Optimization and Performance Evaluation of AAC Blocks: A Study on Compressive Strength Enhancement

Abstract

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks are lightweight, precast building materials made from a mixture of cement, lime, silica (usually sand), water, and aluminum powder, which causes the material to expand and form a porous structure. The standard mix proportions typically consist of 10-15% cement, 20-30% lime, 50-60% silica, and a small amount of aluminum powder. Mix Proportion I is the most effective, achieving the highest compressive strength of 7.8 MPa at 28 days. Optimization of mix design, especially in Mix I, plays a significant role in enhancing the performance of AAC blocks. Thus, Mix I is recommended for further production and application in construction due to its superior strength characteristics with mix proportion of Cement-25% , Fly ash-50%, Lime-10%, Sand-10%, Aluminum Liquid-0.2%, Gypsum-0.2% & Water- 0.65% . The production process includes mixing, molding, curing using water curing, and drying. AAC blocks are tested for compressive strength. These properties make AAC blocks an ideal choice for sustainable, energy-efficient construction, offering significant advantages in terms of strength, insulation, and environmental performance.