ESCSI Member Ken Nunley authored an article featured in Concrete Products outlining key considerations when choosing between lightweight concrete (LW) and normal weight concrete (NWC) in mid- and high rise building projects. Read an excerpt below.
When choosing between lightweight concrete (LWC) and normal weight concrete (NWC) for application in mid- and high-rise buildings, performance is a key factor. When designed with expanded shale, clay or slate (ESCS) aggregates, LWC offers benefits such as reduced early cracking due to internal curing facilitated by the aggregates’ porous nature. This extends structure service life.
Despite knowledge of these performance benefits, project teams may hesitate to use LWC because of its higher cost per cubic per yard when compared to NWC. But that is far from the complete picture.
This article addresses commonly asked questions to help readers understand the economic value of LWC as compared to NWC.