LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE APPLICATION IN BRIDGES

Traditionally the lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) made from expanded clay has been applied in buildings for many years. The improvement of the technology of production, mix composition and execution, has considerably changed the nowadays LWAC properties. The uses of various admixtures have increased the strength, stress-strain modulus and decreased creep that allowed the use of LWAC for the hardly loaded bridge structures worldwide. Paper describes the experience of use of LWAC for four bridge structures in Latvia. The obtained results showed that the use of high strength LWAC will decrease the dead load of the bridge structures without reduction of load carrying capacity. In many cases the use of LWAC will help by reconstruction and widening of existing bridge structures.

• INTRODUCTION

• 125 YEAR OLD STONE ARCH BRIDGE

• MULTI-SPAN ARCH BRIDGE

• OVERPASS OVER ROAD A2

• PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS

• STUDY OF PROPERTIES OF LWA CONCRETE

• CONCLUSIONS

• REFERENCES