A Research on the Usage of Corn Cob in Producing Lightweight Concrete

Abstract

In this study, the possibility of using corn cobs as an organic aggregate in producing lightweight concrete has been investigated. First, some important physical properties of corn cob have been determined in the laboratory. These properties are as follows: weight to volume ratio (unit weight), water absorp-tion rate and granulometric analysis. Later on, 4 concrete mixtures have been prepared according to the workability of concrete and standards specified in Turkey. After that, unit weight, heat transmissibility coefficient and 28-day pressure strength of these 4 concrete samples have been determined using machines measuring these properties. The 28-day pressure endurance value has been found between 1.4 - 56.25 kgf/cm2, heat transmissibility coefficient has been found between 0.19 - 0.35 Kcal/m∙h∙˚C and unit weight of samples have been found between 800 - 1520 kg/m3. Lastly, these properties of con-crete samples have been compared with other lightweight materials being used in the construction of buildings.