Foamed concrete, also called cellular light weight concrete is produced by the mixing of Portland cement, sand including or alone fly ash, water and preformed stable foam. The foam is produced with the help of a foam generator by using foaming agent. The air content is typically between 40 to 80 percent of the total volume. The bubbles vary in size from around 0.1 to 1.5 mm in diameter.
Foamed concrete differentiates from (a) gas or aerated concrete, where the bubbles are chemically formed through the reaction of aluminum powder with calcium hydro oxide and other alkalies released by cement hydration and (b) air entrained concrete, which has a much lower volume of entrained air is used in concrete for durability. Curing of foamed concrete unit may be done as per IS: 456-2000. Curing can be speeded up by steam. Foamed concrete may be produce by mixing the above mentioned ingredients in ready mix plant or ordinary concrete mixer.
Foamed concrete is