Light Weight Concrete Mix Design
(Structural Lightweight Concrete — ACI 213R)

Engineered lightweight concrete mix design using expanded clay, sintered fly ash aggregate or pumice — achieving structural grades at 1400–1900 kg/m³ density for reduced dead load in high-rise and long-span structures.

Overview

What is the Light Weight Concrete Mix Design?

Lightweight Concrete (LWC) achieves reduced density (1400–1900 kg/m³ vs 2400 kg/m³ normal) through lightweight aggregates — expanded clay (LECA), sintered fly ash (Lytag) or pumice. Structural LWC provides 20–40% dead load reduction — a critical advantage for long-span slabs, high-rise buildings and floating structures.

At Global Lab, LWC mix designs are developed as per IS 9142 and ACI 213R for structural grades LC20 to LC40. Trial mixes verify fresh density, compressive strength, thermal conductivity and durability. The key challenge is achieving adequate strength while maintaining the target low density.

1400–1900 kg/m³ Density

Target density achieved while meeting structural strength requirements.

LC20–LC40 Grades

Mix designs for full range of structural lightweight concrete grades.

LWA Pre-Soaking Protocol

Pre-soaking procedure developed to control workability loss during mixing.

Thermal Conductivity

Thermal conductivity measured alongside mechanical properties.

NABL Certified Reports

Complete LWC mix design on NABL-accredited letterhead per IS 9142.

Self-Compacting LWC Option

SCC + LWC combined for complex formwork with congested reinforcement.

Test in Action

Light Weight Concrete Mix Design — Site Images

LECA Lightweight Aggregate Sample

LWC Trial Mix Fresh Density Measurement

28-Day LWC Cube Compression Test

Test Procedure

How the Light Weight Concrete Mix Design is Conducted

1

LWA Testing

LECA/Lytag tested for particle density, water absorption, crushing strength and grading per IS 9142.
2

Pre-Soaking Protocol

LWA pre-soaking duration optimised to control absorption during mixing.
3

Mix Proportioning

Cement, LWA, sand, water and admixture proportioned for target density and strength.
4

Trial Mix

Fresh density, slump, air content tested. Cubes at 7 and 28 days for compressive strength.
5

IS 9142 Mix Report

Fresh density vs target confirmed. 28-day strength vs design grade confirmed. NABL report within 35 days.

Standards & Specifications

Applicable Test Standards

Standard	Title	Scope	Type
IS 9142	Specification for Artificial Lightweight Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units	Lightweight Aggregate	Indian Standard
ACI 213R	Guide for Structural Lightweight-Aggregate Concrete	LWC Design	ACI
IS 516	Methods of Tests for Strength of Concrete	Strength Testing	Indian Standard
ASTM C330	Standard Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Structural Concrete	LWA Standard	ASTM

Applications

Where is the CAPO Test Used?

High-rise building podium and transfer slab — dead load reduction for long spans

Floating marine platforms and buoyancy-sensitive structures

Prestressed precast hollow-core slab production using LWA

Bridge deck overlay using structural LWC to reduce dead load on old girders

Seismic retrofit — replacing heavy concrete with LWC to reduce seismic mass

Industrial roof slab construction requiring insulation and structural performance

Why Choose Global Lab

Our Advantages

NABL Accredited ReportsLegally valid LWC mix design certificates for all structural projects.

Density & Strength Both VerifiedBoth target density and structural strength confirmed in same trial.

LWA ExpertiseExperienced in LECA, Lytag and pumice LWC mix design.

Autovity Digital AccessMix design data and trial results accessible digitally.

Combined SCC-LWC DesignSelf-compacting lightweight concrete design for congested reinforcement.

Pan-India CoverageMix design testing at all 7 NABL-accredited lab locations.

Light Weight Concrete Mix Design(Structural Lightweight Concrete — ACI 213R)