This chapter presents different experimental results regarding the influences of normal-weight sand and lightweight sand (shale pottery (SP)) on different types of concrete. Because of the porosity of lightweight aggregates (LWAs), which can absorb and release water in concrete, the effect of concrete curing is better, and thus the properties of concrete are improved. On the other hand, because the lightweight coarse aggregate (LWCA) rises easily in all-lightweight concrete (ALWC) during pumping and vibration and the cost of ALWC is also higher, a method of replacing part of the lightweight aggregates in ALWC with normal-weight aggregates is used. These new types of concretes include sand lightweight concrete (SLWC), gravel lightweight concrete (GLWC), hybrid aggregate lightweight concrete (HALWC), and so on. This chapter mainly discusses the properties of lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC), lightweight sand foamed concrete, lightweight sand mortar, and reinforced LWAC. The chapter also includes LWAC of high temperature, low temperature, durability, and uni- and multiaxial mechanical properties according to the results of our research group over recent decades. All of the experimental results show that the properties can meet Chinese National Code requirements.
Part of the book: Sandy Materials in Civil Engineering