Enhancing mechanical and thermal performance of EPS lightweight concrete using condensed silica fume for sustainable building applications
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Condensed silica fume (CSF), a highly reactive pozzolanic material, is produced as a by-product of silicon and ferrosilicon alloy manufacture. It is well known for its high silica content and ultra-fine particle size, which make it useful for improving the cement performance. The present study aims to investigate the impact of CSF on the properties of lightweight concrete composites (LWC). CSF was utilized to partially replace cement by up to 8 wt% in order to improve the strength properties of LWC. To produce LWC with a density of 800-900 kg/m3, recycled expanded polystyrene foam (re-EPS) was incorporated at 53 Vol% of the total LWC volume. Compressive strength, density, thermal conductivity, and time lag were investigated. The results indicated that the compressive strength of LWC blended with CSF increased significantly at early ages, while the density was notably lower than that of the control LWC. Although the thermal conductivity did not significantly change with increasing CSF content, all values remained within the acceptable range for insulating materials. In addition, the re-EPS lightweight concrete containing CSF demonstrated a longer time lag in heat transfer from the exterior to the interior of the building wall, which potentially improving energy efficiency for building applications.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Sulong NHR, Mustapa SAS, Rashid MKA. Application of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in buildings and constructions: a review. J Appl Polym Sci. 2019;136(20):1-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/app.47529
Mindess S, Young JF, Darwin D. Concrete. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education; 2003.
Libre NA, Shekarchi M, Mahoutian M, Soroushian P. Mechanical properties of hybrid fiber reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete made with natural pumice. Constr Build Mater. 2011;25(5):2458-64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.11.058
Muralitharan RS, Ramasamy V. Development of lightweight concrete for structural applications. J Struct Eng. 2017;44:1-5.
Posi P, Lertnimoolchai S, Sata V, Phoo-ngernkham T, Chindaprasirt P. Investigation of properties of lightweight concrete with calcined diatomite aggregate. KSCE J Civ Eng. 2014;18(5):1429-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-014-0637-5
Zhihua P, Hiromi F, Tionghuan W. Preparation of high performance foamed concrete from cement, sand and mineral admixtures. J Wuhan Univ Technol. 2007;22:295-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11595-005-2295-4
González-Betancur D, Hoyos-Montilla AA, Tobón JI. Sustainable hybrid lightweight aggregate concrete using recycled expanded polystyrene. Materials. 2024;17(10):2368. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102368
Lithner D, Larsson Å, Dave G. Environmental and health hazard ranking and assessment of plastic polymers based on chemical composition. Sci Total Environ. 2011;409(18):3309-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.04.038
Galloway TS, Cole M, Lewis C. Interactions of microplastic debris throughout the marine ecosystem. Nat Ecol Evol. 2017;1:116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-017-0116
Steer M, Cole M, Thompson RC, Lindeque PK. Microplastic ingestion in fish larvae in the western English Channel. Environ Pollut. 2017;226:250-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.03.062
Detphan S, Phiangphimai C, Wachum A, Hanjitsuwan S, Phoo-ngernkham T, Chindaprasirt P. Strength development and thermal conductivity of POFA lightweight geopolymer concrete incorporating FA and PC. Eng Appl Sci Res. 2021;48(6):718-23.
Thomas M. Supplementary cementing materials in concrete. USA: Taylor & Francis; 2003.
Chaipanich A, Nochaiya T. Thermal analysis and microstructure of Portland-cement-fly ash-silica fume pastes. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2010;99:487-93. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-009-0403-y
Kiattikomol K, Jaturapitukkul C, Songpiriyakij S, Chutubtim S. A study of ground coarse fly ashes with different fineness from various sources as pozzolanic materials. Cem Concr Compos. 2001;23(4-5):335-43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0958-9465(01)00016-6
Kirkbride TW. Condensed silica fume in concrete. London: Thomas Telford; 1988.
Nochaiya T, Jeenram T, Disuea P, Tortittikul P. Microstructure, compressive strength, and permeability of Portland-condensed silica fume cement. Monatsh Chem. 2017;148:1363-70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00706-017-1976-y
Nochaiya T, Wongkeo W, Chaipanich A. Utilization of fly ash with silica fume and properties of Portland cement-fly ash-silica fume concrete. Fuel. 2010;89(3):768-74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2009.10.003
Fallah S, Nematzadeh M. Mechanical properties and durability of high-strength concrete containing macro-polymeric and polypropylene fibers with nano-silica and silica fume. Constr Build Mater. 2017;132:170-87. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.11.100
Smarzewski P. Mechanical and microstructural studies of high-performance concrete with condensed silica fume. Appl Sci. 2023;13(4):2510. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042510
Sothornchaiwit K, Dokduea W, Tangchirapat W, Keawsawasvong S, Thongchom C, Jaturapitakkul C. Influences of silica fume on compressive strength and chemical resistances of high calcium fly ash-based alkali-activated mortar. Sustainability. 2022;14:2652. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052652
ASTM. ASTM C642-06: Standard test method for density, absorption, and voids in hardened concrete. Philadelphia: ASTM International; 2006.
Thongtha A, Maneewan S, Punlek C, Ungkoon Y. Investigation of the compressive strength, time lag and decrement factors of AAC-lightweight concrete containing sugar sediment waste. Energy Build. 2014;84:516-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.08.026
Somma R, Jaturapitukkul C, Rattanachu P, Chalee W. Effect of ground bagasse ash on mechanical and durability properties of recycled aggregate concrete. Mater Des. 2012;36:597-603. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2011.11.065
Bapat JD. Mineral admixtures in cement and concrete. USA: Taylor & Francis; 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/b12673
Zhang Z, Zhang B, Yan P. Hydration and microstructures of concrete containing raw or densified silica fume at different curing temperatures. Constr Build Mater. 2016;121:483-90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.06.014
Demirboga R. Thermal conductivity and compressive strength of concrete incorporation with mineral admixtures. Build Environ. 2007;42(7):2467-71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.06.010
Wongkeo W, Thongsanitgarn P, Ngamjarurojana A, Chaipanich A. Compressive strength and chloride resistance of self-compacting concrete containing high level fly ash and silica fume. Mater Des. 2014;64:261-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2014.07.042
Ng SC, Low KS, Tioh NH. Newspaper sandwiched aerated lightweight concrete wall panels–thermal inertia, transient thermal behavior and surface temperature prediction. Energy Build. 2011;43(7):1636-45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.03.007
ASTM. ASTM C332-17: Standard specification for lightweight aggregates for insulating concrete. West Conshohocken: ASTM International; 2017.
Sarkar PK, Mitra N. Thermal conductivity of cement paste: influence of macro-porosity. Cem Concr Res. 2021;143:106385. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106385
