CHAPTER 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Most of the normal weight aggregate of normal concretes is natural stone such as lime
stone and granite. With the increasing amount of concrete used, natural environment and
resources are excessively exploited. Synthetic light weight aggregate produced from
environmental waste like fly ash, is a viable new source of structural aggregate material. The use
of light weight concrete permits greater design flexibility and substantial cost savings, reduced
dead load, improved cyclic loading, structural response, longer spans, better fire ratings, thinner
sections, smaller size structural members, less reinforcing steel and lower foundations costs.
Weight of light weight concrete is typically 25% to 35% lighter but its strengths is comparable to
normal weight concrete.

The conventional cement concrete is a heavy material having a density of 25000 Kg/m 3
and high thermal conductivity. The dead weight of the structure made up of this concrete is
large compared to the imposed load to be carried, and a relatively small reduction in dead
weight, particularly for members in flexure ex. in high rise buildings, can save money and
manpower in construction.

Light Weight Aggregate is a relatively new material. For the same crushing strength,
the density of concrete made with such an aggregate can be as much as 35 percent lower than
the normal weight concrete. In addition to the reduced dead weight, the lower modulus of
elasticity and adequate ductility of light weight concrete may be advantageous in the seismic
design of structures. Other inherent advantages of the material are its greater fire resistance,
low thermal conductivity, low coefficient of thermal expansion and lower erection and
transport costs for prefabricated members.

1
 1.1 Light Weight Aggregates
Light Weight Aggregates may be grouped in the following categories:
(i) Naturally occurring materials which require further processing such as
expanded clay, shale and slate, vermiculite etc.,
(ii) Industrial by-products such as sintered pulverized fuel ash (fly ash),
foamed or expanded blast furnace slag, hemalite etc.,
(iii) Naturally occurring materials such as pumice, foamed lava, volcanic tuff
and porous lime stone.

1.2 Light Weight Concrete

Structural light weight concrete has an in-place density (unit weight) on the
order of 1440 to 1840 kg/m 3 (90 to 115 lb/ft3) compared to normal weight concrete with a
density in the range of 2240 to 2500 kg/m3 (140 to 150 lb/m3). For structural applications the
concrete strength should be greater than 2500 psi (17.0 MPa). The concrete mixture is made
with a light weight coarse aggregate. In some cases a portion or the entire fine aggregate may
be a light weight product. Light eight aggregates used in structural light weight concrete are
typically expanded shale, clay or slate, pumice materials that have been fired in a rotary kiln to
develop a porous structure. Other products such as air cooled blast furnace slag, hemalite are
also used. There are other classes of non-structural light weight concretes with lower density
made with other aggregate materials and higher air voids in the cement paste matrix, such as in
cellular concrete. These are typically used for the insulation properties. The above properties
focuses the structural light weight concrete.

The primary use of structural light weight concrete is to reduce the dead load of a
concrete structure, which then allows the structural designer to reduce the size of columns,
footings and other load bearing elements. Structural light weight concrete mixtures can be
designed to achieve similar strengths as normal weight concrete. The same is true for other
mechanical and durability performance requirements. Structural light weight concrete provides
more efficient strength to weight ratio in structural elements. In most cases, the marginally
higher cost of the light weight concrete is offset by size reduction of structural elements, less

2
reinforcing steel and reduced volume of concrete, resulting in lower overall cost. In buildings,
structural light weight concrete provides a higher fire-rated concrete structure.

The porosity of light weight aggregate provides a source of water for internal curing of
the concrete that provides continued enhancement of concrete strength and durability. This
does not preclude the need for external curing. Structural light weight concrete has been used
for bridge decks, piers, beams, slabs and wall elements in steel and concrete frame buildings,
parking structures, tilt-up walls , topping slabs and composite slabs on metal deck. Light
weight concrete can be manufactured with a combination of fine and coarse light weight
aggregate or coarse light weight aggregate and normal weight fine aggregate.

Complete replacement of normal weight fine aggregate with a light weight aggregate
will decrease the concrete density by approximately 160 Kg/m3 (10 lb/ft 3). Designers
recognize that structural light weight concrete will not typically serve in an oven-dry
environment. Therefore, structural design generally reliers on an equilibrium density (some
times referred to as air-dry density) the condition in which some moisture is retained within the
light weight concrete.

3
 CHAPTER 2
`
2.0 LITERATURE SURVEY

T. Parhizkar et al., (2011) [1] have presented experimental investigation on the

properties of volcanic pumice lightweight aggregates concretes. To this end, two groups of
lightweight concretes (lightweight coarse with natural fine aggregates concrete, and lightweight
coarse and fine aggregates concrete) are built and the physical/mechanical and durability aspects
of them are studied.

Comments: The results of compressive strength, tensile strength and drying shrinkage show that
these lightweight concretes meet the requirements of the structural lightweight concrete.

N. Sivalinga Rao et al (2013) [2] have studied on Fibre Reinforced Light Weight
Aggregate (Natural Pumice Stone) Concrete. In their study, the mix design was M20 and the test
results are as follows: More than the target means strength of M 20 concrete is achieved with 20
percent replacement of natural coarse aggregate by pumice aggregate and with 1.5 percent of
fibber. Also with 40% pumice and with 0.5% of fibbers average target mean strength of M 20
concrete is achieved.

Comments: The compressive strength of pumice concrete is seen to increase with the fiber
content and reaches an optimum value at 1.5% of fiber content and afterwards it gets decreased
for various contents of pumice.

P.C.Taylor [3] presently a professor at Wuhan University of Technology has said that
mineral admixtures affect the physical and mechanical properties of High Strength Structural
Light Concrete. Addition of Fly Ash enhances the compressive strength and splitting tensile
strength of HSSLC when FA was more than 20% in cementitious materials, its 28 days
compressive strength and splitting tensile strengths are less than those of the concrete without
FA.

4
Comments: Addition of silica fume enhances the compressive strength about 25% and splitting
tensile strength also. Incorporating supplementary binders have significant influence on the
modulus of elasticity of semi-light weight concrete.

Satish Chandra and Leif Berntsson [4] has reported on Light Weight aggregate
concrete: Science, technology and applications, Noyes Publications; that the successful
application of structural light weight aggregate demonstrated that light weight used for precast
structural elements can be used in building construction to increase the speed of construction,
enhance green construction environment such as reducing the wet trade on site and keep dust as
reducing the wet trade on site and keep dust level at construction to the minimum.

Swamy R.H and Lambert G.H (1984) [5] studied above the light weight aggregate and
proved that the thermal efficiency is very more to the light weight concrete and the load carrying
capacity of the light weight concrete is same as the normal concrete by using some mineral and
chemical admixtures.

5
 CHAPTER-3

3.0 OBJECT AND SCOPE OF EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

3.1 EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

The experimental investigation consists of casting and testing of various mixes for
determining compressive, tensile strengths respectively. Pumice stone is used in the study with
different percentages as a partial replacement to natural weight coarse aggregate along with the
varying percentages of the different admixture Fly Ash.

Cube specimen dimension is of 15cmx15cmx15cm, cylinder specimen dimension is

15cmx30cm and prism specimen dimension is 50cmx10cmx10cm. The moulds are applied with
a lubricant before placing the concrete. After a day of casting, the moulds are removed. The
cubes, cylinders and prisms are moved to the curing tank carefully.

3.1.1 MATERIALS

The constituent materials used in this study are given below :

1. Cement
2. Normal Weight Coarse Aggregate
3. Fine Aggregate
4. Fly Ash
5. Pumice Stone (Light Weight Coarse Aggregate)

3.2 MATERIAL PROPERTIES

6
3.2.1 CEMENT

The cement used was ordinary Portland cement of 53- grade .The cement should be fresh and
of uniform consistency. Where there is evidence of lumps or any foreign matter in the material, it
should not be used. The cement should be stored under dry conditions and for as short duration
as possible.

3.2.2 AGGREGATES

A) FINE AGGREGATES

Sand shall be obtained from a reliable supplier. It should be clean, hard, strong, and free of
organic impurities and deleterious substance. It should inert with respect to other materials used
and of suitable type with regard to strength, density, shrinkage and durability of mortar made
with it.

Grading of the sand is to be such that a mortar of specified proportions is produced with a
uniform distribution of the aggregate, which will have a high density and good workability and
which will work into position without segregation and without use of high water content. The
fineness of the sand should be such that 100% of it passes standard sieve No.8.

Fine aggregates conforming to grading zone II with particles greater than 2.36 mm and
smaller than 150 mm removed are suitable.

Locally available river sand in dry condition was used as a fine aggregate throughout the
investigation. River sand having particle size less than 4.75mm and passing through 4.75mm was
used. Sand used in this study conformed to Zone-II of Indian standard specifications IS 383-
1970. The properties of fine aggregate shown below in table 3.3 and table 3.4

Table 3.1: Properties of Fine Aggregate

S.No Property Values
1. Specific Gravity 2.62

7
 2. Fineness Modulus 2.6
3. Water Absorption 1%
4. Grading of Sand Zone – II

Table 3.2: Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregate

Cumulative Cumulative percent passing
Weight Percentage
S.N Sieve No/ size percentage IS 383 (1970) –
retained weight Fine
o weight Zone II
(gm) retained aggregate
retained requirement
1 3/8” (10mm) 0 0 0 100 100

2 No.4 (4.75mm) 12 1.2 1.2 98.80 90-100

3 No.8 (2.36mm) 35 3.5 4.7 95.30 75-100

4 No.16 (1.18mm) 135 13.50 18.2 81.80 55-90

5 No.30 (600μm) 366 36.6 54.8 45.2 35-59

6 No.50 (300μm) 290 29.00 83.8 18.2 8-30

7 No.100 (150μm) 132 13.20 97.0 3.0 0-10

Fineness Modulus Of Sand = ∑ (Cumulative percent retained)/100

Fineness Modulus Of Sand = 260/100
Fineness Modulus Of Sand =2.6

8
 110
Lower Limit (IS
100 383:1970)
Fine Aggregate
90 Upper Limit (IS 383:
1970)
80
Percentage Passing

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

IS Seive Size (mm)

Fig. 1: Grading curve of fine aggregate

3.2.3 Coarse Aggregate

Crushed granite stones of size 20 mm and 10 mm of coarse aggregate are used. The bulk
specific gravity in oven dry condition and water absorption of the coarse aggregate 20 mm and
10mm as per IS code were 2.58 and 0.3% respectively.

The gradation of the coarse aggregate was determined by sieve analysis as per IS code
and presented in the Tables 3.2 and 3.3. The grading curves of the coarse aggregates as per IS
code are shown in Fig 3.1 and 3.2. (Quantity taken=5 Kg)

9
 Table 3.3: Sieve Analysis of 20 mm Coarse Aggregate
Cumulative percent
Cumulative
Weight Percentage passing
Sieve size percentage
S.No retained weight IS 383
(mm) weight
(gm) retained 20 mm (1970)
retained
Limits
1 20 0 0 0 100 85-100

2 16 2191.5 43.83 43.83 56.17 N/A

3 12.5 1692.5 33.85 77.68 22.32 N/A

4 10 853.5 17.07 94.75 5.29 0-20

5 4.75 262.5 5.25 100 0 0-5

120
Lower Limit (IS 393:1970)
Coarse Aggregate
100
Upper Limit (IS 383:1970)
Percentage Passing

80

60

40

20

IS Seive Size (mm)

Fig. 2: Grading curve of Coarse aggregate 20mm

10
 Table 3.4: Sieve Analysis of 10mm Coarse Aggregate

Cumulative Cumulative percent passing

Sieve Weight Percentage
percentage
S.No size retained weight 10
weight IS 383 (1970) limits
(mm) (gm) retained mm
retained
1 10 16 0.32 0.32 99.68 85-100

2 4.75 4546 90.92 91.24 8.76 0-20

3 2.36 318 6.36 97.6 2.4 0-5

120
Lower Limit (IS 393:1970)
Coarse Aggregate
100
Upper Limit (IS 383:1970)
Percentage Passing

80

60

40

20

IS Seive Size (mm)

Fig. 3: Grading curve of Coarse aggregate 10mm

11
B) NORMAL WEIGHT COARSE AGGREGATE

Machine crushed hard granite chips of 67% passing through 20 mm sieve and retained on 12
mm sieve and 33% passing through 12 mm and retained on 10 mm sieve was used a coarse
aggregate throughout the work.

C) LIGHT WEIGHT COARSE AGGREGATE

PUMICE STONE

Pumice called pumicite in its powdered or dust form, is a volcanic rock that consists of
highly vesicular rough textured volcanic glass, which may or may not contain crystals. It is
typically light colored.

Pumice is created when super-heated, highly pressurized rock is violently ejected from
a volcano. The unusual foamy configuration of pumice happens because of simultaneous rapid
cooling and rapid depressurization. The depressurization creates bubbles by lowering
the solubility of gases (including water and CO2) that are dissolved in the lava, causing the gases
to rapidly resolve (like the bubbles of CO2 that appear when a carbonated drink is opened). The
simultaneous cooling and depressurization freezes the bubbles in the matrix.

Pumice is composed of highly micro vesicular glass pyroclastic with very thin,
translucent bubble walls of extrusive igneous rock. It is commonly, but not exclusively
of silicic or felsic to intermediate in
compositionB(e.g., rhyolitic, dacitic, andesite, pantellerite, phonolite, trachyte), but basaltic and
other compositions are known. Pumice is commonly pale in color, ranging from white, cream,
blue or grey, to green-brown or black. It forms when volcanic gases exsolving from
viscous magma nucleate bubbles which cannot readily decouple from the viscous magma prior to
chilling to glass. Pumice is a common product of explosive eruptions (plinian and ignimbrite-
forming) and commonly forms zones in upper parts of silicic lavas. Pumice has an
average porosity of 90%, and initially floats on water.

12
 Fig.4 Pumice Stone

Properties of Pumice Stone

(i) Composition

Pumice has a chemical composition similar to that of obsidian, or volcanic glass. It has very
thin, translucent bubble walls of extrusive igneous rock. Pumice stones as used in beauty salons
are generally high in silica and low in iron and magnesium.

(ii) Density

Pumice is very lightweight. This is due to the air bubbles in it, created as gasses departed
during the formation process. Pumice stones vary in density, according to the thickness of the
solid material between the bubbles. Average porosity is 90 percent, which is extremely high
for a rock material.

13
(iii) Buoyancy

Pumice stones are so lightweight they will usually float on water for a time, before
eventually sinking once becoming waterlogged. Large rafts of pumice have been known to
float through oceans for decades after volcanic eruptions.

(iv) Abrasivity

Pumice stones are abrasive, which is why they are good at removing dry skin and calluses
from the feet. Pumice is also used as an abrasive in polishes, pencil erasers, cosmetic
exfoliants and the production of printed circuit boards.

(v) Color
Pumice is commonly pale in color, ranging from white, cream, blue or grey, to green-
brown or black. Pumice stones found at beauty salons or in pharmacies are generally light
gray in color.

(vi) Light Weight

Density range from 650 kg/m3 to 1850 kg/m3 as compared to1800 kg/m3 to 2400
kg/m3 for conventional brick and concrete respectively. Despite millions of tiny air filled
cells, it is strong and durable. There is Lightweight advantage for the structure design,
leading to savings in supporting structures and foundation.

(vii)Compressive Strength: 2.0 to 7.0 N/mm2.

(vii) Excellent Acoustic Performance

It can be used as effective sound barrier and for acoustic solutions. Hence, highly
suitable for partition walls, floor screens / roofing and panel material in auditoriums.

(viii) Earthquake Resistant

Since lighter than concrete & brick, the lightness of the material increases resistance
against earthquake.

14
 (ix) Insulation
Superior thermal insulation properties compared to that of conventional brick and
concrete, so reduces the heating and cooling expenses. In buildings, light-weight concrete
will produce a higher fire rated structure.

(x) Workability
Products made from lightweight concrete are lightweight, making them easy to place
using less skilled labour. The bricks can be sawed, drilled and shaped like wood using
standard hand tools, regular screws and nails. It is simpler than brick or concrete.

(xi) Lifespan: Weather proof, termite resistant and fire proof.

(xii) Savings in Material

Reduces dead weight of filler walls in framed structures by more than 50% as compared
to brickwork resulting in substantial savings. Due to the bigger and uniform shape of blocks,
there is a saving in bed mortar and plaster thickness. In most cases the higher cost of the
light-weight concrete is offset by a reduction of structural elements, less reinforcing steel and
reduced volume of concrete.

(xiv) Water Absorption: Closed cellular structures and hence have lower water absorption.

(xv) Skim Coating: Do not require plaster and water repellent paint suffices. Wallpapers and
plasters can also be applied directly to the surface.

(xvi) Modulus of Elasticity: The modulus of elasticity of the concrete with lightweight
aggregates is lower, 0.5 – 0.75 to that of the normal concrete. Therefore more deflection is there
in lightweight concrete.

15
 3.2.3 WATER

Water used in the mixing is to be fresh and free from any organic and harmful solutions
which will lead to deterioration in the properties of the mortar. Salt water is not to be used.
Potable water is fit for use mixing water as well as for curing of beams.

3.2.4 ADMIXTURES

Special considerations shall be given to the addition of materials to the mortar for special
purposes. Approval may be given by the consulting engineer, when the materials is to be added
directly or indirectly to reduce the water to the cement ratio or according to approve standards, if
any. In this work, the admixture used is Fly Ash .

1) FLY ASH

Fly Ash is finely divided residue resulting from the combustion of powdered coal and
transported by the flue gases and collected by electrostatic precipitator. Fly Ash is the most
commonly and widely used pozzolanic material all over the world.

Fly ash was first used in large scale in the construction Hungery Hose Dam in America
in the approximate amount of 30% by weight of cement. In India, it was used in Rihand dam
construction replacing cement upto 15%.

In the recent time, the importance and use of fly ash in concrete has grown so much that
it has almost become a common ingredient in concrete, particularly for making high strength and
high performance concrete. Extensive research has been done all over the world on the benefits
that could be accrued in the utilization of fly ash as a supplementary cementitious material. High
volume fly ash concrete is a subject of current interest all over the world.

The use of fly ash as concrete admixture not only extends technical advantages to the
properties of concrete but also contributes to the environmental pollution control. In India alone,
we produce about 80 million tons of fly ash per year, the disposal of which has become a serious
environmental problem. The effective utilization of fly ash in concrete making is, therefore,
attracting serious considerations of concrete technologists and government departments.

16
 Fig.5 Fly Ash

Table 3.5:Physical Property and Chemical Composition of Fly Ash

S.No Physical Property Value

1. Specific gravity 2.67
2. 2 4069
Fineness cm /gm

17
Chemical Composition of Fly Ash

S.No Chemical Compositions percentage

1. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) 66.80
2. Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) 24.50
3. Iron oxide (Fe2O3) 4
4. Calcium oxide (CaO) 1.50
5. Magnesium oxide (MgO) 0.45
6. Sodium oxide (Na2O) 0.40
7. Potassium oxide (K2O) 0.22

3.2.5 MOULDS

Moulds of required size and shape were prepared for casting process. The dimensions of the
moulds for casting cubes, cylinders and prisms are 150mm x 150mm x 150mm, 300mm x
150mm & 500mm x 100mm x 100mm respectively are used. All the moulds are applied
lubricant before concreting. After a day of casting moulds are de moulded and then cubes, prisms
& cylinders are moved to the curing tank carefully for curing.

3.3 MIX DESIGN

Mix design can be defined as the process of selecting suitable ingredients of concrete and
determining their relative proportions with the object of producing concrete of certain minimum
strength and durability as economically as possible.

Mix design for each set having different combinations are carried out by using IS:10262 -
2009 method. The mix proportion obtained for normal M30 grade concrete is 1:1.62:2.55 with a
water-cement ratio of 0.42

18
Design stipulations: (IS:10262-2009)

Grade designation : M30

Type of cement : OPC 53 grade
Max size of aggregate : 20mm
Min cement content : 320 kg/m3
Max W/C ratio : 0.55
Wokability : 75mm(slump)
Exposure condition : mild
Degree of supervision : good
Type of aggregate : crushed angular aggregate
Max cement content : 450 kg/m3

(i) Target mean strength of concrete:

M30(s=5N/mm2; very good)

Target = 30+1.65*5
= 38.25N/mm2
(ii) Selection of W/C ratio:
Adopt 0.42<0.55
Hence ok
(iii) Selection of water content:
Estimated water content
=186+0
=186 lts
(iv) Calculation of cement content:
W/C ratio=0.42
Cement content= 186/0.42
= 442.85Kg/m3.

(v) Mix calculations:

Mix per unit volume of concrete

19
 (a) Volume of concrete = 1m3
(b) Volume of cement
= mass of cement
Specific gravity of cement*1000
=(442.85/3.15)*(1/1000)
=0.1405m3
(c) volume of water
=186/1000
=0.186m3.
(d) volume of aggregates
= 1-(0.1405+0.186)
=.0.6735m3
(e) Volume and weight of coarse aggregate
Volume=0.673*0.6= 0.4038m3

Weight= volume of C.A* specific gravity of CA*1000

=0.403*2.81*1000
=1132.4Kg
(f) Volume and weight of fine aggregate
Volume=0.673*0.4=0.2692m3
Weight = volume of F.A* specific gravity of FA*1000
=0.2692*2.62*1000
= 718.76m3

Mix proportion:

Cement FA CA Water
442.85 718.76 1132.4 186
1 1.62 2.55 0.42

Objective:

20
The main objects of concrete mix design are:
1. To achieve the stipulated minimum strength and durability
2. To make the concrete in the most economical manner

Design of concrete mix requires complete knowledge of the various properties of the
constituent materials, the implication in case of change on these conditions at the site, the impact
of properties of plastic concrete on the hardened concrete and complicated inter-relationship
between the variables.
3.4 PROCESS OF MANUFACTURE OF CONCRETE

(i)Batching
The measurement of materials for making concrete is known as Batching.
(ii)Weigh Batching
Weigh is the correct method of measuring the material. Use of weight system is
batching, facilitates accuracy, flexibility and simplicity. Different types of weigh batches are
available. In smaller works, the weighing arrangement consists of two weighing buckets,
each connected through a system of levers to spring loaded dials which indicate the load.
The weighing buckets are mounted on a central spindle about which they rotate. Thus one
can be loaded while the other is being discharged into the mixer skip. A simple spring and
electronic balance or the common platform weighing machines also can be used for small
job.

On large work sites, the weigh bucket types of weighing equipment are used. This is fed
from a large over head storage hopper and it discharges by gravity, straight in to mixer. The
weighing is done through a lever arm system and two inter linked beam and jockey weights.
The required quantity of say coarse aggregate is weighed, having only the lower beam in
operation. After balancing by turning the smaller lever, to left of the beam, the two beams
are inter linked and the fine aggregate is added until they both balance. The pointer indicates
the final balance on the scale to the right of the beams. Discharge is through the swivel gate
at the bottom.
(iii) Measurement of water:

21
 When weigh batching is adopted, the measurement of water must be done accurately.
Addition of water by graduated bucket in terms of liters will not be accurate enough for the
reason of spillage of water etc. It is usual to have the water measured in a horizontal tank or a
vertical tank fitted to the mixer. These tanks are filled up after every batch. The filling is so
designed to have control so as to admit any desired quantity of water. Some times, water-
meters are fitted in the main water supply to the mixer from which the exact quantity of
water can be into the mixer.

PREPARATION OF CONCRETE CUBES:

Metal moulds, preferably steel or cast iron, strong enough to prevent distortion is
required. They are made in such a manner as to facility the removal of the moulded. Specimen
without damage and are so maintained that, when it is assembled, the dimensions and internal
faces are required to be accurate with in the following limits.

The height of the mould and the distance between the opposite faces are of the specified size
+ 0.2mm the angle between adjacent internal faces and between internal faces and top and
bottom planes of the mould is required to be 90 + 0.50. The interior faces of the mould are plane
surfaces with permissible variations of 0.03 mm. Each mould is provided with a metal base plate
having a plane surface. The base plate is of such dimension as to support the mould during the
filling with out leakage and it is preferably attached to the mould by springs or screws. The parts
of the mould, when assembled are positively and rigidly held together, and suitable methods of
ensuring this, both during the filling and subsequent handling of the filled mould, are required to
be provided. In assembling the mould for use, the joints between the section of the mould are
thinly coated with mould oil and a similar coating of mould oil is applied between the contact
surface of the bottom of the mould and the base plate in order to ensure that no water escapes
during the filling. The interior surface of the assembled mould is also required to be thinly coated
with mould oil to prevent adhesion of concrete. A steel bar 16mm in dia 0.6 m Long and bullet
pointed at the lower end serve as a tamping bar.

Compacting

22
 The testing cube specimens are made as soon as possible after mixing and in such a manner
to produce full compaction of the concrete with neither segregation nor excessive bleeding. The
concrete is filled into the mould in layers approximately 5 cm deep. In placing each scoopful of
concrete, the scoop is required to be moved around the top edge of the mould as the concrete
slides from it, in order to ensure a symmetrical distribution of the concrete within the mould.
Each mould is compacted either by a needle vibrator or table vibrator. After the top layer has
been compacted the surface of the cube up to the top of the mould is smoothened using a trowel.
The top is covered with a glass or metal plate to prevent evaporation.

Curing
The test specimens are stored in a place free from vibration in moist air of at least 90%
relative humidity and at a temperature of 27o 2oC for 24 hours from the time of addition of water
to the dry ingredients. After this period, the specimens are marked and removed from the
moulds. Unless required for testing within 24 hours, they are immediately submerged in clean
fresh water or saturated lime solution and are kept there until they are taken out just prior to test.
The water or solution, in which the specimens are submerged, are renewed every seven days and
are maintained at a temperature of 27oC + 2oC. The specimens are not to be allowed to become
dry at any time until they have been tested.

Testing:
(i) Compressive Strength
After 28 days curing, cubical specimens are placed on compression testing machine
having a maximum capacity of 3000 KN.Ultimate load at which the cubical specimen fails is

23
noted down from dial gauge reading. This ultimate load divided by the area of specimen gives
the compressive strength of each cube.
Compressive strength = P/A
(ii) Tensile Strength

After 28 days curing, cylinder specimens are placed on tensile testing machine having a
maximum capacity of 1000 KN by placing two steel plates below and above the cylinder in the
horizontal direction . Ultimate load at which the cylindrical specimen fails is noted down from
dial gauge reading.
Tensile strength =2P/Пdl

CHAPTER-IV
4.0 TEST RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Table 4.1 : Test Results for various proportions of mineral admixtures and light weight coarse
aggregate (Pumice Stone)

24
 S.No Mix Designation Compressive Split Tensile
Strength Strength
MPa MPa
1. M30 38.22 4.8
Control Mix
2. M30 36.44 4.38
10% P
3. M30 35.11 4.24
20% P
4. M30 32 3.96
30% P
5. M30 30.66 3.53
40% P
6. M30 29.77 3.11
50% P

Effect of LWA on Cubes under Compression loading

Table : 4.2 The compressive strength of Cubes casted with varying proportions of light weight
aggregate are given below
S.No Mix Designation Compressive Strength (MPa)

25
 1. M30 38.22
Control Mix
2. M30 36.44
10% P
3. M30 35.11
20% P
4. M30 32
30% P
5. M30 30.66
40% P
6. M30 29.77
50% P

45
40
35
Compressive Strength (Mpa)

30
25
20
15
10
5
0
M30 10% P 20% P 30%P 40%P 50%P
% replacement of light weight aggregate

Fig6. Graph showing compressive strengths for various proportions of pumice stone

Effect of LWA on Cylinders under tensile loading

Table:4.3 The compressive strength of Cylinders casted with varying proportions of mineral
admixtures are given below

26
 S.No Mix Designation Split Tensile Strength (MPa)
1. M30 4.8
Control Mix
2. M30 4.38
10% P
3. M30 4.24
20% P
4. M30 3.96
30% P
5. M30 3.53
40% P
6. M30 3.11
50% P

5
Tensile Strength (Mpa)

0
M30 10% P 20% P 30%P 40%P 50%P
% replacement of light weight aggregate

Fig.7 Graph showing Tensile strengths for various proportions of pumice stone

PHASE – II

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Table :4.4 Compressive and Split properties of M30 concrete using mineral admixture and
Pumice Stone
S.No Mix Designation Compressive Split Tensile
Strength MPa Strength
MPa
1. M1 M30 42.11 5.37
(10% FA)
2. M2 M30 38.66 4.96
(10% FA+10% P)
3. M3 M30 37.33 4.84
(10% FA+20% P)
4. M4 M30 35.55 4.38
(10% FA+30% P)
5. M5 M30 34.66 4.24
(10% FA+40% P)
6. M6 M30 29.77 3.11
(10% FA+50% P)

Fig.8 Compressive Strength of M30 concrete using mineral admixture and Pumice Stone

28
Fig.9 Split tensile Strength of M30 concrete using mineral admixture and Pumice Stone

29
4.2 Photographs

Fig .10 Cubes, Cylinders after concreting

Fig. 11 Cube Specimen during failure

30
Fig.12 Cylinder specimen during failure

Chapter-V
CONCLUSIONS

31
 1. By using 20% of light weight aggregate as a partial replacement to natural coarse
aggregate with mineral admixtures the compressive strength attained the target mean
strength.

2. The density of concrete is found to decrease with the increase in percentage replacement
of natural aggregate by pumice aggregate.

3. The compressive strength of concrete is found to decrease with the increase in pumice
content from 8.1% to 29.30%

4. With the addition of mineral admixture, the compressive, split-tensile strengths of

concrete are increased.

5. Light weight aggregate is no way inferior to natural coarse aggregate and it can be used
for construction purpose.

REFERENCES
1. ASTM standard C-33 used for fine aggregates.
32
2.Indian standard code IS:10262 - 2009 Method was used for Mix design.

3. Indian standard code IS: 12269 method used for cement composition.

4. N. Sivalinga Rao, Y.Radha Ratna Kumari, V. Bhaskar Desai, B.L.P. Swami, “Fibre
Reinforced Light Weight Aggregate (Natural Pumice Stone) Concrete”, International Journal of
Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 4, Issue 5, May-2013 ISSN 2229-5518.

5. S.Chandra and Berntsson, Light weight aggregate concrete: Science, technology and
applications, Noyes Publications.

6. Swamy R.N, Lambert G.H, “Mix Design and Properties of Concrete made from PFA, Coarse
Aggregate and Sand”, The International Journal of Cement Composite and Light Weight
Concrete, Vol.5, No.4, 1983,
PP 263-275.

7. Taylor.P.C, “The Properties of High Strength Light Weight Concrete”, Concrete 21(4), April
1987, pp 8-9.

8. T. Parhizkar, M. Najimi and A.R. Pourkhorshidi, “Application of pumice aggregate in

structural lightweight concrete”, asian journal of civil engineering (building and housing) VOL.
13, NO. 1 (2012) PAGES 43-54.

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