Lightweight Aggregate Concrete

Rating:
Summary: Fills a gap in our collection.
Review: As a librarian, I always like to see good indexes, extensive references, clearly-written text, and sturdy paper/binding, which this has. It will also fill a gap in the literature.
---Manager, Library & Information Services
Portland Cement Association

Rating:
Summary: Valuable book for Materials Specialists
Review: This is a comprehensive book that considers all aspects of lightweight aggregates and lightweight aggregate
concrete. The authors begin with a brief overview of the historical use of lightweight aggregate concrete, both naturally occurring and artificial, from ancient times to the present. This is followed by a summary of production facilities around the world, giving an indication of the amount of material produced per annum (although some of the figures are out of date). The various methods of manufacturing lightweight aggregates are covered in great detail; some processes are described in general terms while others are specifically related to particular products. The procedure for designing lightweight aggregate concrete mixes (both light-weight fines and with natural fines) is out-lined, although the actual proportions will obviously be a function of the specific materials used. Two chapters deal with the microstructure of lightweight aggregate concrete and the significant physical characteristics, such as shrinkage and creep. Subsequent chapters cover the important topics related to in-service behaviour of light-weight aggregate concrete. The first covers key areas of durability, such as alkali-aggregate reaction, carbonation, corrosion and chloride penetration. The authors deal extensively with these topics, giving data from both laboratory testing and field surveys. The information should help to dispel the common misconception that lightweight aggregate concrete is not as durable as 'normal' concrete. A chapter is devoted to the important aspect of fire resistance, both of standard grades of concretes and high-strength/high-performance concretes. The final in-service behaviour topic considered is freeze-thaw resistance. The book concludes with a brief overview of applications of lightweight aggregate concrete in New Zealand, Scandinavia and the UK.

No mention is made of applications in North America, a curious omission in a book published in the USA. The main limitation of the book is that it concentrates on the properties of light-weight aggregates and of lightweight aggregate concrete. It pays little attention to the practicalities of the use of the material. Production, transportation, placing and finishing are covered in a very short chapter. Advantages and disadvantages are covered in only three pages, with a further three presenting a simplistic approach to the possible economies. In summary, this is a valuable book for materials specialists, but would probably be of little use to practicing engineers.
John Clarke
The Concrete Society