Abstract
Lightweight embankment is an effective method for soft foundation treatment, while decreasing its cement usage can protect environment, save resource and reduce cost. This study aims to develop a lightweight cement composite (LC) containing fly ash and sand to provide guidance for filling the sustainable embankment. The chemical mechanism, micro-morphology, mechanical strength and workability of lightweight cement composites were evaluated through macro-micro tests, as well as life cycle assessment was performed to analyze the sustainability, and determine the optimal mixing ratio. The results showed that the moderate amount of fly ash was beneficial to enhance the mechanical strength of LC, while adding sand further improved its ductility, toughness, workability and sustainability. When the replacement rate of fly ash and sand were 10 % and 20 %, the energy absorption and fluidity of LC increased by 57 % and 7 %, and its ductility index, carbon emission and construction cost decreased by 34 %, 46 % and 35 %, respectively. Fly ash reacted with calcium hydroxide produced by cement hydration to generate more calcium silicate gels, which reduced the large pore of LC and improved its internal structure, while sand played a certain skeleton role.
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