Experimental Investigation on Workability and Density of Medium-Range Foam Concrete with Hybrid Fibers

¹ Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, India.
² P.G.Scholar, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, India.

Abstract

As the unit weight of conventional concrete ranges from 2200-2400 kg/m^3. But, foam concrete unit weight ranges from 350-1900 kg/m³. Today the foam concrete becomes popular due to easily workable, low density and economical when compared to conventional concrete. The foam concrete is considered as sustainable construction material as it having low thermal conductivity and sound insulation. This investigation involves the preparation of foam concrete with a density of 1000 kg/m³ and mixed with hybrid fibers such as polypropylene fibers and Nylon fibers to reinforce the mix. This investigation studies the mechanical properties such as compressive and tensile strength at different volume fractions of Polypropylene fibers that is at 0%,0.5%, 0.75% and 1% also with a combination of hybrid fibers fraction such as (0.75% of PF + 0.25% of NF), (0.25% of PF + 0.75% of NF) and 1% of nylon fibers were used. The foam concrete was mixed with designed proportions and thereafter tested for flow ability that is workability, plastic density, dry density against standard specimens.