Title : LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE APPLICATIONS IN BUILDINGS
Authors : Dr B. Sivarama Sarma, CEng (UK), FICE, FIE, Head, R&D S.Manohar, DGM, R&D
Publication : 2013
Volume :
Pages : 6-Jan
Price : 250
Abstract : Today's construction of buildings requires innovative methods to improve speed of construction and use of optimum materials. The challenge is to construct mass housing rapidly in an environment which is not conducive with conventional practices and also make the habitat to live in a green, clean and sustainable environment. Many mechanisation construction methods have replaced the conventional practices. The new material like light weight concrete (LWC) is slowly attracting the building construction industry. In India most of the applications are limited to its use for non-structural concrete, it due to lack of guidelines and specifications to design and non-availability of manufactured lightweight aggregate. This paper describes the merits of LWC, the experimental works carried out at L&T Construction Research and Testing Centre (LTCRTC) on light weight concrete and its application. LWC can be a structural grade concrete or a nonstructural grade concrete. The reduction in dead weight of super structure can be reduced by replacing the infill walls with LWC walls. Even the slab and structural frame concrete can be replaced by LWC concrete. Many LWC products are produced which can improve the speed of construction and also eliminate the disturbing noise environment. LWC products can be produced by using foam, light weight aggregate, EPS beads, etc., The natural expanded aggregates likes pumice, shale, slate etc., can be used to a limited extent