Mechanical Characterization of Extrudable Foamed Concrete: An Experimental Study

Authors: D. Falliano, D. De Domenico, G. Ricciardi, E. Gugliandolo

Abstract:

This paper is focused on the mechanical characterization of foamed concrete specimens with protein-based foaming agent. Unlike classic foamed concrete, a peculiar property of the analyzed foamed concrete is the extrudability, which is achieved via a specific additive in the concrete mix that significantly improves the cohesion and viscosity of the fresh cementitious paste. A broad experimental campaign was conducted to evaluate the compressive strength and the indirect tensile strength of the specimens. The study has comprised three different cement types, two water/cement ratios, three curing conditions and three target dry densities. The variability of the strength values upon the above mentioned factors is discussed.

Keywords: Cement type, curing conditions, density, extrudable concrete, foamed concrete, mechanical characterization.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1316103

References:

[1] K. Ramamurthy, E. K. Nambiar, and G. I. S. Ranjani, “A classification of studies on properties of foam concrete,” Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 388-396, 2009.
[2] E.P. Kearsley, P. J. Wainwright, “The effect of high fly ash content on the compressive strength of foamed concrete,” Cement and concrete research vol. 31, no. (1), pp. 105-112, 2001.
[3] K. G. Babu, and D. S. Babu, “Behaviour of lightweight expanded polystyrene concrete containing silica fume,” Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 33, no. 5, pp. 755-762, 2003.
[4] D. Falliano, D. De Domenico, G. Ricciardi, and E. Gugliandolo, “Experimental investigation on the compressive strength of foamed concrete: Effect of curing conditions, cement type, foaming agent and dry density,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 165C, pp. 735-749, 2018.
[5] T. H. Wee, D. S. Babu, T. Tamilselvan, and H. S. Lin, “Air-void systems of foamed concrete and its effect on mechanical properties,” ACI Mater J, vol. 103, no. 1, pp. 45–52, 2006.
[6] M.H. Thakrele, “Experimental study on foam concrete”, Int. J. Civ. Struct. Environ. Infrastruct. Eng. Res. Dev., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 145-158, 2014.
[7] W. W. Long, and J. S. Wang, “Study on Compressive Strength and Moisture Content of Different Grades Density of Foam Concrete,” International Conference on Material Science and Application (ICMSA 2015), DOI: 10.2991/icmsa-15.2015.32.
[8] C. Hu, H. Li, Z. Liu, and Q. Wang, “Influence of Curing Conditions on the Compressive Strength of Foamed Concrete,” International Conference on Power Engineering & Energy, Environment 2016, ISBN: 978-1-60595-376-2.
[9] D. K. Panesar, “Cellular concrete properties and the effect of synthetic and protein foaming agents,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 44, pp. 575-584, 2013.
[10] E. K. K. Nambiar, and K. Ramamurthy, “Fresh state characteristics of foam concrete,” ASCE Mater Civ Eng, vol. 20, pp. 111–17, 2008.
[11] S. Karl, and J. D. Worner, “Foamed concrete-mixing and workability,” In: Bartos PJM, editor. Special concrete-workability and mixing, London: E&FN Spon, 1993. pp. 217–24.
[12] H. K. Kim, J. H. Jeon, H. K. Lee, “Workability, and mechanical, acoustic and thermal properties of lightweight aggregate concrete with a high volume of entrained air,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 29, pp. 193-200, 2012.
[13] C.T. Tam, T. Y. Lim, R. Sri Ravindrarajah, S. L. Lee, “Relationship between strength and volumetric composition of moist-cured cellular concrete,” Magazine of Concrete Research, vol. 39, no. 138, pp. 12-18, 1987.
[14] M. A. S. Sudin, and M. Ramli, “Effect of Specimen Shape and Size on the Compressive Strength of Foamed Concrete,” In MATEC Web of Conferences (Vol. 10, p. 02003) 2014. EDP Sciences.
[15] R. C. Valore, “Cellular concrete part 2 physical properties,” ACI J vol. 50, pp. 817–36, 1954.