Properties of light-weight extruded concrete with hollow glass microspheres

The article is devoted to the study of properties of light-weight extruded fine-grain cement concrete with hollow glass microspheres (HGMS). For improving the properties of light-weight concrete the authors suggested to use the extrusion technology. The compositions of light-weight extruded fine-grain concrete and their basic properties are shown. The deformation characteristics of light-weight fine-grain concrete with HGMS such as specific values of the energy of deformation and destruction of concrete as well as the elasticity modulus are shown. It has been proved that the extrusion reduces the water requirement of the concrete mixture with the microspheres, promotes compacting the concrete structure, significantly increases the concrete strength and crack resistance, reduces water vapor permeability and heat conductivity. The results of microstructure and X-ray diffraction analyzes of light-weight extruded fine-grain concrete are given. Based on this research work, a technology for production of light-weight extruded fine-grain cement concrete with HGMS was developed. The units produced by this technology were successfully applied in cottage construction. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.