Effect Analysis of Soil Type and Silt Content on Silt-Based Foamed Concrete with Different Density

• Main Authors: Hongbo Zhang, Xiaolin Qi, Chuanyi Ma, Jianqing Wu, Yufeng Bi, Renjuan Sun, Jintao Yu, Dongdong Xie, Jie Song
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
• Series: Materials
• Subjects: foamed concrete; silt; coarse particle content; mechanical properties; air-void structure
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/17/3866

This paper investigates the influence of silt content and coarse particle content on the mechanical and physical properties of foamed concrete, including compressive and flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, water absorption, drying shrinkage, and air-void structure. Four types of silt with different coarse particle contents were obtained by soil mixing. The results showed that high density, low silt content, and high coarse particle content can provide better mechanical properties. High silt content and high coarse particle content would lead to lower drying shrinkage. Silt content was the main factor affecting the pore distribution of foamed concrete, and higher coarse particle content could optimize the air-void structure. Meanwhile, the change in air-void structure can accordingly affect the water absorption of foamed concrete. Results showed that, at the same density and silt content, higher coarse particle content can optimize the physical and mechanical properties of foamed concrete.