Autoclaved aerated concrete, or light bricks, have varying sizes. Therefore, you must know how to calculate them correctly to determine the proper budget. The raw material for lightweight bricks is usually called AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete), a combination of silica sand, cement, aluminum paste, and other materials.
Light bricks are very popular because they have many advantages. One of its advantages is that it is water- and heat-resistant. To calculate autoclaved aerated concrete needs correctly, check out the information below!
How to Measure Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Volume
AAC, or lightweight brick, is one of the earthquake-resistant construction materials. It comes in different sizes. Therefore, it is important to know the dimensions before determining their measurement.
In general, lightweight bricks are sold in cubic units. Since the sizes are different, each cube of each size has a different amount of composition. The types of lightweight brick sizes are as follows:
- AAC 5: Length 60 cm, width 20 cm, thickness 5 cm.
- AAC 7.5: Length 60 cm, width 20 cm, thickness 7.5 cm.
- AAC 10: Length 60 cm, width 20 cm, thickness 10 cm.
- AAC 12.5: Length 60 cm, width 20 cm, thickness 12.5 cm.
- AAC 15: Length 60 cm, width 20 cm, thickness 15 cm.
- AAC 20: Length 60 cm, width 20 cm, thickness 20 cm.
By knowing the size of the lightweight bricks, you can estimate the numbers needed for the construction.
How to Determine the Number of Light Bricks in Construction
Before determining the number of light bricks you need, you must prepare a design of the building you want to work on. Armed with the design drawing, you can decide the number of autoclaved aerated concrete according to your needs.
1. Measure ​​the Wall Area
The first way to determine the number of lightweight bricks you need is to measure the area of the wall that you want to build. By using the design drawing as a reference, you can calculate the area of the wall you want to build using the following formula:
Wall Area = Wall Length x Wall Height
If the building you want to work on is complex, you can first divide the wall. By dividing the area, you can avoid errors when calculating the number of bricks needed.
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2. Determine the Amount of AAC Needed
After knowing the wall measurement you're about to build, you can calculate the furniture you want to put in the room per m2. The way to calculate lightweight bricks per m2 is as follows:
(a) Calculate the area of the AAC using the following formula:
AAC Area = Length x Height
(b) Calculate how many AACs are needed for 1 m2 using the following formula:
Number of AAC Needed = Wall Area: AAC Area
Before doing calculations, you have to equate the units first. Lightweight brick or AAC measurement usually uses centimeters, while what is sought is the number of bricks per m2. Therefore, you should first change the units of size to meters to avoid calculation errors.
3. Calculate AAC Requirements in m3
The last step is to calculate the AAC requirement in m3. As discussed previously, AAC, or lightweight bricks, are sold per cubic meter, or m3, not per piece. Here is a way to calculate lightweight bricks per cubic that you can follow.
(a) Calculate the volume of light brick, or AAC, using the following formula:
AAC Volume = Length x Height x Width/Thickness
(b) Calculate the AAC requirement per cubic meter using the following formula:
AAC Needs Per Cubic = Number of AAC × AAC Volume
When calculating the volume of lightweight bricks, you must pay attention to their thickness. While their length and height are the same, they have different thicknesses. When building a house, use light bricks with a thickness of 7–10 cm.
Read also: Tips for Choosing Building Material for Minimalist House
Lightweight Brick Requirement Calculation
Considering that construction goes through several stages, calculate the brick requirement properly to make the following process easier. To help you understand this, try looking at the following simulation.
The area where the wall will be built is 15 meters long and 4 meters high. The lightweight bricks are size 10 (length 60 cm, width 20 cm, thickness 10 cm). To determine the brick requirement, you can proceed with the calculation:
Wall Area = Length x Height
Wall Area = 15 m x 4 m
Wall Area = 60 m2
From these calculations, we know that the wall area is 60 m2. Next, we can calculate the amount of AAC needed.
Light Brick Area = Brick Length x Brick Height
Light Brick Area = 60 cm x 20 cm
Light Brick Area = 1200 cm2 = 0,12 m2
Light Brick Needs = Wall Area: Light Brick Area
Light Brick Needs = 60 m2 : 0,12 m2
Light Brick Needs = 500
From these calculations, we know that the number of lightweight bricks needed is 500 pieces. Next is calculating the need for lightweight bricks per cubic meter.
Light Brick Volume = Length x Height x Width/Thickness
Light Brick Volume = 60 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm
Light Brick Volume = 12000 cm3 = 0,012 m3
Light Brick Requirement Per Cubic = Number of Light Bricks x Light Brick Volume
Light Brick Requirements Per Cubic = 500 x 0,012 m3
Light Brick Requirements Per Cubic = 6 m3
Based on the calculations, the need for lightweight bricks or bricks per cubic meter for the wall is 6 m3.
The results of these calculations are only estimates because several other factors can influence the amount of lightweight brick needed, such as the thickness of the cement and the cutting of the lightweight brick. To get more accurate results, you can ask professionals for help. By getting more accurate results, you can save on the cost of the building materials needed.
That's all the information about measuring AAC or lightweight bricks for construction needs. Apart from estimating the number of bricks, pay attention to the cement selection to avoid risking the building's quality. With the right cement, you can build a strong and durable building without incurring large maintenance costs.
For those looking for high-quality cement, Semen Merah Putih could be your choice. Semen Merah Putih fulfills the requirements of the Indonesian quality standard SNI 7064:2014.
If you have further questions, you can fill out this contact form. So, what are you waiting for? Let's build a stronger and more durable building with Semen Merah Putih!
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