What Is Lightweight Aggregate Concrete And Its Uses?
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What Is Lightweight Aggregate Concrete And Its Uses?

What Is Lightweight Aggregate Concrete And Its Uses?

2019-05-29 08:34:19

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The lightweight aggregate is a kind of coarse aggregate which is used in the production of lightweight concrete products like concrete block, structural concrete, and pavement.

The shape of the lightweight aggregate used in concrete can be cubical, rounded, angular, or of any other shape. The shape and texture can directly affect its workability. The compressive strength level which is required by the construction industry to design strengths of cast-in-place, precast or prestressed concrete is known to be 3000-5000 psi. It is something that can be easily achieved with the use of lightweight aggregate concrete. The density of the lightweight concretes depends on mixture proportion, air content, water demand, density, and moisture content of the lightweight aggregate. The structural concrete density can be easily achieved with the use of lightweight aggregate concrete. The lightweight concrete is also known to absorb very little water and can maintain the low density. It is known to be equal or lower than that of normal concrete. It also has a high degree of saturation. The lightweight aggregate concrete, structural lightweight concrete slabs, walls, and beams are considered to have greater fire-endurance periods than other types of concrete.

Uses Of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete

  1. It is used of screeds and thickening. When the floor or roofs require thickening or smoothness it can be used to achieve it easily.
  2. It can be used to screeds and walls where the timber will be attached by nails.
  3. Lightweight aggregate concrete can be used for casting structural steel to protect it against fire and corrosion. It can also help in covering architectural purposes.
  4. It can be used for heat insulation purposes on the roofs.
  5. It can be used to insulate water pipes.
  6. Lightweight aggregate concrete can be used for the construction of partition walls and panel walls in frame structures.
  7. It can be used to create general insulation of walls.
  8. It is also used to get surface rendered for external walls of small houses.
  9. It can be used for reinforced concrete.

These are numerous uses of lightweight aggregate concrete and here are some of the differences between regular concrete and lightweight aggregate concrete.

  1. It weighs less than the regular concrete as the regular concrete weight 130-150 per cubic foot whereas the lightweight aggregate concrete weight 20-115 pounds per cubic foot.
  2. The compressive strength is 7000+ psi, whereas the regular concrete has a compressive strength of 8000 psi.
  3. Lightweight aggregate concrete as a fire resistance rating of 4 hours for 4.5-inch slabs, whereas regular concrete has a rating of 3 hours for 6-inch slabs.

The lightweight aggregate concrete is available in India and the market seems to be growing at a rapid pace. The demand for lightweight aggregate concrete has been growing immensely due to its various properties and advantages. The usefulness of these products is now known to the people and construction companies are preferring to use it in order to provide a better quality of work and safety. Its main benefit is that is eco-friendly and can be reused as many times as you want. It is earthquake resistant, insect proof, sound insulation, heat insulation, and much more.

Rivashaa Eco Design Solutions offers all kinds of innovative sustainable architectural and building solutions. They have a variety of construction products made of aggregate clay and lightweight aggregate that help create a safe and eco-friendly home or building. Lightweight aggregate concrete is something that should be chosen in order to have a safe environment and a safe house. Its advantages cannot be ignored and it is reusable which makes it the best option to choose for construction purposes.

- Udeet J Banker

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