Usability of PC-ash as lightweight aggregate in foam concrete

Abstract

Foam concretes can be produced with aggregate or without aggregate. In this study, the possibility ofusing PC ash as lightweight aggregate in the production of foam concrete was investigated. WastePC ash is emerging from the pulverized coal furnace about 10 tons/day in a textile factory located inthe vicinity of Dinar (Afyonkarahisar). The chemical properties, particle size distribution and graindensities of PC-ash were determined. Foam concrete with a dry density of 450 kg/m3 at a cementdosage of 250 kg/m3 and w/c:0.65 was produced after the aggregate analysis. The PC-ash which isused in foam concrete mix is between 0 and 200 kg/m3. 100 mm cube and 300x300x50 mm prismsamples were prepared with this foam concrete. The compressive strengths of the cube samples andthe thermal conductivity coefficient of the prism samples were tested at the 28th day. The averagecompressive strength of foam concrete samples with a density of 452 kg/m3 was determined as 1.07MPa and the thermal conductivity coefficient was determined as 0.097 W/mK. As a result, it hasbeen determined that PC-ash as lightweight aggregate can be successfully used in production ofprecast element and light floor-screed