Mechanical and durability characteristics of blended concrete using cenosphere and pumice powder

Abstract Using flyash cenospheres and pumice powder as raw ingredients for concrete production can significantly reduce resource consumption, save the environment, and encourage waste recycling. 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % fly ash cenospheres and 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % pumice powder are employed in this study to partially substitute cement in concrete, with conventional concrete serving as a reference. The impacts of flyash cenospheres and pumice powder on the structural safety and performance of concrete are assessed by a series of tests, which include sorptivity, air content, water permeability, acid attack, sulphate attack, drying shrinkage were studied. With a water-binder ratio of 0.40, the blended concrete mix contained different proportions of cenosphere and pumice powder that replaced cement up to 30 % by weight. Outcomes showed that 20 % inclusion of pozzolanic materials with cement improved compressive strength of concrete. A blend with 20 % cement replacement, using 10 % of cenosphere along with 10 % of pumice powder, increased acid resistance and sulphate resistance, decreased the sorptivity, water permeability and drying shrinkage on comparing with control sample. The results demonstrate that concrete durability can be significantly enhanced by partial substitution of cement by these SCMs that will add to the longer service life and decreased maintenance fees. Results imply in the pozzolanic use of pumice powder and cenosphere that can safely replace cement in concrete production in the normal circumstances and result in concrete with a long life cycle. This study has lessons to offer the construction sector to ensure that greener and long-term solutions of concrete are embraced.