EFFICACY OF NANO SUPPLEMENTARY CEMENTITIOUS MATERIALS ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF LOW DENSITY FOAMED CONCRETE

Abstract

Low density foamed concrete (LDFC) serves as an effective construction material with structural and thermal characteristics. This study reports results of experimental investigations on mechanical properties of LDFC including, thermal conductivity and drying shrinkage. Three different densities ±800, ±1000 and ±1300 kg/m3, were made with two cementitious additives like Nano-GGBS and Nano-RHA in LDFC matrix in the form of SCM. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of various percentages of SCM on compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, thermal conductivity and drying shrinkage up to 28 days on LDFC specimens. The experimental outcomes consistently represents that the 28 days mechanical strengths, thermal conductivity and drying shrinkage increased with increasing percentage of Nano-GGBS and Nano-RHA. The 10% replacement of SCM of both the materials shows good agreement on the performance of LDFC. The split-tensile strength and flexural strength attains in the range of 19–21% and 33–46% related with 28 days compressive strength. The thermal insulation and drying shrinkage of LDFC specimens reduced with the increased density. The purpose of this research to assess the efficacy of Nano-GGBS and Nano-RHA as a SCM considering aspects of economical and sustainable concrete in LDFC matrix. It is observed that, with increase in SCM percentages, the shrinkage strain increases with testing age. The drying shrinkage of LDFC specimens reduces with density. Overall, the 10% addition of Nano-GGBS and Nano-RHA as filler in LDFC production minimizes the load on consumption of natural resources, CO2 emissions and achieves economy.