Physical and mechanical properties of granulated foam glass – Foam zeolite and light concrete based on it

Abstract

In connection with the intensive rise in construction of residential and public buildings, it is necessary to develop competitive structural and thermal insulation material capable of withstanding the harsh climatic conditions of the northern regions of Russia. In such conditions, the most acceptable option is granulated foamed glass from local natural raw materials and lightweight concretes based on it. This article presents the results of tests on bulk density, water absorption, and porosity, which are providing a high level of thermal protection and reliability of building structures. The composition of the initial mixture and the physical and mechanical characteristics of the foam-glass-concrete samples are presented, depending on the proportion of fractions of the granular foam glass – the foam zeolite. Furthermore, the design strength of foam glass is not inferior to the class of cellular concrete with autoclaved hardening for strength at identical densities. The low foam density of 500–600 kg/m3 at a sufficiently high strength of B2.5–B5 allows the new material to be competitive and in demand for low-rise energy-efficient construction in the harsh conditions of the North and the Arctic.