Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2014
Government College of Engineering, Amravati in association with SVNIT, Surat, India
http://acmes2014.in
ABSTRACT: Burnt clay brick is a predominant construction material used in construction. The CO2 emissions in
the brick manufacturing process had been acknowledged as a significant factor to global warming. Therefore, now-
a-days we should focus more on seeking environmental solutions for greener environment. To fulfill this objective,
new construction materials can be used for construction. One such material i.e., AAC blocks can be used as an
alternative material for construction. This paper highlights the comparative statistical analysis of cost effectiveness
of using AAC blocks instead of traditional red bricks. The usage of AAC blocks gives a prospective solution to
construction industry along with environmental preservation. In this paper, an attempt has been made to compare
AAC blocks as a replacement material to red bricks. The different types of tests were performed to determine
various properties of AAC blocks as compared to others. The 6 and 9 thick wall building were designed using
Staad pro software and the cost calculation for different component parts of the building were carried out. From the
experimental results, it is observed that the compressive strength of AAC block is comparatively more than
traditional bricks and the density of AAC block is comparatively les which helps in reducing the dead load of
structure. It is found that upto 15 to 20% , the cost of construction can be reduced by using AAC blocks.
I. Introduction
Bricks are one of the most important building materials in the India. In recent years, with expanding
urbanization and increasing demand for construction materials, brick kilns have grown to meet the demand. It has
directly or indirectly caused a series of environmental and health problems. At a global level, environmental
pollution from brick-making operations contributes to the phenomena of global warming and climate change. Also,
extreme weather may cause degradation of the brick surface due to frost damage. Global warming and
Environmental pollution is now a global concern. Various types of blocks can be used as an alternative to the red
bricks, to reduce Environmental pollution and Global warming. AAC blocks may be one of the solutions for brick
replacement. Similar to foam concrete, Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is one of the certified green building
materials, which can be used for commercial, industrial and residential construction. It is porous, non-toxic,
reusable, renewable and recyclable.
AAC was developed in 1924 by a Swedish architect, who was looking for an alternate building material
with properties similar to that of wood having good thermal insulation, solid structure and easy to work with, but
without the disadvantage of combustibility, decay and termite damage. As AAC Block uses fly ash, sand as main
raw material, cement, lime as accessory materials, aluminum powder as forming agent, it refers to foaming through
chemical reaction. It is one kind of new type green warm preservation wall material formed through raw materials
grinding, batching and mixing, pouring and foaming, quiet stop and cutting, autoclave curing processes. It has light
weight, high strength, good durability, heat preservation, sound insulation, fire proofing, impervious, good
anchoring properties.
Significant research studies have been conducted on the development of new construction materials using
different kinds of material. However, the application of these construction materials in real construction is limited.
Therefore more research is needed to study the actual behavior or performance of new construction materials under
field conditions to encourage their practical applications. Many research studies had been conducted utilizing
various new construction materials. Most of these research works focused on the physical and mechanical properties
of construction products. Some of those studies attempted to investigate the durability performance of several
construction materials including AAC block like material. However, more research studies are needed to confirm the
beneficial effects of new construction material. In this context, research work has been started to investigate Cost
effectiveness by using AAC Blocks for building construction. This paper highlights different aspects of using AAC
block masonry construction. Findings of comparative statistical analysis of cost effectiveness of using AAC block
instead of traditional bricks are presented in this paper.
II. Materials and Methodology
For this study, XTRALITE AAC block for various tests were used. Xtralite is a Lightweight Aerated Autoclaved
Concrete (AAC) Block. It is suitable for multistoried structures, as it is lighter in weight than standard size bricks
and blocks. XTRALITE AAC blocks are manufactured through a reaction of aluminum on a proportionate blend of
lime, cement and fly ash. During this process, the hydrogen gas that escapes creates millions of tiny air cells,
rendering XTRALITE with a strong cellular structure. This is further strengthened by high pressure steam curing in
autoclaves. The product thus formed is not only lightweight but also has higher compressive strength. These blocks
are available in many varieties of sizes. AAC blocks can be produced in a large variety of sizes, from standard
blocks to large reinforced panels. AAC blocks are available in 600mm x 200mm x 75 to 300mm i.e. from 3 to 12.
Using this material, various studies and tests was carried out. As a case study for this research work, typical building
plan of institutional building is considered. To precede the study following work was carried out in sequence. AAC
blocks, traditional bricks and other required materials were procured from market. Various engineering properties of
traditional bricks and AAC blocks were tested in laboratory. Then, comparative study of AAC block masonry with
traditional brick masonry was carried out in which various aspects such as size, weight, density, workability, water
absorption, moisture content, curing behaviors, mortar requirement, quantity requirement, plaster requirement, time
require for construction, finishing alternatives, structural behavior, strength and stability, etc were compared. For
such comparison, building plans were selected and structural design of the building using Staad pro software was
carried out in which traditional bricks were used. Again for same building, Structural Design of the building using
Staad pro software was carried out in which AAC block was used. For quantity and cost comparison, detailed
estimate was prepared for both above design. From the data prepared in structural design and estimate, cost
effectiveness of different items of work was compared.
.
III. Testing of Properties of AAC Blocks
For carrying our comparative study of AAC block masonry for RCC framed structure, systematic
experimental study was been carried out. For this, different lab tests only clay brick, cement brick, and AAC block
was been undertaken. For finding out physical characteristics of AAC block, lab test to determine the average value
of density and moisture content of AAC block, clay brick, and cement brick was undertaken. The experimental
results are shown in Table 1
Table 1. Average Value of Density and Moisture content
Dry Moist Dry Wet Moisture
Sr. Particular Size Volume
weight weight density density content
3 3
mxm cum kg Kg kg/m kg/m %
1 AAC 0.220X0.200X0.145 0.00638 4.724 4.855 740.44 760.97 2.77
BLOCK
2 CLAY 0.20X0.10X0.075 0.0015 2.977 3.627 1984.67 2418 21.83
BRICK
3 CEMENT 0.20X0.10X0.075 0.0015 3.565 3.736 2376.67 2490.67 4.80
BRICK
For comparing the Compressive strength of AAC block, clay brick, and cement brick testing on
compression testing machine was undertaken. Details of experimental observations are given in Table 2
Fig 3 Comparison of Moisture content Fig 4 Comparison of decrease in Compressive Strength
The total carpet area is measured which is summerized in table 4. It is observed that when AAC block wall
of 6 width is used instead of traditional 9 thick clay brick wall, there is aprox 3.5 % increase in carpet area per
floor of building.
Table 4 Carpet area comparison
9'' thick wall 6'' thick wall
Particular building building Percentage Reduction
Unit Sqm Sqm %
Total carpet area 230.91 239.21 3.47
The comparison of quantity of steel is summarised and enumerated in Table 5. It is seen that there is 7.01
% of overall reduction in quantity of steel require when building is designed for AAC block wall RCC framed
structure.
Table 5 Comparison of steel quantity
Sr.No. Item 9'' Wall Plan 6'' Wall Plan % Saving
MT MT
1 Footing 0.428 0.404 5.60
2 Column 0.898 0.821 8.57
3 Beam 9.235 9.897 -7.16
Overall Saving 7.01
The quantity of brick, block, sand, aggregate, steel, cement required for 9 thick wall building and 6 thick
wall building are summarized in Table 6. It is observed that when AAC block are used instead of traditional brick
there is cost saving of 12.72 % for one floor. Similarly as mortar required for AAC block masonry is very less
because of thin joints, and also both side plaster thickness require is 12mm only, there is substantial reduction in
sand cost up to 60.12 %. This is more significant criteria for reduction in overall cost of construction when AAC
blocks are used.
VI. Conclusions
From above results and discussion, following conclusions are drawn regarding cost effectiveness of using
AAC block for building construction
i) Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is manufactured from common and abundant natural raw materials.
Therefore, It is extremely resource-efficient and environment friendly.
ii) The energy consumed in the production process emits no pollutants and creates no byproducts or toxic
waste products. The work ability of AAC helps to eliminate waste on the jobsite.
iii) From the experimental results carried out in this study, it is observed that compressive strength of AAC
blocks is comparatively more than traditional clay brick. Therefore they are suitable for walls in RCC
framed building.
iv) Density of AAC block is 1/3 that of traditional clay brick and there is no more change in wet condition. It
helps in reducing dead load of structure.
v) Cost of construction reduces by maximum up to 20 % as reduction of dead load of wall on beam makes
comparatively lighter members.
vi) As both side face of AAC block wall are plane, the required thickness of plaster is very less, therefore there
is substantial reduction up to 50% in requirement of cement and sand for plaster work.
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