scope:

Scope and objectives of this guide

AAC, a form of cellular concrete, is a low-density cementitious product of calcium silicate hydrates in which the low density is obtained by the formation of macroscopic air bubbles, mainly by chemical reactions within the mass during the liquid or plastic phase. The air bubbles are uniformly distributed and are retained in the matrix on setting, hardening, and subsequent curing with high-pressure steam in an autoclave, to produce a homogeneous structure of macroscopic voids, or cells (Fig. 1.3). AAC is broken down into classes defined by the unit weight and compressive strength. Material specifications for this product are prescribed in ASTM C1693.

This guide is limited to AAC with a density of 50 lb/ft³ (800 kg/m³) or less.

The specific objectives of this guide are to:

a) Review the basic characteristics of AAC

b) Provide a brief history of structural applications of AAC

c) Review the fabrication of AAC panels

d) Recommend structural design procedures for factoryreinforced AAC panels

e) Recommend construction details for use with factoryreinforced AAC panels

The structural design procedures and construction details recommended herein are intended to result in AAC panels with reliable structural capacity, durability, appearance, and overall serviceability.

This guide is limited to AAC with a density of 50 lb/ft³ (800 kg/m³) or less. It is written for structural designers and addresses design using factory-reinforced AAC panels.

Design of AAC masonry is also addressed in ACI 530/530.1.

The specific objectives of this guide are to:

a) Review the basic characteristics of AAC

b) Provide a brief history of structural applications of AAC

c) Review the fabrication of AAC panels

d) Recommend structural design procedures for factory-reinforced AAC panels

e) Recommend construction details for use with factory-reinforced AAC panels

The structural design procedures and construction details recommended herein are intended to result in AAC panels with reliable structural capacity, durability, appearance, and overall serviceability.

Chapter 2 presents standard notation and definitions. Material and thermal characteristics and an introduction to manufacturing are presented in Chapter 3. A general design overview is presented in Chapter 4. In Chapter 5, handling and erection of panels are addressed. Chapter 6 presents the detailed technical justification for the proposed design provisions. References are presented in Chapter 7. Appendix A provides design examples. In Appendix B, typical design details are used to introduce the reader to specific configurations of the AAC structural elements whose design and construction are addressed by this document.