Compressive Strength of Cellular Lightweight Concrete with Low Pressure Steam Curing

Abstract

This article investigated the properties of the compressive strength and water absorption of cellular lightweight concrete (CLC) made from hydraulic cement mixed with foaming agent. The CLC produced by Pre-Formed Foam Method and cured with steam at temperature of 60°C, 70 °C, and 90 °C, under pressure not exceeding of 0.4 ± 0.1 MPa for 6 hours. The hardened CLC had a dry unitweight of approximately 500 kg/m3 and 800 kg/m3. The constant water-to-cement ratio of 0.5 and 0.6 were used. The testing results found that the compressive strength of CLC between 1.4 MPa and 2.6 MPa and the water absorption of CLC between 23 % and 43 % by weight.