Lightweight concrete

Concrete can be adapted to meet all the requirements of a structure, in terms of shape, appearance and texture. This molded material varies according to the nature of its aggregates, admixtures, colorants and surface treatments. For each of them, characteristics, specific design and application features, advantages, properties and classification are presented.

Lightweight concrete saves considerable weight, not only for the structure for which it is intended, but also in terms of transport, handling and lifting equipment. Made from lightweight or normal aggregates, hydraulic binders or synthetic resins, lightweight concrete has a bulk density of less than 2,000 kg/m ³ . The degree of purity of the aggregates has a major influence on the final quality of the concrete, as does the strength of the grain. The choice of aggregates (expanded clay, vermiculite, slag, fly ash, etc.) is determined by the functional performances expected: elasticity, compressive strength, tensile strength, etc. These concretes are commonly classified into three main families: hollow concretes, cellular concretes and solid concretes with light aggregates.