Effect of Expanded Perlite Aggregate Size on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Ultra Lightweight Concrete Produced with Expanded Perlite Aggregate

In this study, ultra-light weight concrete (ULWC) with heat-insulating properties is produced by using different size expanded perlite aggregates and various admixtures. The compressive strength, 4 point bending strength, freezing and thawing resistance, water absorption, dry unit weight, ultra sound velocities and thermal conductivity of the samples were determined by applying appropriate tests. The effect of different size expanded perlite aggregate on the properties of ULWC were also investigated in this study and it was found that as the expanded perlite aggregate diameter increased, the void volume uniformity, water absorption percentage and freezing-thawing resistance increased while the unit volume weight of ULWC samples, ultrasound speed velocities, thermal conductivity and compressive strength were decreased. The changes in the masses and compressive strength of ULWC samples subjected to freezing and thawing cycles were examined. The compressive strength loss was found to be between 5 % and 47 % while the weight loss was between 1 % and 3.5 % after 15 freezing and thawing cycles. Finally, the effects of the admixtures on the fresh properties of ULWC were examined and it was determined that the use of 4.5 kg of air-entraining material in one cubic meter of concrete mix is the most ideal ratio and the use of more than 0.01 % by volume of polypropylene fiber is caused settlements in fresh concrete mixtures.