The document strictly defines what "lightweight" means. According to ACI 213, structural lightweight concrete has an equilibrium density between 90 and 120 pcf. It also distinguishes between:
You may have noticed that searching for a free PDF yields many suspicious links—old scanned copies from 2003, password-locked university servers, or risky download sites that are likely to infect your computer with malware. aci 213r-14 pdf
Here is the reality of copyright: The American Concrete Institute is a non-profit organization that relies on the sale of its documents to fund research and development. Distributing a free copy of ACI 213R-14 without a license violates copyright law. The document strictly defines what "lightweight" means
Furthermore, using an old version (like ACI 213R-03) is dangerous. The 2014 version updated critical formulas regarding bond strength and splitting tensile strength ( f_ct ). Specifying an obsolete version could lead to structural failure or legal liability. You need both, but ACI 213R-14 provides the
The document covers concrete with a balanced density (unit weight) generally between 90 and 135 lb/ft³ (1440 to 2160 kg/m³). It focuses on structural applications where the concrete must meet specific strength requirements while maintaining a reduced weight.
Many professionals confuse ACI 213R with ASTM C330. Here is the simple difference:
You need both, but ACI 213R-14 provides the structural design context that ASTM lacks.