Lightweight concrete block, 390x190x190mm (190mm wall thickness)
Litec 200 series lightweight concrete blocks are 390 x 190 x 190 mm masonry units manufactured by Adbri Masonry. Made with concrete mixes incorporating lightweight industrial by-products β typically expanded clay (Leca), pumice, or slag aggregate β they are 25 to 30% lighter than standard-weight concrete masonry units. The reduced self-weight eases site handling, lowers structural dead loads, and delivers measurably better thermal performance (k ~0.35β0.55 W/mK) compared to normal-weight CMU (k ~0.8β1.2 W/mK). Fire resistance ratings of up to 240 minutes are achievable for loadbearing walls, and the Exposure durability grade meets AS/NZS 4455.1. Adbri Masonry's Litec range is widely distributed across eastern Australia and is a common choice for low-to-medium-rise residential and commercial construction where weight saving, thermal performance, and fire compliance are priorities.
- Loadbearing external walls (residential, 1β3 storeys)
- Non-loadbearing fire-compartment walls
- Rendered external walls (commercial)
- Internal separating walls (Class 2 apartments)
- Acoustic barrier walls (transport noise)
- Reinforced retaining walls (β€1.8 m height)
- Bushfire-prone area construction (BAL-FZ)
- Commercial and industrial loadbearing walls
- Boundary and fence walls
- Energy-efficient residential construction (NCC Section J)
Lightweight aggregate concrete masonry emerged in post-war Europe and North America during the 1950sβ1960s, driven by the need to reduce building dead loads on lightweight steel frames and to improve thermal performance in energy-conscious markets. Expanded clay aggregate (marketed as Leca β Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate β from the Norwegian/Danish tradition) became the dominant lightweight aggregate from the 1960s onward due to its consistent production from rotary kilns firing natural clay. In Australia, Adbri Masonry (formerly Southern Cross Cement) introduced lightweight CMU products under the Litec brand name to serve the eastern Australian market, where reduced block weight improved productivity for bricklayers working in hot conditions and reduced structural costs for multi-storey concrete frame buildings. The product range gained further commercial traction after the introduction of energy efficiency requirements in the Building Code of Australia (now NCC), as the superior thermal conductivity of lightweight CMU helps masonry walls meet Section J compliance without requiring additional insulation in mild climate zones. Ongoing interest in embodied carbon reduction has refocused attention on lightweight aggregate CMU because the aggregate itself β whether expanded clay, slag, or recycled glass foam β often incorporates industrial by-products or waste streams, lowering the carbon intensity compared to quarried crushed stone.
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.