Modernising Building Construction in Vietnam

• 24 September 2018
• Local News
• 4089 Views

ACOTEC precast wall panel installation (Photo: Elematic)

When Vietnamese construction company Xuan Mai wanted to modernise its production processes and create better, more durable buildings, the use of lightweight precast concrete partition walls became central to its vision.

Elematic Acotec is a technology for light, non-load bearing, room-high partition wall panels. Because the Acotec line covers the entire production process from concrete batching all the way to storage yard management, it can help construction companies achieve reliable results fast.

Acotec panels are lightweight, making them easy to handle on site and quick to put up. These factors, as well as the modularity, easy set-up and small size of the production line, became a key factor for one of Vietnam’s best-known construction companies, Xuan Mai, as it sought to develop its business.

The Acotec production line does not need much floor space or a large plot. It can also be easily placed in existing premises, which enables fast production set-up in minimal time.

An easy and economical alternative to replace clay bricks

Economics was another key factor that helped Xuan Mai come to a decision. Using Acotec panels as partition walls can help companies generate cost savings in labour and time.

While specific regular concrete mixes can also be used, the Acotec partition wall solutions are primarily made from concrete and lightweight expanded clay aggregate, i.e. Leca materials, which are easily available all over the world.

“It generates material and labour savings. The thin structure and the hollows of the wall panels should save on material costs in comparison to traditional wall types such as the brick wall, block or air-pressured concrete. Traditional production processes require costly raw materials, but simple hollow wall materials such as cement, sand, and water are in abundant supply in Vietnam,” Say Bui Khac Son, the President of the Board at Xuan Mai.

“The raw materials used also offer superior qualities, such as moisture resistance, excellent fire resistance, and very good sound insulation,” he adds.

Good sound insulation was actually one of the key criteria for Xuan Mai in large public projects.

“Acotec panels should be used in projects that require a high degree of soundproofing and insulation such as schools and hospitals,” Son explains.

Buildings with Acotec walls also have a longer life and more durability than ordinary brick-based structures.

ACOTEC precast wall panel installation for a condo project in Vietnam

Easy installation

The superiority of the finished product helps projects to progress smoothly. Walls made in the factory with high precision and smooth surfaces can be painted directly, and there is no need to plaster them.

“The pore hollows in the product are practical as they can be used flexibly for installation of water distribution. Construction of the ME system is also easy due to the holes. It is possible to produce the length needed depending on the height of the work in the factory without having to pair at the site,” according to Son.

The grading using ordinary materials is easy to choose and the high intensity, the homogeneous structure can ensure the trouble-free hanging of heavy objects such as paintings, TV or even air conditioning units.

Mr. Bui Khac Son, the President of the Board at Xuan Mai

Future profits realised today

Since the installation of Elematic’s Acotec line, the company has successfully used the technology across multiple projects such as residential and public buildings, including the Xuan Mai Complex and Xuan Mai Sparks Tower, Vinschool, Golden Silk B and Ecohome Phuc Loi.

“The hollow wall is only 68 mm to 140 mm thick, which is a significant reduction when compared to other traditional walls. This naturally increases the area of the apartment, which therefore also means an increase in profits for the builder,” Son explains.

“Prefabricated hollow wall panels are used extensively around the world, from developed countries such as Germany, Finland, Spain, the USA, and Korea to developing countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, which means learning about the technology is relatively easy,” Son notes.

“The highlight of this technology is the high degree of automation, high productivity, good product quality, and the fact that it requires little space for production,” says Son.

The trend of using unbaked materials.

The need for bricks until 2020 is estimated to be more than 40 billion pieces per year. If we meet this need with conventional baked bricks or other similar materials, the much more agricultural land will have to be used for the production, a huge amount of fossil coals and firewood will also be required, not to mention the direct air pollution the production process of baked materials causes. These, in turn, leads to deforestation and ecological imbalance as well as adversely affect the human health. Because of these reasons, The Ministry of Construction in Vietnam has given many guidelines and policies for an elimination of baked materials in constructions.

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