved upon to meet the growing and changing demands and requirements of modern structures. As building projects go higher and the need for robust but cost effective building materials arise, light weight bricks have been developed as a solution.

Light weight concrete bricks or Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks are similar to conventional hollow building blocks but with a few added features and improvements. AAC is designed to be 80% lighter than conventional blocks while keeping the same strength, making them ideal for high rise buildings and structures. These blocks come in 625 mm lengths by 240 mm height, and are available in 90 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, and 200 mm thicknesses. They are noticeably larger in length and height compared to conventional blocks, so laying them is easier because fewer blocks are needed for the same area coverage as regular blocks. Fewer blocks does not only mean easier and faster laying—it also translates to lower material and labor costs.

Despite its lightness, AAC blocks retain a good amount of strength, with a rated shear strength of .06 and a compressive strength of 3 N/mm2.  AAC blocks also have better acoustic properties for better soundproofing, as well as better thermal qualities that make them really good for insulation. They are likewise rated for fire resistance and are able to withstand temperatures up to 1200 degrees Celsius before failing. They are also impervious to water and have a low absorption rate, so they are moisture barrier materials for basements and below-ground applications (with little to no waterproofing necessary). AAC blocks are also certified for LEED compliance and are worked the same way as regular blocks, requiring no special tools or equipment.

Know How to Lay Light Weight AAC Concrete Blocks

The benefits of light weight bricks can be better experienced by employing the right techniques for laying the bricks. While the general rules of construction apply to all types of construction material, it is important to take care in certain specific areas. For instance, the thickness of the joints, the method of laying etc. are different from conventional techniques and it is best to understand and incorporate the techniques for harnessing better results. Take a look at better masonry with light weight concrete blocks.

Laying directions

The laying direction for the light weight concrete blocks could begin from either end or corner of the structure and meeting up midway. Alternatively, the laying can commence from one end and proceed to the other corner. However, it is important that the first row is laid with great care after ensure that the surface is properly leveled and aligned. The use of a plumber’s line or other equipment to ensure leveling and alignment is mandatory.

Dispensing with the need to soak the light weight bricks

Unlike traditional bricks, it is not necessary to soak the light weight bricks in water before laying. All that is required is a dampening the surfaces slightly. This is different from soaking the bricks entirely in water. This ensures that the speed of laying the bricks is faster than the conventional bricks. The right ratio of bonding or plastering material needs to be ensured. The ideal ratio is 1:6 for bonding which will ensure that the construction is of the right quality with better durability.

Laying of mortar and joint thickness

This is perhaps one of the most important aspects of construction. The mortar needs to be laid at the right time. Prior to the laying of the bricks, the mortar needs to be spread with the right consistency. The thickness of joints should ideally be 10 mm which will lend great strength and bonding to the bricks. Uniformity of the mortar is crucial to ensure that the alignment is perfect. The actual laying of bricks needs to be done with the right amount of pressure for a firm grip and better bonding.