Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
Chapter no. 2 The use of LWAC can be traced back to ancient times. In Europe, using this form of concrete, Romans built the famous Pantheon about two thousand years ago. Even earlier, in Asia, in 3000 BC, the famous Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa were built during the Indus valley civilization again using a form of LWAC. Therefore, LWAC is not a new invention in concrete technology as it has been known since ancient times. During early ages, LWAC was made using natural aggregates of volcanic origin such as pumice, scoria, etc. Sumerians used this in buildings in Babylon in 3 rd millennium B.C (refer figure 2.1). The Greeks and the Romans used pumice in building construction. Some of these magnificent ancient structures still exist like; St. Sofia Cathedral or Hagia Sofia (shown in figure 2.2), in Istanbul, Turkey; the Roman temple Pantheon (refer figure 2.3) was erected in the years A.D.118 to 128; the prestigious aqueduct, Pont du Gard, built ca. A.D. 14 (shown in figure 2.4); and the...
