Evaluation of the Effect of the Composition of the Foam Glass Concrete on Its Flammability and Moisture Characteristics

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the moisture and flammability characteristics of lightweight concrete with different aggregates and different amounts of cement according to different criteria. The moisture properties of the specimens were evaluated by the coefficient of water absorption due to capillary action, short-term water absorption, and water vapour permeability. Short-term water absorption correlated with the density of the specimens, and capillary absorption was evaluated depending on the soaking time, amount of cement, and type of lightweight aggregate. The values of the water vapour diffusion resistance factor were estimated based on the amount of cement, the type of lightweight aggregate, the density, and the porosity. The porosity correlated with the amount of cement and the type of lightweight aggregate. The flammability properties of concrete with lightweight aggregate were evaluated by several methods, such as the single flame source test, the single burning item test, and the non-combustibility test. After assessing the flammability characteristics, a structure analysis of the samples was specifically performed to assess the processes that occur during the combustion of lightweight concrete. It was found that short-term water absorption depended mainly on the density, capillary absorption on the amount of cement, and the water vapour diffusion resistance factor, flammability, and thermal stability of lightweight concrete on the type of granules.