Quality Control and Applications of Foam Concrete in Construction Works

To get the desired qualities of concrete mix, quality monitoring of foam concrete is required. This article discusses the uses of foamed concrete and how to ensure its quality.Foam concrete is a concrete mix that requires extra quality control to ensure that its full value is delivered. The parameters that are tested for quality in the production of foamed concrete are listed below.

Quality Check for Foam Density and Stability of Foam Concrete

Foam concrete with good qualities will be made with good grade foam. This demonstrates that the density and stability of foam have an impact on the properties of made foam concrete. A glass measuring bucket or a cylinder can be used to determine the foam’s wet density. It is necessary to measure the known volume of foam in this case.

With time, the bubbles in the foam will collapse. The rate at which the form collapses over time varies depending on the type and quality of the form. As a result, the stability of a foam can be determined by tracking the collapse of foam bubbles over time. A measuring glass cylinder can be used for this. It is advised that you employ the to avoid side constraints.

The Plastic Density of Foam Concrete is used to determine its quality. The plastic density of foam concrete is determined by using a bucket to measure a known volume of foam concrete. BS EN 12350: Part 6: 2000– Testing Fresh Concrete describes the procedure.

Quality Measurement based on Consistency and Segregation of Foam Concrete

The attribute of foamed concrete is that it has a very high slump. As a result, the slump test is ineffective. However, it can be utilised to determine if the foam concrete’s workability is very low or not. Slump flow test according to BS EN 12350-5:2000 The Flow table Test (BSI, 2000d) in Testing Fresh Concrete Part 5 can be used to determine the consistency of foam concrete. The flow table test must be performed without causing the table to jolt.The presence of segregation in the foam concrete mix can be determined by the detection of foam rising to the top surface of the prepared mix or by the detection of a distinct paste mix that forms at the bottom of the mixer.

Segregation is quantified by the difference in dry densities of 25mm thick slices obtained from the top and bottom of a 100mm diameter core. The difference in oven dry densities of horizontal cores obtained from various heights can likewise be used to quantify the level of segregation.

Cube Strength Quality of Foam Concrete

The concrete sample preparation can be done in accordance with BS EN 12350 – 1: 2000, Testing of Fresh Concrete Samples (BSI, 2000b). The foam concrete sample’s compressive strength can be determined using BS EN 12350 – 3:2000, Testing Hardened Concrete. The compressive strength of the test specimens will be determined by the code BSI,2000. To ensure accuracy, the test specimens are made in 150 mm rather than 100 mm.

The foam concrete does not receive any tamping or shaking. For three days, the specimen is kept undisturbed and covered. After that, the sample is demolded and cured at a temperature of 20°C by covering it with plastic bags. The strength fluctuation in foamed concrete specimens is greater than in regular concrete specimens.

Soundness as a Foam Concrete Quality Check A check for soundness can be used to analyse the strength development of foam concrete. The BRE screed tester is used to determine the foam concrete’s crushing resistance in situ.The screed test is referenced in Annex D of BS 8204-1:2003. (BSI-2003). The test consists of a series of blows to the specimen. Permeation through foam concrete.

Applications of Foam Concrete in Construction Works

The following features of foam concrete account for the high demand for it in its wide range of applications: Exceptional void-filling ability Assists in the formation of a hard structure.Under low load levels, there is no deflection. Structure with a low density Thermal and fire resistance have been improved.The following are some of the most common uses for foam concrete:

1. Void Filling with Foam Concrete Foamed concrete has found significant use in the United Kingdom for void filling, levelling, and self-compacting qualities. It’s a quick, efficient, and cost-effective option.

The usage of void filling has grown in popularity as a result of its several benefits, including thermal insulation, stiffness, and regulated water absorption. The issue of ground instability is mostly a problem in old mines and tunnels.

They’ve now used foamed concrete to fill the voids in sewers, service trenches, and various roadway infrastructure like subways and culverts to restore stability.To stabilise the collapsing tunnels of the Heathrow Express, 13500m3 of foam concrete was used.

2. Expanding Bearing Capacity with Foam Concrete To act as skin friction piles in weak soils, foam concrete constructed as cast in situ piles is put. Foam concrete densities used for this application range from 1200kg/m3 to 1400kg/m3.3. Using Foamed Concrete to Replace Existing Soil With the use of foam concrete, the concept of a balanced foundation can be implemented. In places with weak soils, the total weight, i.e. the weight of everything, is the most important factor.

Applications of Foam Concrete in Roof Slopes

Foam concrete can be utilised as a foundation wherever road building is required on weak soils.Rather than being a light granular material, it is a dense material.The road’s foundation was built with 27000m of foamed concrete for the London Docklands Project (As per S Van Di, 1991).4. Roof Slope Applications of Foam Concrete According to a study conducted by L Cox and S Van in 2003, adding sand to the mix will give sufficient slope and tolerances, allowing the roof to keep its slope.

Roof construction can be done with lower-density foam concrete. However, it finds a wider application in the construction of flat concrete roofs, where it is used to profile the positive slope to drains.

To achieve appropriate compaction of the bituminous surfacing with the foam concrete, the foamed concrete requires a compressive strength of approximately 1N/mm 2.7. Foam Concrete for Soil Stabilization To maintain slope stability, portion of the soil used in the backfill of embankments can be replaced with foam concrete. The benefit of undertaking such a procedure is weight loss, as excessive weight is the primary cause of backfill collapse.For this, foamed concrete with densities ranging from 400 to 600 kg/m3 is used.

Floor Leveling Applications of Foamed Concrete

Using a traditional concrete mix to raise an old floor is expensive. The cost of construction increases when the height to be raised is increased. It’s best to start by laying a layer of foam concrete over the previous floor. The traditional concrete can be put on top of the foam concrete floor. This procedure is found to be less expensive than the traditional method. Foam concrete of various densities is used depending on the thickness. Foam Concrete Blindness To achieve the aim of blinding, foamed concrete can be applied over regular concrete. Foamed concrete is the finest choice for blinding because of its excellent workability and flexibility.Now, let’s look at regions where thermal insulation is required.

In the construction of sheet pile retaining walls or diaphragm walls, it is widely used in harbour quays. Foamed concrete with densities ranging from 400 to 600 kg/m3 can be utilised for this.Application of Foam Concrete in Pipe Filling Foam concrete with densities ranging from 600 to 1100 kg/m3 can be used to fill unused subterranean pipes, sewers, and fuel tanks. Their carelessness could result in a fire or a collapse. They are supported and blocked once they have been filled with foam concrete.

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