Effects of Perlite, Leca, and Scoria as Lightweight Aggregates on Properties of Fresh and Hard Self-Compacting Concretes

Abstract

In this study, the effects of Perlite, Leca, and Scoria as lightweight aggregates have been investigated on the properties of self-compacting concrete at the fresh and hardened phases. For this purpose, the ratio of water to cement and super lubricant were kept constant in the mixing rules. Performance tests, such as Slump flow, J ring, U box, L box, and V-funnel tests, were used to investigate the flow ability, passing ability, and the resistance of concrete against detachment. The results showed that the performance of the witness concrete decreased due to the high water absorption of lightweight aggregate. The mechanical properties of hard self-compacting concrete have also been investigated in this study. A set of experiments, such as compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, water diffusion, water absorption, and also corrosion tests in the sulfate and acid environments, were performed for this purpose. The results indicated that the addition of lightweight aggregate decreased the strength and increased the value of water absorption in all cases. It was also observed that the self-compacting lightweight concrete (SCLC) had less resistance during the compression in comparison with the ordinary self-compacting concrete in sulfate and acid environments.