Astroflex LCN Concrete

Lightweight Construction Concrete "Astroflex-LCN"

Innovative concrete “Astroflex LCN” is a lightweight construction concrete , with a density of 1200 to 1700 kg/ m3, with properties superior to those of some heavy concretes. This concrete comes from an innovation of the Scientific and Applied Technology Center of St. Petersburg managed by PhD. Andrey Ponomarev.

The “Astroflex LCN” concrete is currently used in Russia for industrial construction and in civil engineering, especially for bridges. As part of actions by the CSTL and with the support of the Lorraine Regional Council, it is intended to import the innovation into Lorraine.

The following are the specifications of this product, given by the inventor and with the corresponding reference to the Russian standard “GOST”:

The value of the compressive strength has been confirmed by the CSTB – Scientific and Technical Center for Buildings and Constructions (Report. “CEIS RE EEM 09 26021260”).

A more complete validation of other values on samples manufactured in France is under way in CSTL and should be known at the end of January 2010.

To facilitate its use in civil engineering works, the manufacturing of “Astroflex LCN” concrete is planned in two steps:

-      In the first step, a dry additive mixture is manufactured in a special factory. This mixture can be stored for a long time without specific conditions. A semi automatic factory, with a production capacity of 800 tons of mixture per month, is already operational in St. Petersburg. -     

-      In the second step, the concrete can be manufactured at a mixing station for ordinary concrete without special tools.

The applications of this family of concrete are multiple.

Applications

The “Astroflex LCN” concrete (TY 5789-035-23380399-2008) was used in Russia in 2007 to rebuild a bridge that crosses the Volga river closed to Kimry city.

The reducing weight compared to ordinary concrete made possible the extension of the navigable portion of the bridge by partially changing its construction. The right level of impermeability of Astroflex concrete has also avoided the use of a heavy and special hydro insulation.

In 2008, the bridge that crosses the Vjatka river, was also reconstructed by using Astroflex LCN. Two other bridging projects (including one in the center of Moscow) are under study and expertise.

Due to its qualities, the concrete Astroflex LCN can be also recommended for constructions located in seismic areas. As well as its lightness and its relatively high resistance to cracking, this concrete is characterized by its high energy destruction (more than twice compared to usual concretes). Where some high performance concretes tend to “explode” when the limit of strength is reached, the concrete Astroflex can “resist” by deforming and requires a higher energy force before complete destruction.