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On void structure and strength of foamed concrete made without/with additives

Hilal, Ameer Abdulrahman; Thom, Nicholas; Dawson, Andrew

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Authors

Ameer Abdulrahman Hilal

Profile image of NICK THOM

NICK THOM NICHOLAS.THOM@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Assistant Professor

Andrew Dawson



Abstract

A study has been undertaken to investigate the effect of different additives on the strength foamed concrete by characterising air-void size and shape parameters and identifying the influence of these parameters and changes to cement paste microstructure on strength. Nine different mixes, made using a pre-formed foam, were investigated with varying density (nominally 1300, 1600 and 1900 kg/m3) without/with additives (silica fume, fly ash and superplasticizer), used either individually or together. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used in this investigation. Compared to the conventional mixes, inclusion of additives (individually or in combination) helped to improve both the cement paste microstructure and air-void structure of foamed concrete. For a given density, although the additives in combination led to increased void numbers, higher strength was achieved due to reduced void size and connectivity, by preventing their merging and producing a narrow void size distribution. Furthermore, superplasticizer has the most beneficial influence on voids when used alone and it further improves void structure (smaller and number voids) when used in combination with other additives. Not only enhancement of void structure but also improved cement paste microstructure both contribute to the strength of the foamed concrete.

Citation

Hilal, A. A., Thom, N., & Dawson, A. (2015). On void structure and strength of foamed concrete made without/with additives. Construction and Building Materials, 85, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.03.093

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 23, 2015
Online Publication Date Apr 3, 2015
Publication Date Jun 15, 2015
Deposit Date Aug 2, 2017
Publicly Available Date Aug 2, 2017
Journal Construction and Building Materials
Print ISSN 0950-0618
Electronic ISSN 1879-0526
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 85
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.03.093
Keywords Foamed concrete, Mineral additives, Superplasticizer, Pore structure, Strength
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/754372
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.03.093
Contract Date Aug 2, 2017

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