Hebel
Definition
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) block — a lightweight, thermally insulating masonry unit made from cement, lime, sand, and aluminium powder, cured under steam pressure. Known generically as 'hebel' in Indonesia after the brand that introduced the product, AAC blocks are significantly lighter than bata merah, easier to cut, and provide better thermal insulation. They have largely replaced traditional brick in medium to high-rise construction and increasingly in residential work.
Example
A typical Indonesian apartment building uses hebel blocks for all non-structural partition walls — the block's light weight reduces structural loads, its smooth surface requires less plesteran than bata merah, and its insulating properties reduce heat transfer through the walls.