In the rapidly growing construction industry, there is a wide range of construction materials that serve multiple needs. AAC blocks are one of those versatile building elements that serve numerous purposes, due to their versatility.
These blocks are lightweight, durable, eco-friendly, and available in different sizes, making them suitable for various applications. This blog will take an in-depth look at different AAC block sizes and their applications.
Different Sizes of AAC Blocks
| Dimension | Small | Medium (Standard) | Large |
| Length | 400 to 600 mm | 600 mm | 600 mm to 625 mm |
| Width | 200 mm to 250 mm | 200 mm to 250 mm | 200 mm to 250 mm |
| Thickness | 75 mm to 100 mm | 150 mm to 200 mm | 250 mm to 300 mm |
Small-Sized AAC Blocks
Small-sized AAC blocks are easy to handle, which makes them ideal for faster construction in non-structural applications. They offer good thermal and fire insulation and are affordable. They are used for the construction of partition walls, internal dividers, and cladding.
Medium-Sized AAC Blocks
Medium-sized AAC blocks offer a balance between lightweight construction and structural strength, making them suitable for load-bearing walls. They offer enhanced protection against thermal and fire, maintaining the safety of the building. These are expensive and require skilled labour for installation. All these make it suitable for external walls, internal load-bearing walls, and multi-story construction of both residential and commercial buildings.
Large-Sized AAC Blocks
Large-sized AAC blocks offer superior strength and can withstand significant loads. They are highly resistant to thermal, fire, and harsh weather conditions, keeping them durable and long-lasting. Due to their enormous size, these blocks require fewer joints, which may result in faster construction. These blocks require higher initial costs, have handling difficulties, and limited availability. All these make them suitable for foundations, structural walls, high-rise, and heavy-duty buildings.
Importance of Choosing the Right AAC Block Size
Structural Integrity
AAC block size affects the overall strength and stability of the structure. Larger blocks, with a greater surface area, have high load-bearing capacity, which makes them suitable for structural walls. Whereas smaller blocks with a small surface area are limited to non-structural and decorative walls.
Easy to Install
Smaller blocks are lightweight and easier to handle and install, especially in projects that require intricate detailing and in confined spaces.
Thermal Insulation
The thickness of the block determines the thermal insulation properties, thus thicker AAC blocks provide good insulation, resulting in energy-efficient buildings.
Cost-Effectiveness
Choosing the appropriate size can help save costs spent on labour and material waste. Bigger blocks require less mortar and labor, due to the large space they cover with fewer joints.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Small AAC Blocks are lightweight, easy to handle, resulting in quicker installation. They are more affordable, and the small size of the blocks can fit in almost every space, resulting in less wastage.
- Medium AAC Blocks are versatile and can be used for both structural and non-structural elements of the building. They are easy to handle and provide good insulation against fire and noise.
- Large AAC Blocks have high load-bearing capacity and excellent insulation properties. The large surface area they covers increases the construction speed and reduces the cost of mortar due to fewer joints.
Disadvantages
- Small AAC Blocks are of limited strength and cannot be used for load-bearing walls. More blocks and more joints are needed to build a wall compared to bigger blocks. The lower thickness does not provide sufficient insulation against thermal and acoustic forces.
- Medium AAC Blocks are slightly heavier, and more expensive than small blocks. Theyrequire more effort to install and are limited to high-rise buildings.
- Large AAC Blocks are heavy and require special equipment for transporting and carrying. They are more expensive than other size AAC blocks. It offers less flexibility to modify and the installation process is complex.
Applications of Different AAC Block Sizes
Small-Sized AAC Blocks
- It is ideal for creating interior partition walls for offices, shops, and residences.
- Suitable for non-load bearing walls due to their limited strength.
- Used for constrained spaces due to its smaller size, and easier handling.
- Ideal for renovating existing structures without increasing the overall weight of the buildings.
Medium-Sized AAC Blocks
- Highly versatile and can be used for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures.
- Used for the construction of exterior walls in both residential and commercial buildings.
- Used for the construction of floors and roofs, due to its balance of solid and lightweight nature.
Large-Sized AAC Blocks
- Used as load-bearing walls in multi-story buildings, due to their exceptional load-bearing capabilities.
- Ideal for the construction of industrial and commercial buildings for bearing loads and resisting thermal forces.
- Can be used in residential and commercial buildings as fire-rated walls and partitions, providing fire protection.
How to Choose the Right AAC Block Size?
Choosing the right AAC Block size for your projects involves several factors such as,
Building Type
- For low-rise residential buildings, thinner blocks of 100 mm to 150 mm are sufficient for internal walls, and thicker blocks of 150 mm to 200 mm are adequate for external walls to withstand insulation and loads.
- For commercial buildings, AAC blocks of size 150 mm to 300 mm can be used for load-bearing and sound insulation.
- For industrial buildings of larger spans and higher loads, AAC blocks of 200 mm to 300 mm can be used for both partitions and walls.
Environmental Conditions
- In places where thermal insulation is crucial, thicker AAC blocks from 200 mm to 300 mm can be used.
- In places where sound insulation is crucial, thicker blocks can be used to reduce external noise, based on the intensity.
- AAC blocks are generally fire resistant, but in fire-prone areas, AAC blocks of greater thickness can be used.
Cost and Budget
Smaller blocks are cheaper per unit size, but they require more blocks for construction. Larger blocks are more expensive per unit, but they only need fewer blocks along with mortar usage for joints. Standard blocks are well-balanced but are limited to high-rise buildings. Using small blocks for smaller projects and budget-tight situations can be preferred.
Conclusion
AAC blocks are highly versatile, and the different size options that they offer make it a valuable component for any construction. There is a wide range of size options, and each serves specific requirements. Small blocks are ideal for non-load-bearing structures, while large blocks are suitable for larger construction, where load-bearing is crucial. Medium-sized blocks provide the balance between the two and are widely used for every construction. Choosing the right block size is essential for effective and sustainable construction.