Workability, and mechanical, acoustic and thermal properties of lightweight aggregate concrete with a high volume of entrained air

Abstract

This study investigated the various characteristics of lightweight aggregate concrete with a high volume of entrained air. The effects of lightweight aggregates and entrained air on the flow characteristics, density, porosity, compressive strength, and dynamic elastic modulus of the concrete were investigated. In addition, the acoustic transmission loss and thermal conductivity - essential performance measures for architectural construction materials - of lightweight aggregate concrete with a high volume of entrained air were measured. The lightweight aggregate cellular concrete containing an adequate amount of air entraining agent was shown to have excellent characteristics including very-high workability, low density and proper strength, and it can be applied in architectural members with high acoustic shielding and thermal insulating properties. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.