Light Weight Concrete
Light Weight Concrete
Lightweight concrete is defined as the concrete which is having an oven dry density not
exceeding 2000 kg/m3, but it can be as low as 800 kg/m3 depending on the kind of materials
used. Compressive strength can vary from 1 to 65 N/mm2.
The elastic modulus of lightweight concretes is lower than the equivalent strength normal
weight concrete, but when considering the deflection of a beam, slab or column, this is
counteracted by the reduced self-weight.
The basic design for lightweight concrete is covered in Eurocode, with section 11 having
particular rules and regulations required for this type of aggregate concretes. Concrete is
considered to be lightweight, if the density is not more than 2200kg/m3 (the density of normal
weight concrete is assumed from 2300kg/m3 to 2400kg/m3) and a proportion of the aggregate
should have a density less than 2000kg/m3. Lightweight concrete can be defined using the
notation LC(light weight concrete) for the strength class, e.g LC(Light Weight
Concrete)30/33, which represents a lightweight concrete with a cube strength of 33MPa and a
cylinder strength of 33MPa.
The lighter the concrete, the greater should be the differences to be notes for in the properties
of the concrete. The ultimate strain, tensile strength and shear strengths are all lower than a
normal weight concrete with the same strength of cylinder. Lightweight concretes are also
less stiff than equivalent normal strength concrete. However, this is mitigated by the
reduction in self-weight of the concrete to be carried, so the overall effect tends to be a slight
lower in the depth of a beam, column or slab.
Creep and shrinkage for lightweight concretes are higher than that for the equivalent normal
weight concrete or any other type of concrete, and this should be taken into consideration
when designing the structure.
Batching of lightweight concretes is done from ready-mixed concrete producers. During low
workability, the concrete can easily be placed by chute or skip. Pumping lightweight concrete
can be attained, but care needs to be taken into consideration so that the concrete mix doesn’t
separate. For pumpable mixes, it is usual to take use of a natural sand, i.e. not to have a
lightweight aggregate for the mix of the fine proportion and to have a high workability of the
concrete so that increased blockage and pump friction is avoided. This is achieved with the
use of plasticizers and super plasticizers. Over vibration of this type of concrete can cause
segregation and flowing concrete is best used when it is to be pumped as it requires only less
vibration.
There are three main methods of production of the lightweight concrete are:
• The use of lightweight aggregates
• Incorporation of voids by aeration
• Little or no fine aggregate addition
The use of Lightweight concrete has been a feature in the construction and building industry
for long period of time, but like other material the expectations of the performance of the
material have raised and now we are expecting a uniform, consistent, reliable material and
predictable characteristics.
Structural Light Weight Concrete has an in-place density (unit weight) from 1440 to 1840
kg/m³ compared to normal weight concrete having a density in the range of 2240 to 2400
kg/m³. From structural point of view, the strength of the concrete should be greater than 2500
psi (17.0 MPa).
These are:
1. By using porous lightweight aggregate of low specific gravity, i.e. the specific gravity is
lower than 2.6. This type of concrete is generally known as lightweight aggregate concrete.
2. By introducing large number of voids within the mortar or concrete, these voids should be
clearly distinguished from the fine voids or pores produced by air entrainment. This types of
concrete is generally knows as cellular, aerated, foamed or gas concrete.
3. By removing the fine aggregate from the mix so that a large number of interstitial voids
(voids present between two small particles) is present; normal weight coarse aggregate is
used. This concrete is known as no-fines concrete.
Light Weight Concrete can also be classified on the basis of which it is to be used: it can
distinguish between structural lightweight concrete and the concrete used in masonry units,
and insulating concrete. The classification is based on the minimum strength of the concrete,
according to ASTM C 330-82a, the compressive strength at 28th day should not be less than
17 MPa.
The density of these type of concrete should not exceed 1840 kg/m³, and is usually range
from 1400 to 1800 kg/m³. On the other hand, masonry concrete generally has a density range
from 500 to 800 kg/m³ and the strength of 7 and 14 MPa.