The construction industry has been using Light weight Concrete
(LWC) from a long time. But the performance expectation has increased over the
time as people prefer more reliable material with cost effective characteristic.
Also, light weight concrete is used for designing various types of designs for
the commercial and private buildings. A normal concrete weight has the density
which ranges from 140 to 150 lb/ft³, whereas structural LWC has the density of
90 to 115 lb/ft³. The mixture for the concrete structure is made of lightweight
coarse aggregate. These are typically expanded shale or slate material that has
been fired in a rotary kiln. It helps in the development of a porous structure
and there also other classes of non-structural LWC with lower density.
Uses of Lightweight Concrete:
- It is a cost effective measure to manufacture building concrete and much of the concretes are built of local industrial waste.
- As the weight of the concrete is reduced, it will help in easy removal and transportation of the precast products.
- It reduces the manufacturing cost by 30% to 40% and it is best used for designing of the fronts in commercial buildings.
- This type of concrete solves the issue of freezing and thawing. The cement paste is protected by air entrainment as the larger pores do not become saturated.
- It has a low tendency to spall and it is resistant to fire.
- The lightweight concrete has a lower thermal expansion than ordinary concretes.
- The airborne sound energy is converted into heat in the minute channels of the concrete incorporating sound energy into it.
Different Types of Lightweight Concrete:
Lightweight Aggregate Concrete: This
type of concrete can be produced using various lightweight aggregates. It originates
from natural materials and it manages the thermal treatment of raw materials.
It can be manufactured from industrial by-products like fly ash. It has a
bearing and is the best type of lightweight aggregate to use. It will result in
the manufacturing of low strength concrete.
Foamed Concrete: It can
incorporate up to 50% of entered air and it has low-density material. It is a
highly workable concrete and it is ideal for filling redundant voids. It
manages reinstatement of temporary road trenches and it also has good thermal
insulation properties.
Lightweight Structural Concrete: It is
used for structural application which is equivalent to normal weight concrete.
It reduces the dead loads and improves the thermal properties. It is resistant
to fire and saves transportation charges due to its lightweight feature.
The concretes are classified by the production
method. Natural stones which are included in the production of light weight
concrete are Basalt, Granite, Limestone, and Marble. It is best suited for a
commercial building with different types of infrastructure designs. Use of
concrete which is lighter helps in easy maintenance and removal of the
concrete. It is best to get details about the concrete grains over the web as
there are firms which are providing options for building construction using
concrete slabs. Looking for modification in your commercial place? Choose the
concrete structures which are light weight and classy.
