OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING THE USE OF FOAMED CONCRETE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

In the construction industry the perception still lingers that foamed concrete is a weak, non-durable material. The use of modern foaming agents and equipment has however opened up the possibilities of manufacturing foamed concrete suitable for structural applications. There are many opportunities for expanding the use of foamed concrete in the construction industry provided the industry could be convinced that foamed concrete can be strong and durable. Large volumes of ash can be used in foamed concrete but if foamed concrete is to be used to manufacture structural elements in a pre-cast set-up, the rate of strength gain will have to be accelerated. High temperature water and steam curing can be used to accelerate the rate of strength development and the effect of these curing methods on the strength development of foamed concrete is being investigated. The results of this investigation indicate that the compressive strength of well-manufactured foamed concrete pre-cast elements can be such that the own weight of structural members can be reduced by approximately 50% without a reduction in compressive strength.