Use of expanded clay and silica fume in improvement of mechanical, physical and thermal performances of structural lightweight concretes

ABSTRACT The search for sustainable materials in civil construction, which presents a lower specific mass, better thermal performance and maintenance of mechanical resistance, represents a great challenge in the production and evaluation of structural lightweight concrete (SLC), which emerges as an alternative material to conventional concrete. In this study an investigation was carried out for the construction of concretes with high strength, low density and excellent thermal properties, in order to execute energy-efficient constructions.

SLC were studied using two different granulometries of expanded clay (C05 and C15), where the coarse aggregate was replaced by C15 at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. To promote the maintenance of consistency and resistance, superplasticizer (SPA) and silica fume (SF) were used in the mixtures. Based on the methodology used, the concretes were physically and mechanically characterized, in accordance with current national and international standards.