Light Weight Concrete – Reduce structure weight

Lightweight concrete increases the volume of the mixture and gives additional qualities because it is lighter than the normal concrete. It has low density and thermal conductivity. Light Weight Concrete is commonly utilized in the construction industry. It is important to reduce the density of the concrete. It has extreme importance in the construction industry. This concrete density is approximately 1840 kg/cum. Lightweight concrete is constructed by replacing the normal weight aggregate with lightweight aggregate.

This lightweight concrete not only results in reducing dead weights on the structure but also have better insulation against heat and sound. But out of the strength of the concrete is reduced. Before 2,000 years the Light Weight Concrete (LWC) started using. The most common uses for lightweight concrete are with the floor, roof, and bridge decks. This includes pavement systems, masonry blocks, and offshore oil structures. The use of LWC uses industrial wastes like clinker, fly ash, slag, etc. 

Light Weight Concrete is a good alternative for normal-weight concrete. It is widely used in areas like building industries, road construction, mining, landfilling, and tunnels. 

Types of lightweight concrete :

No-Fines Concrete 

It defines a lightweight concrete consisting of coarse aggregate, cement, and water without any fine aggregate. Earlier it introduced to the UK in the year 1923. This concrete mainly employs for the load-bearing, unload bearing wall and under floor-filling for solid ground floors. No-Fines Concrete is sensitive to the water composition. 

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Light Weight Aggregate Concrete 

Lightweight aggregate concrete is a natural aggregate like pumice, scoria and all of those which are the volcanic origin. It uses to accept the blocks by the UK in the year 1950. The main characteristics of this lightweight aggregate are its high porosity which results in low specific gravity.

Aerated Concrete 

It has been inert granular material like sand, gravel, crushed stone, along with the water and Portland cement, which were necessary for concrete. It utilizes the little strength which requires like in screeds and pipe lagging. 

The advantages of lightweight concrete are:

Lessen the dead load of the building. 

Improves workability. 

More durable.   

Reduces the cost of carrying and pick up. 

Low thermal conductivity. 

The disadvantages of lightweight concrete are:

Sensitive to water.

Shows poor resistance and porous.

Difficult to place and finish.

Mixing time is longer.