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Proceedings of the Twenty-second (2012) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference
Rhodes, Greece, June 1722, 2012
Copyright 2012 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE)
ISBN 978-1-880653-944 (Set); ISSN 1098-6189 (Set)

Engineering Characteristics of Light-weight Foamed CLSM Using Coal Ash

according to Final Mixing Time and Dilution Ratio
Young-hun Kima, Sun-kon Kima, Hye-yang Kimb and Byung-sik Chuna
a

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University

Seoul, Korea
b
Construction Industry Research Institute
Seoul, Korea

standard mixing ratio of light-weight foamed CLSM utilizing coal ash

and to suggest an optimal mixing ratio considering an optimal mixing
time and an optimal dilution ratio.

ABSTRACT
Controlled low strength material (CLSM) using coal ash, which has the
advantages of self-leveling, self-compacting, flowability, and easy reexcavation, has been developed. In this study, CLSM additionally
mixed with foaming agent for structural backfill material, aimed at
lightness of materials, was developed called light-weight foamed
CLSM. As the basic study of this material, to determine the optimum
final mixing time and dilution ratio of existing light-weight foamed
CLSM, flow, slurry unit weight and unconfined compressive strength
test according to each impact factor were performed at the standard mix
proportion. As the results of tests, CASE N(Final mixing time 4 min,
dilution ratio 2%), CASE O(Final mixing time 3 min, foam agents ratio
3%, dilution ratio 2%) were satisfied with the standard of flow
test(above 20cm), slurry unit weight test(12~15kN/m3) and unconfined
compressive strength test(800kPa~1200kPa). These results will indicate
the standard optimum final mixing time and dilution ratio of lightweight foamed CLSM for structural backfill.

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Light-weight foamed CLSM
CLSM is also known as flowable fill, controlled strength fill, controlled
density fill (CDF), and flowable ash, as it is made by applying lowstrength concrete concepts to ground engineering. The characteristics of
CLSM include self-leveling, self-compacting, flowability, artificial
strength control, ease of re-excavation after construction, and fewer
construction expenses possibly due to shortening of a construction
stage (ACI 229 Committee, 1994). Due to these benefits, many
researchers are trying to apply CLSM to the field in South Korea.
Table 1. Characteristics according to a mixing type forming agent.

KEY WORDS: Coal ash, Mixing time, Dilution ratio, Light-weight

foamed CLSM, Unconfined compressive strength test, Flow test, Slurry
unit weight test

INTRODUCTION
Countries such as the United States and Japan, in addition to the
European Union, have a history of recycling coal ash from
thermoelectric power plants. South Korea still treats coal ash as
hazardous waste, which results in very few options. Presently, fly ash
(FA), a component of coal ash, can be used as a construction material,
whereas pond ash (PA) is not being reutilized. Coal is used as a raw
material for thermoelectric power generation in many countries due to
affluent reserves, low prices and merits of materials acquisition.
Accordingly, there were several research cases that studied the
possibility of coal ash as construction material. In addition, Controlled
Low-Strength Material (CLSM) as fill for public water works was
based on this. Light-weight foamed and flowable CLSM was developed
by mixing bubbles to the CLSM for utilization as backfill of a structure.

Type

Characteristics

(pre-foaming
type)

This method mixes previously foamed bubbles, by

compressed air through a bubble-generating
device, to cement slurry, and has the advantage of
controlling the amount of bubbles in the field.

(after-foaming
type)

This method mixes foaming agents such as

aluminum powder and zinc powder, inside cement
slurry for a set period of time, and is known as
Autoclaved
Lightweight
Concrete
(ALC),
Typically used in making building materials, such
as panels and blocks.

(mix-foaming
type)

Method foaming in a mixing process by adding a

surfactant (i.e. AE agent) to slurry

Light-weight foamed CLSM is a new-concept backfill material placing

emphasis on weight lightening by mixing bubbles to the CLSM slurry,
agitating it for an appropriate amount of time to form many small
bubbles (0.11 mm) inside the slurry. Coal ash that is classified as
industrial waste is used as aggregate, with similar characteristics to
Lightweight Aerated Concrete. Lightweight Aerated Concrete is
defined as lighter than normal concrete with the same volume by

However, engineering characteristics regarding mixing time and

dilution ratio by mixing bubbles to light-weight foamed CLSM have
not been clarified. This research aims to clarify flowability, buoyancy,
and strength according to mixing time and dilution ratio based on the

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