Influence of structural parameters on the properties of fibred-foamed concrete

Abstract

The demand for novel technology for manufacturing lightweight concrete has increased in the global construction industry. Therefore, studies that explore alternative lightweight concrete systems for structural applications are urgently needed. The objective of this study is to develop structural fibred-foamed concrete (SFFC) by the addition of polypropylene (PP) fibre, fly ash (FA), and silica fume (SF). Foamed concrete (FC) was obtained by replacing sand with FA. The properties of the FC were enhanced with PP fibre and fine SF. SFFC with dissimilar densities of FC (1000, 1300, 1600, and 1900 kg/m3) is essential for examining compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths, drying shrinkage, and creep. The FC with a density of 1000–1900 kg/m3 and compressive and splitting tensile strengths of 10–70 MPa and 1.1–4.81 MPa, respectively, have been made by the addition of PP fibre and fine SF. Fine SF and PP fibre considerably improved the hardened strength of the FC. Additionally, the inclusion of PP fibre significantly enhanced the tensile strength and increased the creep resistance and drying shrinkage. Therefore, SFFC can be used as a substitute lightweight concrete material for the production of structural concrete applications in the construction industries today.