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The primary advantage of lightweight concrete compare to normal concrete is the

reduction of weight. Lightweight concrete compare to normal concrete cost more in


terms of unit volume. Lightweight concrete may be costly but the overall dead load
of the structure is lessen resulting in smaller structural members, and lower
foundation cost. Normal concrete may be cheaper but the overall dead load is
heavier resulting in bigger structural members, higher foundation cost, addition of
concrete and reinforcing bars which lead to more cost.
Lightweight concrete has several important properties of interest to the construction
industry, light weight providing faster building rates in construction, lower transport
cost, reduced seismic forces, and more efficient strength to weight ratio, and both
thermal and acoustic insulation. The lightweight property of concrete provides many

advantages.
Adapted from ACI 213

The main difference between the normal concrete and lightweight concrete is the
type of aggregate being used. Structural lightweight concrete can be made by using
light weight aggregate. The low density of light weight aggregate makes the
concrete to be lightweight. Aggregates used in normal concrete are typically crush
stone. Lightweight concrete can be break down to into three types: Low density
concretes, Moderate strength concretes, and Structural concretes. The type of
concrete depends on the type of aggregate being used.
Low density concretes use perlite and vermiculite as aggregates, this low density
concrete are nonstructural concretes. Its uses are primarily for insulation purposes
due to its low density. Compressive strength ranges from 100 to 1000psi. Unit
weight seldom exceeds 50pcf or 800kg/m3.
Moderate strength concretes use Perlite, Scoria, and Pumice as aggregate.
Insulation characteristics are intermediate. Unit weight varies from 800 to
1440kg/m3. Compressive strengths ranges from 1000psi to 2500psi.
Structural lightweight concretes use expanded shales, clays, slates, slags, pumice
and scoria as aggregate, this structural lightweight concrete are used for structural
members. Structural lightweight concrete is a mixture of Portland cement, water, fine
(sand) aggregates, and expanded clay, shale, or slate coarse aggregates. (David P.

Martin et al, 2013). Air dry unit weight varies from 1440-1850kg/m3 and must no
exceeds 1850kg/m3. Insulation is lower than low density concrete. Compressive
strength must be a minimum of 2500psi.
The use of structural lightweight concrete has been widely spread across in USA.
Expanded Shale, Clay, and Slate Institute (ESCSI, 2010) listed a summary of existing
projects that uses lightweight concrete. Structural lightweight concrete has many

uses: lightweight concrete precast & pre stressed structural elements such as
beams, double tees, tilt-up walls, raised access floor panels planks; Fill concrete and
insulating concrete.

There are many existing large infrastructure were concrete

used was lightweight. Buildings such as Bank of America Tower, a 60 story 830 foothigh building with a total of 30,000 cubic yards lightweight concrete using rotary
kiln lightweight aggregate was poured, and Hackett tower, a 35 story building
whose desired lightweight concrete strength in 28 days is 5000psi but the actual
performance of the concrete was 6600psi. Bridge such as The Virginia Dare Bridge,
a span of 5.2 miles with a cast in place lightweight concrete slab of 4500psi at
28days using Stalite as light weight aggregate. It is shown that lightweight concrete
can attain the desired strength normal concrete can achieve.

http://www.structuremag.org/?p=1163 [1]
Jan, 2013 By David P. Martin

Aci213
escsi

et al.[1]

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