Abstract:
Cellular concrete is a cost effective construction material that is continuously gaining traction
and popularity in the US and elsewhere. Cellular concrete is a material consisting of Portland cement,
water, and foam. When it hardens, the concrete has an oven-dry density ranging from approximately 50
lbs/cubic feet to 90 lbs/cubic feet. Some applications have achieved an even lower density that 50
lbs/cubic feet. Recipes may also include aggregates such as fly ash. Admixtures are used as well
depending on the final use of the product. Cellular concrete has numerous applications in the building
construction industry and as an underground backfilling material, but lately other uses in the
infrastructure field have been gaining popularity especially as a stabilizer around transmission conduits.
Popular application of cellular concrete includes insulation, fire retarding, and sound proofing for a
variety of structures. Cellular concrete systems provide better drainage, increased fire resistance,
increased wind uplift ratings, improved seismic values, efficient thermal insulation, and improved sound
attenuation in an environmentally friendly manner. In underground applications, cellular concrete is used
as a cost effective filler material in lieu of soil without the compaction effort required when using soil.
Most recently the infrastructure field introduced cellular concrete as a backfill and filler material around
underground structures such as segmental tunnel liners and pipelines. Cellular concrete can be used as
backfill material at pipeline fault crossing by allowing localized ground deformation without
overstressing the pipe section. This application can minimize damage to the pipeline or tunnel
transmission structure that results from a shear failure of the pipe. However, the low compressive
strength of cellular concrete limits its application as a structural material. The paper discusses material
behavior and characteristics, state of the art construction methods, and advantages and disadvantages of
using cellular concrete as a construction material in current times.
