Mechanical Properties of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete with Different Densities

Abstract

Abstract With realizing the significant advantages of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) in green building development, an experimental investigation was undertaken to study mechanical properties of plain AAC produced in Beijing, China. AAC specimens of six different density grades, B03 to B08 with dry bulk densities between 300 to 800 kg/m3 were tested for their cube compressive strength, prism compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity. The measured values obtained in this investigation are compared with equations and data given by ACI, as well as by other institutes. It was found that ACI equations gave conservative predictions for AACs with density grades of B03 to B06, yet outlier data points abnormally low were found for the higher density grades B07 and B08 for their prism compressive strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity. The anomalous results for B07 and B08 were attributed to the replacement of silica sand with fly ash in the two AACs. Regression analysis was conducted in an attempt to relate mechanical properties based on measured values in this investigation and data merged from ACI. However, because of the limited number of testing, more research should be conducted to verify these equations. In conclusion, it is believed that information gathered in this study will be beneficial to the AAC producers in improving their product quality and to the specifiers in revising AAC-related specifications in China.