Influence of aggregate pre-wetting and fly ash on mechanical properties of lightweight concrete

This study has examined the mechanical properties of lightweight aggregate concrete with a density of 1800 kg/m(3). The effects of the following parameters on the concrete properties have been analyzed: the pre-wetting time of the lightweight aggregate and the percentage of pulverized fly ash used as cementitious replacement material. The strength of the lightweight aggregate was found to be the primary factor controlling the strength of high-strength lightweight concrete. An increase in the cementitious content from 420 to 450 kg/m(3) does not significantly increase the strength of lightweight aggregate concrete. The relationship between the flexural and compressive strength at 28 days can be represented by the equation f(r) = 0.69rootf(ck). The elastic modulus was found to be much lower than that of normal weight concrete, ranging from 15.0 to 20.3 GPa. The addition of PFA increases the slump and density of lightweight aggregate concrete. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.