Experimental investigation of axial compressive strength of lightweight foamed concrete with different additives

Abstract

This paper focuses on experimental study to investigate the effects of different additives on axial compressive strength of lightweight foamed concrete (LFC). The additives used are pulverized fuel ash, wood ash, silica fume, palm oil fuel ash, polypropylene fibre, coconut fibre and steel fibre. These additives have different abilities that contribute positive outcomes to the properties of LFC. Pozzolanic materials and fibres were used as additives to be associated with plain LFC mixtures to improve its mechanical properties. Coir fibre recorded the highest compressive strength in 7 days compared to other additives and the control sample. Coir fibre of 0.4% (CF 0.4) reached highest strength in 180 days without allowing other additives to overcome its strength. The more the inclusion of fibres, the higher the strength obtained due to its low cellulose content, and high percentage and large diameter of lignin. The short length fibres hold the particles stronger.