Análise comparativa entre blocos de concreto celular autoclavado e blocos cerâmicos tradicionais na alvenaria de vedação: Desempenho técnico, sustentabilidade e aplicações práticas

Abstract

The construction industry has evolved and reinvented itself over the years, making its presence felt since the early days of human civilization. In our modern era, the expectations for building materials go beyond merely filling spaces; they must ensure functionality and performance that meet contemporary standards. The emergence of new materials, developed with this purpose in mind, is inevitable and crucial. However, understanding to what extent these innovative materials surpass traditional options is essential for both industry professionals and the general population, who often lack access to specialized opinions. With this in mind, the present study aims to analyze and compare two types of masonry blocks for infill walls: horizontally perforated ceramic blocks and autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks. This analysis encompasses various aspects, taking into consideration their physical-mechanical properties, specific characteristics, performance according to the ABNT NBR 15575- 4:2021 standard, as well as the cost and sustainability of the chosen materials. The material analysis was conducted based on the ABNT NBR 15575-4:2021 standard, which regulates the performance of internal and external vertical sealing systems in various aspects. The performance results of the materials were obtained from reports and technical notebooks provided by the material suppliers. For cost analysis, a case study was conducted, where two developments, each constructed with a type of material for infill walls, had their masonry quantified. Additionally, both buildings had their material lists and purchase orders accounted for, to determine the actual cost per square meter of each infill block. An analysis of masonry options in terms of sustainability was carried out due to the significant environmental impact generated by their manufacturing processes. The conclusions drawn from the results revealed that, despite presenting several advantages such as reduced weight, efficient thermal insulation, lower use of mortar, and favorable block dimensions, masonry systems constructed with autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks still prove to be inferior to ceramic blocks, especially concerning implementation costs. Additionally, AAC blocks showed no significant differences in structural performance, watertightness, and material wastage during masonry construction. An influential factor in the results was the realization that, despite sustainability promises, AAC blocks exhibit environmental impacts comparable to ceramic blocks.