Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Development of Non-Load Bearing Lightweight Concrete Wall Panels Utilizing Byproduct Materials in Oman

Auteur : Obaida Taha Tlilat

Université de soutenance : Sultan Qaboos University

Grade : Master of Science (MS) 2021

Résumé partiel
The main purpose of this research was to utilize waste and byproducts materials locally available in the Sultanate of Oman in producing precast lightweight thermal insulation wall panels. The materials that were implemented in this research were Copper Slag (CS), Ferrochrome Slag (FeCr), and Polystyrene Beads (EPS). Copper slag and Ferrochrome slag are industrial by-products that are produced in Oman in large quantities. Most of them are not utilized and end up to landfill without any reuse. This research study utilized those materials as natural aggregates replacement in concrete. According to the raw particle size provided by the producers, the FeCr was used as Coarse aggregate and the CS was used as Fine aggregate. While many researches have indicated the benefits of utilizing each in concrete, no previous studies have tested combining them both in one mix. This study was divided into four phases. In the preliminary phase of this research (phase 1), this approach was verified and proven to be feasible. At 50% of natural aggregate replaced with slag aggregates resulted in only a 10% loss of strength, which is not a major compromise compared to the environmental benefits.

To produce a lightweight concrete with enhanced thermal insulation, polystyrene beads were added as a partial replacement of both coarse and fine aggregates in phase 2 of this research. Mixes of different EPS replacement percentages (0% up to 100% of the aggregate at a 10% increment) were tested to investigate their mechanical and thermal properties and to find the most suitable mixes to produce the full-scale wall panels. Among different mixes tested, mixes with 70%, and 80% EPS were found to have a balance of density, strength, and thermal characteristics. Their densities ranged between 1100-1300 kg/m3 , which were almost half of the normal concrete density, while their thermal conductivity ranged between 0.35-0.57 W/mK, which were less than 30% of the thermal conductivity of normal concrete. They maintain a compressive strength of 4-6 MPa, which is sufficient for the non-load-bearing purpose.

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