Optimization of Concrete Mixtures Containing Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregates Based on Mechanical, Economical, Fire-Resistance, and Environmental Considerations
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper aims to develop an optimal design mixture for concrete containing lightweight expanded clay aggregates (LECA) and silica fume with a holistic view in which the mechanical properties, strength retention at elevated temperatures, costs, and environmental impacts are all considered. Following the response-surface methodology, 30 concrete mixtures were developed, which contained different water-to-cement ratios (0.25–0.5), total cementitious materials contents ( of concrete), and different amounts of LECA (0%–100% of the total aggregate volume) and silica fume (5%–15% of weight of total cementitious material). The mixtures were used to fabricate a total of 240 concrete cylinders, half of which remained at the ambient temperature, whereas the other half were exposed to an elevated temperature of 750°C for 2 h. The results of mechanical tests on specimens were combined with the economic and environmental performance indices to find the optimal mix design. The result showed that using a mixture containing 0.33 water-to-cement ratio, cement content, 14.97% silica fume and 84% total aggregate replacement by LECA may lead to the concrete that performs the best in terms of mechanical characteristics, strength retention during fire, and economic and environmental impacts.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the faculty members of Faculty of Civil Engineering in Babol Noshirvani University of Technology of Iran who kindly examined the research and suggested useful comments and modifications.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34 • Issue 2 • February 2022
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 18, 2021
Accepted: Jun 17, 2021
Published online: Nov 25, 2021
Published in print: Feb 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Apr 25, 2022
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