1978. Lightweight aggregate concrete for marine structures (PDF)

The two main reasons why the number of concrete ships remains insignificant compared to those made of steel are, firstly, the unfavourable strength-to-weight ratio, and secondly, the increased wave resistance.

While the latter disadvantage is largely a consequence of a bridge-engineering rather than a naval-architecture mindset prevailing during the design process, the former is much more fundamental.

Recent advances in the technology of lightweight aggregate concrete, however, are so significant that it is now possible—given comparable methods of mix design and site control—to achieve a considerably better strength-to-density ratio than with normal aggregate concrete. Consequently, new horizons are opening up in this field.

Dr. J. B. Newman of Imperial College London and Professor T. W. Bremner of the University of New Brunswick, Canada, have prepared this important monograph on lightweight concrete in marine structures at a particularly opportune time. They do not attempt to prescribe methods for designing concrete ships. However, together with other papers prepared by members of the FIP Commission on Lightweight Concrete—dealing with mix design and the behaviour of lightweight concrete under multiaxial stresses—this work will provide a basis for a future FIP Guide to Good Practice on Structural Lightweight Aggregate Concrete for Marine Structures. It is the intention of the Commission that these guidelines will be ready for presentation at the Ninth FIP Congress in 1982.

Gathering, selecting, and organising such diverse data into a single document is not only difficult but can also be a thankless task, as only a limited number of dedicated specialists may fully appreciate it. Nevertheless, without this effort, future recommendations would either be delayed or built on uncertain foundations.