Structural lightweight concrete solves many engineering problems in buildings and exposed structures. Lightweight concrete produced using Big River Expanded Clay Lightweight Aggregates can achieve compressive strengths equal to normal weight concrete, at densities as low as 105 pounds per cubic foot. Big River structural lightweight concrete offers design flexibility and substantial cost savings by reducing dead load, improving seismic structural performance, allowing longer spans, increasing fire ratings while using thinner sections, decreasing story height, allowing the use of smaller beams and columns, requiring less reinforcing steel, and reducing foundation costs. Lightweight precast and prestressed elements have lower transportation costs and can be placed using smaller cranes, reducing placement costs. The excellent durability and performance of structural lightweight concrete is a result of the vesicular nature of the aggregate, and its exceptional bond to and elastic compatibility with the cementitious matrix.
Big River lightweight aggregates have the ability to absorb and hold significant amounts of moisture, compared to other aggregates. Lightweight aggregate batched at a high degree of absorption may be substituted for a portion of the normal weight aggregates to provide internal curing in normal weight concrete containing a high volume of cementitious materials and/or very low water/cementitious materials ratio. High cementitious-content concretes are vulnerable to self-desiccation and early-age cracking, and benefit significantly from the slowly released internal moisture from the lightweight aggregates. Click here for more information on using lightweight aggregates for internal curing of normal weight concrete.
Big River Lightweight Aggregate for Internal Curing Improves Performance and Service Life of Conventional Concrete.
Internal curing extends hydration of cement to improve concrete durability. Detailed information on Internal Curing is available at the escsi.org website including links to many of the latest papers on the subject. An extensive bibliography on internal curing as well as detailed research information is available at the NIST Internal Curing website.
Product Documents:
Structural Lightweight Concrete
Great American Ballpark |
Great American Ballpark |
Great American Ballpark |
Soldier Field |
Turner Field |
Lightweight Tilt-up Concrete |
Lightweight Tilt-up Concrete |
Lightweight Tilt-up Concrete |
Lightweight Tilt-up Concrete |
Lightweight Tilt-up Concrete |
Lightweight Tilt-up Concrete |
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