EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LIGHTWEIGHT AGGREGATES FOUND IN PAKISTAN ON PROPERTIES OF LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE

1. Introduction

Lightweight concrete has been successfully used now a days and it has gained its popularity due to its lower density and superior thermal insulation properties. As Compared with normal weight concrete, Lightweight concrete significantly reduce the dead load of structural elements, which makes it suitable in multistory buildings.
In practice, the density of normal weight concrete lies within the range of 2200 to 2600 kg/m3 (140 to 160 lb/ft3). Consequently, the self weight of concrete element is high and contributes a large proportion of the load on structure.
Source

Lightweight concrete has a density between 1350 to 1900 kg/m3 (85 to120l b/ft3). Thus using lower density concrete gives benefits in terms of small cross section of beams and a corresponding reduction in size of load bearing elements.
On the other hand, lightweight concrete has higher cement content than normal weight concrete. This represents additional cost, and so does the more expensive lightweight aggregate. A meaningful comparison of cost should be made on the bases of the design of the structure using lightweight concrete and it cannot be limited to the cost of material.
The density of Concrete can be reduced by replacing some of the solids material in the mix by air voids. There are three possible locations of the air: (1) in the aggregate particles, which are known as lightweight aggregates and resulting concrete is known as lightweight aggregate concrete, (2) in the cement paste, the resulting concrete being known as cellular concrete, (3) between the coarse aggregate particles, the fine particles being omitted. Such concrete is known as no-fines concrete.
The essential characteristics of lightweight aggregate are its high porosity, which results in a low specific gravity. I shall extend my research by using light weight aggregates from different sources in Pakistan to make light weight concrete.  

 2. Problem Statement

In concrete construction, self weight of concrete represents major proportion of load on structure, thus there are clearly considerable advantages in reducing weight i,e density of concrete for high rise buildings, long span bridges and for various types of structures.
Thus there is always realizing a need to study the various properties of lightweight aggregate concrete and developing co-relation for these properties. So, lightweight concrete can be used for structural applications with strength equivalent to normal weight concrete.
This research aims to study properties of light weight concrete using lightweight aggregates found in Pakistan.

3. Objectives


1.      Influence of different types of Lightweight aggregates on mechanical performance of Lightweight Aggregates Concrete (LWAC) will be studied.
2.      Quality of different light weight aggregates derived from different sources in Pakistan will be determined.
3.      Suitability of different types of light weight aggregates found in Pakistan with respect to different concrete properties will be determined.
4.      Cost comparison will be carried out for different types of light weight aggregate concretes cast in Pakistan.


4. Literature Review


1.  Muyasser M. Jomaa’h (Civil Engineering Department – University of Tikrit),           Hosam A. Daham (Civil Engineering Department – University of Tikrit), Saad M. Rao’of (Civil Engineering Department – University of Tikrit) in 2011 found  that  the elastic stage and beginning of first cracks stages of normal weight concrete beams was smaller than others stages. While the results of the lightweight concrete beams show this stage was longer than other stages. The steel for lightweight concrete beams yielded before the steel in normal weight concrete beams. Also one can conclude that the same behavior of cracks spread, appears of crush in concrete, and failure behavior for lightweight and normal weight of reinforced concrete beams but at different loads. 
2. Jan Lindgård and Tor Arne Hammer (research associates, SINTEF Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norway) concluded that LWAC structures have potentially higher fire resistance than NDC structures, due to the lower heat conductivity of the LWAC and thus a better insulation of the reinforcement cover. LWAC can contain more evaporable water than NDC due to absorbed water in the LWA particles. Thus the risk of spalling can be higher in a LWAC.
LWAC structures may have lower fire resistance than NDC structures when exposed to severe fire.

 3. Gunduz L (2008) made laboratory research showing that the cube compressive strength of LWC concrete, having a 1376 kg/m3 fresh density made with only pumice aggregate, rises up to 14 MPa at 28 days of curing time. A higher compressive
strength of LWC made with pumice is seemed to be impossible since the compressive strength of its uncrushed stone restraints it. However, by adding some mineral admixtures, using higher dosage of cement and superplasticizer and decreasing the water to cement ratio, make possible to produce somewhat high strength LWC from scoria aggregates
4. .I˙lker Bekir Topc-ua and Tayfun Uygunog lu (2007) Investigated physical and mechanical properties of LWC produced with diatomite and pumice lightweight aggregates after autoclave curing investigated.
5. Al-Jabri KS, Hago AW, Al -Nuaimi AS, Al -Saidy AH (2008) investigated that because of having large number of voids in the aggregate, LWC possesses a relatively higher thermal insulating efficiency than the normal weight concrete (NWC).

The compressive strength of LWC depends on a variety factors. These are the strength of
aggregate stone, type of coarse, medium, fine and very fine aggregates, concrete composition, mineral admixtures, cement quantity, water-cement ratio, curing conditions of hardening etc.

 5. References:

1.    Al-Jabri KS, Hago AW, Al -Nuaimi AS, Al -Saidy AH. “Concrete Blocks for Thermal
Insulation in Hot Climate”. Cem. Concr. Res. 2008, 35: 1472-1479.
2.    Gunduz L. “The Effects of Pumice Aggregate/Cement Ratios on The Low-Strength Concrete Properties”. Constr. Build. Mater. 2008, 22: 721-728.
3.    Al-Khaiat H, Haque MN. “Effect of Initial Curing on Early Strength and Physical Properties of Lightweight Concrete”. Cem. Concr. 1998, Res. 28: 859-866.
4.    I’lker Bekir Topc-ua, Tayfun Uygunog lu, “Properties of Autoclaved Lightweight Aggregate Concrete” Building and Environment, Vol. 42, 2007, pp. 4108–4116.
5.    ASTM C330– 00, “Standard Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Structural Concrete"
6.    Neville, A.M. (1995). Properties of Concrete. 4th ed., Essex: Longman Group Limited. 844.
7.    Carryer & Associates LTD (1995) Pumice Resources of New Zealand.
8.    ACI (2003) ACI 213R-03, Guide for structural lightweight aggregate concrete., in ACI Manual of Concrete Practice, Part 1: Materials and General Properties of Concrete. American Concrete Institute: Farmington Hills, Michigan. p. 38.
9.    Babu G. K. and Babu D. S. Performance of fly ash concretes containing lightweight EPS aggregates, Cement and Concrete Composites, V. 26 (2004), 605-611.
10. International Building Code (IBC), International Code Council (ICC), Washington D.C., 2009. 

6. Methodology


1-    Literature survey will be continued and expanded to the latest research made on the topic in different parts of the world.
2-    Sources for different types of light weight aggregates like expanded shale, expanded clay, Pumice etc will be searched out in Pakistan and availability of materials will be made sure.
3-    Concrete mix. design will be carried out for normal strength concrete and normal weight aggregates.
4-    Physical properties tests will be carried on cement i.e., compressive strength, consistency, setting time, expansion, fineness etc.
5-    Sieve analysis will be carried out for sand, normal weight coarse aggregate and all types of light weight aggregates as per British Standard. Grading curves will be plotted and fineness modulus will be found.
6-    Aggregate tests like, Loss Angeles Abrasion Test, Bulk Density, Shape index, Acid reactivity etc will be carried out for both normal weight and all types of light weight coarse aggregates.
7-    The following tests will be carried out on normal weight concrete and all types of light weight concretes.
8-    If some tests are failed for some types of lightweight aggregate concrete, Mix. design will be revised after selecting suitable admixture or changing water cement ratio.
9-    Casting will be carried out again for that type of concrete only by using revised Mix. design. Tests will be revised and results confirmed.
10-  Graphs will be drawn and results will be analyzed.
11-  At the end, the whole research would be compiled into a report form.




7. Budget Description


Sr. No.
Description of items
Approximate Budget
1.
Purchase of material
50,000/-
2.
Experimental Expenditures
30,000/-
3.
Labor charges
20,000/-

Total
100,000/-


8. Proposed Work Schedule

Project Start Date:   01-06-2012
01-06-2012 End of Literature review and Start of Practical work
01-09-2012 End of Casting of Cubes
01-010-2012 End of Curing Specimen
01-11-2012 End of Laboratory Testing of Specimens
01-12-2012 End of Comparison of Results
01-01-2013 End of Analysis, Conclusions and Recommendations

Project Completion Date: 01-01-2013


9. Capital Expenses

Experimental Equipment:

1. Compressive Test  Machine
2. Lab Testing
3. Miscellaneous
Total Amount   30000/= Rs

Material and Supplies:

1. Light weight Aggregates
2.  Fine Aggregates (Sand)
3.  Cement
Total Amount:    50000/=Rs

Human Resources

Investigators List                           Level of effort                    Total amount in
                                                                                                           Rupees

(Principal Investigator)
                                 

(Co-Investigator)

Lab Technicians                               3 Months PT                            10000

Labour                                              3 Months PT                            10000


                         Total Project Cost: 100,000/=Rs
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