ABSTRACT
Lightweightaggregateconcretehasbeensuccessfullyusedinawiderange ofconstructions-fromconventionaldwellingsandofficeblockstocomplexhighlyspecialisedstructures.
Ingeneral,theirperformanceinserviceintermsofsafetyserviceability anddurabilityhasbeensatisfactory-whichunderlinesthesuitability ofthematerialforstructuralapplication.Infactmanyofthephysical properties/characteristicsoflightweightaggregateconcrete,suchashigh strengthtodensityratio,lowthermalstrainandconductivity,lowpermeability,highresistancetoimpactandthermalshock,highfireresistance, hightensilecapacity,etc.,makeitanobviouschoiceasamediumof construction.Itisparticularlysuitableforhigh-technologyspecialstructures where,apartfromtheresponsetonormalgravityloads,containment ofnaturalandenvironmentalforceswithdirectionalconflictaswellas thermaleffectsalsoplayasignificantroleinthedesign.
