Crack Pattern of Lightweight Concrete under Compression and Tensile Test

Abstract

A type of cellular foam concrete called lightweight concrete is made of cement paste or mortar with air spaces or structural pores created by the use of a foaming agent. Examining the crack pattern of lightweight concrete under compressive and tensile loads is the goal of this study. A lightweight concrete specimen was made using foam, fine aggregate, and Portland Composite Cement. Foam agent and water are combined in a 3:10 ratio to produce foam. There were three different foam volume variants used: 15.7 liters, 25.12 liters, and 37.68 liters. As a sample, a cylinder with dimensions of 10 cm by 20 cm was employed. Using compressive and indirect tensile strength tests at curing ages of 3, 7, and 28 days, the crack pattern of lightweight concrete was assessed. The findings revealed that the fracture pattern for the compressive and indirect tensile strength tests was almost same; because the crack pattern was parallel to the direction of the load, it was categorized as a columnar crack pattern at 3, 7, and 28 days. Throughout time, the frequency of crack patterns in lightweight concrete decreased. It might be said that concrete becomes more resistant as it ages.