Abstract
This paper presents experimental results regarding the efficiency of using acoustic panels made with fiber-reinforced alkali-activated slag foam concrete containing lightweight recycled aggregates produced by using Petrit-T (tunnel kiln slag). In the first stage, 72 acoustic panels with dimension 500 × 500 × 35 mm were cast and prepared. The mechanical properties of the panels were then assessed in terms of their compressive and flexural strengths. Moreover, the durability properties of acoustic panels were studied using harsh conditions (freeze/thaw and carbonation tests). The efficiency of the lightweight panels was also assessed in terms of thermal properties. In the second stage, 50 acoustic panels were used to cover the floor area in a reverberation room. The acoustic absorption in diffuse field conditions was measured, and the interrupted random noise source method was used to record the sound pressure decay rate over time. Moreover, the acoustic properties of the panels were separately assessed by impedance tubes and airflow resistivity measurements. The recorded results from these two sound absorption evaluations were compared. Additionally, a comparative study was presented on the results of impedance tube measurements to compare the influence of casting volumes (large and small scales) on the sound absorption of the acoustic panels. In the last stage, a comparative study was implemented to clarify the effects of harsh conditions on the sound absorption of the acoustic panels. The results showed that casting scale had great impacts on the mechanical and physical properties. Additionally, it was revealed that harsh conditions improved the sound properties of acoustic panels due to their effects on the porous structure of materials.
Highlights
There is a growing need for more sustainable construction materials
Fiber-reinforced alkali-activated slag foam concrete was composed of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), recycled aggregates produced by granulation of Petrit-T, alkali activator solution, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber, and premade foam
During the service life of the panels, CO2 was absorbed within the panels, affecting their mechanical and acoustic properties
Summary
There is a growing need for more sustainable construction materials. As the world population grows exponentially, construction consumes more and more raw materials. Using chemical agents, such as aluminum powder, has some disadvantages, including high kinetic energy, which limits the usage of this chemical agent for alkali-activated slag binders because they have short setting times [13,14] This approach generates disorderly large voids that negatively affect the thermal and mechanical properties; using this powder has a high impact on density reduction. Assessing the feasibility of using normal OPC-based concrete production lines to produce these lightweight and porous alternative binders; Acomparative study on the differences and difficulties between lab-scale and large-scale (or upscaling) foam concrete preparations and castings; Measuring the hardened state (the flexural and compressive strengths), thermal insulation (thermal conductivity, thermal diffusion, and volumetric heat capacity), and sound properties (in a reverberation room and impedance tube) of acoustic panels with dimension 500 × 500 ×.
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