Normal and High-Strength Lightweight Self-Compacting Concrete Incorporating Perlite, Scoria, and Polystyrene Aggregates at Elevated Temperatures

Abstract

Lightweight self-compacting concrete (LWSCC) is an advanced concrete that combines the advantages of both lightweight concrete (LWC) and self-compacting concrete (SCC). This concrete provides an excellent solution to decreasing the self-weight of a structure while making pouring easier and removing the construction challenges and complications. This study examined the impact of elevated temperatures on normal-strength lightweight self-compacting concrete (NSLWSCC) and high-strength lightweight self-compacting concrete (HSLWSCC) through its residual properties vis-à-vis compressive and tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, mass loss, and spalling intensity. LWSCCs were designed using lightweight aggregate (LWA), which replaced coarse and fine aggregates at certain percentages. Three types of LWA used in this study are scoria, perlite, and polystyrene. Mixes consisted of six NSLWSCCs (5% and 1% scoria, 5% and 1% perlite, 2% and 3% polystyrene) and two HSLWSCCs (5% scoria). The residual properties were measured by heating 1×2 mm cylinder specimens to 1°C, 3°C, 6°C, and 9°C. The result shows that the NSLWSCCs tend to achieve maximum strength at 1°C and then gradually decrease as the temperature increases. But in the case of HSLWSCCs, maximum strength was achieved at 3°C. Minor spalling with bubbles, holes, and cracking was observed at only 9°C in the NSLWSCC, while a major explosion occurred at 3°C in the HSLWSCC. The overall result indicates that the magnitude of loss of strength, mass loss, and intensity of spalling is proportional to temperature after a certain point. This study shows how the strength and thermal stability of LWSCC made from scoria, perlite, and polystyrene changes after exposure to high temperatures.