UNIT-1

LECTURE - 3
LIGHT WEIGHT CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Brig. S.K. Sharma (Retd.)

Pro Vice Chancellor and Professor
Department of Civil Engineering,
The Northcap University, Gurgaon

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INDEX
PRODUCTION OF FOAMED CONCRETE
CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONS
TABLE
OF MIX PROPORTIONS
FOAMED CONCRETE
WATER-CEMENT RATIO
BATCHING OF MATERIALS
FOAM GENERATION
MIXING AND TRANSPORTATION
PLACING OF FOAMED CONCRETE
CURING OF FOAMED CONCRETE
2

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FOR

PRODUCTION OF FOAMED
CONCRETE
1. CONCRETE MIX PROPORTIONS
Based on current knowledge, the preliminary
proportions of ingredients for typical foamed
concretes are given in next slide. The guidelines in
the table are intended to provide an idea of the
possible proportions of the mix and resulting
strength characteristics. These mix proportions
are in no way restrictive and there can be numerous
designs.

Video: Production from foam concrete blocks (CLC

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blocks)

concretes

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3. WATER-CEMENT RATIO
On an average, a water-to-cement ratio of 0.40 to
0.45 is normally used. Additional water is added as a
content of the foam, thereby bringing the total waterto-cement ratio up to the order of 0.6.
In general, when the amount of foam is increased, for
lighter densities, the amount of water can therefore be
decreased. However, the water-to-cement ratio
should be kept as low as possible in order to
avoid excessive shrinkage.
Tests should be carried out on the mix so that the
resulting foamed concrete will have a flow able, creamy
consistency. Some properties of ingredients are:
Sand
Clean washed sand of maximum
nominal size of 0.75 mm
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5
Cement
Ordinary Portland cement

4. BATCHING OF MATERIALS: Appropriate

quantities of sand and cement are batched, and
an amount of water required for the mix to be flow
able is added and materials are mixed thoroughly in a
mixing plant fitted with foam-generating plant
and
pumping
units.

5. FOAM GENERATION: Foam concentrate, also

called foaming agent is poured into a container
typically at one per cent of the container volume
and the container is then filled with clean water,
referred to as dosing water.

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6. MIXING AND TRANSPORTATION: In case a

ready-mixed concrete, agitator is used for mixing, all
the raw materials are metered into the agitator
(according to mix design specification) and with
the agitator turning at a high speed, a predetermined
batched volume of foam is introduced into the agitator.

7. PLACING OF FOAMED CONCRETE: Properly

designed foam concrete has a stable bubble structure
and can be pumped to normal heights without loss
of entrained air. Typically, foam concrete produced
and delivered at the site can be pumped up to a
height of 60m.

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8. CURING OF FOAMED CONCRETE: The

compressive strength of the foamed concrete can be
significantly increased through an effective curing
process. Moist curing is highly effective in increasing
compressive strength. Some of the commonly used
methods of curing are outlined below:
AIR CURING: This is the simplest and most
popular method of curing. It is slow, but
acceptable as it enables a turn around of
moulds every 24 hours on an average,
depending on the ambient temperature.
STEAM CURING: In case of factory production
a precast foamed- concrete panel or slab is
cured by applying steam to the underside of the
mould in order to develop an early strength and
obtain a relatively fast turn-around of moulds.
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8

Thank You

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