Performance of manufactured aggregate in the production of sustainable lightweight concrete

Abstract

This study examines the performance of lightweight concrete incorporating manufactured lightweight aggregates with industrial by-products. The physical and mechanical properties of cold-bonded aggregates manufactured through pelletization technique with 80% fly ash, 10% cement, and 10% metakaolin with the addition of 0.2% alkali-resistant glass fibers. The manufactured aggregates have been tested with different properties like production efficiency, bulk density, specific gravity, water absorption, and impact strength thereby compared with natural aggregate results. Further, the study on properties of lightweight concrete produced with the replacement of ordinary portland cement (OPC) by ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) at different percentages varies from 0% to 50%. The lightweight concrete performance was assessed based on the slump cone test, density, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and water absorption at different curing ages. It was noticed from the results that the optimum performance of lightweight concrete was attained at 40% replacement with GGBFS. It is observed from the results that the replacement of natural aggregate by manufactured aggregates and cement by GGBFS achieved desired strength to be used as a structural material. Usage of industrial by-products in aggregates and concrete production results in both economic and environmental benefits.