What is No Fines Concrete and Difference between It & Normal Concrete?

We know concrete consists of cementing agent, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate which gain its strength while hydration in presence of water. If we remove coarse aggregate from concrete entirely, it will perform as mortar. But what will happen when fine aggregate is eliminated?

The result is also a concrete-no fine concrete. This is a specially type of lightweight concrete. Thus coarse aggregate mass in no fine concrete is coated by cement paste; whereas in normal concrete the coarse aggregates are surrounded by paste consist of cement and sand (fine aggregate).

The coating may be of up to 0.05 in (1.3 mm) thick. In normal concrete voids between coarse aggregates are filled by fine particles and dense mass is produced. But in this concrete, large voids are formed with in concrete resulting low density.

Low density of concrete will result lightweight concrete. Like other traditional lightweight concrete, it is also low strength. We know low density (large void) always produce a weak concrete.

But some advantages are also achieved. The large voids prevent water movement through capillary action. Dear reader, we here provided just definition and tried to differentiate it with normal concrete. In our upcoming post we will discuss about density, strength, placing, thermal and shrinkage properties and as well durability aspects of these concrete.