Hi Nathan Scott, every country (sometimes state) has its onw regulations. This video, shot in the Netherlands, has every 2nd panels anchored to another with a steel plate. You can also do it for every panel but that is fully your prerogative and not required by code normally.

Dear Kashif, in practice, the fire resistance of AAC is more than ordinary dense concrete. AAC does not support combustion and does not spread fire.. There are some test results that we would like to share with you, can you please reach out to us by sending an e-mail to our [email protected] address?

bit expensive, lots of cheaper fibres already used

Dear Bernard Macarius, sure, however, AAC is in no need really to have more tensile strength. For its application it is used for many years, it perfectly suits as is. Moreover, it is normally a premiumly priced product, compares to its other cement-like alternatives, so adding extra costs will inevitably result in higher sales price for offtakers which is not desirable to say the least.

I’m trying to get ASTM info on it again today...will post results..have you found anything as to specs?

Dear Kenien Spann, in short, yes but not all. USA has one AAC manufacturer in Florida, called AERCON AAC. Please check their website for detailed information.

Dear builder bubba, see our response below.

Appreciate the wise insight, cannot agree more!

Hi Ram, AAC is fully prefabricated at the factory site and then shipped to site for assembly.

No, It would be expensive, and required very big vacum oven

Hi Undal Tech, AAC manufacturing is a rather sophisticated production process that requires chemistry of binders, sand and aliminium to act together in a controlled temperature environment. Hence, AAC can be "printed". Standard aerated foam concrete cane be but it is NOT autoclaved and in essence a totally different building material that has limited use.

Aerated is now waterproof product. You can apply cement for finishing touch for outdoor wall or any other alternatives.

Though it has the superior water permeability and moisture breathable properties. You can waterproof the joint of the ALC panels with a backing Rod and a flexible caulking sealant on top of it. It is also advisable to use a polyurethane spray or over latex paint for the finishing.

Dear Mr. Archer, we really like to answer all your questions about AAC, can you please contact us via email? [email protected]

@@AircreteEuropeOfficial What happens to the Aircrete ingredient of Aluminum powder? Has it been tested because it's a known fact in the medical world that Aluminum if it can find a way into the human body acts as a carcinogen. Aluminum is a carcinogen. That's why there's cancer research on people who use deoderants for example that have aluminum in it. Just curious.

@@DylanBegazo The Aluminum powder mixed with the lime slurry is just a catalyst for producing millions of air bubbles in the AAC/ALC initial curing stage thus consuming the aluminium in the process. Further more the cake will be put on a Autoclave Oven producing a chemical reaction the material becomes a new stronger material that occurs in nature called Calcium Silicate Tobermorite (Roman Concrete). Eliminating completely the carcinogen properties of Aluminium powder in the process.

​@@DylanBegazo The Aluminum powder is just a catalyst to produce the Millions of Air bubble mixed with the lime slurry on the initial curing stage consuming it on the process. Furthermore on the autoclaved oven there will be a chemical reaction, the mixed of materials will become a new stronger nature natural occurring substance called Tobermorite or sometimes called Roman Concrete. Eliminating totally the carcinogen properties on the process.

@@alchaus there is now what called CLC blocks to witch they dont use the aluminum powder to make theme , is t better and what could be the difference between AAC and CLC and whos a better product !,? thnk yu

There is a tech called ALC Rocking Wall Panel using specialized Fastening System develop in Japan. Yes can withstand Strong Earthquake Tried and Tested for many decades in that region.

Hi Horse237, AAC material on itself is not earthquake proof, just like any other building material. It is the building design that makes structures earthquake proof and yes, AAC is widely used in Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, Turkey, etc for (non)load bearing walls for example

The ALC Wall panel can withstand positive wind force of 2,400 N/m2 and a negative wind force of 1,600 N/m2. Using the Fastening System of a Rocking Wall Method. Easily can comply with strictest building code of any country. Ex: Southern Part of China Hainan Province has the highest +wind load design of 800 N/m2.

Having air in the concrete insulates and uses less concrete. But I'm sure for the amount of concrete unless making your own the company will charge even more for the amount of concrete. If a real building with by code affixed panels were built it might still save on construction labor time.

There are many ways to look at it, but in short the pros are: AAC is fully prefabricated at a factory, requires less final finishing, has better fire rating than anything else, pest resistance is very high, it can be shaped and sculpted, super low labor waste due to complete prefabrication, highly environmentally friendly due to 1m3 of raw mats used to produce 4m3 of final product. Finally, an important factor is also system completeness, that is using AAC external, internal walls and floor/roof structures can be built as well as stairs which ICF pretty much walls. One stop shop concept is very appealing in the case of AAC.

Dear tinkmarshino, thank you for the valuable comments. To answer short, the AAC material breathes yes, provided you apply a breathable stucco/paint. Mold is not an issue as it is completely inorganic material. On the sun damage, again the material itself wont be affected by the exterior finish for sure with time will (AAC should not be left unfisinhed, just like any other material).

Dear Alan, H&S is really something that every country imposes and its enforcement is another issue, every contractor is different. As to the lack of connection between panels, there are steel sheets and anchors between panels and more can be introduced depending on the design. The house design did pass all regulatory approvals and Netherlands is pretty strict on these things. We invite you to come and visit and see for yourself that the houses are as safe as they can be!

Dear Outdoor Eng, of course if AAC is a new material to you, it would be uncomfortable. But, be rest assured, with available supply and architects/specifyers understanding the material, there will be no doubts. Every material has it given physical properties that we all rely on and AAC has hers which are long defined, easily allowing to build multiple story housing.

Just put a good sealer on it.

Dear In Cognito, if left unfisnihed, of course it will take in water. Wouldnt any other material do that? AAC requires adequate finishing just like any interior/exterior flooring/walling solution to avoid moisture penetration.

Dear Parrot Raiser, to answer short, yes there are steel anchors holding the panels together. Remember this video represents just one house design in the Netherlands, where there are no natural disasters prevalent. However, AAC is used arodun the world so depending where you are, sure your local AAC producer can inform you on how it can and cannot be used.

Dear Peters Right but, AAC is not very popular in the US as yet, mainly due to scarce availability. There is 1 factory in Florida (www.aerconaac.com) that is producing it since late 90's and has supplied many projects, primarily in the south east of course.

more than the house

limestone

Dear Ozi Sie, the lime used in the production process is quick burnt non-hydrated lime, reach in CaO (advised >92%). It has to be in a pulverized form already which is gained by dry milling limestone.

Dear @A native Irishman, lightweight precast panels (AAC panels) have embedded steel reinforcement for additional structural strength. AAC panel building complies with existing US building regulations and is currently successfully used across the US (see www.aerconaac.com).

9800766Civil Engineering Testing Walk .? 😐vs

Will Airkrete stand up to an earthquake?

Uh, nice try. That Aluminum powder used in the creation of Aircrete.... That needs to be tested because aluminum is a carcinogen nomatter the vector for how it's introduced into the human body. Does Aircrete produce vapors when in contact with sunlight or heat? If vapors are produced do those vapors contain aluminum?

AAC is non-toxic and does not emit any gasses. Hence, no vapors detrimental to humas health are produced. AAC is used since the 1930's first in Europe and by now in virtually every country in the world. All tests have been performed and all approvals on every level long received.

Dear Ion-Christopher DiMeglio, this building was constructed in the Netherlands. It is in full compliance with the latest EU regulations.

Dear Beachnative42, In the Netherlands, where this video is shot, there are no earthquake risks nor requirements. Therefore the structure might look light to some viewers. The method of designing and building AAC structures changes for each country.Actually, AAC is a very popular building material in Japan which is known for its earthquakes. Actually, low weight of the panels and therefore the buildings is a positive factor in earthquake-proof design. Please feel free to contact us for more questions.

James Logan SO WOULD PAPER FIBER LOL

@@srspammenot No spam, no it wouldn't. Glass wouldn't deteriorate, cellulose fibers would eventually.

Dear Victoria, it is very easy to drill and saw in it. However, one of course has to understand what thicknesses of walls are. Workability of AAC is one of it's great advantages.

eps dome house can be best choice. think about it

Dear Patrick, the design of the house determines its ability to withstand natural disasters. This video showcases a house in the Netherlands and of course it would be built (read: designed first) differently elsewhere. However, the fact that AAC is used for decades in walling and flooring from Japan to Mexico shows nothing simply falls to pieces.

I guess you, like many others, failed to see that the panels are in fact pinned together at the top as well as joined with mortar. Making this a sound structure.

haha mortar does noting with lateral forces

Dear Michael, the design of the house determines its ability to withstand natural disasters. This video showcases a house in the Netherlands and of course it would be built (read: designed first) differently elsewhere. However, the fact that AAC is used for decades in walling and flooring from Japan to Mexico shows nothing simply falls to pieces.

AAC has been in use since 1924: www.structuremag.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/C-Building-Blocks1.pdf

Scott Hertzog thank you I see now that this material is subjected to a high pressure steam to cure it. The DIYers are not doing that. That would make a big difference in its structural characteristics.

I guess you, like many others, failed to see that the panels are in fact pinned together at the top as well as joined with mortar. Making this a sound structure.

I found this material from a DIYer video where they were making it with a foam machine. It was not steam treated. Mis thinking that this material was made the same way. I have seen concrete that was not well done deteriorate over time. Small pores in concrete or masonry materials allow water to collect. In semi cold climates where freeze/thaw cycles happen several times in one season. Water gets in the pores freezes expands melts. After several years this results in spalling. Then it just keeps getting worse. Reading that the material was steam autoclaved for curing makes this a much better product. The glued joints seem to hold although I live in an area where the soil dries and soaks in different times of the year causing significant structural movement. Foundation repair is a big business in North Texas. I will be doing more research. This is an interesting product.

Scott Hertzog ...Any specs here in the United States that are published?

Dear Rameus, the design of the house determines its ability to withstand natural disasters. This video showcases a house in the Netherlands and of course it would be built (read: designed first) differently elsewhere. However, the fact that AAC is used for decades in walling and flooring from Japan to Mexico shows nothing simply falls to pieces. Dome houses you are referring to are made of simple foamed concrete, which is not steam cured (ie. autoclaved). That material has many disadvantages, starting with shrinking to begin with. Hence, I urge you to understand what is Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in detail and you will discover that it has its merits everywhere in the world as it has been used like that since the 1940's.

Dear G H, the design of the house determines its ability to withstand natural disasters. This video showcases a house in the Netherlands and of course it would be built (read: designed first) differently elsewhere. However, the fact that AAC is used for decades in walling and flooring from Japan to Mexico shows nothing simply falls to pieces. Note, panels are always reinforced (mesh or cage inside the panels themslves is untroduced at the factory - see our production videos) which makes the panels load bearing. Hence, I urge you to understand what is Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in detail and you will discover that it has its merits everywhere in the world as it has been used like that since the 1940's. Canada's loss not to have AAC available there till date.

Jay Blasi would building small sheds like maybe a small tool shed out of this be a good idea

Edgar Barragan = it depends on the coat of the finished panel but I would still embed hurricane straps in each panel. Top and bottom. This system is fine if panels can be strapped to the floor and roof to the wals.

Thank you for your thoughtful & useful input! You clearly have 1st hand experience with the topic! The material seems promising, but this particular application scares me a bit...

SO change the system is whats on the table here..old system must go~

www.structuremag.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/C-Building-Blocks1.pdf

You might find this article of interest AAC has been around for almost a century, and has been part of US building code for 15 years: www.structuremag.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/C-Building-Blocks1.pdf

@@ScottHz Thank you! Can you help me understand how lateral for and twisting is prevented from pulling these blocks apart. I was surprised they did not have any means of physically tying the blocks together except a bit of mortar. Seems perilous.

There are many ways to look at it, but in short the pros are: AAC is fully prefabricated at a factory, costs typically less per ft2, has better acoustical properties (AAC is UL listed UL #924), has much better fire rating than anything else (4hrs on 8in), pest resistance is very high, it can be shaped and sculpted, same low waste on site due to complete prefabrication, highly environmentally friendly due to 1m3 of raw mats used to produce 4m3 of final product. However both systems have right to exist, or better put to co-exist as SIP has similar merits too.

Dear Mr. Torruella, thank you for your comment. You are right that 2 days is only the time to install the AAC panels structure, not starting from scratch (i.e. foundation and finishing excluded). As for hurricane resistance, AAC panels are successfully used in hurricane-proof building applications in Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, etc. (in this case additional rebar is installed and the building is anchored to the ground). In the video we show an application in the Netherlands where it was not required by building code nor by the architect.

Very helpful response & explanation! Thank you!

It would blow away with the other , engineered, code built, reinforced, modern houses.

Dear sageonet, this is just one of the applications of AAC products used in the Netherlands. See different industrial, commercial and residential applications here aircrete-europe.com/en/gallery.html

Is this legal in California? I can't find any info about it. Thanks

sag eonet

MJ D, thank you for the comment. AAC is indeed light (5 times lighter than traditional concrete) and with density of 600 kg/m3 (or 37 lb/ft3), the wall elements shown in the video weigh about 210 kg/piece (460 lbs/piece). For panel profiling, see comment below.