3/17/2018 Applications of High Performance Lightweight Concrete

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Applications of High Performance Lightweight Concrete

High performance lightweight concrete is produced by carefully mixing specified amount of cement, sand,
lightweight aggregate, different pozzolans such as fly ash, silica fume, shale, metakaolin, calcined clay and
superplasticizer.

Various applications of high performance lightweight concrete are discussed.

Fig.1: High Performance Lightweight Concrete Used in the Construction of Multistory Building and
Bridge Structure

Applications of High Performance Lightweight Concrete

Application of high performance lightweight concrete involves:

Construction of precast structure

Construction of Buildings

Construction and rehabilitation of Bridge structures

Construction of marine structures

1. Construction of Precast Structure

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3/17/2018 Applications of High Performance Lightweight Concrete

One of the main applications of high performance lightweight concrete is in the construction of precast structures
including bridges, parking garages, and long span roof framing.

Because, self weight of high performance light weight concrete is smaller than that of conventional concrete,
greater bridge spans can be constructed, without facing transportation and erection problem which possibly occur
when conventional concrete used to construct the same prestressed concrete member.

Figure 2 show Wabash Bridge constructed using precast high performance lightweight concrete. The post
tensioned tee girder bridge length is 53.4m and its depth 2.3m and each of girder weight is about 96 tones.

Not only does the weight of structure reduced by 17% but also the total cost decreased by 18%. So, it can be
clearly noticed that this type of concrete improves construction efficiency and reduce construction cost.

Finally, high performance lightweight concrete has been used for long span roof framing with nearly 37 m span
length.

Fig.2: Wabash River Bridge

2. Construction of Buildings
Numerous structures have been constructed using high performance lightweight concrete. High performance
lightweight concreted to for both structural and aesthetic purposes.

It used to solve problems which may be encountered when conventional concrete is utilized. For example, when
the north pier apartment as shown in Figure 3 was constructed, high performance lightweight concrete used to
prevent delicate timing consideration that was necessary to avoid the formation of cold joints.

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3/17/2018 Applications of High Performance Lightweight Concrete

Fig.3: North Pier Tower, Chicago, USA

Finally, high performance lightweight concrete used to construct floor slabs of the Bank of America (Figure 4) to
reduce slab dead load and achieve three hours fire resistant rating.

Fig.4: Building of Bank of America

3. Construction and Rehabilitation of Bridge Structures

High performance lightweight concrete has been used in the construction of various elements of bridge structure
for example decks, beams, girders, and piers. It provides high concrete compressive strength with high air content
and consequently reduce maintenance works dramatically. This is the main factor that motivate bridge designer to
select this type of concrete.

High performance lightweight concrete are used in the construction of new bridge structure and rehabilitation of
existing bridge structures as well.

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3/17/2018 Applications of High Performance Lightweight Concrete

It offers several advantages for example, bridge deck can be widened without changing other structural elements
such as piers, increase ultimate load carrying capacity of the bridge, reduced seismic inertia forces, concrete cover
can be increased with the same weight used when conventional concrete is used, longer spans safe pier cost,
thicker slabs can be constructed and hence deck geometry would be enhanced.

Finally, Figure 5 shows detailed section of Whitehurst freeway in the United States. This freeway rehabilitated with
high performance lightweight concrete and consequently dead load reduced and total load carrying capacity
increased.

Fig.5: Sections of Whitehurst Freeway in USA, A: Existing section of the bridge, B: Rehabilitated
section of the bridge, a total of 205Kg/m2 reduced because of high performance lightweight concrete
application in the rehabilitation process

4. Construction of Marine Structures

High performance lightweight concrete is substantially suitable construction materials to be used in the
construction of marine structures. This is because offshore platforms are frequently constructed at shipyards and
then floated and towed to the construction site and finally installed at specified location.

This construction process could be improved if the weights of marine structural elements are decreased. This
reduction can be achieved by using high performance lightweight concrete.

High performance lightweight concrete can be used to meet floating and draft requirements as in the case of
Tarsuit caisson retained island in British Columbia. Added to that, it is employed to enhance buoyancy of marine
platforms.

©2017 The Constructor

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