BUILDING AND NONPAVEMENT APPLICATIONS OF NO-FINES CONCRETE

No-fines concrete is defined as a type of concrete from which the fine aggregate component of the matrix is entirely omitted. The aggregate is of a single size and the finished product is a cellular concrete of comparatively low strength and specific weight. The cellular nature e liminates capillary attraction and provides greater thermal insulation and water permeability than exists in conventional concrete. The adva ntages of no-fines concrete for different construction purposes have l ong been recognized. The post-World War II era has experienced the ext ensive use of no-fines concrete for load-bearing walls in single and m ultistory buildings, retaining walls, and ground-drainage slab systems . This paper traces the development and applications of no-fines concr ete for building and other nonpavement purposes. The pavement applicat ions are introduced in a companion article published in the ASCE Journ al of Transportation Engineering.