Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Concretes (LWCs) with Various Aggregates.

Marzena Kurpińska,Tomasz Ferenc

doi:10.3390/ma13163474

Marzena Kurpińska, Tomasz Ferenc

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13163474

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Journal: Materials	Publication Date: Aug 6, 2020
Citations: 14	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Gdańsk University of Technology

Abstract

High requirements for the properties of construction materials and activities directed at environment protection are reasons to look for new solutions in concrete technology. This research was directed at solutions affecting the reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The use of lightweight concretes (LWCs) allows one to meet both conditions at the same time. The purpose of the research presented in this paper was to investigate the abilities of using lightweight aggregates (LWAs) of the following types: 2 and 4 mm granulated expanded glass aggregate (GEGA) as ingredients with excellent insulating properties and 8 mm granulated fly ash aggregate (GAA) as an ingredient with a relatively high resistance to crushing. The influence of the percentage participation of each aggregate in all LWCs was variable and amounted to 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. A series of 15 LWC mixes were prepared for various LWA participations and for a constant water–cement ratio (w/c = 0.5). Concrete tests were carried out for the following criteria: density, porosity, compressive strength, and the modulus of elasticity. In order to fully analyze fracture processes in LWCs with the participation of GEGA and GAA and to assess the correctness of the results obtained during the experiments, numerical models that corresponded to both geometrical and load diagrams of elements under research were created. The numerical analyses of the LWCs were conducted by means of the conventional finite element method (FEM).

Highlights

For the past few years, the construction industry had implemented initiatives aimed to contribute to sustainable development
The study of the mechanical and physical properties of lightweight concretes (LWCs) with granulated fly ash aggregate (GAA) and glass aggregate (GEGA) as a natural aggregate substitutes was presented in the paper
Depending on the proportion of the use of lightweight aggregates (2, 4, or 8 mm GEGA), the porosity of LWC was determined in the range from 15.2% for LWC 15 to 67% for LWC 5, the density was in the range from kg/m3 for LWC 4 to 1560 kg/m3 for LWC 1, the compressive strength was from 3.7 MPa for LWC 4 to 21.4 MPa for LWC 2, and the elastic modulus was from 3.2 GPa for LWC 5 to 24.2 GPa for LWC 13

Summary

Introduction

For the past few years, the construction industry had implemented initiatives aimed to contribute to sustainable development. In the production of construction materials, for instance, one way to do so is to increase the usage of artificial lightweight aggregates (LWAs) received from industrial waste. For the production of artificial LWAs, fly ash, cullet, or waste aggregate are used. As an alternative to applying natural raw materials, this type of production contributes to natural deposit protection. Another important aspect in environmental care is that of transportation issues. In some regions with shortages of raw materials, transporting aggregates from distant places generates costs and leads to increasing CO2 emissions. The production of LWAs is still a relatively insignificant element of construction branches in many countries

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