Tips For AAC Block Construction

We all know that before putting large machinery and equipment into use, there are some situations that require attention, such as commissioning and maintenance of the equipment. So for autoclaved concrete aerated blocks, a series of commissioning is also required during construction. This blog will discuss some tips for AAC block construction before and during masonry.

Before Masonry

1. During transport, measures should be taken to protect AAC blocks from rain. When transporting and loading, you'd better avoid unloading blocks by dropping, throwing or tipping buckets.

2. After the arrival of AAC blocks to the construction site, we also need to take some rain protection measures. During masonry, blocks should not be stacked in the open air, especially in the spring and summer.

Instead, they should be stacked in a covered place; If it is restricted by the condition that blocks can only be stacked in the open air, they should also be stacked in a place with higher terrain and drainage treatment.

3. It is essential to arrange the schedule reasonably, and rushing the work blindly is not advisable. You should ensure a 28-day maintenance period before AAC blocks are put on the wall for masonry.

4. Before starting masonry, you should calculate the number of tiles and rows according to the block size. Also, you should check and correct the complementary tie reinforcement.  You can first pre-pour a certain height (preferably 50mm) of plain concrete with the same thickness as the wall at the root of the wall.

During Masonry

1. Do not use AAC blocks below the base level, such as foundations, drainage pits, water tanks and areas where excessive moisture may occur. This is why we do not use AAC blocks for toilet and bathroom work. Similar to brick masonry, AAC block walls without stiffening devices are not recommended.

2. Do not use the brick knife to cut the brick, instead, it should be cut with a saw.

3. Where the block meets the wall or column, tie bars shall be left, with a vertical spacing of 600mm.

4. There is a need to provide stiffening columns after every three meters of length.

5. The provision of RCC strips with reinforcement or bonded beams after every fourth course (1200 mm high) is recommended in order to distribute the wall loads evenly and avoid any shear cracks and horizontal cracks.

6. Avoid using AAC blocks in load-bearing structures without the use of beams and columns.

7. The mortar should be mixed in a ratio of 1:6, do not use a 1:4 rich mortar because this will cause the wall to shrink and create cracks.

8. It is better to use silicate cement to get better results.

9. The concave and convex parts of AAC brick exterior wall in the horizontal direction (such as line footing, rain cover, eaves, window sill, etc.) are supposed to do flooding and dripping to avoid water accumulation.

10. Since the performance indexes of AAC blocks with different dry densities and strengths are different, they should not be mixed, and AAC blocks should not be mixed with other bricks and blocks.

Conclusion

Masonry is the most important and critical step in the production of AAC blocks. Keeping in mind these requirements mentioned above will be of great help to improve the production quality and efficiency.