STUDY ON STRENGTH AND DURABILITY CHARACTESTICS OF

LIGHT WEIGHT AGGREGATE CONCRETE

ABSTRACT

Lightweight concrete (LWC) has been successfully used since the ancient
Roman times and it has gained its popularity due to its lower density and
superior thermal insulation properties. Compared with normal weight
concrete(NWC), LWC can significantly reduce the dead load of structural
elements, which makes it especially attractive in multi-storey buildings.
However, most studies on LWC concern “semi-lightweight “concretes, i.e.
concrete made with lightweight coarse aggregate and natural sand to
manufacture the “total-lightweight” concrete, more environmental and
economical benefits can be achieved if waste materials can be used to
replace the fine light weight aggregate. With increasing concern over the
excessive exploitation of natural aggregates, synthetic lightweight aggregate
produced from environmental waste is a viable new source of structural
aggregate material. The uses of structural grade lightweight concrete reduced
considerably the self-load of a structure and permit larger pre-cast units to be
handled. The mechanical and durability properties of a structural grade
lightweight aggregate is studied and reported in this study.

Keywords : Light Weight Aggregates, Environmental Waste, Durability,

Mechanical Strength

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 CHAPTER – 1

INTRODUCTION

GENERAL:

Concrete is a composite material composed of water, coarse granular material (the fine
and coarse aggregate or filler) embedded in a hard matrix of material (the cement or binder) that
fills the space among the aggregate particles and glues them together.

Concrete is by far most widely used construction material today. The versatility and
mouldability of this material, its high compressive strength and the discovery of the reinforcing
and pre-stressing techniques which helped to make up for its low tensile strength have
contributed largely to its widespread use.

Many researchers have tried to modify the properties of conventional concrete to suit the
individual needs. The modifications were tried on quality of the concrete making materials. To
start with many additives and admixtures were tried instead of altering the conventional
materials used. Though the use of admixtures and additives is being frowned upon by some
technologists, there are many, on the contrary, who highly recommend and foster the use and
development of admixture as it imparts many desirable characteristics and effects economy in
concrete construction.

Attempts were also made to improve the tensile strength and dynamic properties of
concrete by addition of fibres. The fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) is gaining rapid importance
in the field of concrete technology.

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 Today more than ever before, the civil engineer is required to give thought and time to the
problem of concrete making and its utilization with economy.

NECESSITY OF LIGHT WEIGHT AGGREGATE CONCRETE:

One of the main disadvantages of conventional concrete is its high self-weight. This
heavy self-weights of concrete makes it as an uneconomical structural material to some extent.

3
Also this self-weight imparts problems in constructions on soil which has low safe bearing
capacity. Attempts have been made in the past to reduce the self-weight of concrete.

Light weight concrete is a concrete which by one means or other has been made lighter
than the conventional concrete. The “DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD MODEL
CODE” for concrete construction classifies light weight concrete as having densities between
1200 and 2000 kgs/m3.

Basically, there is only one means of making concrete light by imparting air in its
composition. This however can be achieved in three distinct ways.

a) By omitting the finer sizes from the aggregates grading, thereby creating the so called
“No fine concrete”.
b) By creating gas bubbles in cement slurry, after setting, a strong coral like cellular
structure is formed known as ‘Aerated concrete’.
c) By replacing gravel or crushed rock by a hollow cellular or porous aggregate which
includes air in the mix.

The present work is mainly concerned with the third method which will be explained in
the preceding pages.

The obvious characteristic of light weight aggregate concrete is its low density. There are
many advantages of having low density. It helps in reduction of dead load, increases the
progress of building and lowers the haulage and handling costs. The use of light weight has
made it possible to proceed with construction of tall and heavy structures on soils with low
bearing capacities. In framed structures if floors and walls are made up of light weight
concrete, it will result in considerable economy. Another most important characteristics of
light weight aggregate concrete is its relatively low thermal conductivity, a property which
improves with decreasing density, hence in extreme climatic conditions and also in case of
buildings with air conditioning, the use of light weight aggregate concrete with low thermal
conductivity will be of considerable advantage from the point of view of thermal comforts
and lower power consumption. The adoption of light weight aggregate concrete gives an
outlet for industrial wastes such as cinder, fly ash, slag etc. which otherwise create problem
for disposal.

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 All these tend to show that structural light weight concrete can provide an alternative
construction material both in terms of economic cost and engineering performance.

BENEFITS OF LIGHT WEIGHT AGGREGATE CONCRETE:

Lightweight aggregate concrete has many financial, environmental and engineering
benefits as follows

1. Decreased Dead Load. Less mass is required to support additional weight. Structural
reinforcement can be less demanding.
2. Higher Seismic (Earthquake) Resistance. In lower densities concrete can actually absorb
shock. LWAC is often used in ballistic tests because of this ability. Hammer blows can
be absorbed without fracturing the concrete.
3. Lower Water Permeability. Greatly reduced due to the diffusion of closed cells which
prevents sponging. Also reduces problems caused by rusting rebar by eliminating the
problem at its source.
4. More Sound Absorption. The transmission of sound is inversely related to the number of
air/solid interfaces. LWAC has a high number of these interfaces, thus more sound is
absorbed.
5. Greater Insulation. Enhanced R-values, especially in the lower density range. Again, this
is due to the increased number of air/solid interfaces.
6. Increased Fire Resistance. Greatly improved due to lower thermal conductivity. Spalling
(scaling or flake chipping from heat) is reduced or eliminated.
7. Adaptability. Lighter weight increases options for on-site casting. Forming can be swifter
and easier due to less supported weight.
8. Simplicity. Ordinary tools can be used for alterations. It can be easily sawn and sculpted,
and nailed or screwed without pre-drilling.
9. Handling capabilities are vastly improved. Concrete does not need to be cold, damp,
dense, and hard to work with.
10. Pumping. Fewer failures at the pump from balling or compacting. Air bubbles from the
foam act as miniature ball bearings in the mix. There are no settling out problems.
11. Increased yield. Having a greater yield/ton equates to reduced fuel consumption and
lower transit costs for the producer. Adding foam up to 10% volume (and subtracting

5
 aggregate and water) will not significantly reduce concrete strength - in some cases it
may improve.
12. No Surface bleed water. Reduction of excess water in the mix allows for sooner
finishing. Flowability is achieved through the foam. Water can be utilized strictly for
cement hydration.
13. Placement. Less handling weight makes all aspects of moving concrete easier, resulting
in reduced labor costs and quicker turnover.
14. Aesthetic improvements have wide variety of implications:

Economic: The design of economic concrete structures is accomplished by increasing the

strength/weight ratio. Structures can have much higher thermal efficiency resulting in
lower heating or air conditioning costs.

Architectural: The beauty of concrete is its ability to adapt to any shape, whether angular
or curvilinear. If desired, it can be cast in forms to make it look like wood.

Environmental: The problem of deforestation can be reduced by relinquishing the

demand for timber and substituting LWAC in residential construction. Lightweight
concrete in conjunction with tasteful design can be the solution for this environmental
dilemma. Deforestation is also a major contributor to global warming because vegetation
removes a large quantity of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

APPLICATIONS OF LIGHT WEIGHT AGGREGATE

CONCRETE: General:

Ordinary concrete is quite heavy and its density is in the order of 2,200 Kg/m 3 to 2600
kg/m3. It is not suitable for use in floor filling as filler in general. If used, it adds considerably to
the dead weight of the structure. By using suitable aggregates the density of concrete can be
reduced. This light weight aggregate concrete not only results in reducing dead weights on
structure, but also has a better insulation against heat and sound. The strength of such concrete is
however low. But it is of no consequence as this concrete is not expected to bear any loads.
Because of the light weight, this concrete is very suitable for earthquake proof structures.

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Light weight aggregate concrete finds its use generally in situations like:

 Beams, slabs and wall elements in steel and concrete frame buildings
 Composite slabs on metal deck
 Fire and corrosion protection.
 Covering for architectural purposes.
 Heat insulation on roofs.
 Insulation of water pipes.
 Filling for floor and roof slabs.
 Topping slabs
 parking structures
 Construction of partition walls and panel walls in framed structures.
 Production precast building blocks and low cost housing.

PUMICE STONE:
The name “pumice” is a generic term for a range of porous vesicular materials produced
during explosive volcanic eruptions. Pumice is essentially composed of solidified vesicular
lava which is generally rhyolitic in composition, but can also be produced in a less acidic
form. Pumice is a lightweight fibrous material, with aggregate strength ranging from very
weak and porous, to stronger and less porous. Water absorption is generally high, with the
specific characteristics being largely dependent on the porosity and size of the aggregates.

History:

 In 1950’s, when mix design technology inappropriate for structural lightweight concrete
was used for producing the concretes containing Pumice aggregate.

 In early days Pumice aggregates have been limited to dry-mix masonry blocks and non
structural precast elements.

 Yeginobali (2002) looked at the potential for using locally available Turkish pumice
aggregates with the addition of silica fume and super-plasticizer to produce High strength
LPAC.

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  A major motivation for research carried by Hossain (2004) and Hossain & Lachemi
(2007) was to find a more economical and an environmentally friendlier method of
concrete construction in Papua New Guinea.

An abundant resource of naturally occurring lightweight pumice aggregates that are

under used by the concrete construction industry. This reputation dates back to the 1950s, when
mix-design technology in appropriate for structural lightweight concrete was used for producing
concretes containing pumice aggregates. There has been no recent research specifically focused
on the production of structural grade (greater than 25 MPa) lightweight aggregate concrete
suitable for general construction.
The need for increased research and development into lightweight concrete, and in
particular, the use of abundant and readily available deposits of naturally occurring pumice
aggregates, has been highlighted by industry and previous researchers for many years.

The opportunity to produce and commercially use an economical and more environmentally
sustainable structural lightweight concrete containing pumice aggregates undoubtedly exists.

GENERAL PROPERTIES:

 Pumice is one of the oldest kinds of lightweight aggregates which have been even used in
Roman structures.

 These are rocks of volcanic origin which occur in many parts of the world.

 Pumice is usually light coloured or nearly white and has a fairly even texture of
interconnected cells.

 Pumice is a lightweight fibrous material, with aggregate strength ranging from very weak
and porous, to stronger and less porous.

 The principal requirements for Pumice to be considered a desirable aggregate for use in
structural lightweight concrete are a low density and relatively high strength.

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 Photograph shows naturally available lightweight pumice aggregate.

SATURATED SURFACE DRY PUMICE:

The surface properties of the aggregates affect the workability of concrete and the bond
between paste and aggregate. For example, denser aggregate has shell that is thicker than that of
the lighter one. The differences in porosity, and in particular the surface properties, govern the
behaviour of the LWA in concrete, especially in the water absorption in fresh concrete. LWA is
well known for their ability to absorb water. Different types of LWAs absorb water at difference
rates. Initial moisture content is important in determining the water absorption rate of the
aggregates.
The LWA used in this study were all natural pumice stone, which is available
commercially. It must be noted here that the water absorption depends on interconnection
between pores rather than total porosity of LWA. The Concrete Society reported that full
saturation is not practicable even after hours of immersion. One important effect of the aggregate
water absorption is the loss of concrete workability. Another effect is the reduction of effective
water-binder ratio (w/b) as water penetrates into the LWA during setting. The rate of initial
absorption is important to foresee the loss of workability of the fresh concrete.
LWA may be batched in the concrete mixture either pre-soaked or dry. Pre-soaked
LWA, having a higher particle density, will increase the density of fresh concrete. On the other
hand, dry aggregates will have a higher initial water absorption rate. The additional water added
during mixing for the absorption of the dry aggregates will contribute towards the segregation

9
and bleeding potential of the concrete mixture. In mixture design, water absorption by LWA
during setting is often assumed to be equivalent to that absorbed in pure water for 24 hour.
In this thesis we are keeping the Pumice in water for 24hr’s for presoaking, after that we
remove and make it surface dry. So, that we are making the Pumice as partially saturated before
batching the concrete, to overcome the property of inherent high water absorption of the Pumice
while mixing the concrete and also overcome the effect of autogenous shrinkage. Hence we are
using saturated surface dry pumice to produce good workability for concrete by using technique
internal curing.

AIM OF THE PRESENT STUDY:

The property of lightweight to concrete is achieved in actual practice by replacing the

usual mineral aggregate by cellular porous or lightweight aggregate. In this study an attempt has
been made to study the using of naturally available Pumice aggregates with the addition of Micro
silica, perlite and Super plasticizer, to produce LightWeight Aggregate Concrete.

The main purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the behavior of lightweight
aggregate concrete (LWAC) and normal weight aggregate concrete (NWAC) and also the study
focused on influence of the physical properties of the aggregates on strength development.
Introducing the use of Pumice as coarse aggregate and perlite as fine aggregate in concrete by
replacing normal weight aggregate and fine aggregate in differing volume fractions, like M 1
Concrete mix (i.e., 0 % Pumice,Perlite 0% and Microsilica 0%), M 2 Concrete mix (i.e., 50 %
Granite + 50 % Pumice, 50% Fine Aggregate +50% Perlite and Microsilica 10%).

The original conventional concrete mix design is adopted using IS methods and
addition/replacement of lightweight aggregate is done on volumetric basis and trail mixes are
tested. And also to study the properties of lightweight pumice aggregate concrete such as
workability of fresh concrete, compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength at
28 days, 90 days & 360 days and durability properties like % compressive strength loss and %
weigh loss in 5 % concentrated HCL and H2SO4 solution at 28 days & 90 days.

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 CHAPTER – 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

INTRODUCTION
This chapter deals with the review of literature related to Light Weight Aggregate Concrete and
also effects & performance of concrete with coarse aggregate replacement.

GENERAL LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE MIXES:

Basically there is only one means of making concrete light by inducing air in its
compositions. The inclusion of air can however be accomplished by the following three ways.

1. By creating gas bubbles in cement slurry, after setting, a strong coral like cellular
structure is formed known as ‘Aerated concrete’.
2. By omitting the finer sizes from the aggregates grading, thereby creating the so called
“No fine concrete”.
3. By replacing gravel or crushed rock by a hollow cellular or porous aggregate this
includes air in the mix. “Light weight aggregate concrete”.

AERATED CONCRETE:
It is made by introducing gas or air into slurry composed of Portland cement or lime and
finely crushed siliceous filler, so that when mix sets and hardens, a uniformly cellular structure is
formed. Aerated concrete is thus mixture of water, cement and finely crushed sand. Aerated
concrete can also be called foam concrete or gas concrete. The fundamental difference from
conventional concrete is its composition and structure. Aerated concrete can be achieved with
densities ranging from 500-1000 kg/m3

The use of aerated concrete has a range of environmental benefits:

Insulation: most obviously, the insulation properties of aircrete will reduce the heating costs of
buildings constructed with autoclaved aerated concrete, with consequent fuel savings over the
lifetime of the building.

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Materials: lime is one of the principal mix components and requires less energy to produce than
Portland cement, which is fired at higher temperatures. Sand requires only milling before use,
not heating, and PFA is a by-product from electricity generation. NB: lime may require less
energy to manufacture compared with Portland cement but more CO2 is produced per tonne
(cement approx. 800-900 kg CO2/tonne compared to lime at 1000 kg CO2 per tonne).

Carbonation: less obviously, the cellular structure of aircrete gives it a very high surface area.
Over time, much of the material is likely to carbonate, largely offsetting the carbon dioxide
produced in the manufacture of the lime and cement due to the calcining of limestone.

With all its advantages aerated concrete is rarely used in India, as concrete is very rarely
subjected to extremely freezing temperature. The main disadvantage of aerated concrete is its
loss in strength. The modulus of elasticity of aerated concrete is low when compared to
conventional concrete. In addition it undergoes plastic deformation or creep under sustained
loads. The tensile strength is very low and shrinkage is likely to occur. The light weight aerated
concrete produced by ordinary air curing has large drying shrinkage.

NO FINES CONCRETE:
No fines concrete (NFC) consists of coarse aggregate and cement paste. In the hardened
state, aggregate particles are covered by a thin layer of cement paste and are in point-to-point
contact with each other. At each contact point the paste forms a small fillet; these fillets hold the
particles together and give strength to the concrete.

No fines concrete therefore has large interconnected voids and a much lower density than
conventional dense concrete. The structure of No fines concrete makes it ideal for use as a
drainage layer under reservoir and basement floors. It can also serve as an insulating layer and as
a damp-proofing material. No fines concrete is not suitable for drainage purposes where the
water is soft or aggressive to concrete.

Materials:
Cement: Masonry cement should not be used for No Fines Concrete.

Water: Water that is suitable for making ordinary concrete should be used.

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Aggregates: Clean, single-sized concrete stone should be used. The use of flaky aggregates
should be avoided. The most commonly used aggregate is 19 mm crushed Stone, but smaller
stone may be used. Mixes made with smaller stone are easier to handle and place, but consume
substantially more cement.

Mix Proportions:
For most applications, mix proportions range from 400 to 600 l of aggregate per 100 kg of
cement. The water content of the mix is critical: if the paste is too dry it will not coat the
aggregate properly; if it is too wet it will run off the aggregate particles and possibly block the
voids at the bottom of the pour. Experience has shown that the water content should be between
36 and 44 l of water per 100 kg of cement.

Quantities:
A cubic meter of compacted NFC requires about 1,05 m3 of stone, measured in the loose state;
cement content is between 260 and 180 kg depending on mix ratio.

Manufacture:
NFC should be machine mixed. Hand mixing is difficult and laborious. If hand mixing is
unavoidable, it is best to mix the cement-water paste in a container prior to mixing the paste with
the stone. When mixing the paste, mix the cement into the water rather than the other way round.

Placing and Compaction:

NFC must be placed and compacted as soon as possible after mixing as it tends to dry out rapidly
because of its open structure. Compaction is achieved by rodding the concrete; vibration must
not be used and heavy tamping is not necessary.

Protection and Curing:

Again because of its open structure NFC must be protected from drying out and must be
thoroughly wet cured for at least seven days unless it is plastered, screeded or covered before
that time.

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 Plastering Walls:
NFC has a rough surface texture for plastering. Normal plaster mixes are used and the surface of
the NFC must be dry when applying the plaster. Plastered NFC walls have some excellent
qualities, but one drawback is that neither conventional wall plugs nor masonry nails can be used
for attaching fixtures.

Screeding:
When used in under floor drainage, roof insulation and domestic floors, NFC should be screeded
within 72 hours of placing. Particular attention must be paid to wet curing the screed. Normal
screed mixes of 200 to 260 l of concrete sand per 100 kg of cement should be used with enough
water to produce a mix of plastic consistence.

No fines concrete is used for a variety purposes. It is used in large scale for load bearing
cast in situ external walls for single storey and multi-storeyed buildings. No fines concrete is not
normally used in reinforced concrete, but if this is required the reinforcement has to be coated
with a thin layer of cement paste in order to improve the bond characteristics and to prevent
corrosion. One more disadvantage is the prediction of optimum water/cement ratio, as it is
affected by the absorption of water. In no fines concrete low density is gained by development of
voids or interstices. The flow of cement into the voids between the coarse particles makes the
matrix structure weak inducing lower strength. For this reason the use of no fines concrete is
limited to certain conditions only.

LIGHT WEIGHT AGGREGATE CONCRETE:

Light weight concrete has become more popular in recent years owing to the tremendous
advantages it offers over the conventional concrete, but at the same time strong enough to be
used for the structural purpose. The most important characteristic of light weight concrete is its
low thermal conductivity. This property improves with decreasing density. Concrete with a
density between 1350 and 2000 kg/m3 and a minimum compressive strength of 17 MPa is
defined as structural lightweight concrete.

Increasing utilization of lightweight materials in civil structuring applications is making pumice

stone a very popular raw material as a lightweight rock. Due to its having a good ability for

14
making the different products based on its physical, chemical and mechanical properties, the
pumice aggregate finds a large usage in civil industry as a construction material.

Structural lightweight aggregate concretes are considered as alternatives to concretes made with
dense natural aggregates because of the relatively high strength to unit weight ratio that can be
achieved. Other reasons for choosing lightweight concrete as a construction material is more
attention is being paid to energy conservation and to the usage of waste materials to replace
exhaustible natural sources.

Lightweight aggregates, due to their cellular structure, can absorb more water than normal
weight aggregates. In a 24-hour absorption test, they generally absorb 5 to 20% by mass of dry
aggregate, depending on the pore structure of the aggregate. Normally, under conditions of
outdoor storage in stockpiles, total moisture content does not exceed two-thirds of that value.
This means that lightweight aggregates usually absorb water when placed in a concrete mixture,
and the resulting rate of absorption is important in proportioning lightweight concrete. Due to
this more absorption of water of light weight aggregate, internal curing will be maintained for a
long period.

TYPES OF LIGHT WEIGHT AGGREGATES:

With alarming increase of construction industry, availability of natural aggregate
became scarce and need to create artificial aggregate became very much essential around the
globe. The socio-economic and ecological problems of mankind forces one to encourage the use
of artificially made aggregates. Light weight aggregates can be broadly classified into 2
categories namely natural light weight aggregates and artificial light weight aggregates.

Natural Light Weight Aggregates:

There are a number of natural light weight aggregates available, prominent among them
are:

Pumice, Diatomite, Volcanic cinders, Saw dust.

Artificial Light Weight Aggregates:

There are some artificial light weight aggregates produced. Some of them are:

15
Artificial cinder, Clinker, Foamed slag, expanded Clay, expanded Shale.

Some of the important light weight aggregates are discussed below:

GENERAL DETAILS ABOUT NATURAL AGGREGATES:

Pumice

Increasing utilization of lightweight materials in civil structuring applications is making

pumice stone a very popular raw material as a lightweight rock. Due to its having a good ability
for making the different products based on its physical, chemical and mechanical properties, the
pumice aggregate finds a large usage in civil industry as a construction material. In the initial
stage of a building project, the construction material properties should be well evaluated.
Therefore, the need arises to analyse the materials to be used in construction experimentally in
detail. Pumice stone has been used for centuries in the world. Pumice aggregate can be found in
many places around the world where volcanoes are present. Although it has been used
successfully in many countries finding new and improved ways to use pumice is little bit slow.

When structural lightweight concrete with pumice is used in construction and

maintenance of civil engineering structures, the resultant benefits of reduced overall costs, better
heat and sound insulation and better resistance to fire can be realized. Despite of its lower
compressive strength and lower modulus elasticity, pumice concrete can be potentially used in
many kinds of structural elements. For example, the disadvantage of possible excessive
deformation in such elements as beams and slabs due to its low elasticity modulus can be
compensated by keeping the span as small as possible, and by keeping the slab depths just a little
greater than customary values. Furthermore, in structural wall systems, the expected stress level
usually proves to be very low, and consequently, high material strength is not required. The
reduced self-weight of walls also leads to a remarkable reduction in the stress. Under these
conditions, the size of the foundation can be reduced too, and moving and mounting are made
easier when precast elements are used.

Pumice is a natural sponge-like material of volcanic origin composed from molten lava rapidly
cooling and trapping millions of tiny air bubbles. Pumice aggregates are abundant at the outskirts

16
of volcanic mountains, particularly in Mediterranean area, Rocky Mountains in US, and most
part of Turkey and Indonesia. The utilization of Light Weight Aggregate Concrete based on
natural lightweight aggregate materials such as pumice has been rather limited, partly due to
insufficient quantity obtainable in the early years when the material and production know-how is
low and partly due to lack of enthusiasm and industrial interests. In recent years, the existing
limited research that has been conducted in this area structural concrete with compressive
strength up to 25 MPa can be produced with adequate economic benefits using pumice.

Pumice is a natural aggregate of abundant resource around the world and it is environmentally
friendly. However, pumice is far from being fully utilized in lightweight concrete at the time
being. Concrete structures are generally designed to take advantage of its compressive strength.
The primary structural property of concrete that a concrete designer is generally concerned is the
compressive strength of concrete at a specific age. Pumice is the only rock that floats on water,
although it eventually becomes waterlogged and sink. Since pumice is a volcanic rock, and
retains its useful properties only when it is young and unaltered, pumice deposits are found in
areas with young volcanic fields. Worldwide, over 50 countries produce pumice products. The
largest producer is Italy, which dominates pozzolana production. Other major pumice producers
are Greece, Chile, Spain, Turkey, and the United States. Pumice and pumicite are used to make
lightweight construction materials. About three-quarters of pumice and pumicite is consumed
annually for this purpose.

Properties of Pumice:
The various properties of pumice stone aggregate age inscribed herein:

a) 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.

b) 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

17
material between the bubbles. Average porosity is 90 percent, which is extremely high for a rock
material.

c) 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.

d) 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.

e) Colour:

Pumice is commonly pale in colour, 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 colour.

USES OF PUMICE:
Filling interior floors and shaping final elevations and inclinations before laying marble, tiles or
asphalt membrane Insulations, as either the final layer to form inclinations or thermal insulation
for roofs or thermal-sound insulation of interior flooring.

Building construction with pumice which effect that stability temperatures at indoor of
buildings. Energy saving for heating or cooling procedures against outdoor climate factors, to
solve environment problems. Increase comfortably of building, to be remove moisture and
fungus on surface of the walls

DIATOMITE:
Diatomite is a hydrated amorphous silica derived from the remains of microscopic
aquatic plants called diatoms. The deposits of these aquatic plants are formed beneath the ocean
bed. Subsequently when ocean bed is raised and becomes continent, the diatomaceous rock

18
becomes available on land, pure diatomite weighs 450 kgs/cum. It is found to be a good
workability agent and good pozzolanic material also.

SAWDUST AND RICE HUSK:

when saw dust is used as light weight aggregate in flooring or precast products, difficulty
have been experienced affecting adversely the setting and hardening of Portland cement because
of presence of tannins and soluble carbohydrates. To overcome this difficulty saw dust derived
from soft wood, the addition of lime to the mix in an amount equal to about 1/3 to ½ the volume
of cement is found satisfactory. This method is found in effective when saw dust is derived from
hard wood. Addition of calcium chloride about 5% by weight of cement is also found
satisfactory to avoid delay in setting and hardening of mix. Usually 1:2 to 1:3 ratios is adopted
for cement to saw dust by volume. Saw dust concrete has been use in the manufacture of precast
concrete products, joint less flooring and roofing tiles.

Limited use of rice husk, ground nut husk has been used as light weight aggregate for the
manufacture of light weight concrete for special purposes.

GENERAL DETAILS OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT WEIGHT

AGGREGATE.

Artificial Cinder, Clinker and Breeze:

The terms cinder, clinker and breeze are used to cover the material partly fused to
sintered particles arising from the combustion of coal. Pulverised coal is more commonly used as
light weight aggregate. In Indian railways steam locomotives are still running on coal. In some of
the low sheds large quantity of cinders, as it is generally called as available waste material.

In the investigation an attempt has been made using cinder available as railway waste, to
make light weight concrete with light weight cinder coarse. The presence of unsoundness of
cinder aggregate is often due to presence of excessive unburnt coal particles. This will be even
up to extent of 25% which is responsible for expansion on wetting and contraction on drying. So
in the process of grinding unburnt coal is removed.

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Foamed Slag:
It is made by rapidly quenching blast furnace slag, a by-product, produced in the
manufacture of pig iron. If the cooling of the slag is done with a large excess of water, granulated
slag is formed which is used in the manufacture of blast furnace slag cement. If the cooling done
with a limited amount of water, in such a way as to trip stream in mass, it produces a porous,
honeycombed material which resembles pumice. Sometimes, the molten slag is rapidly agitated
with a limited amount of water and the steam and gas produced are made to get entrapped in the
mass. Such a product is also called foamed slag or expanded slag. The texture and strength of
foamed slag depends upon the chemical composition and the method of production.

It is used for the manufacture of partition wall panels, precast R.C.C lintels and other
small structural members. By controlling the density, foamed slag can be used for load bearing
walls and also for the production of structural light weight concrete. It has become very popular
in building blocks and insulating concrete roof screeds.

Bloated Clay, Expanded Clay and Expanded Shale Aggregates:

When certain glass and shales are heated to the point of incipient fusion, they expand or
bloat to many times their original volume on account of formation of gas within the mass at the
fusion temperatures. The cellular structures so formed are retained on cooling and the product is
used as light weight aggregate. The western countries are producing by means of different
techniques, bloated clay or shale having names haydite, rocklite, gravelite, leea, agilite,
kermazite etc.

Expanded Slate:
Slate is from low grade metamorphic rock, derived from fine grained volcanic tuffs. The
rock contains slaty cleavage parallel to flat surface.

Similar to clays and shales, slates when subjected to sufficiently high temperatures, loose
their characteristics of close laminar structure and expanded several times there by producing a
large number of minute cavities making sufficiency light to float on water. For better expansion
of slate, it is suggested to heat the slate very rapidly.

20
 Sintered Fly Ash:
Fly ash is finely divided residue, comprising of spherical glassy particles, resulting from
the combustion of powdered coal. By heat treatment these small particles can be made to
combine, thus forming porous pellets or nodules which have considerable strength.

The fly ash is mixed with limited amount of water and is first made into pellets and the
sintered at a temperature of 1000 to 1200 degree centigrade. The sintered process is nearly
similar to that used in the manufacture of Portland cement. The fly ash contain some unburnt
coal which may vary from 2 to 15% or more depending upon the efficieny of burning.

Exfoliated Vermiculate:
Raw vermiculate is a micaceous mineral and has a laminar structure. When heated with
certain percentage of water it expands by delamination in the same way as that of slate or shale.
This type of expansion is known as exfoliation. Due to exfoliation, the vermiculate expands
many times to its original volume. The fully exfoliated vermiculite expanded even as much as
30times will have a density of only 60 to 130 kg/m^3. The concrete made with vermiculite as
aggregate, therefore will have very low density and hence very low strength. This concrete is
used for insulating purpose.

In India, mineral refining corporation at Mysore produces the vermiculite in many grades
for use in concrete industry.

PROPERTIES OF LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE:

The important properties of light weight concrete are:

Low Density:
The density of light weight concrete varies from 300 to 1200 kg/m^3. The lightest grade
is suited for insulation purposes while the heavier grades with adequate strength are suited for
structural applications. The low density of cellular concrete makes it suitable for precast floors
and roofing units which are easy to handle and to transport from the factory sites.

21
 Workability:
When using light weight aggregates, problems can arise with the workability of the mix,
because light weight aggregate have a high water demand, especially when using crushed light
weight fines. Therefore in many cases it can be advantageous to replace the light weight fines by
natural sand.

Compressive Strength:
Compressive strength and density are two of the most important parameters of structural
light weight concrete. With suitable light weight aggregates, structural light weight concretes can
be made with densities which are 20 to 40% lower but with the strengths equal to the maximum
normally achieved by ordinary concrete. Under equal conditions there is a possibility of gaining,
compressive strength in light weight concrete by replacement of crushed light weight fines with
natural sand.

Tensile Strength:
Some structural properties of reinforced and prestressed concrete, such as the shear
resistance, anchorage and the bond strength and the resistance to cracking depends on the tensile
strength of the concrete. In all cases, a high tensile strength is of advantage.

Due to water absorption by the aggregates as well as due to the drying process due to air
storage, the water content of the mortar decreases and leads to shrinkage tensile stress in the
mortar surrounding the aggregates. The shrinkage tensile stress diminishes the sustaining stress
of the mortar in the vicinity of the aggregate. In consequence, the tensile strength of light weight
concrete will be lowered because the mortar cracks before the tensile stress in the aggregates
reaches tensile strength. But the higher extensibility and lower modulus of elasticity help to
reduce the tensile cracks.

Bond of Aggregate :
Bond between aggregate and cement paste is an important factor in the strength of
concrete, especially the flexural strength. Bond is due to the interlocking of the aggregate and the
paste owing to the roughness of the surface of the former. A rougher surface, such as that of
crushed particles, results in a better bond is also usually obtained with softer, porous and
mineralogical heterogeneous particles. In addition, bond is affected by other physical and
22
chemical properties of aggregate, related to its mineralogy and chemical composition and to the
electrostatic condition of the particle surface.

Thermal Insulation:
The thermal insulation value of light weight concrete is about 3 to 6 times that of bricks
and 10 times that of conventional concrete.

Fire Resistance:
Light weight concrete has excellent fire resist properties. The low thermal conductivity
makes it suitable for protecting other structures from the effects of fire.

Sound Insulation:
Sound insulation in cellular concrete is normally not as good as in dense concrete.

Shrinkage and Swelling:

Light weight concrete is subjected to shrinkage but to a limited extent. The autoclaving of
light weight concrete reduces drying shrinkage to one fifth of that occurring during air curing.

Mixture Design Development and Performance Verification of Structural

Lightweight Pumice Aggregate Concrete1

The experimental investigation done by Samuel M.F.Green and Nicholas J.Brooke et.al involved
Naturally occurring lightweight volcanic pumice aggregate was used for the development of structural
lightweight concrete. The primary aim of the investigation was to reduce both the economic costs and the
negative environmental effects that are typically associated with production of conventional lightweight
concrete containing artificially produced aggregates by taking advantage of New Zealand’s abundant
pumice resources. Mixture design were developed for concrete containing both partially saturated and
fully saturated pumice aggregates, achieving compressive strength upto 40 MPa while maintaining unit
weights below 1,850 Kg/m3. Experimental investigations into the bond strength and shear strength of
pumice concrete are also conducted.

23
Conclusions Made by the Authors:

 The research has demonstrated the potential to produce structural lightweight concrete
containing pumice aggregates capable of reaching target 28-day compressive strengths
greater than 40MPa.
 The use of fully saturated pumice aggregates, achieved from vacuum-saturation, for
producing HS-LPAC overcame well known issues with calculating mix water quantities.
 The fully saturated pumice aggregates also helped to mitigate a loss of workability that
was apparent for LPAC mixtures containing partially saturated pumice aggregates that
are prone to absorb relatively large quantities of mix water during batching.
 Both the bond and shear strength results for HS-LPAC containing partially and fully
saturated pumice aggregates outperformed the requirements of NZS 3101:2006.
 The effective use of New Zealand’s abundant resources of naturally occurring
lightweight pumice aggregates will provide a more environmentally sustainable and cost-
effective solution to production of structural lightweight concrete for the New Zealand
concrete construction industry.

Lightweight Concrete Incorporating Volcanic Ash-Based Blended Cement

and Pumice Aggregate2
The experimental work done by Khandaker M. Anwar Hossain et.al are investigation presents the
workability, mechanical, durability, and microstructural properties of lightweight concrete (LWC)
incorporating pumice aggregate, normal-weight gravel aggregate, ASTM type I Portland cement, and
volcanic ash (VA)–based ASTM Type I blended cement (PVAC). Workability and mechanical properties
of LWC mixtures such as slump, air content, compressive strength, tensile strength, density, and modulus
of elasticity are described. The durability and microstructural characteristics are investigated by drying
shrinkage (DS), water permeability, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC), and micro hardness tests. The variables in the study include percent replacement (0,
50, 75, and 100% by volume) of coarse gravel aggregate (GA) by coarse volcanic pumice aggregate
(VPA), water-to-binder ratio (W/B) by mass, aggregate-to-binder ratio (A/B) by mass, total binder
content, and cement types (ASTM type I cement and PVAC).

24
Conclusions Made by the Authors:

 The 28-day density, compressive/tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity decrease with
the increase of percentage of VPA as replacement for normal coarse gravel aggregate and
with the use of volcanic ash-based blended cement PVAC with20% VA.
 The 12-week water permeability of LWC mixtures with VPA are lower compared with
NC (without VPA) and a maximum decrease of about 18% is observed. The lower
permeability is attributed to the development of high quality paste-aggregate ITZ at the
interface, refinement of pore structure, and the progressive internal curing in LWCs.
PVAC-based LWCs also exhibit lower 12-week permeability because of the pozzolanic
reaction of VA that produces refinement of pore structure and a denser concrete.
 The 12-week drying shrinkage of LWC is higher compared with the representative NC
(with 0% VPA) and the addition of VPA as a replacement for coarse GA increases the
shrinkage. A maximum 30% increase in shrinkage is observed in LWCs with 100% VPA
compared with NC. However, the use of PVAC in LWC mixtures has shown the
beneficial effect of reducing the drying shrinkage.
 The research confirms the viability of producing LWC mixtures incorporating VPA and
PVAC with strength and durability characteristics conformable to other lightweight
concretes.

Investigation of Usability of Lightweight Concrete Produced With Natural

Eastern Black Sea Aggregates in Reinforced Concrete Beams3
The experimental work done by Zeki Karaca et.al investigate and compare the behavior of
lightweight and ordinary concrete produced with lightweight and ordinary aggregates in selected
reinforced concrete beams. In the first part of the study, brief information is given about the use of
lightweight concrete in structures. In the second part of the study, properties of materials used in the
production of beams selected for this study are discussed. In the third part of the study, the production
stage of selected lightweight and ordinary reinforced concrete beams is explained. Some conclusions
drawn from this study are presented in the final section.

25
Conclusions Made by the Authors:

 The use of LC as structural concrete instead of OC has no significant disadvantage from

the moment point of view.
 The results of the safety factor (γs) show that TS 500, “Building code requirements for
reinforced concrete,” stays in a more conservative and safe place for calculations of the
theoretical ultimate moment in both LC and OC. In addition, one could draw the
conclusion that, like OC, LC can be used as structural concrete by comparing the safety
factors (γs) of the two types of concrete.
 Itcan be said that the bond resulting from the friction between reinforcement and concrete
is stronger in LC and reinforcement than the bond in OC and reinforcement. The energy
dissipation capacity of beams can be related to earthquake resistance because during
earthquakes movement in the Earth creates energy on structures and this energy is
dissipated if the ductility of the structural elements like columns or beams is high enough.
 It can be deduced that the reason for the first cracking seems to be maximum strains
rather than maximum tensile stresses.

Effect of Water Content on the Properties of Lightweight Alkali-

Activated Slag Concrete4
The experimental study by Keun-Hyeok Yang et.al examine the practical applicability of the
lightweight AA slag concrete, the splitting tensile strength and the moduli of elasticity and rupture
recorded from the concrete specimens were compared with empirical equations and a database for
lightweight ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete, whenever possible. The test results showed that an
increase of water content alleviated the quick slump loss of the fresh concrete and slightly increased the
compressive strength of the hardened lightweight AA slag concrete. Additionally, the rate of development
of the compressive strength of lightweight AA slag concrete cured under room temperature was
comparable with that of steam-cured early strength portland cement concrete. The splitting tensile
strength and the moduli of rupture and elasticity of lightweight AA slag concrete were comparatively
better than those of lightweight OPC concrete.

26
Conclusions Made by the Authors:

 The slump of concrete tested sharply decreased over the elapsed time, showing that a
more notable slump loss developed in all-lightweight AA slag concrete than in sand light
weight AA slag concrete. However, the increase of the water content alleviated the slump
loss of lightweight AA slag concrete.
 The compressive strength of lightweight AA slag concrete slightly increased with the
increase of water content, showing a higher strength in sand-lightweight AA slag
concrete than in all-lightweight AA slag concrete. In addition, the increasing rate of
compressive strength against the dry density in lightweight AA slag concrete is similar to
that observed in lightweight OPC concrete.
 The rate of development of compressive strength of lightweight AA slag concrete cured
under room temperature was comparable to that of steam-cured early strength Portland
cement concrete.
 The splitting tensile strength and the moduli of rupture and elasticity of lightweight AA
slag concrete were comparatively better than those of lightweight OPC concrete; and as a
result, they can be conservatively evaluated using the empirical models of Slate et al.
(1986) or ACI 318-08 (ACI 2008) proposed for lightweight OPC concrete.
 The unrestrained shrinkage strain of lightweight AA slag concrete linearly increased until
the age of 14 days, remained nearly constant until 28 days and thereafter, sharply
increased again.

High Strength Lightweight SCC Matrix with Partial Normal-Weight

Coarse-Aggregate Replacement5
In this experimental investigation by Sherif Yehia et.al about lightweight coarse aggregate from
five sources found in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were previously evaluated. The evaluation focused
on influence of the physical properties of the aggregates on strength development. Target unit weight less
than 2,000 kg=m3, compressive strength of 40 MPa or higher, and achieving the flowability requirements
for self-consolidating concrete (SCC) were the evaluation criteria considered during the development.
Aggregate from three sources met the evaluation criteria; however, one of the sources was no longer
available in UAE. Therefore, an extensive investigation was conducted to evaluate properties of the other
two sources, especially durability related properties. In this paper, results of the compressive, flexure,

27
splitting tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity are presented and discussed. In addition, scanning
electron microscope (SEM) scans and rapid chloride permeability tests (RCPT) were conducted.

Conclusions Made by the Authors:

 Lightweight aggregates with a specific gravity factor in the range of 1.1–1.4 could be
used to produce self-consolidating high strength concrete. However, development of
SCHSLWC is greatly dependent on the physical properties of the lightweight aggregate
such as particle shape, absorption, texture, gradation, and packing density.
 SEM scans showed that absorption and particle shape would greatly affect the microlevel
interaction between the aggregate and surrounding cement paste. Existence of the wall
effect is dependent on aggregate type and fluid transport inside/outside the particles. In
addition, initiation of micro cracks in the cement paste due to differences in stiffness is
possibly to occur during hydration time. These cracks might have adverse effect of
strength and durability of the lightweight concrete
 Inclusion of volume fraction of NWA (12%) is expected to improve density and material
efficiency. However, initiation of microcracks due to differences in stiffness among the
three constituents might occur as shown in the SEM scans. Therefore, it is important to
investigate the effect of this inclusion to evaluate its impact on the time dependent
properties (shrinkage and creep)
 The RCPT results showed that aggregate with angular particle shape, less absorption and
surface pore provides better performance because of the enhanced mechanical interlock
and packing density.

Reaction Products in Carbonation-Cured Lightweight Concrete6

In experimental investigation done by Hital El-Hassan et.al about the effect of early-age
carbonation curing on the microstructure and properties of lightweight concrete with expanded slag
aggregates was examined. Carbonation was performed on concretes either immediately after casting or
after 18-h air curing. Their corresponding carbon uptake was 8 and 23%, respectively, based on cement
content. A process involving initial air curing, carbonation curing, water compensation, and subsequent
hydration was developed to maximize the degree of carbonation and hydration. Reaction products of
carbonation-cured concretes at early and late age were characterized by using Thermo Gravimetrical (TG)

28
analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Although the presence of calcium
carbonates was evident, the microstructure was nevertheless typical of amorphous. It was believed that
early carbonation of concrete consumed calcium hydroxide, calcium silicate hydrates, and anhydrous
calcium silicates while producing calcium carbonates of different polymorphs and amorphous calcium
silicate hydrocarbonates.
Conclusions Made by the Authors:

 With the help of initial air curing, a carbon uptake of approximately23% in terms of
cement was achieved in a lightweight concrete with expanded slag aggregates,
corresponding to a carbonation degree of 46%. Water compensation after carbonation
seemed to be critical to make carbonated concrete comparable to hydration
references.
 The process was best suited to precast products without steel reinforcement and can
be utilized to improve durability and sequester carbon dioxide for emission reduction.
Carbonation reaction products in concrete were characterized.
 A method was developed to determine the cement content in a concrete powder
sample through thermal analysis, allowing hydration and carbonation products of
concrete to be expressed in terms of cement content.
 The carbonation-induced carbonates could be divided into poorly- and well-
crystalline polymorphs. Amorphous phases decreased from 70–80% to 50–60% after
27 days subsequent hydration.
 It was apparent that phase transformation did occur during hydration. The dominant
polymorph of calcium carbonate was calcite, which was more stable.

Strength and Durability of Lightweight Concrete in Hot Marine

Exposure Conditions7
In the experimental investigation done by N. Haque Andh, Al-Khaiatis presents the results on
strength development and durability of 35 and 50 MPa total lightweight and 50 MPa normal weight
concrete exposed to hot marine exposure conditions for a period of two years. Initial water curing of 7
days and subsequent seaside exposure is more beneficial for the strength development of lightweight
concrete than it is for normal weight concrete. One day initial curing and subsequent seaside exposure
was not a very conductive for the strength. Development of both lightweight and normal weight concretes

29
the water penetrability of total lightweight concrete was found higher than the normal weight concrete
under all the initial curing conditions and on subsequent exposure to the hot marine environment in the
same vein the depth of carbonation for the total lightweight concretes was more than that of the normal
weight concrete. On the overall, the results suggest that the higher the water penetrability of a given
concrete the more is the penetration.

Conclusions Made by the Authors:

 Initial water curing of 7days and subsequent seaside exposure seems more beneficial
for the strength development of lightweight concrete than it is for normal weight
concrete.
 One day initial curing and subsequent sea side exposure was not the very conductive
for the strength development of both lightweight and normal weight concretes.
 The water penetrability of total lightweight concrete was found higher than the
normal weight concrete under all the initial curing conditions and on subsequent
exposure to the hot-marine environment.
 The depth of carbonation of the total light weight concretes was higher than that of
the comparable strength normal weight concrete. Further the depth of carbonation of
LWC was more sensitive to the extent of initial curing compared to the NWC.
 The results suggest that the higher the water penetrability of a given concrete, the
higher is the penetration of the damaging the spices like carbon dioxide, sulphate and
chloride ions into a concrete.

Influence of Polymer Addition on Performance and Mechanical

Properties of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete8
The experimental work done by Jiang Cong-shenget. al about the influence of polymer addition
on micro-structure performance and mechanical properties of lightweight aggregate concrete was
investigated. It was found that the addition of polymer improved the performance and mechanical
properties of lightweight aggregate concrete. It was ascertained that the modification of microstructure
uniformity and densification with the addition of polymer is responsible for the enhancement of
mechanical properties with respect to compressive strength and bending strength. The lightweight

30
aggregate concrete added with 13 % ethylene-acetate ethylene interpolymer (EVA) exhibits preferred
mechanical properties.

Conclusions Made by the Authors:

1. The influence of polymer addition on performance and mechanical properties of

lightweight aggregate concrete was investigated from the viewpoint of microstructure
evaluation.
2. It was found that the addition polymer led to dense and uniform microstructure. The
addition of polymer improved the performance and mechanical properties of lightweight
aggregate concrete.
3. The modification of microstructural uniformity and densification with the addition of
polymer is responsible for the enhancement of mechanical properties. With respect to the
compressive strength and bending strength, the sample added with 13 % polymer EVA
exhibits preferred mechanical properties.

Lightweight Concrete of Yangshao Period of China: The Earliest

Concrete in the World9
The experimental studies of LI ZuiXiong et.al is of analysis and simulation tests were carried out
to study the hydratability of calcined ginger nut and calcined kunkur, and the manufacturing process of
the residential floors. The research shows that the floor was made of a light concrete formed by the
mixture of aggregate of calcinated ginger nut (locally deposited), red clay and kunkur. The dicalcium
silicate (C2S) from the floor material of the housing site is one of the main constituents of modern cement,
and the floor is also similar to modern concrete in nature. Therefore, the floor material of the housing site
at the Dadiwan site was the earliest man-made concrete in the world ever discovered.

Conclusions Made by the Authors:

 The research proves that the bonding material of F-405 floor and the calcined kunkur of
F-405 and F-901 floors of the Yangshao Period at the Dadiwan Site in Qin’an, Gansu
Province, are of 6769±312 and 6137±159, respectively by carbon-14 dating, which
belonged to the period of Yangshao Culture in China.

31
  The simulation tests suggest that the floor bonding material of F-405, and the calcined
kunkur (used as aggregate) of F-405 and F-901 floors were calcined respectively from the
loss ginger nut and kunkur around the Dadiwan site at temperature of about 900°C in a
kiln.
 Having been exposed to the environmental factors such as variation of temperature and
humidity, freezing and thawing for over 5000 years, the compressive strength of F-405
floor bonding material is still similar to the mortar ground strength of 100# mortar. It can
be regard as the Yangshao Concrete in China and also the earliest man-made concrete
ever discovered in the world.

Light Weight Concrete:

H.Bomhard(1) had reported that structural light weight aggregate concretes are
considered as alternatives to concrete made with dense natural aggregates because of the
relatively high strength to unit ratio that can be achieved.

According to abeles and Bardhan-Roy(2),conctrete containing light weight aggregates

preserve their strength upto nearly 500°C. It was stated that the residual strength of light weight
concrete after fire decreases linearly from 100% to 40% as a result of increasing the temperature
from 500°C to 800°C.

F.W.Lydon(3) stated that for light weight aggregate concrete, it is more relevant for mix
design purpose to relate strength to cement content.

As per the coference proceedings, japan JASS (4) it was reported that ,light weight
concretes do not specify any density values, and properties are only provided for concrete made
with light weight coarse and fine aggregates.

FIP , 1983(5) stated that in general the effect of using superplasticizer in light weight
aggregate concrete is similar to that of usng them in normal weight concrete. It is possible that
part of fluid admixtures may be absorbed by light weight aggregate , thus reducing their action if
light weight aggregate is un soaked.

Thorenfeldt, E reported that (6) light weight aggregate concretre has a faster hardening
factor in the initial setting phase than conventional concrete, normally reaching 80% of the 28

32
day strength within 7 days. The strength growth from 28 to 90 days is generally low and
decreases with increasing concrete strength level. This is assumed to be a consequence of the
strength limiting effect of the light weight aggregate.

Alduaij et al.(7) studied light weight concrete using different unit weght aggregates
including light weight crushed bricks, light weight expanded clay and normal weight gravel
without the use of natural fine aggregate. They obtained a light weight concrete with 22Mpa
cylinder compressive strength and 1520 kg/m3 dry unit weight at 28 days.

Pumice Aggregate
Nevile,A.M. (8) also stated that pumice is a natural material of volcanic origin produced
by the release of gases during the solidification of lava and it has been used as aggregate in the
production of light weight concrete in many countries of the world. So far, the use of pumice was
dependent on the availability and limited to the countries where it is locally available or easily
imported.

Duzgun, O.A., et.al,(9) presented their study on the effects of steel fibres on the
mechanical properties of pumice aggregate concretes. The volume proportion of pumice
aggregate in the concrete was varied at some intervals. Results of the study showed that the
increasing pumice aggregate ratio decreased the unit weight and the mechanical properties of the
concretes. Results further revealed that by the inclusion of steel fibre and the increase ratio of
same in the unit weight of concrete, compressive, splitting, tensile and flexure strengths of the
concretes increased when compared to specimens without fibres. They concluded that the moduli
of elasticity were decreased with the increase of pumice aggregate and steel fibre ratio in the
concrete mixes.

High Strength Lightweight Concrete

Al-Khaiat and Haque (1999) have compared the strength and durability characteristics of
structural lightweight concrete and normal weight concrete under various curing conditions.
They designed two lightweight concretes utilizing artificial aggregates and one normal weight
concrete with crushed quartz aggregates. The nominal compressive strength of lightweight
concretes were 35 and 50 MPa (referred as LWC35 and LWC50, respectively). The nominal

33
compressive strength of the normal weight concrete was also 50 MPa (referred as NWC50). All
three mixtures had a slump of about 9 cm. Fresh densities were approximately 1800 kg/m3 and
2350 kg/m3 for lightweight concretes and normal weight concrete, respectively. Four different
curing regimes were applied on specimens, which are 1-day (no curing after removal of molds),
3-day (water curing for 2 days after removal of molds), 7-day (water curing for 6 days after
removal of molds) and full curing (water curing till testing). After curing periods had ended, the
specimens were moved and stored at an exposure site near sea and their strength parameters and
durability characteristics such as water permeability, depth of carbonation, sulfate concentration
and chloride penetration were investigated throughout 270 days. The authors underlined that to
achieve same strength levels with normal weight concrete, lightweight mixture requires 10-20%
more binder content. The results have also shown that LWC50 with 7-day curing regime has
shown better strength development at 90-days than its continuously cured counterparts. The
authors, by citing a previous work by Bamforth (1987), attributed this to “better densification of
the interfacial transition zone due to absorption of aggregates”. As the moisture near the surface
of the concrete begins to evaporate, the absorbed water within lightweight aggregates are
released and promotes hydration at interior zones where external curing moisture cannot
penetrate. Another conclusion which can be inferred from the study was that duration of curing
period is more effective on the durability of lightweight concretes than that of normal weight
ones. As the curing period extended, water penetration, depth of carbonation and chloride
content of lightweight specimens were reduced more than that of normal weight concretes.

Chia and Zhang (2002) compared the water permeability and chloride penetrability of high-
strength lightweight concretes with high-strength normal weight concretes. For 30 this purpose,
they designed three series of mixtures. In each series, there were two mixtures one of which was
lightweight and the other was normal weight concrete. Both have same binder content and w/b
ratio while the only difference was the type of coarse aggregates used, namely crushed granite
and expanded clay. First series have w/c ratio of 0.55 and 400 kg/m3 cement, second have w/c
ratio of 0.35 and 470 kg/m3 cement and the third have w/c ratio of 0.35 and 421 kg/m3 cement
and 47 kg/m3 silica fume. The results have shown that water permeability of lightweight
concrete in first series was lower than that of normal weight concrete. However, in second and
third series, water permeability of normal and lightweight concrete was similar. This was
attributed to the enhanced the quality of the mortar matrix due to reduction in w/b ratio from

34
0.55

35
to 0.35. In the light of these results, the authors concluded that that the quality of mortar is more
dominant on controlling the water permeability than the type of aggregate used. The results also
showed that the chloride permeability was reduced from first series to third series, with
increasing mortar matrix quality for both normal and lightweight concrete mixtures and in each
series chloride permeability of lightweight and normal weight concretes were similar. The
authors concluded that at equal strength levels, lightweight concrete is expected to have higher
resistance to water and chloride permeability, considering the lower strength but similar
permeability performance of lightweight concretes compared to that of normal weight concretes
in each series.

Chi et al. (2003) investigated the effect of aggregate properties and w/b ratio on the compressive
strength and elastic modulus of lightweight concrete. Three types of flyash lightweight coarse
aggregates differing in particle strength were used in the experiment. For each type, three series
of concrete were cast with w/c ratios of 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5. Furthermore, each w/c series were
divided into subseries with differing coarse-to-total aggregate volume fraction (18, 24, 30 and
36%). The compressive strength of the specimens varied roughly between 25 and 45 MPa while
elastic modulus values were between 15 and 25 GPa. The results were predictable. The
compressive strength and elastic modulus of the specimens increased with the increasing
aggregate particle strength, decreasing w/c ratio and decreasing coarse-tototal aggregate volume
fraction. The study has shown that aggregate properties and w/c ratio significantly affects the
compressive strength and elastic modulus. The researchers also concluded that when coarse-to-
total aggregate volume fraction is 31 18%, strength and elastic modulus are governed by w/c
ratio and the effect of aggregate properties are insignificant.

Kayali and Zhu (2005) compared the chloride induced reinforcement corrosion of high-strength
lightweight concrete (LWHS) with moderate strength normal weight concrete (MS) and high-
strength normal weight concrete (HS). The 35th day compressive of HS and LWHS was about
70 MPa, whereas MS was only about 30 MPa. The reinforced slabs made of each type of the
concretes were exposed to 2% chloride solution for more than 15 months and chloride ion
ingress, corrosion potentials, corrosion current density and electrical resistivity were monitored
throughout this duration. The results showed that the chloride ion concentration at the level of
rebars were the lowest in LWHS and followed respectively by HS and MS. Half-cell potential

36
values of LWHS were more negative than MS and accompanied by insignificant corrosion
current, thus attributed to high impermeability and lack of oxygen in the LWHS slabs. The
electrical resistivity of HS and LWHS were similarly very high and remained almost unaltered
with time. On the other hand, the electrical resistivity of MS was much lower and further
decreased with time. The researchers attributed the superior performance of LWHS to its
impermeable dense matrix and porous lightweight aggregates which are thought to act as
reservoirs for chloride solution.

Mouli and Khelafi (2008) studied the effects of using pozzolan on some mechanical properties
of lightweight aggregate concrete. The lightweight aggregates used in the study obtained from
the natural deposits in Algeria. The pozzolan used in the study was obtained by grinding same
lightweight aggregates to a fineness of 4200 cm2 /g. For assessing the effect of pozzolans, six
mixtures with a total binder content of 400 kg/m3 were designed. First mixture was the control
group containing only cement as binder. In other mixtures, cement was replaced with pozzolan
by 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%, respectively. The compressive strength, splitting and flexural tensile
strength of the specimens were monitored throughout 1 year. The results showed that specimens
with 20% pozzolan showed higher compressive, splitting and flexural tensile strength than
reference specimens at all ages starting from 7-days to 365 days. The authors underlined that
increase in splitting and flexural tensile strength may increase the service life of concrete by
reducing cracking tendency. The specimens containing 30% pozzolan achieved higher
compressive strength than that of reference specimens at 90 32 days. The specimens containing
40% and 50% pozzolan showed lower compressive strength than reference specimens at all ages.
Therefore, authors suggested not to use high pozzolan contents unless low heat of hydration or
durability is concerned.

Shannag (2011) conducted a study to assess the effect of pozzolan addition on fresh and
hardened properties of lightweight concrete utilizing volcanic tuff as lightweight aggregate. For
this purpose, binary and ternary lightweight concrete mixtures were prepared with fly ash and
silica fume. Total binder and water content of the mixtures were fixed to 400 kg/m3 and 250
kg/m3 , respectively. The aggregate content and type were identical in all mixtures. The 28th day
compressive strength of designed concretes varied roughly from 20 to 45 MPa and air-dry
densities were less than 2000 kg/m3 . The results showed that the lightweight concrete with 15%

37
silica fume developed the highest compressive strength and elastic modulus with an increase of
57% and 14% over reference specimen, respectively. This was attributed to the improvement of
contact zone by pozzolanic reactivity and filler effect. In the scope of the study, the researcher
also plotted and evaluated the complete stress-strain diagram of the specimens under
compression. The stress-strain diagrams of the structural lightweight concretes were similar to
that of typical normal weight concretes. However, it was stated that the strain capacity of
lightweight concrete specimens were comparably higher.

In a study by Kabay and Akoz (2012), the effect of aggregate prewetting methods on properties
of lightweight concrete was investigated. For this purpose, the researches designed two series of
sanded lightweight mixtures with cement contents of 350 kg/m3 and 500 kg/m3 . The
lightweight aggregates (pumice) were prewetted before batching by three different methods,
namely pre-soaking, water-soaking and vacuum-soaking. Firstly, in pre-soaking method,
lightweight aggregates and pre-soak water, which corresponds to 1 hour absorption capacity of
the aggregates, are introduced in to a mixer and allowed to rest for half an hour. During this
resting period, aggregates are mixed three times for “homogenization”. This is followed by
batching and casting procedures in which aggregates are assumed to absorb water for an
additional 30 minutes. Secondly, in water-soaking method, lightweight aggregates are simply
immersed in water for 24 hours. Then, these wet aggregates are spread on sieves for drying of
surface water. Thirdly, in vacuum-soaking method, aggregates are placed in to a container and
the air in container is evacuated by means of a pump until the 33 pressure inside is reduced to -
650±10 mm Hg. Then, the container is filled with water and aggregates are allowed to rest for 10
minutes. After the resting period, wet aggregates are spread on sieves for drying of surface
moisture. The experimental results have shown that the slump of concretes with water-soaked
and vacuum soaked aggregates were close to each other and higher than those with pre-soaked.
This was attributed to lower fresh density of concretes with pre-soaked aggregates. This is
because the pre-soaked aggregates are relatively less saturated than water-soaked and vacuum
soaked aggregates, their density in batch condition is also lower and so as the fresh density of
resulting concretes. The study has also shown that the compressive strength of the concretes with
water-soaked and vacuum-soaked aggregates were approximately 20% higher than that of
concretes with pre-soaked aggregates in series containing 350 kg/m3 cement. On the other hand,
this difference was reduced to 7% in series with 500 kg/m3 cement. The authors attributed this to

38
reduced lightweight aggregate content in these series. The drying shrinkage of concretes with
water-soaked and vacuum soaked aggregates were also lower than those with pre-soaked
aggregates. This was attributed to internal curing provided by relatively higher absorbed water
content of water-soaked and vacuum-soaked aggregates. The authors concluded that concretes
with water-soaked and vacuum-soaked aggregates show better overall performance. It was also
underlined that water-soaking is advantageous when economy is concerned while vacuum-
soaking is favorable for its considerably shorter application time.

39
 CHAPTER-3

EXPERIMENTAL INSVESTIGATIONS

INTRODUCTION:

In the present study, investigations are carried out to study the basic workability and strength
properties of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete. First the material properties are determined
followed by the mix design and then workability, Compressive strength property and Durability
properties are determined for Lightweight Aggregate Concrete.

OBJECTIVES OF THE EXPERIMENTAL STUDY:

i) To develop the lightweight aggregate concrete mixes with the least quantity of cement but
with a target compressive strength.

ii) To use the lowest possible water/binder ratio in the development of the light weight aggregate
concrete mixes.

iii) To study the basic workability and strength properties of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete.

MATERIALS USED:

Cement (OPC):

Ordinary Portland cement of 53 Grade (Ultra Tech Brand) available in local market
conforming to IS 12269-1987 was used in the investigation. Care has been taken to see that the
procurement made from a single batch is stored in airtight containers to prevent it being affected
by atmospheric, monsoon moisture and humidity. Table 4.1 gives the physical properties of OPC
used in the investigation and they confirm to IS specifications.

40
 AGGREGATES:

The size, shape and gradation of the aggregate play an important role in achieving a proper
concrete. The flaky and elongated particles will lead to blocking problems in confined zones. The sizes of
aggregates will depend upon the size of rebar spacing.

The coarse aggregate chosen for ternary blended concrete is typically angular in shape, is well
graded, and smaller in maximum size that suited for conventional concrete; typical conventional concrete
should have a maximum aggregate size of 20mm. Gradation is an important factor in choosing a coarse
aggregate, especially in typical uses of ternary blended. Gap graded coarse aggregate promotes
segregation to a greater degree than well graded coarse aggregate.

Tables 4.2.1, 4.3.1, 4.4.1 give the properties of aggregate used in present investigation.

Fine Aggregate

In the present investigation locally available river sand was used as fine aggregate. The sand is
free from clayey matter, salt and organic impurities. The fine aggregate is confirming to standard
specifications.

Coarse Aggregate (Granite)

Machine Crushed angular granite metal of 20mm size from the local source was used as coarse
aggregate. It is free from impurities such as dust, clay particles and organic matter etc. The coarse
aggregate is also tested for its various properties.

Coarse Aggregate (Pumice)

The Lightweight coarse aggregate used in this study were all natural pumice stone of maximum
size 25mm, which is pre soaking for 24hr’s in water(i.e. Pumice as partially saturated before batching the
concrete), It is free from impurities such as dust, clay particles and organic matter etc. The coarse
aggregate is also tested for its various properties.

Mineral Admixture
Mineral admixtures are used to improve the fresh and hardened properties of concrete and at the
same time reduce the cost of concrete materials. In order to achieve the necessary viscosity to

41
avoid segregation, additional fine materials are used. Mineral admixtures are used as an extra
fine material, besides cement and in some cases, they replace cement. In this study, mineral
admixture Micro silica Grade 920-D (Elkem Industries Pvt.Ltd) is used as replacement to
cement. Mineral admixtures improve the flowing and strengthening characteristics of the
concrete. The basic effects of micro-silica in concrete are illustrated as shown in below chart.
Table 4.5 gives the physical properties of Microsilica used in the investigation.

Chemical Admixture

Usually the chemical admixtures used are water reducers (super plasticizers).Lightweight aggregate
concrete requires a very high deformability at a low water cement ratio, hence chemical admixtures are
invitable and in particular, the high range water reducer, also known as superplasticizer. A number of
categories of superplasticizers exist. The molecular weight of superplasticizer may vary from 40 to 1,
00,000. These chemicals help to reduce the inter particle attraction of fine powder pastes to such extent
that considerable quantities of water can be removed from the system.

The superplasticizers can be classified into the following four main categories:

1) Sulphonated melamine formaldehyde condensate.

2) Sulphonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensate.
3) Modified lignosulphonates
4) Poly carboxylic esters.

42
In this study Master Glenium SKY 8233 was used. It is manufactured by BASF, where a high degree of
workability and its retention are required. It facilitates production of high quality concrete. Master
Glenium SKY 8233 has been specially formulated to give high water reductions upto 25% without loss of
workability or to produce high quality concrete of reduced permeability.
Water
This is the least expensive but most important ingredient of concrete. The water which is used for
making concrete should be clean and free from harmful impurities such as oil, alkalities, acids, etc. In
general the water which is fit for drinking should be used for making concrete.

MIX DESIGN

Mix Design Stipulations for M50 Grade Concrete.

Grade designation =M50

Type of cement =OPC

Type of Fine Aggregate = Zone III

Type of Perlite = Crushed

Type of coarse Aggregate = Crushed

Minimum cement content =250 kg

Maximum water cement ratio = 0.27

Workability = 5 to 15mm slump

Exposure condition = Moderate

Degree of supervision = Good

 Water is generally measured in Kg or litre as may be convenient. In this case, the two
units are same, as the density of water is one kg per litre.
 Cement is always measured by weight. It is never measured in volume. Generally, for
each batch mix, one bag of cement is used (i.e. 35 litres = 0.035 m3).

43
 Fine and Coarse aggregates are measured by using gauge boxes (farmas). Generally the
volume of one farma is made equal to one bag of cement or multiple thereof. Now I am using the
' ' '
farma of one bag of cement size (1.25 ×1.0 ×1.0 ).

 Microsilica usage in the concrete design mix is permitted with a maximum dosage of 15
% by weight of cement.
 Superplasticizer (Master Glenium SKY 8233) usage in the concrete design mix is
permitted with a maximum dosage of 2 % by weight of cement.

Mix Design Proportions

Concrete mix proportions in terms of mass (Kg/m3 concrete):

Water = W kg/m3
Cement = C kg/m3
Fine aggregate = F.A kg/m3
Coarse aggregate = C.A kg/m3

The original conventional concrete mix design was adopted as per our BIS method for getting
mix proportions in terms of mass and addition/replacement of lightweight aggregate is done on
volumetric basis as explained below.

Volume fractions of materials in concrete mix (for 1m3 concrete):

W
Water content (Vw) =
1000
C
Cement content (Vc) =
Sp.G of C×1000
F.A
Fine aggregate content (Vfa) =
Sp.G of F.A×1000
C.A
Coarse aggregate content (Vca) =
Sp.G of C.A×1000

44
Concrete mix proportions expressed in terms of volume (m3/m3 concrete):

Vw×1000
Water content = bulkdensity

Vc×Sc×1000
Cement content = bulkdensity

Vfa×Sfa×1000
Fine aggregate content =
bulkdensity

Vca×Sca×1000
Coarse aggregate content =
bulkdensity

Dosage of superplasticizer Master Glenium SKY 8233 and Microsilica are decided from
the trials as percentage of total cementitious content. After conducting number of trials for
required parameters for satisfying the conditions of Slump and Compressive strength, the final
mix proportions has been fixed for the M50 grade.

In this thesis four trail mixes were done and the results were shown in table 4.7.2. For this
design mix tests are conducted and results are shown in the table 4.8.3.1, 4.8.3.2, 4.8.4.1, 4.8.4.2,
4.8.6.1, 4.8.6.2, 4.8.8.4, 4.8.8.5, 4.8.9.4 & 4.8.9.5.

EXPERIMENTATION PROGRAMME:
Varying the percentage of Micro Silica, Pumice and perlite content, 2 mixes were
tried to study the effect of replacement of crushed stone aggregate and fine aggregate with
pumice and perlite respectively on the properties of concrete. For each mix 27 Big cubes,27
Small cubes, 18 cylinders and 18 beams were casted and were tested after 28 days, 90 days and
360 days curing.

Test programme includes the test of conventional or normal weight concrete, light
weight aggregate concrete for compressive strength , split tensile strength, Flexural strength and
durability test after 28 and 90 days curing.

45
Specimens : The specimens consisted of

1. Compressive strength –cubes of 150x150x150 mm size

2. Split tensile strength – cylinders of 150x300 mm size
3. Flexure strength – beams of 100x100x500 mm size
4. Durability test– cubes of 100x100x100 mm size
5. Concrete Mix proportion :

Design as per ISI method is used in the work of M50 grade of concrete and presented in
Annexure .

Mix proportion: 1:1.137:2.206 with w/c ratio 0.27.

PREPARATION OF TEST SPECIMENS:

BATCHING

Batching is the process of measuring concrete mix in gradients by either mass or volume
and introducing them into the mixer. To produce concrete of uniform quality, the ingredients
must be measured accurately for each batch. Concrete will never meet its end result if the
materials are not batched correctly.
There are two ways of batching of aggregates for concrete mixes:
a) by volume
b) by weight.

Volume Batching:
a) Volume batching is not a good method for proportioning the material because of the
difficulty it offers to measure granular material in terms of volume.
b) But Volume of light weight aggregate weighs much less than the same volume of normal
aggregate.
c) Volume of moist sand in a loose condition weighs much less than the same volume of dry
compacted sand.
d) The effect of bulking should be considered for moist fine aggregate.

46
 e) For any small job or in which we are using different types of materials having different
bulk densities concrete should be batched by volume.

Weigh Batching:
a) Weigh batching is the correct method of measuring the materials.
b) Use of weight system in batching, facilitates accuracy, flexibility and simplicity.
c) Large weigh batching plants have automatic weighing equipment. On large worksites, the
weigh bucket type of weighing equipment's is used.

In this thesis we are using volume batching because producing the concrete using both
light weight pumice aggregate and normal weight granite aggregate, by using gauge boxes
generally we called as farmas.

Mixing

The mixing process is carried out in an electrically operated concrete mixer. The capacity of
pan mixer is 60 liters. The materials are laid in uniform layers, one after the other in the order of
coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and cementitious material. Dry mixing is done to obtain a
uniform colour. The mixing is continued by gradual addition of water, superplasticizer and
viscosity modifying agent. Wet mixing is done until a mixture of uniform colour and consistency
are achieved which is then ready for casting. Before casting the specimens, workability of the
mixes was found.

TESTING OF WORKABILITY OF CONCRETE

LWA with a considerably lower density is used compared to that of the mortar matrix, an
upward segregation of the coarse aggregate might be experienced. This is in contrast with
NWAC where the coarse aggregates usually separate and sink to the bottom. Furthermore, a
greater vibrating energy is needed for LWAC than that for NWAC for effective compaction.
This is because the LWA may act as a cushion during the vibrations. In practice, the LWAC
loses its workability faster than NWAC due to water absorption by the LWA if the aggregates
used are not pre-soaked. Due to a lower density of the LWA, the LWAC does not slump as much
as NWAC at the same workability.
47
Slump Test
Slump test is used to determine the workability of fresh concrete. The test is simple and
cheap, It is suitable to use in the laboratory and also at site. Although the test is simple, but the
resting has to be done carefully due to a huge slump may obtain if there is any disturbance in the
process.
It is also mentioned that a slum less than 25mm will indicate a very stiff concrete and a
slump that more than 125mm will a very runny concrete.

A very high workability concrete will lose the shape by flowing and collapse, where a
very low workability concrete will not collapse.

Apparatus and Test Produce of Slump

Test Apparatus:

1. Mould:

A hallow frustum of a cone that made from galvanized steel sheet. The thickness
is between 1.5mm to 2mm. The mould has a foot piece, and handles on outer surface, and
smooth internal surface. The bottom diameter of the mould is 200mm, the top diameter of
the mould is 100mm and the vertical diameter of the mould is 300mm.
2. Rod:
A metal rod of 16mm diameter, 600mm long and having a 25mm height of
spherical shape at one end with a radius of 5mm.
3. Base Plate:
A 3mm thick smooth, rigid and non absorbent material base metal plate.
4. Scoop:

48
 A suitable size steel ruler for the aggregate of concrete.
5. Ruler:
Suitable steel ruler to measure the height of slump.

Test Procedure:

1. Before the test, the internal surface of the mould was cleaned and moistened with a
damp cloth.

2. The mould was placed on a smooth and horizontal surface that free from vibration or shock.
While the mould was being filled, it was hold firmly by standing on the foot pieces.

3. The mould was filled in three layers. Each layer was around one-third of the height of the
mould. Each layer was being rod with 25 strokes of rounded end of the rod

4. The concrete was rolled off after the top layer has been rod. Remove the mould immediately
by raising it slowly and carefully in the vertical direction.

5. Measured the height of slump immediately. It was determined between the height of mould
and the average height of the top surface of the concrete.

49
 Casting of Specimens
The cast iron moulds are cleaned of dust particles and applied with mineral oil on all sides
before concrete is poured in the moulds. The moulds are placed on a level platform. The well
mixed green concrete is filled, allowed to flow and settle itself in the moulds. Excess concrete
was removed with trowel and top surface is finished level and smooth. 150 x 150x 150 mm
cubes and 100 x 100 x100 mm cubes were cast.

Curing of Specimens
The specimens are left in the moulds undisturbed at room temperature for about 24 hours
after casting. The specimens are then removed from the moulds and immediately transferred to
the curing pond containing clean and fresh water. The curing water is renewed at every 5 days.

TESTS CONDUCTED ON SPECIMENS

A time schedule for testing of specimens is maintained to ensure their proper testing on the
due date and time. The cast specimens are tested as per standard testing procedures, immediately
after they are removed from curing pond and wiped of the surface water, as per IS 516-1959. The
test results are tabulated carefully.

Compressive Strength of concrete

Compressive strength of concrete can be defined as the measured maximum resistance of

a concrete to axial loading. Compression test is the most common test used to test the hardened
concrete specimens because the testing is easy to make. Generally cubes of 150 x 150 x 150 mm
size are used to determine the compressive strength. The determination of compressive strength
has received a large amount of attention because the concrete is primarily meant to withstand
compressive stresses. The test is repeated for the six specimens and the average value is taken as
the mean strength. The test results details are tabulated.

The test specimens are tested in accordance with IS 516-1959. There are six specimens
were used in the compression testing in every batches. Differences of the strength among the
different percentage of pumice aggregate used in the age of 28 and 90 days are indicated through
the compression test.

50
Apparatus and Test Procedure of Compression

Test Apparatus:

1. Testing Machine:
‘Avery’ testing machine.

2. Rubber Cap:
400mm long ruler to measure the height of specimen.

3. Balance:
To measure the weights of the concrete specimens.

4. Vernier Caliper: To measure the diameter of the concrete specimens.

51
Test Procedure:

1. The testing for the specimens should be carried out as soon as possible after took out from the
curing room. The specimens need to get the measurements before the testing.

2. The diameter and height of the specimens were measured and recorded. The weight of each
specimen was measured and recorded too.

3. The platens of the testing machine were cleaned with a clean rag.

4. Cleaned the uncapped surface of the specimen and place the specimen in the testing machine.
The axis of the specimen was aligned with the centre of the thrust spherically seated platen.

5. Carefully placed the rubber cap on the specimen.

6. The platens was lowered to the tuber cap until the uniform bearing was obtained.

7. The force was applied and increased continuously at a uniform rate of loading of 3 KN/sec is
maintained, until the specimen failed.

8. Recorded the maximum force from the testing machine.

The determination of compressive strength has received a large amount of attention

because the concrete is primarily meant to withstand compressive stresses. The test is repeated
for the six specimens and the average value is taken as the mean strength. The test results details
are tabulated.

Durability study
A Durability concrete is one that performs satisfactory in the working environment
during its anticipated exposure conditions during service. The material and mix proportions
specified and used should be such as to maintain its integrity and if applicable, to protect
embedded metal from corrosion.

One of the main characteristics influenced the durability of concrete is it’s to the ingress
of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, chloride, sulphate and other potentially deleterious substances.
Impermeability is governed by the constituents and workmanship used in making the concrete

52
with normal-weight aggregates a suitably low permeability is achieved by having an adequate
cement content, sufficiently low, free water/cement ratio, by ensuring complete compaction of
the concrete and adequate curing, the factors influencing durability concrete.

a). The environment

b) The cover to embedded steel

a) The type and quality of constituent materials

b) The cement content and water powder ratio of the concrete

c) Workmanship, to obtain full compaction and efficient curing

d) The shape and size of the member

The degree of exposure anticipated for the concrete during its service life together with
other relevant factors relating to mix composition, workmanship design and detailing should be
considered. All relevant requirement for durability of concrete as specified in Is 456-2000.

In the present, investigation carried out to study the durability characteristic of concrete
Specimens of size 100×100×100mm subjected to acid attack.

Acid attack of concrete:

First of all, concrete containing Portland cement, being highly alkaline, is not resistant to
attack by strong acids or compounds which may convert to acids. Chemical attack of concrete
occurs by way of decomposition of the products of hydration and formation of new compounds
which, if insoluble, may be leached out and, if not soluble, may be disruptive in-situ . The
attaching compounds must be in solution .The most vulnerable cement hydrate is Ca(OH)2 but C-
S-H can also be attached calcareous aggregates are also vulnerable. Concrete can attack by
liquids with PH value below 6.5 but the attacks are severe only at a PH below5.5below 4.50 the
attack is very severe.

Acids first with free lime of concrete forming calcium salts and later on attack the hydro
silicates and hydro-aluminates forming. The corresponding calcium salts, whose solubility will
govern the extent of deterioration caused to the concrete. The hydrochloric acid(HCl) corrodes

53
the concrete to a greater extent in comparison to the sulphuric acid at low concentration
becauseH2SO4 forms a less soluble CaSO4 on the reacting with lime of concrete, which seals the
pores of concrete for further permeation and offers resistance to acid corrosion. But at higher
concentration of H2SO4, the concrete strength is reduced due to the accumulation of CaSO 4 in the
pores and the development of internal stresses.

Various physical and chemical tests on the resistance of concrete to acids have been
developed, there are no standard procedures. In the present investigations, concrete specimens of
size 100 ×100 ×100mm are immersed in 5%HCl and H 2SO4 solutions. The deterioration of
specimens is presented in the form of percentage reduction in weight and strength of concrete
specimens.

The durability of a concrete structure is closely associated to the permeability of the

surface layer, the one that should limit the ingress of substances that can initiate or propagate
possible deleterious action (CO2, Chloride, sulphate, water, oxygen, alkali, acids, etc.,) in
practice, durability depends on the material selection and as well as on the degree of supervision
during placing, compaction, finishing and curing.

Traditional vibrated concrete is subjected to compaction via vibration (or tamping),

which is a discontinuous process. In the case of internal vibration, even, when correctly executed
the volume of concrete with in the area of influence of the vibrator does not receive the same
compaction energy. Similarly, in the case of external vibration, the resulting compaction is
essentially heterogeneous, depending on the distance to the vibration sources.

The result of the vibrator is, therefore, a concrete in the structure with uneven compaction
and therefore, with different permeability, which enhance the selective ingress of aggressive
substance, Naturally, the consequence of incorrect vibration (honey combing, segregation,
bleeding etc.) have a much stronger negative effect on permeability and, hence on durability. The
test results details are tabulated.

54
 Split Tensile Strength Test :
Testing Machine:

Any compression machine of reliable type, of sufficient capacity for the tests and capable of
applying the load at the rate specified shal be used. It shall comply with the requirements given
in IS 516-1959 as far as applicable except that the bearing faces of both platens shall provide a
minimum loading area of 12 mm x the length of the cylinder or cube, as the case may be so that
the load is applied over the entire length of the specimen. If necessary, a supplementary bearing
bar or plate of machined steel may be used.

Age at Test:

Tests shall be made at the recognized ages of the test specimens, the most usual being 7 and 28
days. Tests at any other age at which the tensile strength is desired may be made, if so required.
The ages shall be calculated from the time of the addition of water to the dry ingredients. The
age at test shall be reported along with the results.

Number of Specimens:

At least three specimens shall be tested for each age of tests.

Procedure:

Specimens when received dry shall be kept in water for 24 h before they are taken for testing.
Unless other conditions are required for specific laboratory investigation specimen shall be
tested immediately on removal from the water whilst they are still wet. Surface water and grit
shall be wiped off the specimens and any projecting fins removed from the surfaces which are to
be in contact with the packing strips.

Marking:

Central lines shall be drawn on the two opposite faces of the cube using any suitable procedure
and device that will ensure that they are in the same axial plane.

55
Measurement:

The mass and dimensions of the specimen shall be noted before testing. The sides of the
specimen, lying, in the plane of the pre-marked lines, shall be measured near the ends and the
middle of the specimen and the average taken to the nearest 0.2 mm. The length of the specimen
shall be taken to the nearest 0.2 mm by averaging the two lengths measured in the plane
containing the pre-marked lines.

Placing of the Specimen in the Testing Machine:

The bearing surfaces of the testing machine and of the loading strips shall be wiped clean.

Positioning:

The test specimen shall be placed in the centering jig with packing strip and/or loading pieces
carefully positioning along the top and bottom of the plane of loading of the specimen. The jig
shall then be placed in the machine so that the specimen is located centrally. In the case ofcubic
specimens, the load shall be applied on the moulded faces in such a way that the fracture plane
will cross the trowelled surface.

For cylindrical specimen it shall be ensured that the upper platen is parallel with the lower
platen.

Rate of Loading:

The load shall be applied without shock and increased continuously at a nominal rate within the
range 1.2 N/ (mm2/min) to 2.4 N/ (mm2/ min). Maintain the rate, once adjusted, until failure. On
manually controlled machines as failure is approached the loading rate will decrease; at this stage
the controls shall be operated to maintain as far as possible the specified loading rate. The
maximum load applied shall then be recorded. The appearance of concrete and any unusual
features in the type of failure shall also be noted.

Calculation:

The measured splitting tensile strength fc, of the specimen shall calculated to the nearest 0.05
N/mm2 using the following formula

56
Fc= (2*p)/ (πdl)
Where

P = maximum load in Newton’s applied to the specimen,

l= length of the specimen (in mm), and

d = cross sectional dimension of the specimen (in mm)

Flexural Strength Test:

Apparatus

The testing machine is of a reliable type of sufficient capacity for the tests and capable of
applying the load at the rate specified. The permissible errors are not greater than + 0.5 percent
of the appointed load where a high degree of accuracy is required and not greater than + 1.5
percent of the applied load for commercial type of use. The bed of the testing machine is
provided with two steel rollers, 38 mm in diameter, on which the specimen is supported and
these rollers are so mounted that the distance from centre to centre is 60 cm for 15 cm specimens
or 40 cm for 10 cm specimens. The load is applied through two similar rollers mounted at the
third points of the supporting span that is, spaced at 20 or 13.3 cm centre to centre. The load is
divided equally between the two loading rollers and all rollers are mounted in such a manner that
the load is applied axially and without subjecting the specimen to any torsional stresses or
restraints.

Test procedure

Test specimens stored in water at a temperature of 24 o C to 30o C for 48 hours before testing will
be tested immediately on removal of water whilst they are still in a wet condition. The
dimensions will be noted before testing. No preparation of the surfaces will be required.

Placing the specimen in the testing machine:

The bearing surfaces of the supporting and loading rollers are wiped clean and any loose sand or
other material removed from the surfaces of the specimen where they are to make contact with
the rollers. The specimen will then be placed in the machine in such a manner that the load is

57
applied to the uppermost surface as cast in the mould, along two lines spaced 20 or 13.3 cm
apart. The axis of the specimen will be carefully aligned with the axis of the loading device. No
packing will be used between the bearing surfaces of the specimen and the rollers. The load will
be applied without shock and increasing continuously at a rate such that the extreme fibre stress
increases at approximately 7 kg/sq. cm/min, that is, at a rate of loading of 400 kg/min for the
15cm specimens and at a rate of 180 kg/min for the 10 cm specimens. The load will be increased
till the specimens fail and the maximum load applied to the specimen during the test shall be
recorded. The appearance of the fractured faces of concrete and any unusual features in the type
of failure will be noted.

Calculations

The flexural strength of the specimen shall be expressed as the modulus of rupture fb, which if ‘a
‘equals the distance between the line of fracture and the nearer support, measured on the centre
line of the tensile side of the specimen, in cm, shall be calculated to the nearest 0.5 kg/sq. cm as
follows:

Case 1: when ‘a’ is greater than 20 cm for 15 cm specimen or greater than 13.3 cm for a 10 cm
specimen:

fb = (p x l)/(b x d2)

Case 2:

When ‘a’ is less than 20 cm but greater than 17 cm for 15 cm specimen or less than 13.3 cm but
greater than 11 cm for a 10 cm specimen:

fb = (3p x a)/(b x d2)

Where,

b = measured width in cm of the specimen

58
d = measured depth in cm of the specimen at the point of failure

l = length in cm, of the span on which the specimen was

supported p= maximum load in kg applied to the specimen

Case 3:

If ‘a ‘ is less than 17 cm for a 15 cm specimen, or less than 11 cm for a 10 cm

Specimen:

The results of the test shall be discarded.

59
 CHAPTER-4
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION RESULTS
INTRODUCTION

In the present study, investigations are carried out to study the basic workability and strength properties
of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete. First the material properties are determined followed by the mix
design and then workability, Compressive strength property, split tensile strength, flexural strength and
Durability properties are determined for Lightweight Aggregate Concrete.

CEMENT

Locally available ordinary Portland cement of 53 grade of cement conforming to ISI

standards has been procured and following tests have been carried out shown in table.

Table 4.2.1 Physical Properties of 53 grade cement.

S.NO Properties Test value Requirements as per IS:12269-1987

1 Fineness of cement 4.52 10%(should not be more than)

2 Specific gravity 2.99 3.15

3 Normal consistency 33% -

4 Setting time
Initial setting 40 min 30 min (should not be less)
time 6 hours 600 min (should not be greater than)
Final setting time
5 Compressive
strength at
3 days 34 N/mm2 27 N/mm2
7 days 44.8 N/mm2 37 N/mm2
28 days 59 N/mm2 53 N/mm2

60
 FINE AGGREGATE

Table 4.3.1 Physical Properties of fine aggregate

S.No. Property Test Results

1 Fineness Modulus 2.647

2 Specific Gravity 2.64

Bulk Density
1580 Kg/m3
3 a) Loose
1667 Kg/m3
b) Compacted

4 Moisture Content 0%

Table: 4.3.2 The result of Sieve Analysis for Fine Aggregate: Sample 1000gms

Grading
Cumulative %
Weight % zone as
weight Cumulative
retained passing Fineness per
Sieve No retained weight
(grams) through modulus IS:383-
(grams) retained
1970
4.75mm 20 20 2 98
2.36mm 70 90 11 89
1.18mm 109 199 19.9 80.1
600𝜇 159 358 35.8 64.2 2.647 Zone-III
300 𝜇 613 971 97.1 12.9
150 𝜇 18 989 98.9 1.1
<150 𝜇 11 1000
1000 264.7
Fineness Modulus of Fine Aggregate = 264.7 = 2.647
100

61
 4.3.3 Physical Properties of Fine Aggregate ( Perlite)

S.No. Property Test Results

1 Specific Gravity 2.38

Bulk Density
1150 Kg/m3
3 A)Loose
1200 Kg/m3
B)Compacted

4 Colour-Odour Grey- Odourless

5 Physical State Solid

6 Moisture Content 0%

COARSE AGGREGATE (GRANITE)

Table 4.4.1 Physical Properties of Coarse Aggregate

S.No. Property Test Results

1 Fineness Modulus
7.046

2 Specific Gravity 2.67

Bulk Density
1460 Kg/m3
3 a) Loose
1565 Kg/m3
b) Compacted

4 Moisture Content 0%

62
 Table: 4.4.2 The Result of Sieve Analysis for Coarse Aggregate: Sample 5000gms

Weight Cumulative % %
Sieve No retained weight retained cumulative passing
(grams) (grams) weight retained through
40mm 0 0 0 100
20mm 1085 1085 21.7 100
10mm 3229 4314 86.28 35.86
4.75mm 617 4931 98.62 1.72
2.36mm 49 4980 99.6 1.22
1.18 0 4980 99.6 1.12
600𝜇 0 4980 99.6 1.12
300 𝜇 0 4980 99.6 1.12
150 𝜇 0 4980 99.6 1.12
Total 5000 704.6

Fineness Modulus of Coarse Aggregate = 704.6 = 7.046

100

COARSE AGGREGATE (PUMICE)

Table 4.5.1: Physical properties of pumice in different conditions

Normal dry Saturated surface

S.No Property Oven dry pumice
pumice dry pumice

1 Specific gravity 0.688 0.931 1.158

Bulk density
2 a) Loose (Kg/m3) 352 509 570
b) Rodded (Kg/m3) 375 591 653
3 Moisture content 0% 3.6 % 22.5 %

63
Table: 4.5.2 Result of Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregate(Pumice): Sample 5000gms

Weight Cumulative % %
Sieve No retained weight Cumulative passing
(grams) retained weight through
(grams) retained
40mm 0 0 0 100
20mm 2824 2824 56.48 100
10mm 1764 4588 91.76 35.86
4.75mm 332 4920 98.4 1.72
2.36mm 49 4969 99.38 1.22
1.18 0 4969 99.38 1.12
600𝜇 0 4969 99.38 1.12
300 𝜇 0 4969 99.38 1.12
150 𝜇 0 4969 99.38 1.12
<150 𝜇 31 5000 1.12
5000 743.54

Fineness Modulus of Coarse Aggregate = 743.54 = 7.43

100

64
Table: 4.5.3 Comparison between Normal Weight Aggregate and Light Weight (Saturated
Surface Dry) Pumice Aggregate

S.No. Property Granite Saturated surface dry

pumice

1 Maximum size of aggregate 20mm 25mm

2 Specific gravity 2.67 1.158

3 Fineness modulus 7.046 7.43

Bulk density
4 a) Loose (Kg/m3) 1460 570
b) Rodded (Kg/m3) 1565 653

5 Moisture content 0% 22.5%

Micro Silica
Micro silica is a dry amorphous powder which, when added with standard cements will
increase the durability and strength of the concrete as well as reducing permeability and
improving abrasion-erosion resistance. It may also be used in many applications where high
strength is required.

The addition of silica fume produces concrete with reduced permeability resulting in
increased water tightness enhanced chemical resistance and reduced corrosion of reinforcing
steel.
Micro silica has a bulk density of approximately 610kg/m³.

65
Table: 4.6.1 Typical Oxide Composition of Microsilica Grade 920-D (Elkem Industries Pvt.
Ltd)

S.No. Constituents Percentage

1 Silica, SiO2 92.00

2 Alumina, Al2O3 0.46

3 Iron Oxide, Fe2O3 1.60

4 Lime, CaO 0.36

5 Magnesia, MgO 0.74

6 Sulphur Trioxide, SO3 0.35

7 Loss on ignition 2.50

8 Na2O 0.70

9 K2O 0.90

10 PH 7.6

11 Accelerated Pozzolanic Acidity index in 7 days 104

12 Accelerated Pozzolanic Acidity index in 28 days 117

13 Surface Area m2/Kg 18.9

14 Moisture Content 1%

15 Bulk Density 450-650

66
Super plasticizer:

The super plasticizer used in this experimental work is Master Glenium SKY 8233. It is
manufactured by BASF.
Super plasticizer is new class of generic materials which when added to the concrete
causes increase in the workability. They consist of mainly of naphthalene or melamine
sulphonates. Usually condensed in the presence of formaldehyde.

Super plasticized concrete is a conventional concrete containing a chemical admixtures of

super plasticizing agent. As with super plasticizer admixtures one can take advantage of the
enhanced workability state to make reductions in water cement ratio of super plasticized
concrete, while maintaining workability of concrete. The use of super plasticizer in ready mixed
concrete ad construction reduces the possibility of deterioration of concrete for its appearance,
density and strength. On the other hand, it makes the placing of concrete more economical by
increasing productive at the construction site. Upto 4% by weight of cement is used to maintain
the workability.

67
 TRAIL MIXES
Table: 4.7.1 Percentages of Admixtures of Concrete Mixes in Trail Mixes

Binder Fine aggregate Coarse Aggregate Super

W/B Plasticizer
% of % of % of
Mix % of % of % of
Ratio Micro River C.A
Cement Perlite Pumice
Silica Sand

TrailMix-1
0.30 100.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 100.00 0.00
NWAC 0.00

Trail Mix-2
0.30 0.900 0.10 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00
LWAC 0.00

Trail Mix-3
0.27 100.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 100.00 0.00
NWAC 2.00

Trail Mix-4
0.27 0.900 0.10 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00
LWAC 2.00

Table: 4.7.2 Test Results of Concrete mixes in Trail Mixes

Mix Type of Concrete Slump Unit 28 Days Compressive

Weight Strength(Mpa)

Trail
Mix-1 NWAC 20mm 2300 56.50

Trail
LWAC 17mm 2030 30.50
Mix-2
Trail
NWAC 11mm 2280 77.23
Mix-3
Trail
LWAC 10mm 2000 36.42
Mix-4

68
 DESIGN MIX

Mix Proportions

Percentages of Mineral Admixtures of NWAC(Normal Weight

Aggregate Concrete)&LWAC (Light Weight Aggregate concrete)

Type of Concrete W/B % of Cement %of Micro % of Super plasticizer

Ratio silica (MasterGlenium SKY
8233 v2)
NWAC
(100% Granite) 0.27 100 0 0

Design Mix-LWAC
(50% C.A&50% 0.27 90 10 2%
Pumice and
50%F.A& 50% Perlite)

Mix Proportions of Concrete mixes in NWAC(Normal Weight

Aggregate Concrete)&LWAC (Light Weight Aggregate concrete)
Type of Concrete W/B Binder F.A C.A
Ratio
Cement Micro River Perlite 20mm Pumice
silica sand HBG
metal
NWAC
(100% Granite) 0.27 1 0 1.137 2.206

Design Mix
(50% C.A&50%
Pumice and 0.27 0.90 0.10 0.5685 0.5685 1.103 1.103
50%F.A& 50%
Perlite)

69
Quantities of Materials required per 1 m3 of NWAC(Normal Weight Aggregate
Concrete)&LWAC (Light Weight Aggregate concrete)

Type of W/B Water Binder Super F.A C.A

Concrete Ratio in Kg Plasticizer
Cement Micro in Kg River Perlite 20mm Pumice
Silica sand HBG
metal
NWAC
(100% 0.27 155.00 575.00 0 0 653.00 0 1268.00 0
Granite)
LWAC
(50%
C.A&50%
Pumice 0.27 155.00 518.00 57.00 12.00 5.00 6.00 10.788 11.984
and
50%F.A&
50%
Perlite)

Fresh Concrete properties of Concrete Mixes

Workability of fresh concrete mixes in NWAC(Normal Weight Aggregate

Concrete)&LWAC (Light Weight Aggregate concrete)

Type of Concrete Slump value in mm

NWAC 10mm
(100% Granite)

LWAC
(50% C.A&50% Pumice 10mm
and 50%F.A& 50% Perlite)

70
 Unit Weight of NWAC & LWAC

Type of Concrete Unit Weight (Kg/m3)

NWAC 2280.00
(100% Granite)

LWAC 2000.00
(50% C.A&50% Pumice
and 50%F.A& 50% Perlite)

Compressive strength of NWAC(Normal Weight

Aggregate Concrete)&LWAC (Light Weight Aggregate
concrete)

Table : 4.8.3.1 Compressive strength of NWAC(Normal Weight Aggregate Concrete)&LWAC

(Light Weight Aggregate concrete)at Age of 28 & 90 Days

28-Days 90-Days Increase

Type of Concrete Compressive Compressive of
Strength (MPa) Strength (MPa) strength

NWAC 77.23 90.05 16.60%

(100 % Granite)

LWAC
(50% C.A&50% 36.42 43.70 20.00%
Pumice and
50%F.A& 50%
Perlite)

71
 Table : 4.8.3.2 Compressive strength of NWAC(Normal Weight Aggregate
Concrete)&LWAC (Light Weight Aggregate concrete) at Age of 28 & 360 Days

28-Days 360-Days Increase

Type of Concrete Compressive Compressive of
Strength (MPa) Strength strength
(MPa)

NWAC 77.23 92.67 19.99%

(100 % Granite)

LWAC
(50% C.A&50% 36.42 47.42 30.20%
Pumice and
50%F.A& 50%
Perlite)

Split Tensile strength of Concrete Mixes

Table : 4.8.4.1 Split Tensile strength of NWAC(Normal Weight Aggregate
Concrete)&LWAC (Light Weight Aggregate concrete) at Age of 28 & 90 Days

28-Days 90-Days Increase

Type of Concrete Split Tensile Split of
Strength (MPa) Tensile strength
Strength (MPa)

NWAC 3.32 4.01 20.78%

(100 % Granite)

LWAC
(50% C.A&50% 2.75 3.12 13.45%
Pumice and
50%F.A& 50%
Perlite)

72
 Table :4.8.4.2 Split Tensile Strength of NWAC(Normal Weight Aggregate
Concrete)&LWAC (Light Weight Aggregate concrete) at Age of 28 & 360 Days

28-Days 360-Days Increase

Type of Concrete Split Tensile Split of
Strength (MPa) Tensile strength
Strength (MPa)

NWAC 3.32 4.10 23.50%

(100 % Granite)

LWAC
(50% C.A&50% 2.75 3.60 30.90%
Pumice and
50%F.A& 50%
Perlite)

Flexural strength of Concrete Mixes

Table : 4.8.5.1 Flexural strength of NWAC(Normal Weight Aggregate Concrete)&LWAC
(Light Weight Aggregate concrete) at Age of 28 & 90 Days

28-Days 90-Days Increase

Type of Concrete Flexural Flexural of
Strength (MPa) Strength (MPa) strength

NWAC 6.90 8.35 21.00%

(100 % Granite)

LWAC 4.46 5.00 12.10%

(50% C.A&50%
Pumice and
50%F.A& 50%
Perlite)

73
Table: 4.8.5.2 Flexural Strength of NWAC(Normal Weight Aggregate Concrete)&LWAC
(Light Weight Aggregate concrete) at Age of 28 & 360 Days

28-Days 360-Days Increase

Type of Concrete Flexural Flexural of
Strength (MPa) Strength strength
(MPa)

NWAC 6.90 8.48 22.90%

(100 % Granite)

LWAC
(50% C.A&50% 4.46 5.80 30.00%
Pumice and
50%F.A& 50%
Perlite)

Durability properties of NWAC (Normal Weight Aggregate

Concrete) &LWAC (Light Weight Aggregate concrete) at 28 days
Table: 4.8.6.1 Average Weight of Specimen at 28 Days With & Without Chemical
immersion for NWAC

Average weight Reduction in weight

Type of Concrete Without Dosage of Chemical After 28 days
Chemical immersion (5%) Chemical immersion

2.18 Kg HCL 2.56 Kg

NWAC
(100 % Granite)
2.563 kg 2.32 kg
H2SO4

74
 Table: 4.8.6.2 Average Weight of Specimen at 28 Days Without & With Different
Chemical immersion of Light Weight Aggregate Concrete Mix ( 50 % Granite &
50
%Pumice and 50% River sand&50% Perlite )

Average weight Reduction in weight

Type of Concrete Without Dosage of Chemical After 28 days
Chemical (5%) Chemical immersion
immersion

LWAC 2.18 kg HCL 2.14 kg

(50% C.A&50%

Pumice and 2.23 kg H2SO4 2.00 kg

50%F.A& 50% Perlite)

Table: 4.8.6.3 Comparison of percentage weigh loss of concrete mixes after 28-days
immersion in chemicals

Age 28-Days

Chemical HCL H2SO4

NWAC
0.92 % 9.48 %
(100% Granite)
LWAC

(50% C.A&50% Pumice 1.83 % 10.31 %

and 50%F.A& 50% Perlite)

75
Table: 4.8.6.4 Compressive Strength of Normal Weight Aggregate Concrete at 28 Days
With & Without Chemical immersion

Compressive Reduction of
Type of Concrete strength Dosage of Chemical Compressive
Without (5%) strength
Chemical immersion After 28 days
Chemical immersion

NWAC 77.23 N/mm2 HCL 67.54 N/mm2

(100% Granite)
77.23 N/mm2 H2SO4 29.35 N/mm2

Table:4.8.6.5 Compressive strength of Specimen at 28 Days Without & With Different

Chemical immersion Light Weight Aggregate Concrete Mix ( 50 % Granite & 50%
pumice and 50%River sand&50%pumice )

Compressive Reduction
strength Dosage of Chemical Compressive
Type of Concrete Without (5%) strength
Chemical immersion After 28 days
Chemical immersion

LWAC 36.42 N/mm2 HCL 33.37 N/mm2

(50% C.A&50%
Pumice and
50%F.A& 50% 36.42 N/mm3 H2SO4 22.36 N/mm3
Perlite)

76
 Table: 4.8.6.6 Comparison of percentage Compressive Strength loss for concrete
mixes after 28 days immersion in HCI & H2SO4

Age 28 Days

Chemical HCL H2SO4

NWAC
12.54% 61.99%
(100% Granite)
LWAC

(50% C.A&50% Pumice 8.37% 38.60%

and 50%F.A& 50% Perlite)

Durability properties of Concrete mixes at 90 days

Table: 4.8.7.1 Average Weight of Specimen at 90 Days With and Without Different
Chemical immersion for NWAC

Average weight Reduction in weight

Type of Concrete Without Dosage of Chemical After 90 days
Chemical immersion (5%) Chemical immersion

2.632 Kg HCL 2.583 Kg

NWAC

(100 % Granite) 2.613 kg 2.166 kg

H2SO4

77
Table: 4.8.7.2 Average Weight of Specimen at 90 Days Without & With Different Chemical
immersion of Light Weight Aggregate Concrete

Average weight Reduction in weight

Type of Concrete Without Dosage of Chemical After 90 days
Chemical immersion (5%) Chemical immersion

2.184 Kg HCL 2.083 Kg

LWAC

(50% C.A&50%

Pumice and 2.193 kg 1.753 kg

H2SO4
50%F.A& 50%
Perlite)

Table: 4.8.7.3 Comparison of percentage weigh loss results of concrete mixes after 90 days
immersion in HCI & H2SO4

Age 90 Days

Chemical HCL H2SO4

NWAC
1.86 % 17.10%
(100% Granite)
LWAC

(50% C.A&50% Pumice 4.62% 20.06 %

and 50%F.A& 50% Perlite)

78
Table: 4.8.7.4 Compressive Strength of Specimen at 90 Days Without & With Different
Chemical immersion for Normal Weight Aggregate Concrete

Compressive Reduction in
Type of Concrete strength Dosage of Chemical Compressive
Without (5%) strength
Chemical immersion After 90 days
Chemical immersion

90.05 N/mm2 HCL 72.04 N/mm2

NWAC

(100% Granite)
90.05 N/mm2 H2SO4 25.52 N/mm2

Table: 4.8.7.5 Compressive Strength of Specimen at 90 Days Without & With Different
Chemical immersion for Light Weight Aggregate Concrete(LWAC)

Compressive Reduction in
strength Dosage of Chemical Compressive
Type of Concrete Without (5%) strength
Chemical immersion After 90 days
Chemical immersion

LWAC 43.70 N/mm2 HCL 35.42 N/mm2

(50% C.A&50%
Pumice and
50%F.A& 50% 43.70 N/mm2 H2SO4 14.85 N/mm2
Perlite)

79
Table: 4.8.7.6 Comparison of percentage Compressive Strength loss results for concrete
mixes after 90 days Curing in HCI & H2SO4

Age 90-Days

Chemical HCL H2SO4

NWAC
20.00 % 71.66 %
(100% Granite)
LWAC

(50% C.A&50% Pumice 18.94 % 66.01 %

and 50%F.A& 50% Perlite)

80
 2000

1500
Unit Weight

Unit Weight
1000

500

0
NWAC LWAC

M1- NWAC( 100% Granite)

M2-LWAC ( 50%Granite+ 50% Pumice & 50%

Sand+ 50%Perlite)

Figure 1: Comparsion of Unit Weight Variation for the Normal Weight

Aggregate Concrete(NWAC) & Light Weight Aggregate Concrete
Mixes

81
 100

90

80

70

60

28-Days
50
90-Days
Compressive

40

30

20

10

0
NWAC LWAC

M1- NWAC ( 100% Granite)

M2- LWAC( 50%Granite+50%Pumice & 50%

Sand+50% Perlite)

Figure 2: Age Vs. Compressive Strength Variation for the Normal Weight Aggregate
Concrete(NWAC) & Light Weight Aggregate Concrete Mixes at 28 Days and 90 Days

82
 100

90

80

70
Compressive Strength

60

50 28-Days
360-Days

40

30

20

10

0
NWAC LWAC

M1- NWAC ( 100% Granite)

M2- LWAC( 50%Granite+50%Pumice & 50% Sand+50%

Perlite)

Figure 3: Age Vs. Compressive Strength Variation for the Normal Weight Aggregate
Concrete (NWAC) & Light Weight Aggregate Concrete Mixes at 28Days and 360 days

83
 4.5

3.5

3
Split Tensile strength

2.5
28-Days
2 90-days 360-Days

1.5

0.5

0
NWAC LWAC

M1- NWAC ( 100% Granite)

M2- LWAC( 50%Granite+50%Pumice & 50%

Sand+50% Perlite)

Figure 4: Age Vs. Split Tensile Strength Variation for the Normal Weight Aggregate
Concrete (NWAC) & Light Weight Aggregate Concrete Mixes at 28Days, 90Days and 360
Days

84
 9

6
Flexural Strength

5
28-Days
90-Days 360-Days
4

0
NWAC LWAC

M1- NWAC ( 100% Granite)

M2- LWAC( 50%Granite+50%Pumice & 50%

Sand+50% Perlite)

Figure 5: Age Vs. Flexural Strength Variation for the Normal Weight Aggregate Concrete
(NWAC) & Light Weight Aggregate Concrete Mixes at 28Days, 90Days and 360 Days

85
 12

10

8
% Weight

6 HCL
H2SO4

0
NWAC LWAC

M1- NWAC ( 100% Granite)

M2- LWAC( 50%Granite+50%Pumice & 50%

Sand+50% Perlite)

Figure 6: Comparsion of Percentage Weight Loss Results for concrete mixes after 28-Days
immersion in HCL & H2SO4

86
 70

60

50

40
% Strength

HCL
H2SO4
30

20

10

0
NWAC LWAC

M1- NWAC ( 100% Granite)

M2- LWAC( 50%Granite+50%Pumice & 50%

Sand+50% Perlite)

Figure 7: Comparsion of Percentage Strength Loss Results for concrete mixes after 28-
Days immersion in HCL & H2SO4

87
 25

20

15
% Weight

HCL
H2SO4
10

0
NWAC LWAC

M1- NWAC ( 100% Granite)

M2- LWAC( 50%Granite+50%Pumice & 50%

Sand+50% Perlite)

Figure 8: Comparsion of Percentage Weight Loss Results for concrete mixes after 90-Days
immersion in HCL & H2SO4

88
 80

70

60

50
% Strength

40 HCL
H2SO4

30

20

10

0
NWAC LWAC

M1- NWAC ( 100% Granite)

M2- LWAC( 50%Granite+50%Pumice & 50%

Sand+50% Perlite)

Figure 9: Comparsion of Percentage Strength Loss Results for concrete mixes after 90-
days immersion in HCL & H2SO4

89
 CHAPTER-5
DISCUSSIONS OF TEST RESULTS
Properties of Cement

From Table 4.2.1 gives the physical properties of ordinary Portland cement used in the present
investigation and they confirm to IS specifications.

Properties of Aggregates
From Table 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.5.1 & 4.5.2 gives the properties of aggregates used
in the present investigations. The fineness modulus of coarse aggregates Granite and Pumice are found to
be 7.046 and 7.43 respectively. The fineness modulus of fine aggregate is found to be 2.647.

Properties of Micro Silica

The micro silica obtained from ‘Elkem South Asia’pvt.ltd. Micro silica confirming to a standard
approved by the deciding authority may be used as a part replacement of cement provided uniform
blending with the cement is ensured. The micro silica (very fine non crystalline silicon di oxide)is a
byproduct of the manufacture of silicon, ferro silicon or the like, from quartz and carbon in the electric arc
furnace.

From Table 4.6.1 gives the properties of micro silica. The chemical composition of micro silica
is rich in silica.

Results of Trail Mixes

From Table 4.7.2 It was observed that M2 & M4 mixes have low strength and low
workability due to the replacement of perlite with fine aggregate & pumice with coarse aggregate
and difficulty was faced for M 3 mix while casting because of the low workability and less W/B
ratio. So, in the next trail mix introduced 10 % Microsilica to get high strength and also 2 %
superplasticizer (Master Glenium SKY 8233 ) to get the required workability for M4 mix.
From Table 4.7.2 It was observed for M3 & M4 mix got the true slump and for M1 & M2
mixes got the shear slump. So, in the design mix we shall proceed with 10 % Microsilica and 2%
superplasticizer (Master Glenium SKY 8233 ) and also it was observed that strength of M 3 mix
was 54 % more than the target mean strength. So, in the design mix we have proceeded with 0.27
w/b ratio with 2% super plasticizer.

90
 From Table 4.7.2 It was observed that for M1 mix we got high workability and high
strength than the target mean strength. But for same W/B ratio with the addition of
superplasticizers we got the less strength than the target mean strength by the replacement of
micro silica, perlite & pumice with cement, Fine aggregate & coarse aggregate respectively. So,
in design mix we have reduced the W/B ratio to increase the strength.

Results of Design Mix

Unit weight Property of Concrete Mixes

Table 4.8.2.2 gives the Unit weight values for NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are 2280
Kg/m3& 2000 Kg/m3 respectively.
From Table 4.8.2.2 it was observed that the percentage decrease in unit weight of
concrete with 50 % and 100 % replacement of Light weight aggregate (pumice) with Normal
Weight aggregate (granite), light weight fine aggregate(perlite) with normal fine aggregate(river
sand) is 14%.

Compressive Strength of Concrete Mixes

Table 4.8.3.1 gives the compressive strength values for NWAC & LWAC Concrete
mixes are 77.23 Mpa & 36.42 Mpa at the age of 28 days respectively and also the compressive
strength values of NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are 90.05 Mpa and 43.70 Mpa at the age of
90 days respectively.

From Table 4.8.3.1 it was observed that the development of compressive strength of
mixes NWAC & LWAC at 90 days increased by 16.60% & 20% compared to 28 days
respectively and also observed that the LWAC concrete mix got the less strength than the
NWAC at 28 days and 90 days.

Table 4.8.3.2 gives the compressive strength values for NWAC & LWAC Concrete
mixes are 77.23 Mpa & 36.42 Mpa at the age of 28 days respectively and also the compressive
strength values of NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are 92.67 Mpa and 47.42 Mpa at the age of
360 days.

From Table 4.8.3.2 it was observed that the development of compressive strength of
mixes NWAC & LWAC at 360 days increased by 19.99% & 30.20% compared to 28 days
91
respectively and also observed that the LWAC concrete mix got the less strength than the
NWAC at 28 days and 360 days.

Split Tensile Strength properties of Concrete Mixes

Table 4.8.4.1 gives the split tensile strength value for the NWAC & LWAC concrete
mixes are 3.32 Mpa & 2.75 Mpa at the age of 28 days respectively and also the split tensile
strength value for the NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are 4.01 Mpa and 3.12 Mpa at the age
of 90 days respectively.
From Table 4.8.4.1 it was observed that development of split tensile strength values of
NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes at 90 days increased by 21.02% & 12.06% to 28 days
respectively and also observed that LWAC concrete mixes got the strength 17.16% and 22.19%
less than the strength for NWAC concrete mix at 28 days & 90 days respectively.
Table 4.8.4.2 gives the split tensile strength value for the NWAC & LWAC concrete
mixes are 3.32 Mpa & 2.75 Mpa at the age of 28 days respectively and also the split tensile
strength value for the NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are 4.10 Mpa & 3.60 Mpa at the age of
360 days respectively.
From Table 4.8.4.2 it was observed that development of split tensile strength values of
NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes at 360 days increased by 23.50% & 30.90% to 28 days
respectively and also observed that LWAC concrete mixes got the strength 17.16% and 12.19%
less strength than the strength for NWAC concrete mix at 28 days & 360 days respectively.

Flexural Strength properties of Concrete Mixes

Table 4.8.5.1 gives the flexural strength values for NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are
6.90 Mpa & 4.46 Mpa at age of 28 days respectively and also the flexural strength values of
NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are 8.35 Mpa & 5.00 Mpa at the age of 90 days respectively.
From Table 4.8.5.1 it was observed that the development of flexural strength of mixes
NWAC & LWAC at 90 days increased by 21.00% & 12.00% compared to 28 days
respectively and also observed that the LWAC mix got the strength 35.36% and 40.11% less
than strength for NWAC mix at 28 days & 90 days respectively.

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 Table 4.8.5.2 gives the flexural strength values for NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are
6.90 Mpa & 4.46 Mpa at age of 28 days respectively and also the flexural strength values of
NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are 8.48 Mpa & 5.80 Mpa at the age of 360 days respectively.
From Table 4.8.5.2 it was observed that the development of flexural strength of mixes
NWAC & LWAC at 360 days increased by 23.00% & 30.00% compared to 28 days
respectively and also observed that the LWAC mix got the strength 35.36% and 31.60% less
than strength for NWAC mix at 28 days & 360 days respectively.

Durability Properties of Concrete Mixes at 28 days

Table 4.8.6.3 gives the percentage weight decrease of specimen (100mm x 100mm x 100mm)
immersed in chemical HCL with 5% concentration for NWAC& LWAC concrete mixes are 0.92 % and
1.83% at 28 days respectively.
Table 4.8.6.3 gives the percentage weight decrease of specimen (100mm x 100mm x 100mm)
immersed in chemical H2SO4 with 5% concentration for NWAC& LWAC concrete mixes are 9.48%,
10.31 % at 28 days respectively.
From Table 4.8.6.3 it was observed that percentage weight decrease in HCL with 5%
concentration for LWAC mix were 77.66% more than NWAC mix respectively and also in H2SO4 with
5% concentration for LWAC mixes were 8.05 % more than NWAC mix respectively at 28 days.
Table 4.8.6.6 gives the percentage compressive strength decrease of specimen (100mm x 100mm
x 100mm) immersed in chemicals HCL with 5% concentration for NWAC& LWAC concrete mixes are
12.54 % and 8.37% at 28 days respectively.
Table 4.8.6.6 gives the percentage compressive strength decrease of specimen (100mm x 100mm
x 100mm) immersed in chemicals H 2SO4 with 5% concentration for NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are
61.99% and 38.60% at 28 days respectively.
From Table 4.8.6.6 it was observed that percentage strength decrease in HCL with 5%
concentration for LWAC mix is 33.25 % less than NWAC mix and also in H2SO4 with 5% concentration
for LWAC mix is 37.73 % less than NWAC mix respectively at 28 days.
Durability Properties of Concrete Mixes at 90 days
Table 4.8.7.3 gives the percentage weight decrease of specimen (100mm x 100mm x 100mm)
immersed in chemical HCL with 5% concentration for NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are 1.86 % and
4.62% at 90 days respectively

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 Table 4.8.7.3 gives the percentage weight decrease of specimen (100mm x 100mm x 100mm)
immersed in chemical H2SO4 with 5% concentration for NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are 17.7 %
and
20.06 %at 90 days respectively
From Table 4.8.7.3 it was observed that percentage weight decrease in HCL with 5%
concentration for LWAC mix is 59.74 %,more than NWAC mix and also in H 2SO4 with 5% concentration
for LWAC mix is 14.75 % more than NWAC mix respectively at 90 days.
Table 4.8.7.6 gives the percentage compressive strength decrease of specimen (100mm x 100mm
x 100mm) immersed in chemicals HCL with 5% concentration for NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are
% and 18.94% at 90 days respectively.
Table 4.8.7.6 gives the percentage compressive strength decrease of specimen (100mm x 100mm
x 100mm) immersed in chemicals H2SO4 with 5% concentration for NWAC & LWAC concrete mixes are
71.66% and 66.01% at 90 days respectively.
From Table 4.8.7.6 it was observed that percentage strength decrease in HCL with 5%
concentration for LWAC mix is 5.30 % less than NWAC mix and also in H 2SO4 with 5% concentration
for LWAC mix is 7.88 % less than NWAC mix at 90 days.

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 CHAPTER-6

CONCLUSIONS

The following conclusions are drawn from the Experimental Investigation in present thesis:

 The Unit weight values of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50% Granite+50 %
Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) concrete mixes are 2280 Kg/m 3 and 2000
Kg/m3 respectively.
 The Unit Weight of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) mixes with 50%
Granite+50 % Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite is found to be 14.00 % less
than Normal Weight Aggregate Concrete (NWAC) mix.
 The compressive strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50% Granite+50 %
Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) concrete mixes are 77.23MPa and
36.42MPa at 28 days respectively.
 The compressive strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50% Granite+50 %
Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) concrete mixes are 90.05MPa and 43.70
MPa at 90 days respectively.
 The compressive strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50% Granite+50 %
Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) concrete mixes are 92.67MPa and
47.42MPa at 360 days respectively.
 The development of compressive strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50%
Granite+50 % Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) mixes at 90 days increased
by 16.60 % and 20.00 % compared to 28 days respectively.
 The development of compressive strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50%
Granite+50 % Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) mixes at 360 days increased
by 19.99 % and 30.20 % compared to 28 days respectively.
 The percentage increase of compressive strength of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
(LWAC) mixes with 50% Granite+50 % Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite is
similar to Normal Weight Aggregate Concrete (NWAC) mix.

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 The split tensile strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50% Granite+50 %
Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) concrete mixes are 3.32MPa and 2.75MPa
at 28 days respectively.
 The split tensile strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50% Granite+50 %
Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) concrete mixes are 4.01MPa and 3.12 MPa
at 90 days respectively.
 The split tensile strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50% Granite+50 %
Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) concrete mixes are 4.10MPa and 3.60MPa
at 360 days respectively.
 The development of split tensile strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50%
Granite+50 % Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) mixes at 90 days increased
by 20.78 % and 13.45 % compared to 28 days respectively.
 The development of split tensile strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50%
Granite+50 % Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) mixes at 360 days increased
by 23.50 % and 30.90 % compared to 28 days respectively.
 The Flexural strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50% Granite+50 %
Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) concrete mixes are 6.90MPa and 4.46MPa
at 28 days respectively.
 The Flexural strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50% Granite+50 %
Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) concrete mixes are 8.35MPa and 5.00MPa
at 90 days respectively.
 The Flexural strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50% Granite+50 %
Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) concrete mixes are 8.48MPa and 5.80MPa
at 360 days respectively.
 The development of Flexural strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50%
Granite+50 % Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) mixes at 90 days increased
by 21.00 % and 12.10 % compared to 28 days respectively.
 The development of Flexural strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) and LWAC (50%
Granite+50 % Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite) mixes at 360 days increased
by 22.90 % and 30.00 % compared to 28 days respectively.

96
 The percentage increase of Flexural Strength of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
(LWAC) mixes with 50% Granite+50 % Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite is
similar Normal Weight Aggregate Concrete (NWAC) mix.
 The percentage weigh loss of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) mixes with 50%
Granite+50 % Pumice & 50%Fine Aggregate+50% Perlite was higher while compare
with Normal Weight Aggregate Concrete (NWAC) mix in 5 % HCL & H2SO4 solutions.
 The Compressive Strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) specimen after 28 days immersed
in HCL & H2SO4 are 67.54MPa and 29.35MPa respectively.
 The Compressive Strength of LWAC (50% Granite+50% Pumice & 50%Fine
Aggregate+50% Perlite) specimen after 28 days immersed in HCL & H2SO4 are
33.37MPa and 22.36MPa respectively.
 The Compressive Strength of NWAC (100 % Granite) specimen after 90 days immersed
in HCL & H2SO4 are 72.04MPa and 25.52MPa respectively.
 The Compressive Strength of LWAC (50% Granite+50 % Pumice & 50%Fine
Aggregate+50% Perlite) specimen after 90 days immersed in HCL & H2SO4 are
35.42MPa and 14.85 MPa respectively.
 The percentage compressive strength loss of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC)
mixes with 50 % Pumice and 50% Perlite is lesser while compare with Normal Weight
Aggregate Concrete (NWAC) mix in 5 % HCL & H2SO4 solutions, because of the
improved interfacial zone between the mortar matrix and pumice aggregates.
 From the above study, it is recommend that Light Weight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC)
will be suitable for partition walls, floor screens / roofing and panel material in
auditoriums etc.
 Because of Light Weight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) Lighter than Normal Weight
Aggregate Concrete (NWAC), it is also useful in design of earthquake resistant
structures.

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SCOPE FOR FUTURE INVESTIGATION:
 The mineral admixture micro silica can be adopted with optimum dosage of 15%, to increase the
strength of Light Weight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) mixes.
 An air entraining admixture can be also use along with the superplasticizer to produce uniform
and workable Lightweight Pumice Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) mixes.
 The study can be further extended with replacement of Fine Aggregate (River sand) by Fine Light
Weight Pumice to decrease the some more unit weight of Light Weight Aggregate Concrete
(LWAC) mixes.
 To Study the Compressive strength and durability properties like % weight loss, % compressive
strength loss in HCL, H2SO4 solutions at 180 days and 360 days of Light Weight Aggregate
Concrete (LWAC) mixes.
 The study can be further extended to estimate RCPT of Light Weight Aggregate Concrete
(LWAC) mixes.

98
 PHOTO GRAPHS

Photograph shows Naturally Available Lightweight Pumice Aggregate of size downgrade of 20mm

Photograph shows Naturally Available Lightweight Pumice Aggregate of size above 20mm

99
 Photograph shows Farma of size 1.25’×1.0’×1.0’

Photograph shows the Crushed Perlite Fine Aggregate

100
Photograph shows Pumice Aggregate after keeping in water for 24hr’s for pre soaking

Photograph shows the Pumice Aggregate filled in the Farma

101
 Photograph shows Microsilica Elkem 920-D

Photograph shows Superplasticizer Glenium SKY 8233

102
Photograph shows Slump test for LWAC (50 % pumice and 50% Perlite) mix

Photograph shows Compressive Testing of specimen

103
 Photograph shows Compression test for LWAC(50% Pumice & 50% Perlite) mix

Photograph shows specimens after 5 % HCL acid immersion for NWAC (100 % Granite) mix

104
Photograph shows specimens before 5% H2SO4 Acid immersion for LWAC Mix at 28 days

Photograph shows specimens after 5% H2SO4 Acid immersion for LWAC Mix at 28 days

105
Photograph shows specimens before 5% HCL Acid immersion for LWAC Mix at 28 days

Photograph shows specimens after 5% HCL Acid immersion for LWAC Mix at 28 days

106
Photograph shows the test set up for Split Tensile strength

Photograph shows the test set up for Flexural strength

107
 REFRENCES

1. Samuel M. F. Green; Nicholas J. Brooke; Leonard G. Mc Saveney and Jason M.

Ingham, “Mixture Design Development and Performance Verification of Structural
Lightweight Pumice Aggregate Concrete”. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, Vol.
23, No. 8, August 2011 @ ASCE.
2. Khandaker M. Anwar Hossain and Saifuddin Ahmed “Lightweight Concrete
Incorporating Volcanic Ash Based Blended Cement and Pumice Aggregate” Journal of
Materials in Civil Engineering, Vol. 23, No. 4, April 2011 @ ASCE.
3. ZekiKaraca and Ahmet Durmus “Investigation Of Usability Of Lightweight Concrete
Produced With Natural Eastern Black Sea Aggregates In Reinforced Concrete Beams”
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, Vol. 24, No. 7, July 2012 @ ASCE.
4. Keun-Hyeok Yang, Ju-Hyun Mun, Jae-llSim and Jin-Kyu Song “Effect of Water Content
on The Properties of Lightweight Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete” Journal of Materials in
Civil Engineering, Vol. 23, No. 6, June 2011 @ ASCE.
5. Sherif Yehia, Mohammad Alhamaydeh and SharefFarrag “High Strength Lightweight
Scc Matrix with Partial Normal-Weight Coarse-Aggregate Replacement: Strength And
Durability Evaluations” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2014 @ ASCE.
6. Hilal El-Hassan, Yixin Shao and Zaid Ghouleh “Reaction Products In Carbonation-Cured
Lightweight Concrete” Journal of Material in Civil Engineering, Vol. 25, No. 6, June 2013 @
ASCE.
7. N. Haque and H. Al-Khaiat “Strength and Durability of Lightweight Concrete in Hot
Marine Exposure Conditions” @ RILEM Vol. 32, pp 533-538, August-September 1999.
8. Jiang Cong-sheng, Wang Tao, Ding Qing-Jun and Huang Shao-Long “Influence of
Polymer Addition on Performance and Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Aggregate
Concrete” @ Wuhan University Journal of Natural Sciences Vol. 9, No. 3: 348-352 2004.
9. LI ZuiXiong, ZHAO LinYi and LILi “Lightweight Concrete of Yangshao Period of China:
The Earliest Concrete in The World” @ Science China Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin
Heidelberg Vol. 55, No. 3: 629-639 2012.

108
List of referred Text Books:

1. M.S. SHETTY “Advanced Concrete Technology” Third Edition, S. Chand & Co. Ltd.,
New Delhi, 1992.
2. M.L.GAMBIR “Concrete Technology” Third Edition TATA Mc. Grew Hill Publishers,
New Delhi.
3. A.M.NEVILLE “Properties of Concrete” Fourth Edition PITMAN Publishing Ltd.,
London 1997.

List of referred Indian Standard (I.S) code Books:

1. IS 383-1970, Indian Standard specification for coarse and fine aggregates from natural
sources for concrete (second revision).
2. IS 10262, Indian Standard concrete mix proportioning – guidelines (first revision).
3. Indian standards (IS) 4031-1968 “Specification for the properties of cement like fineness,
standard consistency and initial and final setting times of cement.
4. Indian standards (IS) 2386 part3-1963 “Specification for the properties of materials like
Specific gravity and Bulk-density, Moisture content, bulking.
4. Indian standards (IS) 383-1970 “Specification for the Sieve analysis of the aggregates.
5. IS 456-2000, Indian standard plain and reinforced concrete – code of practice (fourth
revision)

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 ANNEXURE

Illustrative Example for Mix Design:

STEP-1: Target mean strength for mix proportioning:

σt = σ ck + K x S
σt = 50 + 1.65 x 5
σt = 50 + 8.25

σt = 58.25 MPa

STEP-2: Selection of W/C ratio:

Criteria-1:- The w/c ratio corresponding to the target mean strength may be determined from the
relationship shown in fig 10.1 from IS10262 (2009) is 0.30

Criteria-2:- Maximum w/c ratio required in cement concrete to ensure durability under specified
conditions of moderate exposure is 0.5.

But, we are adopting the requiring w/c ratio as 0.27

STEP-3: Volume of entrapped air:

Vair =3%

STEP-4: Selection of water content & fine to total aggregate ratio:

Slump value – 5mm to 10mm

Hence, we are considering the required water content 155.25 liters for satisfying the degree of
workability.

Fine aggregate is conforming to grading (zone III) of table IS 383-1970

Coarse aggregate - Angular shape
Maximum size of aggregate = 20mm
Coarse aggregate to total aggregate ratio (P) = 0.64

110
Correction:
For every ‘-‘or ‘+’ 0.05 change in w/c ratio ‘+’ or ‘-‘ 0.01 rate of change in Ca/Ta ratio.
Hence;
𝐶𝑎
= 0.64+0.02 = 0.66
𝑇𝑎

Therefore;
𝐹𝑎
= 1-0.66 = 0.34
𝑇𝑎

STEP-5:
Selection of cement content:
W
= 0.27
C
155.25
C = 0.27
Cement content = 575 kg/m3.
STEP-6: Calculation of coarse aggregate & fine aggregate content:

W C
V=[ + 1
Fa Ca ]×
Sp.W Sp.C + Sp.Fa+ Sp.Ca 1000

155.25 575 0.34Ta 0.66Ta 1

0.97 = [ 1 + 3.15 + 2.64 + 2.67 ] × 1000
0.97×1000 = [155.25 + 182.53 + 0.128Ta + 0.24Ta]
970 = 155.25+182.53 + 0.328Ta

0.328Ta = 632.22
Ta = 632.22 = 1922.00Kg
0.328

Therefore;
Fa = 0.34×1922= 653.77 Kg
Ca = 0.66×1922 = 1268.52 Kg

Mix proportions in terms of mass of the two trail mixes are presented based on the illustrated example
mix design.
As per our INDIAN STANDARD METHOD OF CONCRETE MIX DESGIN for M50 concrete mix we
adopt the proportion 1: 1.137: 2.206 with water cement ratio 0.27.

111