Study of Self-Compacting Concrete incorporating Lightweight Porcelanite Aggregate at Elevated Temperature

An investigation about lightweight self-compacting concrete (LWSCC) at elevated temperatures has been conducted in this paper. This lightweight concrete is produced by partially or fully replacing of normal coarse aggregate with Porcelanite aggregate. Three replacement percentages (0, 50 and 100%) were investigated. Rheological and mechanical tests were carried out in this study. V-Funnel, Slump flow, T50 flow time and L-box all these tests were conducted to evaluate the fresh properties of LWSCC. Four levels of temperatures (25, 450, 600 and 700oC) were applied to the specimens to assess the degradation of LWSCC at elevated temperatures, by calculating the residual compressive strength, loss of density and absorption. Specimens were kept in the furnace for one hour after reaching the desired temperature to ensure that the interior and the surface of samples reached to the same level of temperature, then specimens left for air cooling gradually. The result from this study revealed that LWSCC can increase the ability of concrete to resist high temperatures better than normal concrete, especially at 700oC. This conclusion was clear as the residual of compressive strength was higher for concrete made by Porcelanite aggregate at 700oC temperature. Also, the loss of density became higher for this type of concrete when temperatures increase. Likewise, the absorption of LWSCC was highly affected by increase Porcelanite aggregate at elevated temperatures.