Is Lightweight Concrete All Wet?
Lightweight concrete is occasionally
thought to be the primary culprit
in moisture-related failures...Learn more!
ESCS Lightweight Soil Mechanics – Properties and Applications
ESCS Lightweight Soil Mechanics – Properties and Applications
By T.A. Holm and A.J. Valsangkar
Structural grade lightweight aggregates (LWA) have been extensively used throughout North America for more than [80] years in cast-in-place structural lightweight concretes for high-rise buildings and bridges, and are now being widely used for geotechnical applications. Structural grade LWA, when used in backfills and over soft soils, provides geotechnical physical properties that include reduced density, high stability, high permeability, and high thermal resistance. These improved physical properties are found in aggregates with a reduced specific gravity and a predictable stability resulting from a consistently high angle of internal friction. The open texture available from a closely controlled manufactured aggregate gradation ensure high permeability. High thermal resistance results from porosity developed during the production process. In this publication, the physical properties of structural grade LWA and geotechnical engineering properties of LWA are illustrated. Additionally, references to extensive testing programs that developed data on shear strength, compressibility, durability and in-place density are given. Representative case studies are reported from [several hundred] projects that illustrate completed applications of structural grade LWA fills over soft soils and behind retaining walls and bridge abutments.
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