Applications of New Generation Autoclaved Aerated Concrete(AAC) Panel

There is no doubt that the current climate changes will continue to have a strong impact on the future the way we build and the speed and requirement for “green” construction. In the EU, buildings account for the largest share of total final energy consumption (around 40%) and produce about 35% of all greenhouse emissions. Efficiency improvements for new and existing buildings and renovations have the highest priority. According to the EPBD, all new buildings shall be nearly zero‐energy buildings by December 31, 2020 and 2 years earlier for buildings occupied and owned by public authorities 3.

This, fortunately, drives the change in culture toward a more sustainable and energy efficient standard. The construction sector plays an important role in the delivery of the EU's goals for sustainable energy efficient buildings. It has a direct impact on construction products including the application with AAC panel. Large developers and contractors for both the public and private sector are strongly committed to find solutions to meet the close‐by future regulations. Consequently, the traditional triangle relation between customer, architect, and contractor as the playing field is changing away from the traditional capacity‐driven market. Building material producers and suppliers are now asked to provide integrated solutions, rather than a stand‐alone product. They can develop, create, and install the elements that are needed now and in the near future. These integrated material systems, offered by the new suppliers, generate the value to the end user and meet the new way of green and efficient building for the world of tomorrow.

There is no single building material that carries all characteristics to fulfill the requirements for sustainable building. The one who adopts quickly by integrating different material elements into a building system solution is the player who can add most value to the market requirements and therefore will achieve a large growth potential. In this model, Eastland Building Materials as a supplier will become system integrators and can offer full solutions, including installation and building services to the end customer.

AAC/ALC panel as a material has many valuable and powerful properties to be used as a key element for building systems of the future. In combination with steel frame, reinforcement, wood, and CFS (Frame‐Crete), one can build rapidly a shell or a building envelope according to the customer requirements. AAC panels are light and can be transported easily to building sites, realizing short delivery times. Installers can easily install up to 50 m2 per day. BIM will play a very important role to reduce cost upfront and increase efficiency in modular house.

The case study and practical research on several green constructions in the Netherlands have shown us that local regulations are not fully in line yet with national or European laws on green and energy efficient buildings. Furthermore, we have seen that the combined building system of integrated AAC panel elements with steel frame can be very efficient and provides an excellent green performance to meet the new regulations for the future. Furthermore, this construction method is relatively easy and very fast, also making it a very economically attractive solution.

Mid‐size Eastland AAC panels can be used as the key Lego piece in the integrated building material element. Due to its ease of use, speed, flexibility, and sustainability properties, it can have a fundamental role in the modular building systems of tomorrow.