Properties of Structural Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Based on Sintered Fly Ash and Modified with Exfoliated Vermiculite

Despite the undoubted advantages of using lightweight concrete, its actual use for structural elements is still relatively small in comparison to ordinary concrete. One of the reasons is the wide range of densities and properties of lightweight aggregates available on the market. As a part of the research, properties of concrete based on sintered fly ash were determined. The ash, due to its relatively high density is suitable to be used as a filler for structural concretes. Concrete was based on a mixture of sintered fly ash and exfoliated vermiculite aggregate also tested. The purpose of the research was to determine the possibility of using sintered fly ash as alternative aggregate in structural concrete and the impact of sintered fly ash lightweight aggregate on its physical, mechanical and durability properties. Conducted tests were executed according to European and Polish standards. Created concretes were characterized by compressive strength and tensile strength ranging from 20.3 MPa to 54.2 MPa and from 2.4 MPa to 3.8 MPa, respectively. The lightest of created concretes reached the apparent density of 1378 kg/m³.