Investigation on lightweight aggregate concrete using pumice as partial replacement of coarse aggregate

This paper investigates the properties of lightweight aggregate concrete of strength M30 using pumice a lightweight aggregate as partial replacement of coarse aggregate by focusing on its ability to reduce dead load without significant reduction in compressive strength. For this purpose, four concrete mixes were prepared with different replacement ratios (0, 20, 40 and 60 percent) of pumice aggregate with coarse aggregate. The tests were conducted on fresh and hardened concrete after a curing period of 7, 14 and 28-day. The prediction of concrete's quality of all the four mixes by ultrasonic pulse velocity test was studied. The variation in the results of compressive strength between destructive and non-destructive test was also obtained. Laboratory test results showed that the target strength of M30 is achieved by 20% and 40% replacement of normal weight aggregate by lightweight aggregate with 7.68% and 13.85% reduction in dead load. Therefore, the use of lightweight concrete will provide economy and hence can be used as an alternative to normal weight concrete in the construction industry. Copyright © 2016 ACC Limited.