Nettles Cellular Concrete
Engineered Fill
low-density cellular concrete (LDCC) and engineered fill (EF) in the country.
low-density cellular concrete (LDCC) and engineered fill (EF) in the country.
Download the Guide to Cellular Concrete Engineered Fill
Download the guide to learn about the applications, key advantages, and how you can use Cellular Concrete on your next Engineered Fill project.
Using Low-Density Cellular Concrete (LDCC) for Engineered Fill (EF) Applications
Contact a Nettles Expert
Contact an expert at Nettles to learn more about our Cellular Concrete Engineered Fill.
Contact a Nettles Expert
Contact an expert at Nettles to learn more about our Cellular Concrete Engineered Fill.
Why Use
Low-Density
Cellular Concrete
(LDCC) Engineered
Flowable Fill
Quickly Fill Voids
No time to rework or finish adjacent surfaces? Need to save man hours and overall construction time?
The flexibility and lightweight material allows for the product to be placed in atypical perimeters without need for high manpower or lengthy
installation. The end product requires little to no maintenance and is easy to excavate.
APPLICATIONS: Tunnel/pipe annular fills and utility insulation fills. Abandoned Utility fills.
Soil Compressibility Issues
Some soil contains high organic material or soft clays that require compaction when using traditional Engineered Fill (EF) applications.
LDCC’s customizable mix designs allow load balancing that can be tailored to meet different densities and strengths as required for specific applications.
APPLICATIONS: Soil stabilization and unique-use design
Flood Prone Area & Settlement Issues
Traditional Engineered Fill (EF) applications have the risk of subsidence, erosion, or soil-instability. LDCC’s high strength to weight ratio provides low vertical and lateral forces and eliminates settlement and soil-instability issues. Resulting in a minimal load bearing option for increased elevation.
APPLICATIONS: Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) and Reinforced Soil Slope (RSS) Wall Backfill and Landslip Repair
Tight Work Area
Cannot open the construction area for traditional concrete work? Physical restrictions or construction near inhabited or occupied dwellings.
Requires only small crew and can be pumped by small hoses for long distances even vertically if needed.
APPLICATIONS: Above parking garage plaza deck and elevated construction options.
Limited Project Duration
If you have a last minute need for an Engineered Fill (EF) application and need to compress your construction time, LDCC is an ideal solution. LDCC does not need compaction and can be quickly set up and pumped into location. No need for compaction. Workers do not need to be in the danger zone.
APPLICATIONS: Tight pipe trenches and pipe cribbing. Indoor trench fill where you cannot allow workers in trenches.
What Is Low-Density Cellular Concrete (LDCC) Engineered Fill?
Low-Density Cellular Concrete (LDCC), Cellular Concrete, or Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM) is a type of Engineered Fill (EF) that is a mixture of Portland Cement, water, and preformed foam. The foam creates a structure of discrete air cells within the concrete, increasing volume, reducing density, and improving flowability. Mix designs may use fly ash, sand, and other aggregates to achieve specific densities and strengths. These properties make Low-Density Cellular Concrete (LDCC) Engineered Fill ideal for a variety of geotechnical applications.
How Is Cellular Concrete Produced
and Placed?
Cellular Concrete or LDCC is produced on-site using a mobile batch plant and pumped into place. A slurry of cement and water is injected with preformed foam and can be pumped substantial distances making placement easier in confined and/or high-traffic areas. Daily production from mobile batch plants can exceed 2,000 CY/day and multiple batch plants can be utilized for high-volume jobs.
What Is Low Density - Controlled Low-Strength Material (LD-CLSM)?
Also called cellular concrete, engineered flowable fill, flowable fill, controlled-density fill, flowcrete, foamcrete, and liquid dirt, controlled low-strength material is a self-compacted cementitious material used primarily as a backfill in place of traditional compacted fill.
Nettles is an industry leader in cellular concrete engineered fill, and our expert team is one of the largest and most respected installers of low-density cellular concrete (LDCC) in the country.
Applications for
Low-Density Cellular Concrete (LDCC) Engineered Flowable Fill
Tunnel/Pipe Annular Fills and Utility Insulation & Fills
When new utility piping is tunneled underground or installed in a casing, the space around it must be grouted. LDCC is highly flowable, making it an ideal solution for these annular space fills. LDCC has a very low set temperature compared to traditional grout, which protects the new pipe from heat damage. Buoyant forces are also reduced during grouting, due to LDCC’s low-density.
Soil Stabilization and Load Reduction Mitigation
MSE and RSS Retaining Wall Backfills
Plaza Decks and Parking Garages
Pipe Trenching Backfills and Shaft Backfills
LDCC is a quick and affordable solution for pipe trench fills and shaft backfills. Many use it as a permanent design feature, however due to its low-density, it can also be easily excavated for future maintenance and repairs.
Roadway Bases
Under the covering of asphalt paving most streets and roadways is 4-6 inches of granular rock or concrete material that can withstand the weight of traffic. With its lighter weight and lower density, LDCC is a perfect roadway substrate for areas with poor soils or where the road needs to be raised out of a floodplain.
Underground Fuel Tank Fills
Abandoned gasoline, diesel, and oil tanks beneath gas stations or rural areas can be up to 2-3 thousand cubic feet. LDCC is highly flowable and can be pumped from a substantial distance, making it a good solution for fuel tanks and other underground void fills.
Insulation and Isolation Barriers
The preformed foam mixed to create LDCC creates a structure of air pockets to guard against both thermal and acoustical changes. When used in walls, roofs, floors, or foundations, LDCC offers more heat and sound insulation than traditional concrete.
We're Experts in Cellular Concrete, CLSM, and Engineered Flowable Fill
Nettles Construction Solutions is one of the largest and most respected subcontractors and installers of engineered fill (EF) and low-density cellular concrete (LDCC) in the country. We work throughout Texas including the Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and Corpus Christi markets. We work throughout Oklahoma including the Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, and Broken Arrow markets.
If you have an engineered fill (EF) or low-density cellular concrete (LDCC) project in Texas or Oklahoma and are looking for a subcontractor or installer, give us a call.
More Engineered Fill and Low-Density Cellular Concrete Resources
Applications and Benefits of Low Density – Controlled Low-Strength Material
Nettles is an industry leader in cellular concrete engineered fill, and our expert team is one of the largest and most respected installers of low-density
Featured Project: Bishop North Apartments – Dallas, Texas
Project Overview Facility: Bishop North General Contractor: Crimson Building Company, LLC Owner: Exxir Capital, LLC Services Provided: LDCC engineered fill above the parking garage Project
Featured Project: Enterprise Terminal Dock Expansion – Texas City, TX
Project Overview Facility: Texas City, TX Enterprise Terminal Dock Expansion General Contractor: Piling, Inc. Engineers: CH2MHill / Jacobs Owner: Enterprise Crude Pipeline, LLC. Services Provided: Cellular Concrete
Introducing Ron Contreras: Nettles’ New Cellular Concrete Engineered Fill (EF) Expert
When it comes to Low-Density Cellular Concrete (LDCC), Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM), Engineered Fill (EF), Flowable Fill, and finding the right subcontractor to ensure your
Why Low-Density Cellular Concrete Is the Best Solution for Pipeline Fills and Void Fills
Our most recent blog post outlined the advantages and applications of Low Density Cellular Concrete (LDCC) for engineered fill and engineered flowable fill projects. LDCC
Why Choose Low-Density Cellular Concrete (LDCC) for Your Next Engineered Fill Project?
Nettles has become an industry leader in engineered flowable fill (check out our recent blog post about the advantages of EFF). For EFF projects, our
Have Questions about Cellular Concrete, CLSM, or Engineered Flowable Fill?
Contact an expert at Nettles to learn more about our Cellular Concrete Engineered Fill.
For more information contact one of our engineered fill specialists:
Ron Contreras
Regional Sales Manager
Cellular Concrete Division