Properties and Applications of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
Summary
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is a lightweight, porous construction material manufactured by adding an aerating agent to a cementitious mix and curing under high-pressure steam. Its cellular structure imparts low bulk density, high thermal insulation and excellent fire resistance, while maintaining sufficient compressive strength for use in load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls. The dominant binding phase in AAC is tobermorite, a calcium silicate hydrate that contributes to dimensional stability and durability. The combination of low thermal conductivity and sound-insulating properties makes AAC ideal for energy-efficient residential and commercial buildings. Its machinability allows precise block shaping, reducing on-site waste and labour. In recent years attention has focused on circular-economy approaches, including the incorporation of industrial by-products and recycling of post-demolition material. Advances in mix design and process control have further enhanced mechanical performance, allowing AAC to meet diverse structural and façade requirements while contributing to reduced carbon emissions and resource consumption.
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Properties and Applications of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in properties and applications of autoclaved aerated concrete across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete: A lightweight cellular concrete produced by autoclaving a foamed cementitious mixture, resulting in a porous, insulating material.
Tobermorite: A crystalline calcium silicate hydrate phase that forms during steam curing and provides structural integrity and durability to AAC.
Bulk density: The mass of a material per unit volume, including the volume of voids, which influences weight, thermal conductivity and strength.
Closed-loop recycling: A process in which post-consumer or post-industrial waste is reclaimed and reprocessed into the same product, minimising raw material demand.
Strain rate: The rate at which a material deforms under applied stress, affecting its dynamic compressive and tensile strengths.
References
- Life cycle assessment of post-demolition autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) recycling options. Resources Conservation and Recycling (2023).
- Effect of Pore Structure on Thermal Conductivity and Mechanical Properties of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete. Materials (2021).
- Utilization of Solid Waste in the Production of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete and Their Effects on its Physio-mechanical and Microstructural Properties: Alternative Sources, Characterization, and Performance Insights. International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials (2023).
- Influence of strain rate on the mechanical properties of autoclaved aerated concrete. Journal of Building Engineering (2022).
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