Diptikar Behera

Lightweight concrete (LWC) has emerged as a transformative material in sustainable and high-performance construction, driven by innovations in engineered lightweight aggregates, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), fiber reinforcements, and geopolymer binders. These advancements have enabled LWC to achieve compressive strengths surpassing 100 MPa while reducing density by up to 30% compared to conventional concrete. Fiber incorporation enhances flexural strength and fracture toughness by 20–40%, concurrently mitigating brittleness and improving ductility. The synergistic interaction between SCMs and lightweight aggregates optimizes matrix densification and interfacial transition zones, curtailing shrinkage and bolstering durability against chemical and environmental aggressors. Integration of recycled and bio-based aggregates substantially diminishes the embodied carbon footprint by approximately 40%—aligning LWC with circular economy principles. Nanomaterials such as nano-silica and carbon nanotubes augment early-age strength development by 25% and refine microstructural integrity. Thermal performance is markedly enhanced through advanced lightweight fillers, including expanded polystyrene and aerogels, achieving up to a 50% reduction in thermal conductivity, thereby facilitating energy-efficient building envelopes. Although challenges persist in cost and workability, the convergence of hybrid fiber systems, optimized mix designs, and sophisticated multi-scale modeling is expanding the applicability of LWC across demanding structural, marine, and prefabricated contexts. In essence, LWC’s holistic development embodies a paradigm shift toward resilient, low-carbon infrastructure, cementing its role as a pivotal material in the evolution of next-generation sustainable construction.

To create cost-effective structures, the modern construction industry has sought to reduce the dead load of buildings. Lightweight concrete is a quick way to reduce dead load. The current study is primarily concerned with identifying modern substitutes for coarse aggregate likely to aid in waste management and offer potential alternatives to the most exploited natural resources. According to ACI C 39-M, this study developed a novel lightweight hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (LWHFRC) with a density of less than 1825 kg/m³ and compressive strength of 50 to 75 MPa. Ordinary Portland cement (53 Grade) was mixed with fly ash, silica fume, and GGBS. Sintered fly ash aggregate (SFA) and palm oil shell aggregate (POS) were used as coarse aggregates. Hooked steel fibers and polyvinyl alcohol fibers were combined in a hybrid form to improve crack propagation properties at the initial and subsequent stages. The water-to-binder ratio was kept constant at 0.30 to 0.35 with a 1% superplasticizer. Four volume fractions of hybrid fibers (both steel and PVA with Vf = 0%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) were added. In addition, XRD, SEM, EDS, and EDS mapping tests were performed to finalize the material’s chemical composition and crystalline structure. Furthermore, beams and cylinders were tested to determine the modulus of rupture, which was determined to be between 9.5 and 14 MPa by ACI code C 1609-M, and indirect tensile strength, achieved as 10 to 14 MPa by ACI code C 496-M. The researcher altered the modulus of elasticity (Ec) formula for lightweight concrete and discovered a relationship between fc’ and fcb, fc’ and fspt, and fcb and fspt. Finally, ANOVA and regression tests were run to check the significance of the experiment. The cost analysis revealed that the cost of LWHFRC increased by approximately 16.46%, while the strength increased by 55.98% compared to regular concrete.