Mechanical properties of polymer-modified lightweight aggregate concrete

Abstract This paper deals with the properties of styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR)-modified lightweight aggregate concretes (LWACs) for thin precast components, made with two Brazilian lightweight aggregates (LWAs). Properties in the fresh state, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and water absorption of LWACs were tested. The 7-day compressive strength and the dry concrete density vary from 39.7 to 51.9 MPa and from 1460 to 1605 kg/m3, respectively. The inclusion of SBR latex in LWACs decreases the water–(cement+silica fume) [W/(C+S)] ratio and water absorption and increases the splitting tensile and flexural strengths. The results of this pilot study suggest that there are possibilities of producing thin precast components using SBR-modified LWACs with Brazilian LWAs.