Properties of lightweight concrete containing treated pumice by alkaline solution

Abstract

The properties of lightweight concrete containing pumice treated with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), were experimentally investigated in this study. The study used treated pumice as 100 % replacement of fine and coarse aggregates in concrete mixtures. Untreated pumice aggregates were used to prepare reference mixtures. In addition, the study investigated the effect of sodium hypochlorite on pumice properties. The concrete compressive strength at ages of 7 and 28 days was tested. The results showed that the compressive strength of concrete that contained treated pumice increased by 200 % as compared to concrete containing untreated pumice. The pumice aggregate treated with NaOCl increased the pumice strength and improved its physical characteristics as the mean of specific gravity and abrasion resistance.