Durability of lightweight concretes with lightweight fly ash aggregates

This paper presents the effects of aggregate properties such as strength, porosity, water absorption, bulk density and specific gravity on the strength and durability of lightweight fly ash aggregate concrete (LWAC). The influence of properties of four aggregates (sintered lightweight fly ash aggregates, cold-bonded lightweight fly ash aggregate and normalweight aggregate) on mechanical and durability properties of concrete is discussed. Experimental results revealed that durable high-strength air-entrained lightweight concretes could be produced using sintered or cold-bonded lightweight fly ash aggregates, having comparable performance with the normalweight concretes. The use of lightweight aggregates (LWA) instead of normalweight aggregates in concrete production decreased the strength and stiffness due to the higher porosity and lower strength of the aggregate included in the concrete. However, permeability of sintered fly ash aggregate lightweight concretes was comparable and slightly lower than normalweight concrete whereas permeability of cold-bonded fly ash lightweight concrete was greater than the others. All concretes had a durability factor greater than 85, which met the requirements by showing quite perfect resistance to freeze–thaw.     

Effect of expanded perlite on the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of lightweight concrete

The main objective of this study is to provide more data on the effects of expanded perlite on the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of lightweight concrete. In the experimental program, mixtures were prepared by partially replacing natural aggregate by expanded perlite and as a result, unit weights of lightweight concretes in fresh state varied between 700 and 2000 kg/m³. Water to cement ratio was kept constant in all mixtures. Compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, water absorption and capillarity coefficient of the mixtures were determined. Thermal conductivity of the specimens was also obtained. Test results show that the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity decreases with increasing in perlite content. Water absorption and sorptivity coefficient, however, increase with the higher perlite contents. The test results indicate that the thermal conductivity is substantially improved with the use of perlite and a strong relationship between thermal conductivity and unit weight is obtained.     

Quality improvement of oil palm shell (OPS) as coarse aggregate in lightweight concrete

An experimental investigation on the quality improvement of oil palm shell (OPS) as a coarse aggregate in lightweight concrete was conducted using several pre-treatment methods, and the pre-treated OPS aggregates were exposed to severe alkaline, acidic and strong sulphate solutions. Tests conducted on the OPS aggregates were water absorption and aggregate impact value, and tests conducted on OPS concrete were the slump, demoulded density and compressive strength. The PVA solution showed the best performance in quality improvement of OPS aggregate as well as OPS concrete among other pre-treatment methods.     

Valorization of coarse rigid polyurethane foam waste in lightweight aggregate concrete

This study examines the mechanical properties and the durability parameters of lightweight aggregate concretes (LWAC) incorporating rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam waste as coarse aggregates (8/20 mm). The influence of both the increasing incorporation of PUR foam waste and the presence of superplasticizer on the workability, bulk density, mass loss, drying shrinkage, compressive strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity, total porosity, gas permeability and chloride diffusion coefficient of the different concretes, has been investigated and analyzed. The results showed that the use of PUR foam waste enabled to reduce by 29–36% the dry density of concrete compared to that of the normal weight concrete (made without foam waste). The reduction of density was due to the increase of total porosity in the lightweight concretes, which also induced higher gas permeability and chloride diffusion coefficient. These negative effects on durability of concrete were lowered by improving the characteristics of the cementitious matrix. The mechanical properties of the LWAC ranged between 8 and 16 MPa for the compressive strength and between 10 and 15 GPa for the dynamic modulus of elasticity; the concrete mixture with the higher performances almost satisfied the mechanical and density criteria of structural lightweight concrete. These results consolidate the idea of the use of PUR foam waste for the manufacture of lightweight aggregate concretes.     

Mechanical and bond properties of coconut shell concrete

The properties of concrete using coconut shell as coarse aggregate were investigated in an experimental study. Compressive, flexural, splitting tensile strengths, impact resistance and bond strength were measured and compared with the theoretical values as recommended by the standards. For the selected mix, two different water–cement ratios have been considered to study the effect on the flexural and splitting tensile strengths and impact resistance of coconut shell concrete. The bond properties were determined through pull-out test. Coconut shell concrete can be classified under structural lightweight concrete. The results showed that the experimental bond strength of coconut shell concrete is much higher than the bond strength as estimated by BS 8110 and IS 456:2000 for the mix selected.     

Engineering properties of concrete with oil palm shell as coarse aggregate

In a short-term study, for up to 90 days, properties of oil palm shell (OPS) concrete namely compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, drying shrinkage and initial surface absorption, have been determined and a comparison is made with control concrete. Two conditions of curing, namely, one to simulate the practical curing condition and another laboratory curing condition, are employed. It is observed that OPS concrete has sufficient strength to be accepted as structural lightweight concrete and that the trend of behaviours of OPS concrete and control concrete is very similar. However, the modulus of elasticity of OPS concrete is lower compared to control concrete and ISA is more in OPS concrete compared with control concrete.     

Modulus of elasticity of substandard and normal concretes

Modulus of elasticity is an important parameter used for the structural assessment and retrofitting of concrete structures. In this study, an experimental investigation on the modulus of elasticity of concrete was carried out, the results of which is presented. 60 mixtures were prepared, in which the effects of water/cement ratio, maximum size of the aggregate, aggregate type, and fly ash content were investigated. In order to obtain very low quality concrete, the water/cement ratios were increased to as high as 2.2. Modulus of elasticity of the concretes was obtained according to ASTM C469. Compressive strength and ultrasound pulse velocities of the concretes were also recorded. The experimentally obtained modulus of elasticity values were compared with those calculated by using prediction models given in a selection of codes of practice. Dynamic moduli of elasticity of the concretes were also obtained.     

再生粗骨料取代率对混凝土基本性能的影响

系统研究了相同水灰比情况下再生粗骨料取代率对混凝土基本性能的影响。试验中再生粗骨料取代率分别为0，30％，50％，70％和100％，保持混凝土的水灰比不变。主要研究了再生粗骨料取代率对混凝土立方体坍落度、抗压强度、棱柱体抗压强度、峰值应变和泊松比、弹性模量、劈裂抗拉强度以及抗折强度的影响。试验结果表明，再生粗骨料取代率对上述各性能指标均有一定影响，但程度不同。同时发现，除抗折强度外，普通混凝土各基本力学性能指标问的关系均不适用各种再生骨料取代率混凝土。     

自密实轻骨料混凝土配合比设计及基本力学性能试验

采用全计算法中水量计算公式和固定砂石体积法中粗骨料、砂子的固定体积分数相结合的方法,根据流动扩展度和L槽试验参数优选出强度等级为SCLC40和SCLC50的自密实轻骨料混凝土的配合比。分析了自密实轻骨料混凝土的抗压强度、劈裂抗拉强度、抗折强度、弹性模量等主要力学性能参数,并与普通混凝土的基本力学性能进行了对比。结果表明:自密实轻骨料混凝土具有强度高、韧性好、弹性模量小等特点,所得结论为自密实轻骨料混凝土的工程应用提供了参考。     

不同取代率再生粗骨料混凝土的力学性能

系统研究了坍落度相同的情况下再生粗骨料取代率对混凝土基本性能的影响.试验中再生粗骨料的掺入量分别为0,30%,50%,70%和100%,通过调节用水量使各组混凝土达到相同的坍落度.主要研究了达到相同坍落度时混凝土的用水量以及再生粗骨料取代率对混凝土坍落度、立方体抗压强度、棱柱体抗压强度、峰值应变和泊松比、弹性模量、劈裂抗拉强度以及抗折强度的影响.试验结果表明,再生粗骨料取代率对上述各性能指标均有一定影响,但程度不同.同时发现,除劈裂抗拉强度和抗折强度外,普通混凝土各基本力学性能指标间的关系不适用各种再生骨料取代率的混凝土.     

钢纤维轻骨料混凝土力学性能的试验研究

将钢纤维掺入轻骨料(人造膨胀珍珠岩)混凝土成为钢纤维轻骨料混凝土,它集中了钢纤维混凝土和轻骨料混凝土的优点,弥补了普通混凝土存在的抗拉强度低和自重大等不足。本文对这种新型混凝土材料的力学性能开展初步研究,针对试验中得到的钢纤维轻骨料混凝土的立方体抗压强度、劈拉强度、抗折强度、轴心抗压强度和弹性模量等进行讨论,分析钢纤维体积率的变化对钢纤维轻骨料混凝土力学性能的影响,给出相应的计算表达式,以利于其在工程实践中的推广和应用。试验结果表明,采用轻骨料和加入钢纤维后,混凝土的强度和变形等力学性能的改善效果十分明显。     

Innovative Betone für Holz‐Beton‐Verbundkonstruktionen

Innovative concretes for timber‐concrete composite constructions. Timber‐concrete composite constructions are currently applied mainly for new buildings or when strengthening existing timber beam slabs. The load bearing capacity of timber‐concrete composite slabs is essentially affected by the material properties of the concrete slab and timber beam itself as well as the efficiency of bond between both parts. As nowadays a wide spectrum of different innovative concretes is available their applicability for timber‐concrete composite constructions has to be verified. In the following the focus is set for self‐consolidating concrete, steel fibre reinforced concrete, structural lightweight concrete, high‐strength and ultra high‐strength concrete. The advantages but also disadvantages of these concretes will be explained considering structural, economic and processing aspects and building physics.     

Oil palm shell as a lightweight aggregate for production high strength lightweight concrete

In Malaysia, oil palm shell (OPS) is an agricultural solid waste originating from the palm oil industry. In this investigation old OPS was used for production of high strength lightweight concrete (HSLC). The density, air content, workability, cube compressive strength and water absorption were measured. The effect of five types of curing conditions on 28-day compressive strength was studied. The test results showed that by incorporating limestone powder and without it, it is possible to produce the OPS concretes with 28-day compressive strength of about 43–48 MPa and dry density of about 1870–1990 kg/m³. The compressive strength of OPS HSLC is sensitive to the lack of curing. The water absorption of these concretes is in the range of good concretes.     

钢纤维高强轻骨料混凝土力学性能的试验研究

轻骨料混凝土强度的提高导致了其脆性性能的增加,掺入钢纤维能对轻骨料混凝土起到增强、增韧效果。通过试验系统研究了LC50高强轻骨料混凝土在钢纤维体积率为0、0.5%、1.0%、1.5%和2.0%时的基本力学性能,包括立方体抗压强度、轴心抗压强度、劈裂抗拉强度、抗折初裂强度、抗折强度、静力受压弹性模量、泊松比和弯曲韧性等,并与国内外一些相关试验的结果进行了比较。试验结果表明:掺入钢纤维提高了轻骨料混凝土的立方体抗压强度、轴心抗压强度和静力受压弹性模量,显著提高了轻骨料混凝土的劈裂抗拉强度、抗折强度和弯曲韧性。掺入钢纤维与否,以及采用轻骨料还是普通碎石骨料对混凝土的泊松比无明显影响。     

冻融下预湿方式对塑钢纤维轻骨料混凝土与钢筋粘结性能的影响

通过常压预湿和加压预湿两种方式对烧结页岩陶粒轻骨料进行处理,探究不同冻融循环次数下,塑钢纤维轻骨料混凝土与钢筋的粘结性能,着重分析了两种预湿方式下试件力学性能、粘结强度、荷载滑移曲线、粘结韧性的变化规律。试验结果表明:加压预湿试件的力学性能、极限粘结强度低于常压预湿试件,且加压预湿试件的破坏形态均为劈裂破坏;加压预湿试件的极限粘结韧性Au随冻融循环次数增加而减小,残余粘结韧性A_(80)、A_(60)下降较为平缓,但常压预湿试件粘结韧性均高于加压预湿试件。建立了冻融环境下塑钢纤维轻骨料混凝土剩余粘结强度与抗压强度之间退化模型和粘结韧性退化模型,模型计算值与试验值吻合较好。     

养护条件对不同陶粒掺量混凝土强度影响的研究

研究了不同水灰比的普通混凝土、混合骨料混凝土和轻骨料混凝土在不同养护条件下的强度发展规律,同时还对混凝土内部相对湿度进行了测定。结果表明,室外自然养护条件下,普通混凝土28 d后强度几乎不再增长;标准养护条件下,掺加陶粒的低水灰比混凝土后期强度增长率较高;水中养护条件下,陶粒自养护作用对混凝土强度增长的贡献较低。     

Mechanical and elastic behaviour of concretes made of recycled-concrete coarse aggregates

In this paper an investigation of mechanical behaviour and elastic properties of recycled-aggregate concretes is presented. These concretes were prepared by alternatively using two different (coarse and finer coarse) recycled-aggregate fractions both made of recycled concrete coming from a recycling plant in which rubble from demolition is collected and suitably treated. Several concrete mixtures were prepared by using only virgin aggregates (as reference), 30% finer coarse recycled aggregate replacing fine gravel and 30% coarse recycled aggregate replacing gravel. Five different water to cement ratios were adopted as: 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55 and 0.60. Concrete workability was in the slump range of 190–200 mm. Compression tests were carried out after 28 days of wet curing. In addition, concrete elastic modulus and drying shrinkage were evaluated. Results obtained showed that structural concrete up to C32/40 strength class can be manufactured by replacing 30% virgin aggregate with recycled-concrete aggregate. Moreover, a correlation between elastic modulus and compressive strength of recycled-aggregate concrete was found and compared to those reported in the literature. Finally, on the basis of drying shrinkage results, particularly if finer coarse recycled-concrete aggregate is added to the mixture, lower strains could be detected especially for earlier curing time.     

Mechanical properties of normal and high strength concretes subjected to high temperatures and using image analysis to detect bond deteriorations

The effect of high temperatures, up to 250 °C, on mechanical properties of normal and high strength concretes with and without silica fume was investigated, and image analysis was performed on split concrete surfaces to see the change in bond strength between aggregate and mortar. Specimens were heated up to elevated temperatures (50, 100, 150, 200, 250 °C) without loading and then the residual compressive and splitting tensile strength, as well as the static modulus of elasticity of the specimens were determined. For normal strength concrete residual mechanical properties started to decrease at 100 °C, while using silica fume reduced the losses at high temperatures. In terms of percent residual properties, high strength concrete specimens performed better than normal strength concrete specimens for all heating cycles. Image analysis studies on the split surfaces have been utilized to investigate the effect of high temperatures on the bond strength between aggregate and mortar. Image analysis results showed that reduced water–cement ratio and the use of silica fume improved the bond strength at room temperature, and created more stable bonding at elevated temperatures up to 250 °C.     

A preliminary study of reactive powder concrete as a new repair material

This study aims to use reactive powder concrete (RPC) as a new repair material and evaluate its bond durability to existing concrete. One accelerated aging environment, namely a freeze–thaw cycle acceleration deterioration test, was selected for the evaluation of bond durability of the repair materials. Before and after aging, the samples were evaluated by the compressive strength, bond strength (slant shear test), steel pull out strength, and relative dynamic modulus NDT tests. The test results show that the RPC displays excellent repair and retrofit potentials on compressive and flexure strengthening and possesses high bond strength, dynamic modulus and bond durability as compared with other concretes. The adhesion between the RPC and the steel is also much greater than that for the other concretes. It would be interesting to verify the consequences of this improved adhesion and repair in reinforced concrete structures.     

Characteristics of lightweight concrete containing mineral admixtures

This research investigates the properties of fresh and hardened concretes containing locally available natural lightweight aggregates, and mineral admixtures. Test results indicated that replacing cement in the structural lightweight concrete developed, with 5–15% silica fume on weight basis, caused up to 57% and 14% increase in compressive strength and modulus of elasticity, respectively, compared to mixes without silica fume. But, adding up to 10% fly ash, as partial cement replacement by weight, to the same mixes, caused about 18% decrease in compressive strength, with no change in modulus of elasticity, compared to mixes without fly ash. Adding 10% or more of silica fume, and 5% or more fly ash to lightweight concrete mixes perform better, in terms of strength and stiffness, compared to individual mixes prepared using same contents of either silica fume or fly ash.