Experimental Investigation on Sand Replaced Foam Concrete

M. Hemalatha, S. Kavya, A. Anushuya

Abstract: Foam concrete is an inconstant material that consists of cement based mortar mixed with volume of air at least 20%.this element is non-load bearing structure that has lesser strength than the conventional concrete. Because the light weight such as dead load and non-structural partitions it is mostly used in many construction field and also quiet popular. Due to its low strength, certain materials had used to enhance the strength. A study on the effect of M-sand, Eco-sand and Foundry sand as replacement material aerated concrete were conducted. In this project the compressive strength test, dry density test and water absorption test was conducted. This report presents probability of the usage of foaming agent as 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% added to the volume of water added to the concrete. Trial mix was formulated for the concrete mix as target mean strength of 1700kg/m^3. Test were conducted on concrete block size of 150mm x 150mm x 150mm to investigate its compressive strength, dry density and water absorption of the concrete blocks. The results were compared to the conventional specimen. It found that the dry density of foam concrete almost 50% lesser than the conventional concrete the result was reported. Foam concrete is an inconstant material that consists of cement based mortar mixed with volume of air at least 20%.this element is non-load bearing structure that has lesser strength than the conventional concrete. Because the light weight such as dead load and non-structural partitions it is mostly used in many construction field and also quiet popular. Due to its low strength, certain materials had used to enhance the strength. A study on the effect of M-sand, Eco-sand and Foundry sand as replacement material aerated concrete were conducted. In this project the compressive strength test, dry density test and water absorption test was conducted. This report presents probability of the usage of foaming agent as 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% added to the volume of water added to the concrete. Trial mix was formulated for the concrete mix as target mean strength of 1700kg/m^3. Test were conducted on concrete block size of 150mm x 150mm x 150mm to investigate its compressive strength, dry density and water absorption of the concrete blocks. The results were compared to the conventional specimen. It found that the dry density of foam concrete almost 50% lesser than the conventional concrete the result was reported.

Keywords: light weight concrete, foaming agent, 3 types of sand (M-sand, Eco sand, Foundry sand), conventional concrete.