PROUDHADEVARAYA INSTITUTE OF

TECHNOLOGY HOSAPETE-583225
STRUCTURAL LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE

Presented by Guided by

J M ABHISHEK Mr. BASAVARAJA R

3NG21CV416 B.E,M.Tech.
Asst Professor
Dept of Civil Engg,PDIT
Submitted for the partial fulfillment
of
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
in
CIVIL ENGINEERING

Department Of Civil Engineering 2023-2024 1

 Content

✔ Introduction
✔ Types of lightweight concrete
✔ Properties of lightweight concrete
✔ Applications of lightweight concrete
✔ Advantages and disadvantages
✔ Case study
✔ Conclusion
✔ Reference

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 1. Introduction
Concrete is one of the oldest manufactured construction material and it has been
used extensively in the construction of various structures since ancient day.
The practical range of concrete density for lightweight concrete is between 300
kg/m3 and 1850 kg/m3.
It is a type of concrete which includes an expanding agent in that it increases the
volume of the mixture while giving additional qualities such as nailaibility and
lessened the dead weight.
It was first introduced by the Romans in the second century where ‘The Pantheon’
has been constructed using pumice, the most common type of aggregate used.

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 The building of ‘The Pantheon’ of lightweight concrete material is still
standing eminently in Rome until now for about 18 centuries. It shows that
the lighter materials can be used in concrete .

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 2.Types of lightweight concrete
1.No fines concrete:
No fines concrete usually used for both load bearing and non-load bearing for
external walls and partitions.
The strength of no-fines concrete increases as the cement content is increased.
However, it is sensitive to the water composition.
Insufficient water can cause lack of cohesion between the particles and
therefore, subsequent loss in strength of the concrete.
Likewise too much water can cause cement film to run off the aggregate to
form laitance layers, leaving the bulk of the concrete deficient in cement and
thus weakens the strength.
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2.Light weight aggregate concrete:
The lightweight aggregate concrete can be divided into two types according to its
application. One is partially compacted lightweight aggregate concrete and the other is
the structural lightweight aggregate concrete.
The partially compacted light weight aggregate concrete is mainly used for two
purposes that is for precast concrete blocks or panels and cast in-situ roofs and walls.
Structurally lightweight aggregate concrete is fully compacted similar to that of the
normal reinforced concrete of dense aggregate. It can be used with steel reinforcement
as to have a good bond between the steel and the concrete.
The concrete should provide adequate protection against the corrosion of the steel. The
shape and the texture of the aggregate particles and the coarse nature of the fine aggregate
tend to produce harsh concrete mixes.

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 3.Aerated or Cellular concrete:
There are two methods to prepare the aerated concrete. The first method is to inject
the gas into the mixing during its plastic condition by means of a chemical reaction.
The second method, air is introduced either by mixing-in stable foam or by
whipping-in air,using an air-entraining agent.
The first method is usually used in precast concrete factories where the precast units
are subsequently autoclaved in order to produce concrete with a reasonable high
strength and low drying shrinkage.
The second method is mainly used for in-situ concrete, suitable for insulation roof
screeds or pipe lagging.
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 3. Properties of lightweight concrete
1.Compressive Strength:
 Compressive strength may be defined as the measured maximum resistance
of a concrete specimen to axial loading.
 There are three type of test that can be use to determine compressive
strength cube, cylinder, or prism test .
2. Tensile and Flextural strength:
 The ratio of flexural to compressive strength varies from 0.22 to 0.27. For
very low density aerated concrete, this value is almost zero.

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 3.Density:
 The density of both fresh and hardened concrete is involved for numerous
reasons including its effect on durability, strength and resistance to
permeability.
4.Durability:
 Light weight concrete exhibits excellent durability, with high
resistance to weathering and chemical attack.
 These makes it a reliable choice for both indoor and outdoor
construction projects
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 4. Application of lightweight concrete
1.High rise buildings
Light weight concrete is ideal for constructing tall buildings, reducing the
load on the foundation and structure.
2.Bridges and infrastructure
The reduced weight of lightweight concrete makes it suitable for bridges,
and other infrastructures projects.
3. Site reconstruction
4. Pavement base.
5. Void filling for under ground and mining facilities.
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 5. Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
 Rapid and relatively simple construction.
 Economical in terms of transportation as well as reduction in man power.
 Lightweight concrete masonry and green buildings.
 Lower life cycle cost.
 Significant reduction of overall weight results in saving structural frames or
footing.
 Most of lightweight concrete have better properties than heavier and
stronger conventional concrete.

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 Disadvantages:
 Very sensitive with water content in the mixtures.
 Difficult to place and finish because of the porosity of the aggregate.
 In some times the cement mortar may separate the aggregate and float towards
the surface.
 Mixing time is longer than conventional concrete to assure proper mixing.
 It required specialized manufacturing process.

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 5. Case Study

Fig 1.The Pantheon

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There are several naturally occuring lightweight aggregate materials. These include
pumice, scoria or tuff. Natural lightweight aggregate were used in some of the earliest
concrete structures including those built by the Romans. For example, the roman
pantheon was built about 125 A.D. and is still in use today. It is impressive that many of
these ancient structures exhibited strength and durability characterstics that rival today’s
structure.

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 6.Conclusion
Lightweight concrete can be utilized as a normal concrete replacement structure
shield.
Aerated concrete and Lightweight aggregate concrete also can be use as energy
absorbent.
In recommendation, mare research is required if the capabilities of the material
are to be exploited and utilization the reinforcement for enhance the tensile strain
capacity of concrete.
It depends on the materials used for the construction purpose.

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 References
Research paper by N. Narayanan, K. Ramamurthy Department of Civil
Engineering. Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
Research paper by Rishab Meena, Sumit Sharma Department of Civil
Engineering. HIET College, Ghaziabad ,U.P.
Research paper by R.S.Muralitharan, and V.Ramasamy Department of Civil
Engineering. Thiruvannamalai.
Research paper by Richard P. Bohan and John Ries.
A.M . Neville properties of concrete, Pitman and comp.

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