Using Scoria As Fine Aggregate in Lightweight Mortar and Concrete

International Conference on Civil Engineering
Architecture & Urban Sustainable Development

18 &19 December 2013, Tabriz , Iran
USING SCORIA AS FINE AGGREGATE IN

LIGHTWEIGHT MORTAR AND CONCRETE
1,*
Razavi S.V, and 2Rahimi A , 3Samsami M
1. Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Jundi-shapor

University of Technology, Dezful, Iran, vrazavi@jsu.ac.ir
2. Department of Civil Engineering, Jundi-shapor University of Technology,
Dezful, Iran, amir.rahimi.ce@gmail.com
3. Department of Civil Engineering, Jundi-shapor University of Technology, Dezful,
Iran, samsami1264@gmail.com
Abstract
In this paper the mechanical properties and workability of lightweight
concrete and mortar made with different percentage of scoria instead of sand and
different water – cement ratios and cement contents has been studied. In the first
part, 0, 20, 30, & 40% scoria instead of sand has applied to make lightweight
concrete with 0.5, 0.55, & 0.60 water-cement ratio and 300, 350, 400 Kg/m3
cement content. The mechanical properties of the samples were measured and
the best results were selected to make lightweight mortar. In the second part, 0,
5, 10, 15, …, 100 % scoria instead of sand were investigated to make lightweight
mortar in 0.55 water-cement ratio and 350 Kg/m3 cement content. The results
indicate that the mixture with more than 40% scoria instead of sand for concrete
and 60% for mortar are lightweight mixture. Also due to larger water absorption
of scoria, the mixture made with different percentages of scoria need larger
water–cement ratio for suitable workability.
Key words: scoria, compressive strength, tensile strength, density, slump
1. Introduction
It is important that make a mixture with low specific gravity that have relevant
mechanical strength and can reduce the weight of building [16], facilitate the
transportation, provide thermal insulation [8] and etc. Many studies have done to
produce lightweight concrete in several different methods. Some scientists used new
aggregates to make concrete. Several researchers applied chemical product in the
mixture to lower the weight of concrete. They have been made many specimens such
as concrete cubes, concrete cylinders, and concrete beams to evaluate the specific and
1
27&28 November 2013, Tabriz , Iran
mechanical properties of the lightweight concrete. There are many ways to produce
the lightweight mixture:
1- Increasing of mixture volume: After the adding of lime and aluminum powder to
silica, water and cement, hydrogen gas will be produced that will caused the
increasing of mixture volume and decrease of specific weight. For example Siporex
and Itong [11].
2- Using of natural lightweight aggregates such as Perlit [8], Vermicolit [11],
Diatoms [12], Pumice [12] and Scoria [1].
3- Using of artificial aggregates such as expanded clay (Lica) [5], light residue of
blast furnace [10].
Decreasing in density and increasing in workability [4], and acceptable mechanical
strength are the major issue to produce lightweight mixture. For example,
experimental study on using rigid polyurethane foam instead of sand to make
lightweight mortar show an decreasing in density and mechanical properties and
increasing in workability [2].
An experimental study on lightweight concrete made of Scoria investigated the
effect of plasticizer and air entrained agents to improve the workability of concrete
[9]. The used cubic samples showed the minimum compressive strength and density
equal 6.56 N/mm2 and 1300 kg/m3 respectively.
Topcu & Odler [14] used volcanic slag as coarse aggregate to study on the
properties of semi-lightweight concretes. He reported that the volcanic slag can
decrease specific gravity of concrete as much as 20 percent of normal concrete.
However, decreased workability and low strength were some disadvantages of using
volcanic slag as aggregate in concrete.
Unal et al. [15], were produced block elements with diatomite with different
aggregate granulometries and cement contents. According to the result of mechanical
and physical properties in this study, using diatomite in lightweight concretes can be
used in constructions to reduce the service load and obtain high insulation in
buildings.
Mannan et al. [3] made lightweight concrete by using oil palm shell as coarse
aggregate. The reason of this research was to determine slump, remolded density and
compressive strength.
Topcu and Uygunoglu (1996) studied on the physical and mechanical properties of
autoclaved lightweight aggregate concrete using diatomite and pumice. They used
diatomite and pumice as lightweight aggregates after autoclave curing at different
temperature, and curing time to make lightweight concrete.
Rajamane at al. [7] produced a research on the lightweight concrete made with fly
ash as a partial replacement material for both Portland cement and sand. They
mention to determine a formula for compressive strength prediction of concrete on the
28th day. The results presented that the formula can assess compressive strength of
concrete on the 28th day.
Mun [6] done a research about lightweight concrete made with the sewage sludge
as lightweight aggregate. After testing the produced lightweight concrete for density,
2
water absorption, abrasion loss, crushing value, impact value, and heavy metal
leaching, it proved that the sewage sludge could be used as an environment conscious
artificial lightweight aggregate to make lightweight concrete.
Teo et al. [13] investigated on the lightweight concrete made from oil palm shell to
determine split tensile strength, modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity. In this
study, the durability properties of water were described by permeability and water
absorption tests and the structural bond properties of lightweight concrete were found
by pull-out tests.
As we consider, most of studies applied new materials as coarse aggregate to make
lightweight concrete. In this study, different percentage of scoria instead of sand in
lightweight concrete and mortar has investigated. It proposed to make lightweight
concrete with normal coarse aggregate and cement, lightweight fine aggregate, and
without any admixture.
2. Methodology
1-2- Scoria as lightweight material
This type of scoria has created of accumulation of volcanic ashes and slightly
cooling accompanied with bubbles because of vapor and exist gases. This scoria have
white to light gray color with irregular open and close pores and rough surface and
angular particles as well as shown in Figure 1. The specific gravity of the aggregates
is less than 1 gr/cm3. The used scoria has analyzed chemically and the elements of the
scoria are given in Table 1. Water absorption is one of the important physical
properties in the porous material. Water absorption has direct relation with the size of
grain, type of surface opening, irregularity of opening and time. Water absorption
versus time is shown in Figure 2. Numerous of pores have caused difference between
dry and saturated density. The specific gravity of dry and saturated scoria as
lightweight material is shown in Table 2.
Figure 1: The used scoria instead of sand in lightweight concrete and mortar
3
Table 1: Chemical analysis of the used scoria

Thermal
Chemical Formulas Sio2 Al2o3 Fe2o3 Cao Mgo So3
Gradient
Percent 67.96 16.2 2 3.36 0.8 0.75 5.82
Figure 2: Water absorption vs. time
Table 2: Specific gravity dry and saturated aggregates

Grain diameter- in
Density –kg/m3 0 – 3.16 3.16 – 3.4 3.4 – 3.8 3.4 – 1 , 1.2
Dry on Oven 765 738 683 676
Saturated 1262 1144 1058 1041
After the test on scoria, the specific gravity of dried and saturated grains, with the
size between 0 to 4.75 mm, were 760 and 1260 kg/m3 respectively. Grain size test is
shown Figure 3.
Figure 3: Grain size curve of the scoria
4
2-2- Mixture Design

In this study, the mixture of absolute volume method has used. With having water
and cement amounts and by using of absolute volume method can extract the amount
of aggregates. It is assumed that the volume of compacted mix is equal to total
absolute volumes of its constituents.
C W A
  1
C W A
In this formula C is the amount of cement, W is the amount of water and A is the
amount of aggregate (sand + gravel + scoria) in kg/m3 of concrete.
3-2- Lightweight Concrete

In order to study below parameters, 96 of lightweight samples in the shape of
cylinder 15*30 (cm) were made to determine compressive strength and tensile
strength respectively. The schedule of lightweight construction is given in Table 3.
All samples were made of normal water and the average of compressive strength and
tensile strength were obtained from five similar samples.
Table 3: The Schedule of Lightweight Concrete Construction

Parameters Concrete Samples
Scoria Instead of Sand in Lightweight Concrete - % 0, 20, 30, 40
Water-Cement Ratio 0.50,0.55, 0.60
Cement Content in Compressive Sample – kg/m3 300, 350 ,400
Cement Content in Tensile Sample – kg/m3 350
Curing Time - Days 7&28

In order to study below parameters, 210 mortar samples in the shapes of cylinder
15*30 (cm) were made to determine compressive strength and tensile strength. The
water – cement ratio was 0.55 and the cement content was 350 kg/m3. The schedule
of the experimental work has shown in Table 4. As we consider, different percentage
of scoria instead of sand from 5 to 100% by increasing 5% in each step, have been
studied to find compressive and tensile strength after 3, 7, 14, 28, & 90 curing days.
All samples were made of normal water and the average of compressive strength and
tensile strength were obtained from 3 similar samples.
Table 4: The Schedule of Lightweight Mortar Construction

Parameters Mortar Samples
0 ,5,10,15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50,
Scoria Instead Sand in Lightweight Mortar - %
55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90,95 & 100
Water-Cement Ratio 0.55
Cement Content in Compressive Sample – kg/m3 350
Cement Content in Tensile Sample – kg/m3 350
Curing Time - Days 3,7,14,28&90
5
3. Experimental Results
The experimental results for compressive and tensile strength of concrete made
with 0, 20, 30, and 40 % scoria instead of sand and different cement content 300, 350,
and 400 Kg/m3 and various water cement ratio 0.50, 0.55, and 0.60 are discussed
here. The relationship between compressive strength and cement content has shown in
Figures 4 to 7. The experimental results shown that the maximum compressive
strength in concrete creates in 350 Kg/m3 cement content. The relationship between
compressive strength and the percentage of scoria instead of sand in different cement
content is given in Figures 8, 9, & 10. It is obvious that by increasing the percentage
of scoria instead of sand, the compressive strength of concrete decreased. The
acceptable squared correlation coefficient between data proves the well accuracy of
experimental work. Figure 11 has presented decreasing in tensile strength of concrete
by increasing the percentage of scoria instead of sand. They also prove that by
increasing the water cement ratio the compressive and tensile strength decreased. The
relationship between tensile strength and squared compressive strength, 7 and 28 days
age, has given in Figures 12, & 13. The squared correlation coefficient between data
is more than 0.8. Figures 14, 15, and 16 have presented relationship between slump
and different percentages of scoria for different water cement ratio and cement
content. The results have shown decreasing in slump by increasing in percentage of
scoria instead of sand in concrete. This predictable experimental results presented
acceptable rang of slump in 0.55 water cement ratio by increasing the percentage of
scoria instead of sand in produced concrete.
Figure 4: Relationship between cement content and compressive strength for the
concrete made with 0% scoria instead of sand
6
Figure7: Relationship between cement content and compressive strength for the
Figure8: Relationship between percentage of scoria instead of and compressive strength

with 300 Kg/m3 cement content
7
Figure9: Relationship between percentage of scoria instead of and compressive strength

with 350 Kg/m3 cement content
Figure10: Relationship between percentage of scoria instead of and compressive

strength with 400 Kg/m3 cement content
Figure11: Relationship between percentage of scoria instead of and tensile strength with
350 Kg/m3 cement content
Figure 12: Relationship between squared compressive strength and tensile strength for
the concrete– 7 days
8
Figure 13: Relationship between squared compressive strength and tensile strength for
the concrete – 28 days
Figure 14: Relationship between slump and percentage of scoria instead of sand for
concrete with 300 kg/m3cement content
Figure 15: Relationship between slump and percentage of scoria instead of sand for the
9
Figure 16: Relationship between slump and percentage of scoria instead of sand for the
2-3- Lightweight Mortar

The lightweight mortar made by 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55. 60, 65,
70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, &100 percentage of scoria instead of sand and 0.55 water-
cement ratio and 350 kg/m3 cement content. The selected cement content and cement
ratio has found due to experimental result of concrete made with 0, 20, 30, & 40 %
scoria instead of sand on the lightweight concrete section. The compressive and
tensile strength of the mortar in 3, 7, 14, 28, & 90 is given in Figures 17& 18. They
have shown 10% and 21% reduce in compressive and tensile strength by completely
replacing scoria instead of sand. The relationship between scoria instead of sand and
density has shown in Figure 19. This Figure presented 45% reduce in density by
increasing 100% scoria instead of sand. The mortars made with ≥ 60% scoria instead
of sand with specific gravity ≤1300 Kg/m3 [17] are lightweight mortar. The
relationship between compressive and tensile strength and the percentage of scoria
instead of sand in lightweight mortar has shown in Figures 20 and 21. In these Figures
have shown by increasing scoria instead of sand in mortar the compressive and tensile
strength has decreased. In Figures 22 and 23, the relationship between squared
compressive strength and tensile strength has shown. The squared correlation
coefficient calculated between data was 0.918 for the 28-day mixture and 0.904 for
the 7-day mixture. It proves the adequate agreement between experimental data.
Figure 17: Compressive strength of mortar made with different percentage of scoria
instead of sand
11
Figure 18: Tensile strength of mortar made with different percentage

of scoria instead of sand
Lightweight
Mortar
Heavy Weight
Mortar
Figure 19: Density of mortar made with different

percentage of scoria instead of sand
Figure 20: Relationship between compressive strength

and percentage of scoria instead of sand
11
Figure 21: Relationship between tensile strength and percentage of scoria instead of sand
Figure 22: Relationship between squared compressive strength and tensile strength – 28 days
Figure 23: Relationship between squared compressive strength and tensile strength –7day
12
4. Conclusion
1. By increasing the percent of scoria in concrete and mortar:
- Compressive strength and tensile strength of mixture has reduced.
- The samples with more than 40 & 60% scoria instead of sand are lightweight concrete and
mortar respectively.
- In regard to high water absorption of scoria, slump and workability are reduced.
2. The maximum compressive strength (28days) for ordinary and lightweight concrete was
33.5Mpa (0% scoria instead of sand) and 17.5Mpa (40% scoria instead of sand) respectively.
It shows 47.76 & 16.67 % reduce in compressive strength and density.
3. The maximum tensile strength (28days) for ordinary and lightweight concrete was 2.95Mpa
(0% scoria instead of sand) and 4Mpa (40% scoria instead of sand) respectively.
4. The maximum compressive and tensile strength for lightweight mortar were 202 & 24
Kg/cm2 in 0% scoria instead of sand .
5. The minimum compressive and tensile strength for lightweight mortar were 186.8 & 20
Kg/cm2 in 100% scoria instead of sand .
6.The results presented 45% reduce in density by increasing 100% scoria instead of sand.
References
[1] Famili, H. (1997). A Project About Lightweight Concrete. Published by University of Elmo sanat,
Iran, Tehran.
[2] Gadea, J., Rodríguez, A., Campos, P.L., Garabito, J., & Calderón, V. (2010). Lightweight mortar
made with recycled polyurethane foam. Cement and Concrete Composites, 32, 672-677.
[3] Mannan, M. A., Alexander, J, Ganapathy, C, & Teo, D C L. (2006). Quality improvement of oil
palm shell (OPS) as coarse aggregate in lightweight concrete. Building and Environment, 41(9), 1239-
1242.
[4] Marcos, L., & García-Ruiz, P.A. (2008). Lightweight cement mortars: Advantages and
inconveniences of expanded perlite and its influence on fresh and hardened state and durability.
Construction and Building Materials, 22(8), 1798-1806.
[5] Merikallio, T., & Mannonen, R. (1996). Drying of Lightweight Concrete Produced From Crushed
Expended Clay Aggregates. Com Concer Res, 26(9), 1423-1433.
[6] Mun, K. J. (2007). Development and tests of lightweight aggregate using sewage sludge for
nonstructural concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 21(7), 1583-1588.
[7] Rajamane, N. P., Peter, J. A., & Ambily, P. S. (2007). Prediction of compressive strength of
concrete with fly ash as sand replacement material. Cement and Concrete Composites 29(3), 218–223.
[8] Sanahi, G. (1998). Application of Perlit in Construction Process. University of Tabriz, Iran.
[9] Sari, D., & Pasamehmetoglu, A. (2004). The Effect of Grading and Admixture on the Pumice
Lightweight Aggregate Concrete. Department of Civil Engineering. Atilim University. Ankara.
Turkey.
[10] Shideler, J. (1975). Lightweight Aggregate Concrete for Structural Use. ACI Journal, 54(4), 299-
328.
13
[11] Shorabi, M., & Rigi, A. . (2005). Application of Lightweight Concrete Properties with
Lightweight Grain of Taftan in Construction Method. 2nd International Conferences on Concrete &
Development, Tehran, Iran, 109.
[12] Short, M., & Kinniburgh, W. . (1978). Lightweight Concrete. Galliard, 464.
[13] Teo, D. C. L., Mannan,M.A., Kurian, V.J. , & Ganapathy, C. . (2006). Lightweight concrete made
from oil palm shell (OPS): Structural bond and durability properties. Building and Environment, 42,
2614–2621.
[14] Topcu, I. B., & Odler, I. (1996). Semi lightweight concretes produced by volcanic slags. Cement
and Concrete Research, 15-21.
[15] Unal, O., Uygunog, T., & Yildiz, A. . (2007). Investigation of properties of low strength
lightweight concrete for thermal insulation. Building and Environment, 42, 584–590.
[16] Wei, Y., Yang, J., Lin, Y., Chuang, S., & Wang, H.P. (2008). Recycling of harbor sediment as
lightweight aggregate. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 57, 867–872.
14

Using Scoria As Fine Aggregate in Lightweight Mortar and Concrete

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Using Scoria As Fine Aggregate in Lightweight Mortar and Concrete

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

International Conference on Civil Engineering

Architecture & Urban Sustainable Development

USING SCORIA AS FINE AGGREGATE IN

1. Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Jundi-shapor

Key words: scoria, compressive strength, tensile strength, density, slump

Table 1: Chemical analysis of the used scoria

Figure 2: Water absorption vs. time

Table 2: Specific gravity dry and saturated aggregates

Figure 3: Grain size curve of the scoria

2-2- Mixture Design

3-2- Lightweight Concrete

Table 3: The Schedule of Lightweight Concrete Construction

3-2- Lightweight Concrete

Table 4: The Schedule of Lightweight Mortar Construction

Figure8: Relationship between percentage of scoria instead of and compressive strength

Figure9: Relationship between percentage of scoria instead of and compressive strength

Figure10: Relationship between percentage of scoria instead of and compressive

2-3- Lightweight Mortar

Figure 18: Tensile strength of mortar made with different percentage

Figure 19: Density of mortar made with different

Figure 20: Relationship between compressive strength

You might also like