Effect of the characteristics of lightweight aggregates presaturated polymer emulsion on the mechanical and damping properties of concrete

Abstract

In this paper, the mechanical and damping properties of concrete modified with lightweight aggregates (LAs) presaturated polymer emulsion were investigated. The effect of four variables, namely, LA type, maximum LA particle size, LA presaturated different polymer emulsions, and the sand ratio of concrete, on the mechanical and dynamic behavior were analyzed. Test results indicated that the damping ratio of concrete prepared using shale aggregates was lower than that of concrete prepared using clay aggregates, but has higher mechanical properties. The mechanical and damping properties of concrete decreased when the maximum LA particle size increased, especially after the particle size exceeded 20 mm, at which decreasing tendency became obvious. Concrete modified with LAs presaturated styrene-acrylic polymer emulsion had a higher damping ratio than concrete modified with LAs presaturated polyvinyl alcohol polymer emulsion. The damping ratio of concrete decreased as the sand ratio increased, and the compressive strength of concrete peaked at 40% sand ratio. The results of scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) showed that the free and constrained layers formed during the mixing process of concrete, which could provide damping capacity effectively and reveal the damping mechanism of the concrete.