Physical and mechanical properties of high-performance lightweight concrete

Due to the increasing demand of high-performance lightweight concrete (HPLWC) around the world, this paper aims to investigate its physical and mechanical properties and the possibility for its improvement. This paper varies parameters including mixture design proportion, dosages and types of superplasticizer and silica fume and cement content with the design strength for HPLWC of 45 MPa. Experimental results of density, compressive strength, and efficiency factor (ratio of the compressive strength and density) were presented and analysed. In the first studies, using an expanded clay coarse aggregate (Dmax=25 mm) was obtained a maximum compressive strength of 30 MPa and an efficiency factor of 18.9 MPa dm3/kg. However, reducing the maximum size of expanded clay coarse aggregate to a Dmax=9.5mm were obtained a higher compressive strength of 46.9 MPa and an efficiency factor of 28.3 MPa dm3/kg. Additionally, using an expanded shale coarse aggregate (Dmax=9.5mm) it was reached the higher values of compressive strength and efficiency factor, 64.3 MPa and 36.3 MPa dm3/kg, respectively. This paper provides an insight of possible HPLWC applications in the construction industry.