Lightweight aggregate concrete has been widely used due to its low density, high thermal and acoustic insulation properties, and also due to its improved structural strength under cyclic loading. In this study, concretes containing lightweight aggregates of compressive strength about 20 MPa were studied and its use in precast truss slabs was evaluated. Three different concretes with density values between 1,200 and 1,600 kg/m³ were investigated. The concretes were evaluated taking as basis the compressive strength (at 3, 7 and 28 days) and the total water absorption (at 28 days). Using the three types of concrete, precast slabs were produced and tested under bending (two slabs for each type of concrete) and their behavior at the serviceability limit state (SLS) for short-term loading was evaluated, without considering time-dependent effects. The results showed the potential of using lightweight aggregate concretes in this type of structural slab.
Lightweight aggregate concrete; Expanded clay; Precast slabs; Serviceability limit state
