Performance Characteristics of Lightweight Aggregate Cellular Concrete Containing Polypropylene Fibers

Abstract

This article presents results of an experimental investigation conducted to determine the mix proportion and to characterize the corresponding engineering characteristics of a fiber-reinforced lightweight aggregate, cellular concrete (FRLACC) that was produced without autoclaves. A special foam agent was used to produce air bubbles in the cement matrix. A preliminary compression test was conducted to determine the mix proportion for FRLACC. A series of characterization tests on FRLACC specimens were then carried out to investigate engineering characteristics of FRLACC. The strength aspects of FRLACC were further evaluated by comparing the performance of FRLACC with that of other types of lightweight cellular concrete. It is shown that polypropylene fibers remarkably increase the compressive and splitting tensile strengths of lightweight cellular concrete, whereas the flexural strength of the lightweight cellular concrete is slightly decreased by adding the fibers. It is also shown that FRLACC has superior engineering characteristics in comparison with other types of lightweight cellular concrete.