Purpose of high performance lightweight concrete utilization is to reduce cost or enhance functionality of the structure or the combination thereof.
The economy of high performance lightweight concrete is explained through the following points:
It reduces dead load of superstructure and hence the foundation would receive smaller loads. As a result, the size of foundation would be smaller, lesser number of piles are required, smaller pile cap will be needed, and lastly, fewer reinforcement ratio will be used.
- Because of dead load reduction, smaller sizes of superstructure members such as beams, columns, deck, girder, and piers will be needed. This will lead to decline the cost considerably.
- Dead load reduction lead to smaller inertia forces during earthquakes. This will reduce the extent of deterioration that the structure might suffer and hence cost of rehabilitation will be smaller.
- Comparatively, long spans can be achieved when high performance lightweight concrete is used to construct precast-prestressed members without increasing total mass. As a result, not only fewer columns or piers will be required in the structural system but also lesser joints will be needed which simplify and ease erection process.