Performance and applications of lightweight foamed concrete with various density

Abstract

Lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) has become an innovative product for the construction field. It is made by mixing the mortar with stable foam. Studies showed that lightweight foamed concrete using fine sand gains higher strength compared to coarse sand. Thus, an experimental work is conducted to produce lightweight foamed concrete incorporated sieved sand (100% passing 0.6mm sieve opening) as filler with target density of 800kg/m3, 1000kg/m3, 1300kg/m3, 1500kg/m3 and 1700kg/m3. This study aims to determine the compressive strength-density ratio (performance index) of lightweight foamed concrete. Besides, a guideline about the lightweight foamed concrete’s preparation and casting as well as application of lightweight foamed concrete also delivered in this paper. Total nine cubes have been casted for various densities of lightweight foamed concrete and all specimens were cured under water until testing ages (7, 14 and 28 days). The results revealed that high density foamed concrete gained higher compressive strength and performance index compared to low density foamed concrete. Besides, the compressive strength of foamed concrete displayed a continuous increase with concrete age. The lightweight foamed concrete’s preparation and casting had been developed as a guideline and discussed step by step. For the application, only LFC-1700 specimen can be proposing for structural purpose as its compressive strength is more than 17MPa while other specimens are proposing for non-structural purpose except LFC-800 specimen.