Prospects for the production and use of insulating autoclaved aerated concrete

Abstract

The article presents the results of research on the production and use of structural and thermal insulating autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). It is generally accepted that the average energy consumption in the world is divided between the following areas: industry consumes 35%, transport – 30%, heat supply of buildings – 35%. The need for additional energy resources is estimated 3.5% per year. Ukraine's residential complex consumes up to 40% of all energy used in the country's economy. According to the Ministry of Economy, Ukraine loses $ 1.5 billion annually due to excessive energy losses.

The increase in the share of low-rise residential buildings in the total volume of housing construction requires an increase in the production of wall building materials and additional energy consumption for heating. Autoclaved aerated concrete as an energy-efficient wall material is rapidly gaining popularity. It starts to displace traditional energy-intensive wall materials from the construction market. The share of aerated concrete in the structure of wall materials in 2020 increased to 53%. The determining factor for this remains its low price, high structural and heat-insulating properties, as well as rather low energy consumption of production.

The article presents the dynamics of autoclaved aerated concrete production in Ukraine, the structure of manufactured aerated concrete based on its density. The properties of aerated concrete produced by “Aeroc” plants in terms of its density and strength meet European standards and does not concede to known products of leading European manufacturers. Insufficient awareness of the population, project designers and developers hinder the introduction of environmentally friendly thermal insulation aerated concrete with a density of 130-150 kg/m³, produced in Ukraine.

The results of analytical studies of the low-density AAC production and its use in EU countries confirm the prospects for growth in the production of this material in Ukraine. This is especially true in the context of the need to implement the country’s commitments to decarbonise the economy in general and the construction industry in particular.