Evaluation of silica fume effect on compressive strength of structural Lightweight Concrete containing LECA as lightweight aggregate

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of silica fume on compressive strength of structural lightweight concrete, containing saturated LECA (Light Expanded Clay Aggregate) as lightweight aggregate (LWA). In experimental phase of study 120 cubic specimens (10*10*10) were made and cured. For every mix design, different cement percentages were replaced with silica fume, containing same amount of saturated LECA. The mixes incorporate 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% silica fume. Constant level of Water/Cement ratio (0.37) was considered. For each mix design 20 specimens were prepared and cured for 7, 14, 28, 42 days in standard 20 degrees C water. Also 20 specimens with the same mix design of 0% silica fume as normal weight concrete were prepared and cured to compare the results. For these specimens LECA were replaced with same volume and size of sand. The testing results showed; increasing silica fume causes considerable increase in compressive strength. The rate of strength gain slows down at high percentage of silica fume. Also silica fume leads concrete to get higher initial compressive strength at certain time compared with normal weight concrete.