Technical specifications

Data for architects and engineers.

Full SANS and International Standards list, block dimensions, mortar and render tables, design standards, performance comparisons, and downloadable data sheets — everything needed to specify Aertec AAC.

Advantages Block sizes Mortar & render Design standards Performance Certifications Data sheets

01 · Why AAC

Key advantages over conventional masonry.

AAC combines structural performance with significant construction-efficiency and environmental advantages. All apply when Aertec products are specified and installed to system requirements.

Reduced structural dead load

Lightweight blocks reduce loading on frames and foundations, enabling substantial cost savings on structural elements.

3× faster installation

Larger format and lighter weight means laying teams cover the same wall area three times faster than conventional masonry.

Solid wall — lower cost than dry-walling

Provides a solid masonry wall at a cost below proprietary dry-wall systems, with better acoustic and fire performance.

Faster, neater service chasing

Soft, workable texture makes electrical and plumbing chasing quicker and cleaner — hand saw or router tool, minimal debris.

Dimensional accuracy reduces waste

Tight manufacturing tolerances enables 3 mm thin-bed mortar joints and thinner render coats, cutting material waste to 3–5%.

Direct tile and skim-coat application

Tiles and skim coats bond directly to the AAC face without a plaster undercoat — eliminating a full plastering stage.

Moisture management

Closed-cell structure diffuses moisture vapour, preventing condensation and mould — reducing maintenance and improving indoor air quality.

Non-combustible — superior fire rating

AAC does not contribute to fire spread and achieves a superior 4hr fire rating compared with clay brick and concrete block.

7.5× better thermal insulation

Significantly more thermally insulated than clay brick (7.5×) and concrete brick (12.5×), reducing HVAC energy load across the building lifetime.

Green product — low embodied energy

AAC generates 11 kg CO₂/m² versus 129 kg/m² for clay brick — one of the lowest embodied-carbon masonry options available in South Africa.

Cuts to any shape with a hand saw

On-site shaping, scribing, and cutting is quick and easy by using a simple AAC handsaw.

Proprietary 3 mm thin-bed mortar

Aertec ATC thin-bed mortar bonds at 3 mm joints — reducing waste, improving thermal performance and setting faster with a stronger bond compared with conventional mortar.

Seismic performance

High strength-to-mass ratio gives better seismic tolerance than dense conventional masonry, relevant for Cape Town and Western Cape projects.

02 · Block dimensions

Standard block sizes.

All blocks are 600 mm long × 250 mm high. Width varies by series and structural requirement. Block waste allowance: 3–5%.

AD / 525 Precision Block

AH / 600 Higher-Density Block

Series	L × W × H (mm)	Units / m²	Density kg/m³	Structural use
AD	600 × 100 × 250	6.67	525	Internal partition wall
AD	600 × 150 × 250	6.67	525	Internal dividing wall
AD	600 × 200 × 250	6.67	525	External wall or dividing wall
AH	600 × 100 × 250	6.67	600	Internal partition wall
AH	600 × 150 × 250	6.67	600	Internal dividing wall
AH	600 × 200 × 250	6.67	600	External wall or dividing wall

03 · Application data

Mortar consumption & render thickness.

ATC Thin-bed mortar

3 mm joint thickness — kg per m² of wall area:

Wall width	Mortar / m²
100 mm	2.4 kg / m²
150 mm	3.6 kg / m²
200 mm	4.8 kg / m²

CEM-SKIM / cement plaster

Recommended render thickness per application:

Application	Thickness
External — outside face	10–12 mm
External — inside face	8–10 mm
Internal walls	5–8 mm

Gypsum plaster

Recommended render thickness per application:

Application	Thickness
External — inside face	8–10 mm
Internal walls	5–8 mm

04 · Design standards

SANS & international specifications.

Aertec AAC products are specified and designed under South African National Standards and their European equivalents. Engineers should size load-bearing elements against SANS 51996-1-1.

Standard	Title	Notes
SANS 50771-4	Autoclaved aerated concrete masonry units	Product standard for AAC blocks — dimensional and performance requirements
SANS 51996-1-1	Masonry structures — general rules	Design of reinforced and unreinforced AAC masonry
SANS 51996-1-2	Structural fire design of masonry	Fire design method for masonry structural elements
SANS 51996-2	Design considerations, materials and execution	Material properties and execution standards for masonry works
SANS 51996-3	Simplified calculation methods	Simplified design rules for standard residential and commercial masonry
EN 771-4	Specification for masonry units — AAC	European product standard — basis for CE Marking and SANS adoption
EN 998-2	Specification for masonry mortars — thin-bed	Performance requirements for the Aertec ATC thin-bed mortar paste

05 · Performance data

AAC vs conventional masonry.

Case study rows are based on a verified 6-storey student accommodation project in Cape Town using Aertec AAC for external hybrid cavity walls and internal partitions on a reinforced concrete frame.

Metric	Aertec AAC performance
Laying speed	3× faster than conventional masonry
Thermal insulation	7.5× better than clay brick; 12.5× better than concrete brick
Block density	400–600 kg/m³ · clay brick 1,900 kg/m³ · concrete block 1,400–2,200 kg/m³
Carbon footprint	11 kg CO₂/m² · clay brick 129 kg CO₂/m²
Construction water	0.39 L/m² · clay brick 2.4 L/m² · concrete block 0.9 L/m²
Site waste	3–5% (block + mortar combined)
Fire rating	Non-combustible — superior 4hr fire rating vs common masonry materials
Acoustic	Highly sound-absorbent; effective between rooms and from external sources
Climate control	Reduces HVAC energy costs up to 30% over building lifetime
Foundations (case study — 6-storey)	21% saving vs conventional masonry
Slabs (case study)	27% saving vs conventional masonry
Columns (case study)	35% saving vs conventional masonry
Construction time (case study)	48% reduction vs conventional masonry
Total project cost (case study)	21% saving vs conventional masonry

06 · Certifications

Factory certification register.

Certificates and compliance documentation are available on request. For design standards, refer to section 04 above.

ISO 9001:2015

Quality management — factory production control

ISO 14001:2015

Environmental management system

ISO 18001:2015

Occupational health & safety management

CE Marking

European conformity — product performance declaration

07 · Data sheets

Download product data sheets.

All data sheets are current revisions. For the Technical Guidelines Booklet or specific project documentation, contact Aertec directly.

EG2/400 Precision BlockPDF ↓AD/525 Precision BlockPDF ↓AH/600 Higher-Density BlockPDF ↓ATC Dustless Thin Bed MortarPDF ↓CEM-SKIM 100 Ready-Mix PlasterPDF ↓EG — AAC vs Conventional MasonryPDF ↓EX — AAC vs Conventional MasonryPDF ↓

Need the Technical Guidelines Booklet?

The full booklet, project-specific design tables, documentation is available on request.

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