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Durability of Lightweight Concrete and Its Connections with the Composition of Concrete Design and Construction Materials

• ID:

  945

• ESCSI:

  4370.003

• Author:

  Vaysburd, A.M.

• Publication Name:

  Special Publication - 136 - Structural Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Performance

• Type of Publication:

  Paper

• Publisher:

  American Concrete Institute

• Dated:

  1992

• Issue/Volume:

• Other ID:

• Page(s):

  295-317

• Reference List:

  Y

• Abstract:

  During the past three decades, lightweight aggregate concrete has emerged as an important sector of the structural concrete industry. It possesses unique properties, similar in some ways to those of normal weight concrete, but differing in significant aspects.Difficulties experienced with lightweight concrete in some projects appears to be caused by a lack of understanding of the differences between normal weight concrete and lightweight concrete as materials and differences in production technologies.
  It is most wisely used when it is treated as a unique material in its own right, with its special properties fully considered in design and construction.
  The three-phase model of lightweight concrete and its effect on durability is discussed as it relates to selection of materials, concreting and curing technology and control of in-service distresses due to freezing and thawing, and corrosion of reinforcing steel.
  Based on the observed performance of bridge and marine structures constructed over the past four decades, the author presents a series of generalized observations applying to durability of lightweight concrete which provide a fair cross section of the entire experience.
  In conclusion, the paper indicates that with proper selection of materials and design, with good construction practices, lightweight concrete offers an excellent solution to the problem of durability in severe environment.