Lightweight concrete in modern construction: advancing sustainability, efficiency, and innovation

Abstract Lightweight concrete (LWC) has emerged as the most promising material in sustainable construction, this is due to its reduced weight, superior thermal insulation, and acoustic performance. This review explores the key properties, types, applications, and challenges of LWC, highlighting its potential in structural and non-structural applications. Various types of LWC, including Lightweight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC), Aerated Concrete (AAC), and No-fines Concrete, are examined, with a focus on their strength properties, resistance to heat, and chemical attacks. While LWC offers significant benefits, challenges such as cost, workability, and durability remain, especially when using lightweight aggregates with high water absorption. Recent innovations, including the incorporation of recycled aggregates, nanotechnology, and 3D printing, offer promising solutions to improve LWC's performance and sustainability. This review concludes by recommending further research into long-term durability, the employability of recycled and synthesized aggregates, and the effort toward optimizing nanomaterials to enhance the scalability and cost-effectiveness of LWC in modern construction. This review used a systematic process that comprised thorough literature gathering, thematic analysis, and critical appraisal to synthesise findings on LWC.