Efficiency factor and modulus of elasticity of lightweight concrete with expanded clay aggregate

Nowadays lightweight concrete is used on a large scale for structural purposes and to reduce the self-weight of structures. Specific grav- ity, compressive strength, strength/weight ratio and modulus of elasticity are important factors in the mechanical behavior of structures. This work studies these properties in lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) and normal-weight concrete (NWC), comparing them. Spe- cific gravity was evaluated in the fresh and hardened states. Four mixture proportions were adopted to evaluate compressive strength. For each proposed mixture proportion of the two concretes, cylindrical specimens were molded and tested at ages of 3, 7 and 28 days. The modulus of elasticity of the NWC and LWAC was analyzed by static, dynamic and empirical methods. The results show a larger strength/ weight ratio for LWAC, although this concrete presented lower compressive strength.