A new perspective on representative parameters for cellular concrete

Abstract

The literature shows that representative parameters for the strength of load-bearing cellular concrete (LBCC) used by most researchers are porosity and theoretical strength at zero porosity. However, these concepts are redefined in the current paper to represent more closely the nature of LBCC. Polystyrene beads were used to simulate air bubbles inside LBCC, such that the size distribution of bubbles was easily monitored. The results on strength of lightweight concrete, made of 60, 80 and 100 MPa mortars mixed with polystyrene beads, were reported. Scanning methods, such as CATScan techniques, can be used to determine the porosity of the concrete. However, the advantage of artificial voids c..