A study on potential use of the production of artificial lightweight aggregate: effect of shape and composition

Abstract

In this project, coarse aggregate are foamed by mixing fly ash, cement and foam according to composition which have been set. Fly ash that has been chosen is from Class F Fly ash. Then, characteristic of coarse aggregate are identified to ensure that aggregate categorized in lightweight aggregate. Characteristics of coarse aggregate are necessary to know as the aggregates play an important role in the contribution of strength in lightweight aggregate concrete. The optimum content of lightweight aggregate that can be used in lightweight aggregate concrete in this study was only 20 % as a addition with the coarse aggregate. The characteristics of lightweight aggregate that has been chosen is 10.909 % for water absorption, 874.419 kg/m3 for the density of lightweight aggregate and 14.638 % for aggregate impact value. Size of concrete mould used is 100mm x 100mm x100mm. Based on the result obtained, the density of lightweight aggregate concrete is 2345 kg/m3 while density for normal concrete is 2440 kg/m3. For water absorption in lightweight aggregate concrete, this concrete absorb less water compare to normal concrete. The water absorption result for lightweight aggregate concrete is 5.470 %. Furthermore, for compression strength, this concrete obtain higher strength than normal concrete with its value of strength is 32.288 MPa for 7 days, 39.755 MPa for 21 days and 45.222 MPa for 28 days. In conclusion, this lightweight aggregate suitable to make as coarse aggregate in concrete for construction due to it have higher compression strength.