What is the difference between lightweight concrete?

What is the difference between lightweight concrete?

The key difference between lightweight and heavyweight concrete is the density of the aggregate. Lightweight concrete is made using aggregate whose density is less than 2,100 kilograms per cubic yard (or 131 pounds per per cubic foot), while aggregates with greater densities give rise to so-called heavyweight concrete.

What is meant by lightweight concrete?

Lightweight concrete is a mixture made with lightweight coarse aggregates such as shale, clay, or slate, which give it its characteristic low density. It is being increasingly used to build sleek foundations, and has emerged as a viable alternative to regular concrete.

What are the advantages of light weight concrete?

The benefits of using lightweight aggregate concrete include:

• Reduction in dead loads making savings in foundations and reinforcement.
• Improved thermal properties.
• Improved fire resistance.
• Savings in transporting and handling precast units on site.
• Reduction in formwork and propping.

What are the disadvantages of lightweight concrete?

Disadvantages of Lightweight Concrete: The only drawback of lightweight concrete is that the depth of carbonation i.e. the depth within which corrosion can occur under suitable conditions is nearly twice than that of normal concrete.

Is lightweight concrete strong?

Lightweight concrete is not as strong as traditional concrete as adding the aggregate to the mix weakens the bonds, making it less sturdy when it comes to holding up weight. As a result, lightweight concrete should not be used in place of regular concrete for most projects.

Is lightweight concrete cheaper than normal concrete?

The material unit cost of lightweight concrete is typically higher than that of normal-weight concrete, but the unit cost usually is more than offset by the overall reduction in concrete volume and steel tonnage for the structural system.

How many types of lightweight concrete are there?

There are three different lightweight concrete type divisions in terms of strength range, which are low-density concretes (0.7–2.0 MPa), moderate-strength concretes (7–14 MPa) and structural concretes (17–63 MPa).

Does light weight concrete crack?

A new report by the Virginia Transportation Research Council in the USA has shown that lightweight concrete decks exhibit fewer cracks than their conventional counterparts. “These properties tend to reduce cracking in the concrete and are highly desirable in bridge decks,” said the report.

What is the lightest type of concrete?

Types of Lightweight Concrete

• Lightweight Aggregate Concrete. Ad.
• Aerated Concrete. Aerated concrete has the lowest density, thermal conductivity and strength.
• No Fines Concrete.

How much does light weight concrete weigh?

With a standard thickness of 1.5 inches, normal weight concrete weighs about 18 lbs per square foot while lightweight concrete weighs 14.5 lbs per square foot.

What is the weight of lightweight concrete?

Things to Keep In Mind. Although the exact mixture used in a lightweight concrete will affect its total weight, an average square foot of lightweight concrete weighs about 14.5 pounds, whereas traditional concrete weighs 18 pounds.

What is the unit weight if concrete?

The density of concrete is a measure of its unit weight. Concrete is a mixture of cement, fine and coarse aggregates, water, and sometimes some supplementary materials like fly ash, slag, and various admixtures. A normal weight concrete weighs 2400 kg per cubic meter or 145 lbs per cubic foot (3915 lbs per cubic yard).

What is lightweight concrete mix?

Lightweight concrete, similar to normal weight concrete, is a mixture of water, Portland cement or Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), and aggregate. It is classified as structural or nonstructural concrete depending on strength and compression rating, generally determined by the type of aggregate material used in the concrete mix.