Aerated concrete has the lowest density, thermal conductivity and strength. Like timber it can be sawn, screwed and nailed, but there are non-combustible. For works in-situ the usual methods of aeration are by mixing in stabilized foam or by whipping air in with the aid of an air entraining agent.
Air-cured aerated concrete is used where little strength is required e.g. roof screeds and pipe lagging. Full strength development depends upon the reaction of lime with the siliceous aggregates, and for the equal densities the strength of high pressure steam cured concrete is about twice that of air-cured concrete, and shrinkage is only one third or less.
Aerated concrete is a lightweight, cellular material consisting of cement and/or lime and sand or other silicious material. It is made by either a physical or a chemical process during which either air or gas is introduced into a slurry, which generally contains no coarse material.
Aerated concrete used as a structural material is usually high-pressure steam-cured. It is thus factory-made and available to the user in precast units only, for floors, walls and roofs. Blocks for laying in mortar or glue are manufactured without any reinforcement.
Larger units are reinforced with steel bars to resist damage through transport, handling and superimposed loads. Autoclaved aerated concrete, which was originally developed in Sweden in 1929, is now manufactured all over the world.
