LIGHT WEIGHT AGGREGATE CONCRETE REPLACING CONVENTIONAL AGGREAGTE WITH LECA

ABSTRACT The paper presents the comparison done with the density and mechanical properties of LECA (Light expanded clay aggregate) against conventional concrete by replacing natural aggregates with LECA. The grades chosen for the present investigation were M-15, M-20 and M-25. The test specimens were cubes 150x150x150mm, cylinders 100x200mm and flexural beams 100x100x500mm RCC beams cured in ambient air. The specimens were cast with both conventional concrete as well with LECA. The variation of the study was done with 3, 7 and 28 days of curing. The results revealed that the workable flow of concrete made with LECA aggregate was slightly increased in par with conventional concrete. There was slight decrease in the strength of mechanical properties of light weight aggregate concrete compared with conventional concrete, which may be neglected in the interest of reducing the dead weight of the structure. Hence Light weight concrete has become more popular in the recent years owing to the tremendous advantages it offers over the conventional concrete.