Non-autoclaved aerated concrete technology

In the building industry, non-autoclaved aerated concrete, or NAAC, is a novel building material that is becoming more and more well-liked. NAAC is cured in ambient conditions as opposed to traditional autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), which needs to be cured under high pressure steam in an autoclave. For developers and builders, this means it’s a more affordable and energy-efficient option.

NAAC’s lightweight design is one of its best qualities. This feature lessens the overall load on the foundation in addition to making the construction process simpler. NAAC can therefore greatly reduce construction costs and increase building efficiency. Its porous structure also offers superior thermal insulation, lowering the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling while assisting in the maintenance of comfortable indoor temperatures.

NAAC’s advantages for the environment are also highly regarded. Compared to conventional concrete and AAC, the production process uses less energy and produces fewer pollutants. Moreover, NAAC frequently uses recycled materials, which supports green building techniques. Its environmentally friendly qualities make it a desirable option for projects that want to leave as little of an environmental impact as possible.

When it comes to adaptability, NAAC can be utilized in both commercial and residential constructions. It is simple to work with and can be shaped into a variety of sizes and shapes, giving engineers and architects more creative freedom when creating designs. The material is attractive and ensures safety and comfort in the built environment because of its fire resistance and sound insulation qualities.

All things considered, non-autoclaved aerated concrete technology offers a viable substitute for conventional building materials. It is a wise choice for contemporary construction needs due to its combination of lightweight, thermal efficiency, environmental sustainability, and versatility. NAAC is anticipated to play a significant role in construction going forward as the need for more affordable and environmentally friendly building solutions increases.

The technology known as non-autoclaved aerated concrete, or NAAC, provides an affordable and sustainable substitute for conventional building materials. This novel technique results in lightweight, insulating concrete that can be manufactured more easily and affordably because it doesn’t require high-pressure steam curing. In addition to being energy-efficient, NAAC also requires less time and money in materials during construction, which makes it a desirable choice for sustainable building methods. This technology greatly reduces carbon emissions by doing away with the autoclaving process, which helps to provide greener construction solutions.

Application areas

Load-bearing walls and partitions as well as low-rise buildings are constructed using non-autoclaved aerated concrete. When building multi-story buildings or other structures, non-autoclaved aerated concrete can be utilized as a filler for reinforced concrete wall frames.

Aerated concrete is useful when building commercial, industrial, and residential structures. Because of its ability to support itself, it is utilized for external walls in the construction of low-rise buildings. Non-autoclaved aerated concrete is used for thermal insulation and reinforcement of building components.

Composition

The compositions of non-autoclaved aerated concrete are as follows:

• fillers in the form of clean sand with the inclusion of ash, chalk or gypsum. Sand should not contain silt and clay;
• portland cements;
• aluminum powder for pore formation;
• calcium chloride to speed up the hardening process, as well as other various chemical additives used to regulate gas formation and the rate of strength gain;
• water, mainly from surface sources without salt content and soft hardness.

Pros and cons

The benefits of non-autoclaved aerated concrete include the following:

• cellular concrete with non-autoclaved production technology has high strength and is not susceptible to mold and moisture;
• is resistant to decay and is environmentally safe;
• is able to save heat;
• ease of working with non-autoclaved aerated concrete is due to the ability to cut and process the material without problems while maintaining its strength and integrity;
• non-autoclaved aerated concrete does not contain harmful substances that can emit hazardous substances, it is made exclusively from natural components;
• does not absorb moisture, which means it is not susceptible to the effects of fungal and microbial formations;
• non-autoclaved aerated concrete has a low production cost, since it does not require large requests for production;
• it is possible to use monolithic non-autoclaved cellular concrete;
• the material can be produced near the construction site, which reduces the cost of transporting aerated concrete;
• the speed of installation of blocks from non-autoclaved aerated concrete is due to the large dimensions of the material, which allows to increase the construction process;
• despite the large dimensions, aerated concrete blocks are lightweight, which saves costs on additional lifting mechanisms;
• non-autoclaved aerated concrete blocks are easily processed with various tools;
• has high soundproofing characteristics;
• can be used in places with seismic hazard;
• fire resistance of the material allows it to maintain its strength characteristics when exposed to high thermal loads and open fire.

Aerated concrete that isn’t autoclaved has the following drawbacks:

• less durable than autoclaved aerated concrete and depends on the proportions of cement;
• there is a decrease in the thermal insulation properties when the porous structure of the material is filled with water, which contributes to the use of waterproofing;
• there is a risk of purchasing low-quality products from manufacturers who save on materials and manufacturing technology;
• there is a gradual destruction of aerated concrete as a result of mechanical loads, which requires the use of armored belts in places with the greatest load;
• the shrinkage of aerated concrete is relatively large and requires delaying the final finishing of the surface;
• it is not possible to use the blocks immediately after their manufacture.

Production technology

The following steps make up the technology used to manufacture non-autoclaved aerated concrete:

• preparation for pouring forms;
• pouring the solution;
• cutting into blocks;
• holding the solution until it gains strength characteristics;
• sorting and packaging of products.

Preparation and pouring of the mixture

The preparation of the mixture’s ingredients is the first step in the creation of aerated concrete. Cement, lime, blowing agents, gypsum, and, if required, additional additives are used for this, in order to accelerate the hardening process and boost the material’s strength. The necessary amounts of all the components are combined in an automated mixer, which mixes the cement, lime, and other ingredients into a sour cream-like consistency.

The product components are mixed in accordance with a specified program. The completed mixture is half-filled containers, which create the porous structure of aerated concrete products, and allowed to cure naturally. The cost of transportation services and electricity is greatly decreased by this method of production.

Cutting material into blocks

After pouring the solution, wait for an hour and a half, if necessary, two hours, until it acquires its strength characteristics. As soon as the solution has acquired the formwork strength, proceed to cutting the material into slabs, blocks or panels.

Divide the massif of aerated concrete into different geometric shapes and sizes. Use manual tools for small-volume work, and mechanical tools, such as electric tools, for larger-volume tasks. Make your own hacksaw if buying a specialized cutting tool is not an option, but it won’t last very long. A wall chaser, a cutter, and a plane are professional cutting instruments.

Holding

Using a metal string, trim the formed tops after adding the solution to the container. The aerated concrete blocks should then be left to hold for twelve hours. Containers that have been filled are left inside or outside under a cover. It’s critical to protect the poured solution from overheating and direct sunlight. Precipitation falling on the hardening mass is also undesirable.

After the curing period, the blocks are removed and left to dry for a few more hours. This is necessary due to the strength gain required for their storage. Aerated concrete will reach maximum strength after twenty-eight days.

Sorting and packaging

Three methods of sorting are used to obtain products of the desired size from aerated concrete blocks:

• molding and drying in cassette-type containers;
• pouring the solution into containers of a special design;
• pouring the solution into metal containers without internal partitions.

Once the aerated concrete blocks have completely hardened, the products are packaged. After being arranged on pallets and packaged with thermal films, they are transported to the warehouse.

The technology known as Non-Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, or NAAC, presents a viable substitute for conventional concrete. It combines the strength and durability required for construction with the advantages of lightweight materials. Because this kind of concrete doesn’t require high-pressure steam curing, it can be produced more easily and with less energy.

The affordability of NAAC is one of its key benefits. The absence of autoclaving saves manufacturers money on energy and pricey equipment. Because of this, NAAC is a desirable choice for smaller construction projects and developing areas. Furthermore, the production process is more rapid and adaptable, enabling on-site manufacturing and customization to meet project-specific requirements.

NAAC is a notable option because of its benefits to the environment. Carbon emissions are reduced as a result of the production process using less energy. Moreover, NAAC frequently employs waste materials from industry, like fly ash, which lessens the environmental impact of the construction sector and supports recycling initiatives.

When it comes to performance, NAAC provides superior thermal insulation qualities that improve building energy efficiency. Because of its lightweight nature, it lessens the strain on structural components, which could lower overall construction costs and increase building lifespans. Even though NAAC is lightweight, it is strong enough for a variety of uses, including residential and commercial buildings.

All things considered, non-autoclaved aerated concrete technology is a unique and environmentally friendly building material. It is a worthwhile choice for contemporary construction due to its advantages in terms of cost, environmental effect, and performance. NAAC is probably going to have a bigger and bigger influence on how construction is done in the future as long as the industry keeps looking for greener and more efficient building techniques.

Video on the topic

🔸 Complex of aerated concrete equipment "ANTEY-30" 🔸 Production of non-autoclaved aerated concrete ZBT

Non-autoclaved aerated concrete | How it"s made

Technology for the production of non-autoclaved aerated concrete on equipment from the company "AltaiStroyMash"

How it"s made: Non-autoclaved aerated concrete

🔸 Plywood forms for the production of non-autoclaved aerated concrete from Zlatoust Concrete Technologies

Autoclaved aerated concrete differs from non-autoclaved? What are the differences. We reveal the secrets