Latest news with #AutoclavedAeratedConcrete


Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
AAC Wall Panels Set New Benchmark over Mivan Systems
New Delhi [India], July 18: Magicrete strengthens its leadership in advanced building solutions with AAC Wall Panels offering unmatched speed, durability, and sustainability in India's high-rise and infrastructure landscape. As India's infrastructure and real estate sectors evolve to meet the challenges of rapid urbanization, the need for efficient, scalable, and environmentally responsible construction systems has never been greater. Magicrete, a leader in modular construction technologies, is driving this transformation with its Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Wall Panels — emerging as a superior alternative to Mivan construction systems. While formwork technology also commonly known as Mivan Construction gained early popularity for high-rise construction due to its aluminum formwork system and monolithic concrete finish, the inherent limitations of the system, including high upfront costs, restricted design flexibility, poor thermal insulation (U ≈ 2.1 W/m²K) have become more pronounced. In contrast, Magicrete's AAC Wall Panels offer a future-ready solution that blends speed, thermal comfort, fire safety, and design adaptability. AAC Wall Panels: Present and Future of Wall Construction in India Magicrete AAC Wall Panels are lightweight, full-height panels made using process similar to AAC Blocks. Reinforced with corrosion-protected steel and cured under high-pressure steam in autoclaves, these panels develop a unique cellular microstructure that delivers exceptional strength, thermal insulation, and fire resistance. Key advantages include: Construction up to 16 times faster than traditional brickwork, with seamless dry installation. 4-hour fire rating, among the highest for walling materials, ensuring safety in critical infrastructure. Superior thermal insulation (U ≈ 0.16 W/m²K), significantly reducing HVAC load and operational energy costs. GRIHA certification and conformance with IS 6072, underscoring their environmental and structural credibility. Low dead load, reducing structural costs by 15% and enhancing earthquake resilience. Proven Performance Across High-Stakes Projects Magicrete's walling solutions have been trusted by leading developers and corporations in India for demanding infrastructure like data centres, hospitals, industrial buildings, and institutional campuses. In the STT Pune data centre, the panels enabled the project to recover from a six-month delay by accelerating wall installation without compromising fire or thermal safety. Other high-profile deployments include Foxconn, where Magicrete's walling systems delivered speed and durability. Overcoming Connectivity and Comfort Challenges of Dense Concrete Walls In an era dominated by smart homes and high-speed digital connectivity, Mivan-built dense concrete walls often hinder mobile and Wi-Fi signal penetration, a growing concern in urban projects. Magicrete AAC Panels, due to their porous matrix, allow superior signal transmission while also offering better indoor air quality and comfort, even in India's extreme climates. Minimizing Heat Island Effect Urban developments are increasingly challenged by the urban heat island (UHI) effect, where built-up areas experience significantly higher temperatures due to heat retention in concrete-heavy structures. This phenomenon leads to higher indoor temperatures and energy usage. Magicrete's AAC Wall Panels offer a high-performance alternative with remarkably low thermal conductivity (U-value ≈ 0.16 W/m²K), nearly 13 times better insulation than dense concrete walls used in systems like Mivan (U-value ≈ 2.1 W/m²K). Their aerated structure reduces heat ingress, lowers HVAC costs by 30%, and supports a greener, more energy efficient building envelope. Alignment with National Policies for Sustainable Construction Magicrete's AAC solutions are fully aligned with national mandates such as the National Building Code (NBC) 2016 and Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), making them ideal for projects targeting energy efficiency requirements. 'India is at the cusp of a construction revolution,' says Sourabh Bansal, Managing Director, Magicrete. 'The demand is shifting from conventional methods to modern materials that are fast, compliant, and climate-responsive. Our AAC Wall Panels not only meet but exceed these expectations across segments, from data centers to affordable housing. The future of Indian construction will be faster, safer, and greener, and we are proud to be leading that change. About Magicrete Magicrete is one of India's leading manufacturers of AAC blocks and wall panels, precast construction systems, and construction chemicals. With a strong presence across residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure segments, Magicrete is committed to transforming construction through quality, speed, and sustainability. Beyond wall panels, Magicrete is contributing to India's mass housing vision. Through its Lighthouse Project in Ranchi awarded by MoHUA, Magicrete deployed 3D Modular Precast Technology to construct 1,000 homes in just 18 months, demonstrating the power of prefabricated solutions in addressing housing demand at scale. You can also find a Magicrete dealer near you for your project needs.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Repairs set to start on Raac-impacted theatre roof
Work to replace a theatre roof at risk of collapse due to it being built with a cheap concrete that crumbles is due to start on Monday. Scaffolding will be put up at the Key Theatre in Peterborough, with full renovations taking place after The Searchers & Hollies Experience show on 1 June. Peterborough City Council, which owns the building, has allocated £2.19m for the works. The first show following re-opening is due to be 'An Evening Without Kate Bush' on 9 October. The Chalkboard Cafe and Kindred Drama located in the building are due to remain open throughout the work. Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, known as Raac, was found in the auditorium roof in 2023. A temporary roof structure costing £192,000 was installed so events could continue while a permanent solution was sought. Mohammed Jamil, Labour deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and corporate governance at the council, said: "I am delighted that work is starting on this vital project, which will ensure that this much-loved theatre can continue to operate. "As with any major scheme, this will result in some disruption - in this case a short closure of the venue. However, once completed, it will ensure that the theatre can continue to provide a vibrant cultural offering for Peterborough residents." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Raac shut theatre to reopen for panto with new roof City theatre to close for repair works Roof repairs to close city theatre for four months Peterborough City Council
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Genting pledges £9.8 million for Westcliff casino restoration after Raac discovery
A much-loved casino has pledged £9.8 million for the restoration of its venue in Westcliff after the discovery of crumbling concrete. Genting Casino has unveiled plans for a major refurbishment of its Westcliff site, committing nearly £10 million to ensure the venue's future. This comes after the presence of potentially dangerous RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) was found in its roof. Despite the scale of the works, the casino remains fully open to customers, with the restoration carefully phased to maintain access to gaming, dining, and live entertainment. Bookings are still currently being taken for forthcoming live events, including the Show Me Love Brunch on May 3 and a Take That Tribute on June 13. However, works are expected to continue until early 2026. Stuart Green, general manager of Genting Casino Westcliff, said: "We are delighted that we can continue to keep the casino open throughout the building works and offer customers the high-quality experience they associate with Westcliff, featuring the best in hospitality and entertainment. "Genting's financial commitment to the project is very welcome and will allow us to deliver an amazing outcome which we are sure our customers will love. "The project is running according to plan, and we look forward to sharing the first images of the new-look casino in the coming months." The first phase of the project is likely to be completed by the end of July. Building work is scheduled for weekday working hours to minimise the impact during evenings and at weekends when the casino is at its busiest. There are likely to be two single-day car park closures in June, which will be announced in due course. The restoration project aims to give Westcliff a stunning makeover, with popular performers set to entertain customers in an immersive lounge as the project moves into its second phase. The casino, which was built in the 1970s, has been serving the city of Southend for decades.


BBC News
14-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
All patients moved out of Knoll Hospital in Duns for RAAC repairs
All patients have been transferred out of a Borders community hospital so urgent repairs can be carried Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was found at the 23-bed Knoll Hospital and health centre in Duns in 2023 but thought not to present any "immediate risk".However, in-depth surveys found work was needed to its roof "as soon possible" and the decision to close was taken late last Borders said all the patients who were being treated in the hospital had now found alternative locations for their care. The health board said alternative accommodation for the majority of affected services had also now been identified and work had started to schedule said that could include continuing some services on site away from RAAC affected areas - if it was safe to do Bone, director of finance, estates and facilities, said: "I would like to thank all staff involved including our social work colleagues for their continued hard work, as well as our patients, their families and carers, the community of Duns and the surrounding areas for your patience and understanding."Further updates will follow as arrangements are confirmed and frequently asked questions can be found on the NHS Borders website." What is RAAC? RAAC is a lightweight material that was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and is a cheaper alternative to standard concrete, is quicker to produce and easier to is aerated, or "bubbly", like an Aero chocolate it is less durable and has a lifespan of around 30 structural behaviour differs significantly from traditional reinforced it is susceptible to structural failure when exposed to moisture. The bubbles can allow water to enter the material.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Centre revamp unaffected by Raac discovery
The discovery of Raac at a shopping centre in Grimsby will not affect the progress of its £50m transformation, a council said. Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (Raac) has been found in non-public areas of Freshney Place shopping centre, North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) said. The material was responsible for the partial closures of more than 100 schools across the country in 2023. A council spokesperson said: "We can confirm that the presence of Raac in the building will not impact the leisure scheme or the ability to use the space as intended, nor impact the timeframes associated with the leisure scheme." NELC bought the building in 2022 and "took advice from industry-leading consultants on the acquisition process". Raac is a cheaper alternative to concrete. It is quicker to produce and easier to install, but is less durable and has a lifespan of about 30 years. The material is prone to structural failure when it is exposed to moisture, increasing a building's chance of collapse. After concerns about the lifespan of Raac came to light, the council began investigations and the material was found in some non-public areas of the shopping centre. The authority said it had taken "immediate precautionary steps" to address the issue and was working with the businesses affected. "These are entirely precautionary steps to ensure the longevity and integrity of the building and the safety of our visitors, tenants and staff," the spokesperson said. The shopping centre was bought by the council for £15.5m and is due to undergo a £50m revamp next month. The council said the remedial costs to address the Raac had been included in existing spending plans. The Freshney Place renovation includes a new food hall, market and a five-screen cinema. The council spokesperson said: "As part of the centre's long-term maintenance plan, we will be addressing the remedial works needed to deal with the issue." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Council approves plan to buy shopping centre Town's market to move for shopping centre revamp Raac schools - the buildings with unsafe concrete What is RAAC concrete and why is it a safety risk? North East Lincolnshire Council