Effects of Mixing Techniques and Material Compositions on the Compressive Strength and Thermal Conductivity of Ultra-Lightweight Foam Concrete

Abstract

The research focuses on ultra-lightweight foam concrete with a dry density below 200 kg/m3, primarily used as insulation material. Factors that may affect material properties are categorized into mixing techniques and material composition, and experimental investigations were conducted on the impact of these factors on the rheological properties of cement slurry, density at different time intervals, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity of foam concrete samples. The experimental results indicate the influence of mixing speed and mixing duration on the instrument during the cement slurry production and mixing process with foam. Additionally, variations in foam concrete sample properties are observed due to the water-to-cement ratio, foam content, and foam density in the selected material compositions. By analyzing the material density at different time intervals, the relationship between the ambient air trapped during the mixing process and the viscosity of the material can be indirectly observed. This analysis can also reveal the correlation between the unplanned air content and the properties of the material.