| Abstract: |
Lightweight high-strength concrete (LHSC) has emerged as a transformative material in contemporary residential construction, offering a unique combination of reduced self-weight and enhanced mechanical performance that fundamentally alters structural design paradigms. This review paper presents a comprehensive meta-analysis of past scholarly investigations focusing on the interplay between LHSC properties and their application in residential building systems. The study synthesizes findings from over three decades of research, encompassing mix design optimization, structural behavior under static and dynamic loading, thermal insulation characteristics, durability metrics, and economic feasibility within the residential construction domain. Key parameters examined include compressive strength ranging from 40 MPa to 80 MPa, unit weights typically between 1400 and 1900 kg/m³, and their collective influence on dead load reduction, foundation sizing, and seismic performance. The meta-analysis reveals consistent evidence that LHSC adoption in residential structures achieves 20–35% reduction in self-weight compared to conventional concrete, enabling slender structural members, longer spans, and more flexible architectural configurations. Furthermore, integrated lightweight aggregate types including expanded clay, pumice, fly ash cenospheres, and recycled lightweight aggregates demonstrate varying but consistently positive contributions to structural efficiency. Critical appraisal of the extant literature identifies gaps in long-term durability data for LHSC in tropical climates and insufficient cost-benefit analyses for low-income residential housing applications. The paper concludes with a discussion of future research directions and the potential of LHSC to drive sustainable, resilient residential construction practices globally. |
