Properties of adjusted density high-performance concrete

By incorporating lightweight expanded polystyrene aggregate particles in a conventional high- strength concrete mixture, its density could be adjusted to any desired level. The adjusted density concrete can be expected to have reduced strength and stiffness the permeability of concrete would not be affected since the nonwater absorbing polystyrene aggregate particles are dispersed randomly in a low permeable cement paste matrix. This paper reports the results of an investigation into the effect of binder material on the compressive strength and drying shrinkage of adjusted density (2150 kg/m3) high-performance concrete. Five locally available binder material types were used, namely Types GP, SR and GB cements, and a combination of GP cement and fly ash. The results showed that for the adjusted density concrete, the binder type significantly affected the shrinkage and shrinkage-weight loss relationship, although it had marginal effect on the compressive strength.