Light concrete products: overview of materials, their properties and areas of application

Light concrete products are becoming more and more common in the construction industry because of their remarkable performance, ease of use, and versatility. These materials are appropriate for both residential and commercial projects due to their many advantages. Light concrete products are dependable and effective when building walls, floors, or even ornamental elements.

The lighter weight of light concrete in comparison to regular concrete is one of its primary benefits. This speeds up construction and lowers labor costs by making it simpler to handle and transport. Furthermore, light concrete products frequently offer superior acoustic and thermal insulation qualities, which enhance the comfort and energy efficiency of buildings.

Light concrete comes in a variety of forms, each with special qualities and applications. For example, aerated concrete is frequently used in wall construction due to its exceptional insulating properties. Conversely, lightweight aggregate concrete is perfect for structural elements that need to be both strong and light. It does this by incorporating materials like expanded clay or shale.

Selecting the appropriate material for your project can be aided by being aware of the unique characteristics and uses of various light concrete products. Light concrete provides a variety of options to meet the demands of contemporary building, whether your goal is improved insulation, decreased structural load, or just a quicker construction process.

Material	Properties and Applications
Aerated Concrete	Lightweight, good thermal insulation, used in wall construction
Foam Concrete	Lightweight, good sound insulation, used in blocks and panels
Lightweight Aggregate Concrete	Made with lightweight aggregates like pumice, used in structural and non-structural applications
Polystyrene Concrete	Incorporates polystyrene beads, lightweight, used for insulation and partition walls
Cellular Concrete	High insulation, low density, used in roofing and floor screeds

What is light concrete

Let’s start by familiarizing ourselves with lightweight concrete. Learn about its various types and how they vary from one another.

Characteristics and classification

A class of concretes known as lightweight concrete has an average density of no more than 2000 kg/m3. Both cellular concrete and concrete on large organic filler are included.

There is more than one classification for lightweight concrete. They are predicated on specific elements.

• According to their purpose, concretes can be ordinary (industrial and civil construction) and special (heat-resistant, heat-insulating, etc.).
• Depending on the type of binder, concretes are distinguished on: cement, slag-alkaline, silicate, gypsum and other binders.
• According to the type of filler, concretes can be: on special, porous and dense fillers.
• The structure of concrete determines the following types: dense, large-porous, cellular and porous.
• Depending on the hardening method, concrete can be: autoclaved, non-autoclaved and hardened under heat and humidity treatment and pressure less than atmospheric.

Regarding the kind of aggregate that is utilized, expanded clay concrete, algoporite concrete, perlite concrete, expanded clay perlite concrete, thermal lite concrete, and other varieties are among the lightweight concrete types.

The process of pore formation also served as the foundation for the classification’s development. This means that porous lightweight concrete can include gas, foam, or an air-entraining additive.

Heat-insulating, structural-thermal-insulating, and structural lightweight concrete are separated based on the material’s density. We will use the table to consider the technical requirements that are specified for each of these types.

Products made of lightweight concrete: technical aspects

Characteristic name	Thermal insulating concrete	Structural thermal insulating concrete	Structural concrete
Thermal conductivity, W*mS in dry condition	No more than 0.14	No more than 0.3	According to requirements
Frost resistance, cycles	Not standardized	From 25	Over 35, depending on the type of structure and the requirements imposed on it
Average density (bulk density)	No more than 500	500-900	Up to 2000
Compressive strength, MPa	From 0.3	From 1.0	From 12.5

The utilization of lightweight concrete has a very broad range of applications. They can be used to make wall panels, big and small blocks, roof slabs, ceilings, and a variety of other products, in addition to creating monolithic structures in liquid form.

Be aware that expanded clay concrete, for instance, is utilized even in the construction of FBS block foundations. For this application, only one kind of lightweight concrete is utilized.

Not to mention, lightweight concrete with high strength exists. It was developed in an effort to produce a material with greater durability. determined by the mineral component’s content, which is represented by microsilica.

Advantages and disadvantages of the group of materials

Although the characteristics of various types of lightweight concrete vary slightly, they share many characteristics, particularly with regard to the material’s strengths and weaknesses.

• As a rule, all lightweight concrete products are lightweight. Walls made of lightweight concrete will not put a large load on the foundation of the building;
• Their thermal conductivity coefficient is lower than that of other, heavier types of concrete and, accordingly, the ability to maintain temperature is higher.
• Low price in comparison, again, with heavier types of concrete.
• Many of the products can be made with your own hands, without resorting to large expenses.
• The density and strength of the products (structural and thermal insulation and structural) is sufficient for their active use in construction, including in the construction of load-bearing structures.
• Most types of lightweight concrete products are easy to process and have fairly large dimensions.
• Good vapor permeability and sound insulation.
• Ecologically friendly and non-flammable materials.
• Biological stability.
• As a rule, high durability during operation.

The disadvantages of almost all forms of lightweight concrete are as follows:

• Hygroscopicity. Some types are able to absorb moisture like a sponge.
• As a rule, reduced adhesion.
• Low crack resistance and vulnerability to mechanical impacts.
• Items with a high level of tearing do not hold well.

There are no longer any noteworthy drawbacks shared by practically every kind of lightweight concrete.

Overview of lightweight concrete products

Lightweight concrete is used to make a wide range of products, each with a correspondingly broad usage. We’ll focus on the primary ones, which are the most well-liked by developers.

Wall blocks

Lightweight concrete blocks remain arguably the most popular category of products. They are mostly employed in the building of dividers and walls. Expanded clay concrete, foam concrete, aerated concrete, sawdust concrete, and polystyrene concrete are the materials used most frequently to make blocks.

Lightweight concrete blocks come in the following standard sizes: 600 (625) * 300 (400) * 200 (250,300). Although there are other options, the ones mentioned above are the most widely used. Let’s use the table to examine the variations between the aforementioned blocks.

Comparison of various fillers, such as cellular concrete, with lightweight concrete blocks

Characteristic name	Expanded clay concrete	Cellular concrete	Arbolite products	Polystyrene concrete
Thermal conductivity, W * mC	0.14-0.45	0.08-0.34	0.08-0.17	0.05-0.145
Average density, kg/m3	400-2000	300-1200	500-600	150-600
Frost resistance, cycles	Up to 200	Up to 150	Up to 100	Up to 150
Durability	Up to 300 years	Up to 200 years	Up to 200 years	Up to 200 years
Moisture absorption	18%	10-25%	25-30%	5-8%
Environmental friendliness	environmentally friendly	environmentally friendly	environmentally friendly	Eco-friendly
Shrinkage	Not susceptible	From 0.3 mm/m2	0.4-0.5%	Not susceptible
Ease of processing	Difficult to process	Easy to process	Easy to process	Easy to process
Variability of sizes and choice of manufacturers	Large selection	Very large selection	Limited choice, production is not widespread	Limited choice of manufacturers, sizes – sufficient
Cost	About 3700 rubles/m3	About 3500 rubles per m3	About 3200 rubles per m3	About 3000 rubles per m3
Possibility of independent production	Possible	Possible	Possible	Possible

Let’s examine now.

• Lightweight concrete blocks with expanded clay filling, as you can see, are ahead in terms of density and durability. However, at the same time, they are inferior to other types in their ability to retain heat, cost and ease of processing.
• In order to cut or saw a cinder block, you need a special power tool. This is mainly due to the abrasiveness of the material.
• It is also worth noting the wide range of applications of expanded clay concrete products and the number of their varieties. The advantage is the availability of facing products in the range, that is, blocks with a facing side that do not require subsequent finishing.

The filler, which is an artificial substance rather than a natural one like crushed stone or gravel, is what makes the composition unique. Vermiculite, pumice, and tuff perlite are examples of volcanic rocks that can also be utilized to produce lightweight concrete with a lot of filler.

The 40 * 20 * 25 size is the most common.

• Presented on the market in the form of foam concrete and aerated concrete blocks. Both are types of cellular concrete. They differ from each other in the method of pore formation.
• In the case of aerated concrete, this is a reaction between quicklime and aluminum powder, and in the case of foam concrete, it is the addition of a foaming agent, which causes swelling.
• Such products are characterized by a low thermal conductivity coefficient, low cost and a large selection of manufacturers.

Note: As an illustration, we can quote a rather well-known producer of autoclaved aerated concrete who claims that walls constructed of thin, 375 mm-thick concrete blocks called "ytong" are more than adequate for a building in Russia’s central region to operate comfortably.

• It is also worth noting the high frost resistance and good strength and density.
• Products made of cellular concrete are among the most popular among private developers.
• The main disadvantages are high hygroscopicity, tendency to shrinkage, low adhesion with finishing materials and fragility.
• Average composition: cement, sand, lime, blowing agent, specialized additives.

• Most popular as a thermal insulation material. The products are relatively new, but quite competitive.
• Such blocks have the lowest possible thermal conductivity coefficient, but their strength and density are also reduced.
• Durability, frost resistance and price are extremely attractive.
• Easy to process.
• Composition: a mixture of cement, saponified wood resin, water and polystyrene chips.

• It is a mixture of cement, water and a chemical additive, with wood chips as a filler.
• It is distinguished by its increased ability to save heat and, in combination with it, a good density.
• Durability, frost resistance and an acceptable price – all this speaks in favor of this material and products made from it.
• Arbolite blocks are not subject to shrinkage, rotting.
• The simplicity of the production process allows you to make products with your own hands.

Partition products are another in the range; they are characterized by a lower thickness. Lightweight concrete partitions have several benefits, including low weight, excellent sound insulation, simplicity in processing, and simplicity in finishing.

Kindly take note! Due to their lack of precision in geometry, arbolite blocks are primarily utilized in the construction of agricultural buildings and outbuildings.

Large lightweight concrete blocks are available in addition to small wall blocks. The same materials can be used to make them. Their size is greater.

More information about arbolite can be found in the article’s video.

Wall panels, floor slabs

Let’s begin by explaining what panels are. Thus, large-format products with precise dimensions composed of lightweight concrete with the necessary strength grade are known as lightweight concrete panels.

They are employed in the erection of walls. Because of their low cost, they offer high construction speed and good savings.

Lightweight concrete wall panels are becoming very common. Although they are lightweight, they can support some weights—though not the heaviest ones.

Lightweight concrete panels are typically very narrow (about 60 cm). Standard height range for height is 270–300 cm. The reason for this is that lightweight concrete has a good resistance to compression and inadequate tension.

GOST states that single-layer panels are composed of lightweight reinforced concrete and have certain limitations. In this instance, the strength grade of the concrete needs to match a value between M50 and M150. Indicator values for autoclaved aerated concrete should be between M25 and M100.

It is possible to create lightweight concrete with a minimum strength grade of M100 for double-layer (solid) panels. Reinforcement is applied to the layers without fail.

Three-layer wall panels made of lightweight concrete are frequently used as enclosing structures when building multi-story frame buildings. Between the outer and inner layers of concrete, there is a layer of either mineral wool slab or extruded polystyrene foam. The panels are internally reinforced, with flexible fiberglass connections linking each layer to the next.

It is important to remember that the panels may have various surfaces. It may or may not be processed. Accordingly, the surface is identified by the letter A and numbers ranging from 2 to 7, denoting the type of finishing that is required in the future (under tiles, under wallpaper, etc.).

Lightweight concrete floor slabs are also very popular products. Their relative lightness and good strength indicators set them apart. They frequently feature a tongue-and-groove joining system and are simple to install.

Lightweight concrete stones

There are several types of lightweight concrete stones available:

• In accordance with their purpose, they can be facing and ordinary. The former have the most stringent requirements regarding appearance. There can be two or one front surfaces (side, or side and end).
• The surface texture of the front products can be different: corrugated, smooth, chipped. Upon agreement with the buyer, it is allowed to manufacture stones with a polished surface.
• In accordance with the color, the products can be colored and unpainted.
• The corners of the stones can be straight or rounded, the ends can be flat, or have a groove and ridge.
• The products are produced in the form of hollow and solid stones. The voids can be both blind and through.
• As a rule, they have the shape of a parallelepiped. Other shapes are also allowed.

The products can be used for a wide range of tasks, including building fences, gazebos, walls, and cladding. The GOST 6133-99 requirements must be met by lightweight concrete wall stones.

Lightweight concrete is also used to create lintels, or U-shaped blocks, which are frequently used as stationary formwork, and ventilation products, in addition to the products mentioned above.

House Weight Calculator

Products made of light concrete provide a flexible answer for a range of building requirements. These materials are lighter than traditional concrete and offer all the advantages of traditional concrete, making them more manageable and transportable. They are available in various forms, each with special qualities and uses, such as foamed concrete, aerated concrete, and lightweight aggregate concrete.

Lightweight aggregate concrete is perfect for structures that need a lower load-bearing capacity because it uses either natural or artificial aggregates to achieve a lower density. Because of its excellent thermal insulation qualities, aerated concrete is frequently used to make blocks and wall panels. Air bubble-infused foamed concrete, which is frequently used for roofing and flooring, offers superior sound absorption.

Light concrete products can be used for a variety of purposes, from large-scale infrastructure projects to residential buildings, due to their versatility. They not only increase construction efficiency but also lower overall material and energy consumption, which promotes sustainability.

Light concrete products can improve performance in your construction projects and have a major positive impact on the environment and cost savings. They are a useful option for contemporary building techniques due to their versatility and ease of use.

Light concrete products, with their unique combination of strength, low weight, and versatility, are redefining the construction industry. These cutting-edge materials, which are perfect for a variety of applications from residential buildings to large-scale commercial projects, offer excellent thermal insulation, fire resistance, and ease of handling. Examples of these materials are lightweight aggregate concrete, aerated concrete, and foamed concrete. Due to their special qualities, they not only improve structural performance but also energy efficiency and sustainability, meeting the growing demand for environmentally friendly building materials.

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