Autoclaved aerated concrete masonry for energy efficient buildings: State of the art and future developments

The pressing demand for green buildings poses new challenges to the construction sector. In this context, an effective strategy to be pursued is represented by the use of construction materials with enhanced thermal properties, together with a reduced carbon footprint and adequate structural resistance. Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) masonry is one of the most interesting solutions. Several studies have been published so far to investigate the influence of raw materials and production processes on the macroscopic properties of AAC blocks. This paper aims to refine and extend the literature review on AAC, by collecting and processing experimental data related not only to the material itself, but also to masonry assemblages. In order to span different aspects of sustainable design, a comprehensive review on both physical and mechanical properties (related to safety issues) as well as thermal properties (related to environmental aspects) of AAC is provided. This study shows how constituent materials influence the macroscopic behavior of AAC masonry, also comparing experimental trends with relationships suggested in European design standards.