Flexural performance of low density foamed concrete (LDFC) incorporated with GGBS and RHA as filler

Abstract

The incorporation of industrial and agricultural wastes consisting pozzolanicity into low density foamed concrete (LDFC) attains the various features of concrete matrix. The by-product from steel or iron making industries produces ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and rice husk ash (RHA) is generated from agricultural industries in the form of residual solid wastes. Such industrial and agricultural wastes can be utilized into LDFC because of its chemical compositions. The utilization of residual wastes in concrete matrix minimizes CO2 emissions, consumption of natural resources and attains economy. This study represents the effects on GGBS and RHA blended LDFC with 1300 ± 50 kg/m3 casting density considering flexural strength and toughness. The LDFC specimens were produced for experimental testing were 100% cement (LDFC-CM) as control mix, LDFC with 5% replacement of cement using GGBS and RHA (LDFC-G5 and LDFC-R5) and, LDFC with 10% GGBS and RHA (LDFC-G10 and LDFC-R10). Also, using ANSYS Workbench 14.5, the modeling of samples was carried out to evaluate various parameters like deflection, stress intensity and strain intensity. The performance of LDFC incorporated with GGBS and RHA as replacement filler shows superior outcomes in comparison with LDFC-CM considering of flexural strength and toughness. The existing research highlights the possibilities of GGBS and RHA as an effective supplementary material which achieves the characteristics of reasonable and durable concrete.