Physio-Mechanical and thermal performance of fiber reinforced foam concrete using composite binder

Abstract

The use of industrial waste is considered a promising step towards sustainable and innovative construction. Foam concrete is lightweight and has better thermal insulation due to its porous microstructure; however, that porous nature results in poor mechanical performance of foam concrete. Refinement of the mechanical performance of CLC can be achieved by substituting a portion of OPC with an additional cementitious material such as GGBFS, and it may be used to help produce concrete with a smaller carbon footprint. This study investigated the impact of using GGBFS as a replacement for OPC and poly-propylene fiber reinforcement on workability, strength in compression and water absorption, split-tensile strength, and thermal conductivity of CLC with the desired density of 950-1000 kg /m3. 20 different mixes were prepared with four different dosages of GGBFS (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24%) and PP fiber (0, 0.15, 0.3, and 0.45%). According to the results, 18% is the ideal substitution rate for cement with GGBFS to obtain the best mechanical characteristics, and the optimal percentage of PP fiber was 0.15%.