Effect of Metakaolin on Properties of Lightweight Porcelinate Aggregate Concrete

Abstract

Research in Iraq has expanded in the field of material technology involving the properties of the lightweight concrete using natural aggregate. The use of the porcelinate aggregate in the production of structural light concrete has a wide objective and requires a lot of research to become suitable for practical application. In this work metakaolin was used to improve compressive strength of lightweight porcelinate concrete which usually have a low compressive strength about 17 MPa . The effect of metakaolin on compressive, splitting tensile, flexure strengths and modulus of elasticity of lightweight porcelinate concrete have been investigated. Many experiments were carried out by replacing cement with different percentages of metakaolin. The metakaolin was replaced by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. A control reference mix without metakaolin was made for comparison purpose. For all mixes, compressive, splitting tensile, flexure strengths and modulus of elasticity were determined at 28-day. The results showed that the using of metakaolin improve the compressive, splitting tensile, flexure strengths and modulus of elasticity of lightweight porcelinate concrete. The higher compressive, splitting tensile, flexure strengths and modulus of elasticity were found for 15% metakaolin.