Abstract: A method of placing a concrete compositions including a) combining 3-40 volume percent cement, 5-50 volume percent fine aggregate, 5-50 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water; b) adding 1.5-40 volume percent of prepuff particles to form a concrete composition; and c) pumping the concrete composition to a point higher in elevation than the delivery point of the concrete to place the concrete. The concrete composition contains less than 30 volume percent of other light weighting aggregates and the prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the placed concrete measured according to ASTM C 143 is greater than 1 inch and the concrete has a density of from about 40 to about 135 lb./ft3.

Abstract: A method of placing a concrete compositions including a) combining 3-40 volume percent cement, 5-50 volume percent fine aggregate, 5-50 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water; b) adding 1.5-40 volume percent of prepuff particles to form a concrete composition; and c) pumping the concrete composition to a point higher in elevation than the delivery point of the concrete to place the concrete. The concrete composition contains less than 30 volume percent of other light weighting aggregates and the prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the placed concrete measured according to ASTM C 143 is greater than 1 inch and the concrete has a density of from about 40 to about 135 lb./ft3.

Abstract: A method of making a cementitious composition that includes combining cement, water and optionally aggregates and optionally additives to form an aqueous cement slurry; adding expanded polymer particles to the aqueous cement slurry; and forming a dispersion of expanded polymer particles in the aqueous cement slurry. The expanded polymer particles have an average particle diameter of from 200 ?m to 5,000 ?m, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, and an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3.

Abstract: A lightweight concrete composition containing from 10 to 90 volume percent of a cement composition, from 10 to 90 volume percent of particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.03 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3, and from 0 to 50 volume percent of aggregate; where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent, and where after the lightweight concrete composition is set it has a compressive strength of at least 1700 psi as tested according to ASTM C39 after seven days. The concrete composition can be used to make concrete masonry units, construction panels, road beds and other articles.