Physical and Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate Concrete

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Uysal O., Uslu İ., Aktaş C. B., Chang B., YAMAN İ. Ö.

Buildings, vol.14, no.6, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 14 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.3390/buildings14061871
  • Journal Name: Buildings
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Communication Abstracts, INSPEC, Metadex, Directory of Open Access Journals, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: concrete moisture state, lightweight concrete, lightweight expanded clay aggregate, modulus of elasticity
  • TED University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The porous nature of lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) is decisive in the physical and mechanical properties of concrete. A comprehensive experimental study consisting of 13 different mixtures and 234 specimens was carried out on density, absorption capacity, porosity, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and the effect of moisture state of LECA concrete. Dry compressive strengths of mixtures were found to be between 18–38 MPa, and 9% higher on average than moist compressive strength. Modulus of elasticity values decreased significantly when specimens were oven-dried, where the decrease was 26% on average. The study also includes an evaluation of modulus of elasticity prediction models. All prediction models consistently overestimated dry modulus of elasticity, which is problematic for structural applications of LECA concrete. A unique model for modulus of elasticity prediction was developed as part of the study and verified using independent data from literature for its accuracy.