WHAT IS LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE? SHOULD I USE LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE FOR CONSTRUCTION?

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        Depending on different criteria, there will be different classification methods. However, the most popular are still the following groups:

2.1 Classification according to the adhesive in the product

• Concrete uses special adhesive reinforcement.
• Concrete uses mixed adhesive reinforcement.
• Concrete in the form of cement, plaster or polymer, silicate.

2.2 Classification according to aggregates

• Concrete has hollow aggregate.
• Concrete has dense aggregate.
• Concrete has special aggregates.

2.3 Classification according to volume

• Extremely heavy mass: PV greater than 2,500 kg/m3.
• Heavy weight: PV from 2,200 to 2,500 kg/ m3.
• Relatively heavy air: PV from 1,800 to 2,200 kg/m3.
• Concrete at light weight level: PV from 500 to 1,800 kg/ m3.
• Special type concrete: PV less than 500 kg/ m3.

3. Advantages of ultra-light concrete
       Lightweight concrete is one of the high-tech construction materials, which can be considered a green material in this era.  The outstanding benefits of lightweight concrete or ultra-light concrete can include:

3.1 Light weight

       As mentioned, ultra-lightweight concrete is many times lighter in weight than regular concrete, besides having a durability of up to 30 years, can withstand high intensity and does not cause any wear and tear in use. as well as solidity. On the contrary, this also helps reduce a large amount of pressure on the construction surface.

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3.2 Supports fire resistance, heat resistance and high water resistance
        One of the outstanding advantages that makes many homeowners love and choose to use lightweight concrete is its ability to resist fire and heat.

        With light weight, even only 1/3 compared to conventional construction materials. This concrete model helps prevent heat for terraces and concrete roofs very effectively. The ability to insulate and resist heat is 6 times higher than red bricks. Heat protection construction has become simpler than ever, this is considered a superior solution today.

         Besides, most of the materials selected to produce this type of concrete are green materials. This is considered a big step forward for the construction materials industry. They help control the spread effectively when there is a fire.

        Lightweight concrete has a very high water resistance, does not cause water seepage, water absorption or wall cracking.

3.3 Save costs and construction time

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          Lightweight concrete floor structures also help reduce investment costs significantly for investors. In particular, quick and simple assembly helps speed up construction progress and does not require highly qualified workers. The construction process does not require highly skilled workers. Speeds up the construction process, saving maximum construction time. Therefore, construction costs are also significantly reduced. Suitable for fast-moving projects, such as cramped city blocks.

3.4 Good sound and heat insulation
        With a typical structure that applies the hollow mold principle, forming crystal cells containing about 60 to 70% air. This technique is effective for soundproofing and preventing sound transmission to each other. 

        This is also the outstanding feature that creates a superior sound insulation coefficient compared to other building materials. Projects that require high sound insulation such as karaoke bars, crowded residential areas, etc.

3.5 Easily combined with other materials

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        Lightweight concrete has quite a high ability to combine with other materials. Concrete floors have a flat and smooth surface, ensuring the aesthetics of the space, can be molded easily, without needing to use tamping to pour into the mold, and are highly resistant to water and cold, so they are used very often. many in different types of large and small projects, especially suitable for fast-moving projects, such as cramped city blocks.

4. Outstanding applications of lightweight concrete in construction

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       The birth of lightweight concrete brings innovation and convenience to the construction industry, and is widely used around the world. In Vietnam, only in recent years has this concrete model become known to many people. With advantages such as fire resistance, sound insulation, water resistance, great durability,... lightweight concrete is applied to many items such as making ceilings, waterproof roofing; making partitions, interior/exterior decoration; Apply to construction surfaces frequently exposed to water....

      Lightweight concrete is one of the superior solutions, very suitable for the tropical monsoon climate in Vietnam. With the above outstanding advantages, it is gradually replacing other construction materials such as burned red bricks and traditional concrete floors. 

5. Disadvantages of lightweight concrete
      In fact, lightweight concrete is not a perfect material, it has disadvantages and if you are not knowledgeable, it will cause unnecessary confusion:

The First: The compression resistance is not high

To ensure lightness, good sound insulation and heat insulation, the mac (compression resistance) of this type of concrete is only from 2.5 Mpa to 7.5 Mpa, much lower than the mac of normal concrete, so it will not be suitable for When designing load-bearing walls, for roofs that need to be tied to the wall, they should not be tied directly. Saying so does not mean that lightweight concrete is easily destroyed. In fact, lightweight concrete has higher impact and vibration resistance than traditional concrete, and is much better than red brick in terms of resistance to breaking.

Must use specialized mortar and construction glue for construction. The use of specialized mortars and professional construction methods from around the world is also a major barrier to lightweight concrete in Vietnam.

Construction contractors, builders + are hardly lazy to switch to use, especially for the construction of townhouses, villas and small projects.

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The second: The listed price of lightweight concrete bricks is currently higher than red bricks

This is also the reason why many people, including homeowners and contractors, still have to choose red bricks to reduce construction costs.

However, if constructed by a professional company, the cost of building with lightweight concrete bricks will actually be the same as red bricks. It may even be lower if the construction area is large enough or the project has many walls of 200mm or more.

In addition, in the future when land resources are exhausted, it is certain that the price of red bricks will quickly be higher than that of lightweight concrete.

6. Should houses be built with lightweight concrete?
The biggest barrier of lightweight concrete is the issue of compressibility. If you are building a house based on a "load-bearing frame" foundation such as reinforced concrete frame, steel frame, wooden frame, aluminum frame... then using lightweight concrete bricks and lightweight concrete wall panels is absolutely advisable. Because at that time, the issue of compression resistance is no longer important, both red bricks and lightweight concrete bricks only serve as shielding properties for the project.

Building shielding materials require elements of waterproofing, heat insulation, and good sound insulation rather than load-bearing elements. Lightweight concrete with the use of specialized types and mortars helps the bond quality of wall to wall, wall to concrete column and beam, wall to steel frame become stronger and of better quality than mixing mortar. at the construction site (which faces many risks due to its dependence on the mixer, proportions and impurities).

Because it is a concrete material, the material shrinkage is also consistent with the reinforced concrete frame, thus minimizing the problem of wall cracking, crow's feet cracking, shrinkage cracking, mortar cracking... Helps make the house more aesthetically pleasing and much more durable than walls built with traditional red bricks.

(Illustration, source: internet)

       Currently, the market offers many different ultra-light construction materials. Including ultra-light concrete, ultra-light bricks, autoclaved lightweight concrete bricks, etc. and is widely used in the construction field.

       Large projects such as high-rise buildings, shopping centers, offices, parking lots... have been used for a long time. However, residential houses such as townhouses, villas, and level 4 houses are still quite hesitant, mainly because they do not dare, due to high costs or because there are few professional contractors constructing with lightweight concrete.

      Hopefully this article will bring useful information to readers. If you are wondering and need further advice, do not hesitate to contact us for advice!

     Hung Nghiep Phu Construction Investment Company Limited - specializes in constructing civil and industrial projects. Contact us now for advice today.

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