Lightweight Foamed Concrete Research Articles

Evaluating deterioration of the properties of lightweight foamed concrete at elevated temperatures

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of varied properties of lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) at high temperatures. The key objective of this experimental study is to investigate the thermal, rheological, physical, and mechanical properties of LFC after being exposed to high temperatures up to 800 °C. To achieve that goal, an extensive study has been carried out to obtain 10 properties, i.e., slump flow, the colour of the surface, mass loss, porosity, thermal conductivity, compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and wave velocity tests. In addition, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test provides the compositional details of materials. All mixes with varied densities were investigated after exposure to 20, 100, 150, 200, 400, 600, and 800 °C predetermined temperatures. Results also showed that mixes have different behaviours after being exposed to elevated temperatures, yet these behaviours, mass losses in particular, can be generally categorized into three phases based on temperature levels, i.e., 20–200 °C, 200–400 °C, and 400–800 °C. According to the SEM images, it is clear that the pore distributions and void sizes were significantly affected by the density value and the level of high temperature. As the temperature elevated, the void sizes also increased, and in some cases, groups of pores combined to form giant pores. However, by increasing the density, the pores' number, size, and distribution are less influenced by increasing temperature.

Application of treated sugarcane bagasse fiber in lightweight foamed concrete composites and its influence on strength properties and thermal conductivity

The construction industry recognizes the need for green, lightweight, and self-compacting materials that are also ecologically benign. Recent studies suggest that the novel lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) could potentially reduce the self-weight of structures. Adding natural fibers to FC improves its mechanical properties and contributes significantly to sustainability. One of the greatest difficulties in constructing reinforced LFC is the reinforcing steel bars’ corrosion, which impacts the behavior and lifetime structural integrity of concrete buildings. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the potential use of sugarcane bagasse fiber (SBF) in low-density LFC, after altering it with sodium hydroxide-based alkali treatment (NaOH) to enhance its properties. Low-density FCs are prone to serious durability and performance degradation; hence, in this experiment, FCs with a low density of 800 kg/m3 were fabricated and evaluated. Quantification and evaluation were conducted on several different characteristics, including the slump, density, thermal conductivity, and compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths. The findings suggest that employing SBF with an optimal reinforcing range of 3% to 4% can improve the mechanical characteristics and thermal conductivity of LFC-SBF composites. The slump flow gradually decreased from 1% to 5% of the SBF’s weight fraction. The lowest slump flow was achieved by adding SBF to the LFC mixture at a weight fraction of 5%. The addition of SBF to LFC resulted in a significant boost in the material’s splitting tensile, compressive, and flexural strengths. By adding 4% SBF to LFC, the optimal strength properties were concluded in the material. In addition to this, the weight percent of SBF contributed to an increase in the thermal conductivity of LFC. This was because the porous structure of LFC, which contained SBF, enabled it to absorb heat.

The effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on mechanical properties and water adsorption of lightweight foamed concrete

The paper investigates the impact of carbon nanotube-based modifiers on the performance characteristics of lightweight foamed concrete (LFC). The method involves saturating quartz sand with a solution containing a catalyst for carbon nanotube (CNT) growth, followed by the subsequent chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis of CNTs. Evaluation of nanomodified sand samples was conducted using SEM and TEM, thermogravimetry, Raman spectroscopy, and XRD. Compression and flexural strength tests of (LFC) specimens indicated that the optimal proportion of nanomodified sand introduced is 1% by weight with a particle size of 0.16 mm. This resulted in a notable 35% increase in compressive strength and an approximately 32% improved in flexural strength. Furthermore, the modified sample with CNT-based sand exhibited a 27% reduction in water absorption. The paper also presents a potential mechanism to explain the impact of carbon nanotube-based modified sand on the evolving structure of (LFC).

Mechanical and microstructural properties of structural and non-structural lightweight foamed concrete with coal bottom ash as cement and sand replacement material

This study aims to assess the feasibility of including coal-bottom ash (CBA) as a substitute for cement and fine aggregate, with a replacement ratio of 20%, and 75%, respectively, in the production of lightweight foamed concrete (LWFC) at two different densities: 1300 kg/m3 and 1700 kg/m3. The study provided data on both its fresh and hardened states. These include water absorption, density, compressive, splitting tensile strength, rupture modules, modulus of elasticity, X-ray Diffraction, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. The findings indicated that including CBA as a substitute for cement and fine aggregate can yield environmentally friendly foamed concrete suitable for structural applications, exhibiting a compressive strength of up to 25.5 MPa. In addition, decreasing the CBA aggregate size in specimens with a density of 1300 kg/m3 resulted in increased strength. The mixes that included CBA contained additional C-S-H gels, which led to a more compact structure.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF PALM OIL CLINKER AS CEMENT AND SAND REPLACEMENT MATERIALS IN FOAMED CONCRETE

Cellular lightweight concrete (CLC), also known as foamed concrete, has been extensively used in construction for decades. Foamed concrete’s properties include low density, excellent thermal conductivity, great workability, and selfcompaction; these features enable foamed concrete to be utilized in various contexts. However, the excessive use of conventional materials in concrete production harms the environment. Therefore, using agro-waste as a material to construct ecologically sustainable structures has numerous practical and financial benefits. Palm oil clinker (POC) is a waste product resulting from solid waste combustion during palm oil extraction. This research focused on the properties of foamed concrete with POC at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% as the fine aggregate replacement to develop lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) with a density of 1300 kg/m3. Besides, the potential of POC powder (POCP) and thermally activated POCP (TPOCP) at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% as cement replacements was examined. The development of compressive strength during a 90-day curing period was investigated. In addition, tensile and flexural strengths were assessed and reported, and the elastic modulus of the LFC was discussed. The transport properties of water absorption, porosity, and sorptivity were also investigated. The durability of concrete derivatives can exhibit the product’s resistance to chemical attacks and environmental conditions. After 75 days of immersion in hydrochloric acid and magnesium sulfate, the chemical resistivity of the produced LFC was determined by measuring the loss in weight and compressive strength. In addition, the effects of elevated temperatures on the LFC were determined by analyzing the mass loss and compressive strength degradation of specimens exposed to temperatures ranging from 200 to 800 °C. The test results demonstrated that the complete replacement of sand with POC enhanced the compressive strength of LFC by more than 50%. Similarly, POC-based LFC had higher flexural and tensile strengths than normal LFC. Besides, substituting 20% of cement with TPOCP could improve the strength of LFC by 23% during the initial curing days. Utilizing the optimal proportions of POC and POCP could enhance the residual strengths of LFC. Therefore, POC has the potential to be utilized as a fine aggregate and cementitious material to produce sustainable concrete.

Influence of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Nanoparticles on Durability Properties of Lightweight Foamed Concrete

The worldwide construction industry has realized the need for lightweight building materials that are flexible, high-performance, and ecologically benign. Considering the need, it has been found that lightweight foamed concrete (LFC), a new revolutionary material, can be used to lower the overall weight of conventional concrete. In concrete, nanoparticles are used due to their beneficial effects, such as their tiny size of particles and high reactivity to improve concrete’s strength. Furthermore, LFC is quite porous due to which it becomes less effective. The LFC matrix can be made effective by including many nanoparticles to improve its strength. In the current body of information, the impact of nano titanium dioxide in LFC has not yet been studied. As a result, there is considerable confusion regarding the method by which the nano TiO2 might influence the LFC's durability properties. Therefore, the application of nano TiO2 in the LFC matrix is the main emphasis of this work. The goal was to determine how various nano TiO2 weight fractions (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) affect the durability characteristics of LFC, including setting time, drying shrinkage, porosity, and water absorption. The findings suggested that excellent water absorption, porosity, and drying shrinkage of LFC are made possible by the presence of a 3% weight fraction of nano TiO2 in LFC. The microstructural of LFC is changed by the addition of nano TiO2.

Strength Properties and Electrical Resistivity of Nano-Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Modified Lightweight Foamed Concrete

The need for maintaining the living environment is increasing as the economy grows and the quality of life rises. Attempting to render buildings "green" to the environment from the standpoint of civil engineering is a hot and challenging task now. The construction industry uses lightweight foamed concrete (LWFC) as a flexible building material. Contrarily, LWFC has a variety of flaws including stiffness, poor toughness, substantial porosity, crucial drying shrinkage, and minimal resistance to cracking and deformation. Although it’s a sustainable solution, continuous research strives to enhance its sustainability and mechanical capabilities. Nanoparticles have excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical capabilities that have inspired the creation of new nanocomposites with exceptional and multipurpose features. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNP) have a much larger specific surface area because of nanostructures' exceptional properties. The large increase in nanoparticles will boost the role of concrete strength by improving the microstructure of the material. There is significant uncertainty regarding the process by which TNP might change the strength characteristics of LFC because the influence of TNP in LWFC was not previously explored. To better understand how TNP affects the slump flow, compressive, splitting tensile, and bending LWFC of 980 kg/m3 density, this study will look at its effects. Six TNP weight fractions were taken into consideration: 0% (control), 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%. Slump flow, electrical resistivity, compressive, splitting, tensile, and bending strengths were the variables investigated. In addition, the relationship between strength parameters was found. The results showed that the highest compressive, bending, and splitting tensile strengths resulted from a weight fraction of TNP of 3%.

Influence of wastepaper sludge ash as partial cement replacement on the properties of lightweight foamed concrete

This study focused on the effect of using wastepaper sludge ash (WPSA) as a partial substitute for cement in the production of lightweight foamed concrete (LFC). The LFC was produced with a constant dry density of 1350 kg/m3 by controlling the foam content. In this study, six mixtures of LFC were produced using WPSA as a partial substitute of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of the cement mass. Setting time, spreading ability and density tests were performed immediately after the mixing process to evaluate the fresh LFC properties. Meanwhile, the compressive strength, flexural strength, cleavage tensile strength and modulus of the elasticity tests were performed at test ages 7, 14 and 28 days to evaluate the mechanical properties. Water absorption, capillary absorption, gas permeability, porosity and pore distribution were performed to evaluate the transport properties. Furthermore, SEM evaluation was performed to evaluate the microstructure. The inclusion of WPSA as a 15% partial cement replacement achieved the highest mechanical properties. The compressive strength was 11.2 MPa, the flexural strength was 2.61 MPa, the tensile strength was 1.72 MPa, and the elastic modulus was 3.253 GPa. Inclusion of WPSA as a partial substitute for cement with 25% led to the best transport properties by having the lowest water absorption and porosity by 17.4% and 37.75%, respectively.

Effects of Moisture Content and Temperature on Microwave Measurement of Lightweight Foamed Concrete

Abstract The effects moisture content and temperature are important in microwave measurements and building material engineering. In this article, the relationship between the effects of moisture content/temperature and microwave measurements of lightweight foamed concrete is investigated. A frequency sweep measurement from 150 kHz to 8 GHz was performed on 10-cm cube samples with varying moisture content (0–20 %) and temperature (20°C–40°C). The microwave S-parameters were measured using an R&S ZVB8 Vector Network Analyzer with an N-type open-ended coaxial sensor and were used to calculate the dielectric constant. Models were developed to describe the relationship between moisture content, temperature, and dielectric characteristics of the concrete. Validation showed that the error was below 5 % for dielectric constant and below 8 % for loss factor at 5-GHz frequency. These findings have implications for the telecommunications industry and on-site moisture content measurements, with potential applications in building material engineering.

Assessing the mechanical, durability, thermal and microstructural properties of sea shell ash based lightweight foamed concrete

The comprehensive properties of waste seashell ash (Oyster shell ash (OSA), Scallop shell ash (SSA), and Mussel shell ash (MSA)) in lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) are needed to explore for using these aquaculture wastes in light-weight building structures. Therefore, this study’s aim is to investigate the fresh, transport, mechanical, pore structure, and thermal properties of OSA, SSA and MSA-based LFC. The seven LFC mixes have been prepared to evaluate the effect of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% cement replacement by seashell ash and compared with the control mix. The test findings show that mixes' initial and final setting times increase with the seashell ash substitutions; however, the spreadability and density properties of the fresh test decrease. The MSA ash-based LFC exhibits 0.29–1% lower water absorption than the OSA and SSA ash-based specimens. It was further observed that the 15% MSA replacement in LFC exhibited a maximum of 12.41%, 15.89% and 17.95% enhancement in compressive, flexural and splitting tensile strength compared to the reference mix. Moreover, SEM assessment and pores distribution indicated that up to 15% replacement, the seashell as-based concrete performed better as a pore filler than the rest of the substitutions. The thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity exhibited better performance for all sea shell-based specimens; however, a 15% replacement of MSA seashell-based concrete can be the optimum solution for eco-friendly concrete production considering the overall assessment.

Behavior of Reinforced Composite Foamed-Normal Concrete Beams

A study has been undertaken to investigate the production and behavior of beams made with foamed, normal, and composite concrete and reinforced with different steel percentages (under, balanced, and over). Nine reinforcement beams, including three normal-weight concrete, three lightweight foamed concrete, and three composite concrete, were made with similar rectangular cross sections of dimensions (150 × 250 mm) and length of 1500 mm. A 28-day compressive strength of 29 MPa (suitable for structural purposes) was achieved for all investigated concrete mixes. Ultimate load, crack mode, ductility, deflection, and stiffness as flexural parameters were investigated. The results showed that in terms of loading, the load of composite concrete beams was equal to that of normal concrete beams, and a slight increase in the lightweight foamed concrete beams was noticed. The ductility of foamed concrete beams with balanced reinforcement and under reinforcing was lower than that of normal concrete. In the case of the over-reinforcement beams, the ductility of foamed concrete beam increased by about 19.5% compared to that of normal reinforced concrete. In addition, the ductility and stiffness of composite concrete beams increased by about 91.7% and 5.6% compared to normal beams and 61% and 15.1% compared to foamed concrete beams, respectively.

Effect of aggregate/binder ratio on mechanical and energy absorption properties of a straw-lime composite material

This study investigates the mechanical and energy absorption properties of an eco-friendly straw-lime composite. Compression tests were performed to explore the effect of the straw-to-binder ratio (S/B = 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4), as well as the influence of compression speed, and test direction, on the mechanical properties and capabilities to dissipate energy. The Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique was applied to analyze strain field homogeneity during the deformation process and to evaluate Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio. Results show decreasing strength and energy absorption with higher straw to binder ratios. Samples tested orthogonal to straw fiber orientation exhibited an increase of over 100% in absorbed energy per unit volume compared to parallel samples. Physical properties are sensitive to strain rate, with values up to 0.72 MPa for the plateau stress and 300.40 kJ/m3 for the absorbed energy, for a 0.2 S/B ratio at a loading speed of 100 mm/min. The material has shown greater energy absorption than lightweight foam concrete of equivalent density. These results are promising for the development and new use of straw-lime biocomposites as energy absorbing protective materials.

Strength and Acoustics Properties of Lightweight Foamed Concrete Incorporating of Bio-Based Aggregate

This paper investigates the incorporation of bio-based aggregate in lightweight foam concrete (LWFC). The aim of this research is to determine the strength and acoustics properties of lightweight foamed concrete incorporating 5% bio-based aggregate (LWFC-OPS5). A targeted density of 1100 +/- 100 kg/m3 of LWFC-OPS5 is produced and achieved a compressive strength of 3 MPa. A total of six mixes containing different water to cement (w/c) ratios 0.52, 0.56 and 0.60 with 0% and 5% of OPS replacement were designed. From the result, LWFC-OPS5-0.52 had showed the highest strength properties at 28 days, which are recorded at 3.59 MPa and 1.75 MPa respectively. It also showed the highest density among the LWFC-OPS5 mix design which is 1180 kg/m3 under fresh density conditions. LWFC-OPS5-0.56 has showed the most significant increase in compressive strength and flexural strength at 28 days, which have an increment of 30 - 40% from 7 days’ results. On the other hand, LWFC-OPS5-0.60 has increased about 36.81%, 32.73% and 63.83% compared to LWFC-CTR. All cube specimens have achieved above 3 MPa of compressive strength except LWFC-OPS5-0.60 due to its lowest fresh density. From the acoustics properties test results, LWFC-OPS5-0.56 had showed the maximum sound absorption coefficient. Thus, this research proved that LWFC-OPS5 can be used for different applications such as wall panels, roof tiles, sound barriers and etc.

Effect of Using Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) and Deformed Steel Bars on the Bonding Behavior of Lightweight Foamed Concrete

The study aims to conduct a direct pull-out test on fifty-four cube specimens considering different variables, including the type of reinforcement (sand-coated glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) and ribbed steel bars); the type of concrete (normal weight concrete NWC and lightweight foamed concrete LWFC); the diameter of the reinforcing bars (10 mm; 12 mm; and 16 mm) and the bonded length (3∅, 4∅, and 5∅). The hybrid fiber hooked-end steel (0.4% by volume) and polypropylene (0.2% by volume), respectively were used to improve the properties of LWFC by converting the brittle failure to ductile. The results showed that in the case of strengthened foamed concrete (FC), the bond strength with steel bars was greater compared to that with the GFRP bars. The bond strength ratio between the GFRP and steel bars of the FC specimens was found to vary between 37.8–89.3%. Additionally, in all specimens of FC, pull-out failure was witnessed with narrower crack width compared to NWC. Furthermore, mathematical equations have been proposed for predicting the bond strength of FC with steel and GFRP bars and showed good correlation with the experimental results.

ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF LIGHTWEIGHT FOAMED CONCRETE STRENGTHEN WITH FIBREGLASS NETTING

Lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) is widely recognised as a low-density concrete with multiple applications. Yet, since its weight is approximately half that of conventional concrete, its strength should also be lower. Hence, synthetic and natural short fibres were utilised by previous researchers to enhance the performance of LFC. The use of textiles as reinforcing elements has attracted substantial attention in recent years. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to conduct an experimental investigation to determine the engineering properties of LFC reinforced with fibreglass mesh netting. In this study, LFC samples with densities of 550 kg/m3 and 1150 kg/m3 were formulated using a constant cement-to-sand ratio of 1:1.5, and a cement-to-water ratio of 0.45. The LFC specimens were jacketed with 1 layer, 2 layers and 3 layers fibreglass netting. The properties determined were compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, porosity, water absorption, UPV and drying shrinkage. Accordingly, the results showed that the incorporation of fibreglass netting in LFC helps reduce the absorption of water and the porosity of LFC for all densities. In addition to crack control, fibreglass netting also improves the drying shrinkage, flexural, compressive, tensile strengths and UPV. The optimal engineering properties were achieved with the addition of 3-layer fiberglass netting for 1150 kg/m3 density LFC.

Investigation of the High Temperature Properties of Lightweight Foamed Concrete under Incremental Amplitude Cyclic Triaxial Compression

Abstract Foamed concrete (FC) is used extensively in construction, road bases, and tunneling engineering for its light weight, thermal insulation, energy absorption, and deformation capacity. Therefore, its cyclic loads bearing capability after high temperature treatment warrants further investigation. To evaluate the fatigue resistance of high temperature treated FC, incremental amplitude triaxial cyclic compression tests were carried out after four temperature treatments (25°C, 100°C, 200°C, 300°C) under different confining pressures (0 MPa, 0.3 MPa, 0.5 MPa, 0.8 MPa). Based on the stress–strain curve and fracture mode, the peak stress, residual stress, elastic modulus, and brittleness index were analyzed. The damage evolution of FC was analyzed based on hysteretic energy and the failure mechanism was elucidated from the perspective of energy dissipation. In addition, the applicability of the crushable-foam yielding criterion to FC was verified and the strength prediction model of FC was proposed. The results indicate that the fracture pattern of FC is significantly influenced by confining pressure and that the stress–strain curve exhibits strain hardening under high confining pressures. The mechanical parameters of FC are negatively correlated with temperature and positively correlated with confining pressure. The damage evolution consists of three stages and the damage grows slowly in the initial compaction stage. The high confining pressure can restrain the crack development and enhance the elastic strain energy storage efficiency. The crushable-foam yield criterion has good applicability to FC and thermal damage remarkably declines the hydrostatic yield strength of FC.

Study on Polypropylene Twisted Bundle Fiber Reinforced Lightweight Foamed Concrete

Recent industrial developments have focused more and more on the applications of lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) in the construction industry, having advantages over normal-strength concrete. LFC, however, has several drawbacks including brittleness, high porosity, excessive drying shrinkage, rapid cracking, and low deformation resistance. Practical engineering typically chooses steel fiber or polymer fiber to increase the tensile and fracture resistance of LFC. The polypropylene twisted bundle fiber (PTBF) was added to the LFC with varying weight fractions of 0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5%. Three low densities of LFC were prepared, specifically 500 kg/m3, 700 kg/m3 and 900 kg/m3. The mechanical and durability properties of PTBF-reinforced LFC were determined through compression, flexural, splitting tensile, flow table, porosity, and water absorption tests. The results show that the addition of PTBF in LFC significantly improves the strength properties (compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths) and reduces the water absorption capacity and porosity. The optimal weight fraction of PTBF was between 1.5 and 2.0% for mechanical properties enhancement. The inclusion of PTBF increased the ductility of LFC, and the specimens remain intact from loading to failure. The PTBF reduces the original cracks of the LFC and inhibits the development of further cracks in the LFC.

Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Foamed Concrete at Varying Elevated Temperatures

Lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) made from cementitious materials with air pores entrapped in the matrix by mechanically entrained foam in the mortar slurry has several economic and environmental benefits. Most recently, LFC has been heralded as the next generation of lightweight construction industry concrete because of its versatility and technological advancements. Owing to its many desirable qualities, including low density, low cost, low thermal conductivity, low dimensional change, amazing load-bearing capacity, great workability, and low weight, it is considered an adaptable and flexible construction material. Given that LFC is a brittle building material and since fire is among the most frequent catastrophes to affect structures, it is crucial to consider the structural performance of LFC subjected to high temperatures. Hence, this experiment attempts to ascertain the effect of varying elevated temperatures on the LFC’s strength properties. Three LFC densities of 500, 1000 and 1500 kg/m3 were prepared. The LFC specimens were exposed to predetermined ambient and elevated temperatures of 20, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 °C, and the LFC samples were assessed for porosity, compressive and flexural strengths. The outcomes of this investigation showed that, regardless of density, the loss of LFC stiffness exposed to elevated temperatures happened primarily after 90 °C. This shows that the underlying process triggering stiffness loss is internal cracking, that transpires when water grows and dissolves from a porous medium. Lowering the LFC dry density diminishes its strength and rigidity. The LFC-normalized strength and stiffness–temperature relationships of various dry densities, on the other hand, are very comparable. From ambient temperature up until 400 °C, all densities exhibit a moderate and constant loss in strength and stiffness. Nevertheless, the decline is faster up to 600 °C or 800 °C, at which point it loses its ability to support any given weight. This study emphasized the necessity for more study and codes’ provisions that take into consideration various LFC constituent types and cutting-edge construction material technologies.

Studies on durability properties of natural fibre-reinforced green lightweight foamed concrete employing industrial hemp fibres

The utilization of natural fibres for the invention of building materials has increased significantly in recent years in the construction industry. Hemp fibre-reinforced concrete, according to research, can provide low-cost building materials for residential and low-rise buildings while achieving sustainable construction and meeting future environmental targets. The purpose of this research was to improve the durability of lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) reinforced with hemp fibre (HF). Six weight fractions of HF were considered specifically 0.0% (control), 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5%. Besides, three densities of LFC which were 500, 900 and 1300 kg/m3 were cast and tested. The properties evaluated were drying shrinkage, water absorption, depth of carbonation and porosity. From the durability tests, it was observed that the optimal results for water absorption, depth of carbonation and porosity tests were attained with the addition of 0.5% HF into LFC mixes. For the drying shrinkage test, LFC with the weight fractions of 0.3% (500 kg/m3), 0.4% (900 kg/m3) and 0.5% (1300 kg/m3) reveal the optimal drying shrinkage. This research has provided a foundation for further research into HF-strengthening LFC. There is a huge potential to utilize HF in cement-based materials for durability and mechanical properties enhancement. The use of industrial HF might make it possible to reduce fine aggregate while still producing LFC of higher quality. The inclusion of agricultural fibres in LFC will also promote the expansion of farming operations, which will have rewarding economic benefits.

Durability Properties of Lightweight Foamed Concrete Reinforced With ‘Musa Acuminate’ Fibre

The demand for lightweight building materials that are easy to work with, self-compacting, and environmentally friendly has been acknowledged by the construction industry globally. Given this demand, it has been discovered that a recent innovative material, lightweight foamed concrete (LFC), may be able to reduce the weight of ordinary concrete. Besides, utilizing LFC with the addition of natural fibres is seen as a great effort to assist sustainability. Corrosion of reinforcing steel, which affects the behaviour and longevity of concrete buildings, is one of the most significant challenges in the construction of reinforced LFC. Therefore, the focus of this work is on identifying the possible application of Musa Acuminate fibre (MAF) in LFC. The intention of this study is to ascertain the durability characteristics of LFC with MAF. The cast has a low density of 550 kg/m3. We'll employ several volume fractions of MAF that are 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, and 0.60%. The ability to absorb water, porosity, drying shrinkage and ultrasonic pulse velocity are the four criteria that will be evaluated. For the purpose of creating the necessary density of LFC, the protein-based foaming agent Noraite PA-1 was used. A constant water-to-cement ratio of 0.45 and a constant cement-to-sand ratio of 1.5 were used to get comparable results. The findings showed that for all of the durability attributes taken into account in this research, an increase of 0.45% MAF produced the best results. This resulted from the MAF and LFC cementitious composite's better bonding performance. Additionally, the fibres served as an anti-micro crack, preventing LFC cracks.