MORPHOLOGICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME STRUCTURAL LIGHTWEIGHT AGGREGATES MADE IN FRANCE

This paper concerns the use of lightweight concrete in France, with respect to civil engineering construction. Its object is the understanding of the characteristic principles of 3 French aggregates (ARG116, Argilexpan and Surex) and comparison of them to a foreign aggregate: ISOL "S". The test programme includes:- (1) the determination of morphological and dimensional characteristics (bulk density, percentage of voids, particle size distribution, water absorption and moisture content); (2) determination of particle crushing strength; (3) determination of sulphur content. The results obtained show that structural lightweight aggregates available in France may be used in civil engineering construction. (TRRL)