Properties of light weight aggregates

Manoj kansal 8ce-030

Introduction
Light weight aggregate: The aggregates which are light and porous are called lightweight aggregates. They do not have any crystallized mineralogical composition. They have a glassy surface, cellular structure, and can be natural or man-made.

Light weight aggregate concrete: The concrete made by using lightweight aggregate is called lightweight aggregate concrete. It has low density and strength.

Natural aggregates

With the increasing demand and the non-availability of natural LWAs worldwide, techniques have been developed to produce them in factories. These are produced from the natural raw materials like expanded clay, shale, slate, etc., as well as from industrial by-products such as fly ash, bed ash, blast furnace slag, etc

Natural LWA are mostly of volcanic origin and, thus, are found only in certain parts of the world. Pumice and scoria are the oldest known LWA; they were used extensively in Roman time. These are light and strong enough to be used in their natural state. Solite and Kenlite also used as light weight aggregate.

Pumice
These are volcanic aggregates and are formed when the SiO2-rich molten lava cools. The molten magma has plenty of air and gases which get entrapped during sudden cooling of the magma. This makes the aggregates porous. The sudden cooling does not allow the crystallization of the minerals, so it attains glassy structure 1. Main sources are in Europe, Italy, Greece, and Germany 2. low density 3. weight reduction of structure and foundation 4. reduce dead load 5. good insulating properties

Scoria
Scoria is a similar material, but it is darker in color than pumice. It contains larger and more regular shaped shells that are not connected

Pumice Kenlite

Scoria

Scoria

Solite

Palm oil shells The use of agriculture waste as aggregates can provide an alternative to conventional methods for the production of lightweight concrete. Palm oil shells are produced in large quantities by the oil mills and can be used as aggregates in the production of light weight concrete. properties similar to common aggregate such as clinker, foamed slag, and expended clay. There are two big advantages: 1.At present they have no commercial value. 2.Being locally available, the transport cost is nominal. It is in the research and development stage

Synthetic aggregates
Synthetic aggregates are produced by thermal treatment of the materials which have expansive properties. Natural materials, such as perlite, vermiculite, clay, shale, and slate Industrial products, such as glass. Industrial by-products, like fly ash, expanded slag cinder, bed ash, etc. The most common types of lightweight aggregates produced from Expansive clays are known as Leca . fly ash are known as Lytag, etc.

Lytag

Palm oil shell

Lytag

Leca

Physical properties
Density Compressive strength Elasticity Shrinkage and Creep Thermal Conductivity Abrasion Resistance

Durability to Chemical Attack

Chemical durability is defined as the resistance of concrete against the gases, chemicals, and temperature variations which interact chemically with the binder components of the concrete causing deterioration.

Acid Resistance Alkali Aggregate Reaction Carbonation and Corrosion Chloride Ion Penetration

Fire Resistance of LWA

One phenomenon that must be considered during fire is the risk of explosive spelling, which may cause much of the concrete cover to disappear leaving the reinforcing bars directly exposed to fire. Pre-stesses concrete structures with thin webs are more liable to spelling and explosions, and may collapse suddenly. During fire, the water in concrete transforms to steam. If the pore system of concrete is not sufficient to transport this steam, a pressure builds up and causes spelling of concrete. The addition of polymers and fibers modifies the pore structure and helps in moisture transport. They are aids for increasing the fire resistance

Advantages
Light in weight Reduce dead load Low density Easy to handle Insulating properties Heavy tools are not required Saving enormous expenditure Demolition cost

LWAs Savings in
Weight Money Time Energy Transportation cost

Dulles Airport Terminal Roof

First National Bank Ohama , NE

Conclusion
The successful properties and application of lightweight aggregate demonstrated that it can be used in building construction to increase the speed of construction, reduce dead load , easy handling , save time ,money and energy , enhance green construction environment and keep dust level at construction site to the minimum.

Thank you