Lightweight concrete is a versatile building material that offers several advantages such as reduced dead load, improved thermal insulation, and enhanced fire resistance. In South Africa, sustainable construction practices are gaining momentum, and lightweight concrete is proving invaluable to the construction industry where clients and contractors can reduce their structural concrete and steel requirements due to the lightweight nature of these concrete blocks.

Lightweight concrete applications have successfully been used in various large, commercial projects in South Africa at the Table Bay Mall in the West Coast area, at the Trumpet Towers in Johannesburg, the BMW Pavilion and Zeits Museum in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, Baywest Mall in Port Elizabeth and the Gautrain Station in Sandton.

Let’s explore the various types of uses of lightweight concrete.

Aerated Concrete

Aerated concrete, also known as cellular or gas concrete, contains uniformly distributed air bubbles throughout its matrix. It is created by introducing air or gas into a cementitious mixture, typically through the addition of aluminium powder or hydrogen peroxide. The resulting product has a low density, excellent thermal insulation, and good acoustic properties and its lightweight nature reduces transportation costs. Aerated concrete finds applications in the construction of non-load-bearing partition walls, and precast panels.

Lightweight Aggregate Concrete 

Lightweight aggregate concrete, like polystyrene concrete, is produced by incorporating lightweight aggregates, such as perlite, vermiculite, polystyrene beads, and foamed concrete and sometimes even fibre cement panels and wood chips into the concrete mixture. These aggregates are porous and significantly reduce the overall weight of the concrete. Lightweight aggregate concrete exhibits good thermal insulation properties, improved fire resistance, and reduced shrinkage. In South Africa, it is commonly used in the construction of precast elements, lightweight structural members, and panels for cladding and façade systems. The reduced weight of the concrete allows for faster construction and minimises the structural load on the building, making it an excellent choice for high-rise and long-span structures.

Lightweight concrete offers many benefits, including reduced dead load, improved thermal insulation, and enhanced fire resistance and is often used in green building projects due to its energy-saving characteristics and use of recycled material. In South Africa, where sustainability and energy efficiency are crucial considerations, the use of lightweight concrete is becoming increasingly prevalent.

For expert advice on the correct cement products to use to achieve the best possible results, contact the Sephaku call centre on 0861 32 42 52 or speak to your technical representative.