Lightweight Concrete Using Pumice Stone – A State-of-the-Art Review

Lightweight concrete (LWC) has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional concrete, offering advantages such as reduced dead load, thermal insulation, fire resistance, and improved seismic performance. Among lightweight aggregates, pumice stone—a natural volcanic rock with high porosity and low density—has received increasing attention for producing sustainable LWC. This review systematically examines the use of pumice stone in concrete, with emphasis on fresh and hardened properties, durability, structural applications, and recent advancements involving admixtures and AI-based predictive modeling. The paper highlights that pumice-based concrete can achieve densities between 1500–2000 kg/m³ and compressive strengths ranging from 17–30 MPa, making it suitable for structural-grade applications. Challenges include reduced workability and water absorption, which can be mitigated by admixtures and pre-treatment of pumice aggregates. Finally, research gaps are identified in durability, life cycle assessment, and integration with modern technologies such as 3D printing and machine learning.