Lightweight Foam Concrete

Foam concrete is a very fluid, lightweight cellular concrete fill material, produced by blending a
cement paste (the slurry or mortar), with a separately manufactured, pre-formed foam. The density of
foam concrete is determined by the ratio of foam to slurry and densities range typically between 300
and 1600 kg/m3. Sand, pulverised fuel ash (PFA), Lytag fines or limestone dust may be used to further
enhance the properties of foam concrete.

Void Fill and Reduced Construction Costs

In some cases, the placing and subsequent mechanical compaction of fill material can be difficult or
hazardous to undertake with sometimes limited access or unstable conditions in which to work. Foam
concrete affords easy and rapid installation, being easy to pump under relatively low pressures, over
long distances. Foam concrete is an excellent void-filler. The naturally self-levelling material will reach
and fill the smallest crevices, seams and cavities.

Lcc wateproofing. mobile batching plant produces over 100m3 of 400 kg/m3 density lightweight foam
concrete from just one bulk powder tanker delivery. This means less disruption and increased safety for
site-workers and residents in the surrounding area.

High-volume, rapid installation equipment makes foam concrete void fill an economically viable
solution, particularly in large volume applications and the durability and settlement-free properties of
foam concrete minimize future maintenance liability. Minimal lateral loading means reduced
construction costs for earth retaining structures and the use of lightweight foam concrete when building
on marginal ground reduces the need for piled foundations.

Lightweight Foundations

With densities as low as 300 kg/m3, foam concrete imposes little vertical stress on the surrounding sub-
structure. This is particularly important in areas sensitive to settlement.

In excavations with poor soil, foam concrete form 100% stable lightweight foundations and can be
designed using the principle of equilibrium: By replacing the weight of the excavated soil with a similar
(or lower) combined weight of foam concrete foundation and construction, the completed structure will
be stable and able to resist any subsequent movement of the sub-strata.
ConcreteFreeze / Thaw Resistance & Fire-proofing

Foam concrete offers good freeze / thaw resistance. This

is primarily due to the low water absorption
characteristics of foam concrete, whereby capillary water
absorption into accessible pores of the material never
reaches the point of critical saturation at which damage
would occur.

Unlike some synthetic polystyrene foams used in

construction, hardened foam concrete is not susceptible to
breakdown due to the presence of hydrocarbons, bacteria
or fungi. Foam concrete is insect, rodent and fire-proof.

Energy Absorbing:

Due to the dense cell structure of foam concrete, as the material is compressed during an impact, the
resistance of the foam concrete increases, absorbing kinetic energy - especially useful in the design of
aircraft arrestor systems at airports or roads for example.

Foam Concrete Benefits

Foam concrete offers many unique benefits over other forms of concrete. Foam concrete benefits
include:

 Loadings on foam concrete sections not deflected into adjoining ground / structures
 Will not break down when attacked by hydrocarbons, bacteria or fungi
 Highly fluid material, suitable for pumping over long distances\
 Self-levelling, no vibration or compaction is required
 Highly resistant to damage by freeze / thaw cycle
 Rapid, settlement-free construction

 Good thermal insulation properties

 Good energy absorbing properties
 Insect and rodent-proof
 Excellent fire-resistance
 Environmentally sound
Foam Concrete Applications

Foam concrete can be used for a wide range of applications as infill and insulation as well as lightweight
foundations. Foam concrete applications include:

 Secure old mine-workings, shafts, tunnels and other underground voids.

 Fill redundant sewers, pipelines fuel-tanks, culverts and

subways.
 Rodent exclusion infill beneath railway station platforms
 Infill spandrel arches under bridges and viaducts.
 Roof screeds and floor insulation
 Soil stabilisation / replacement.
 Harbour retaining wall backfill.
 Airport aircraft arrestor beds.
 Annulus fill of pipelines.
 Tunnel-liner backfill
 Road foundations

_____________________________________________________________________________________

8A, Karthick Nagar, Sowripalayam main road,

Coimbatore – 641 028
Ph: 0422-6547197, 4272996
Mobile: 09843049099, 9865289099
Email: lccwaterproofing@gmail.com acparthiban@gmail.com

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