72 The Masterbuilder - January 2014 • www.masterbuilder.co.in

Floating Concrete by using Thermocole

The construction industry everywhere faces the problems and challenges, two-third of the world surface is covered with water. It is therefore not surprising that there has

been much activity with concrete in the sea in recent decades.The disadvantage of the conventional concrete is the high self weight concrete, where as the density is in the order of 2200 to 2600 Kg/m3. In this technique the self weight of the concrete is reduce to attain the efficiency of the concrete as structural material. The light weight concrete has the density of 300 to 1850Kg/m3, it helps to reduce the dead weight of the structure.

Scope of Work

In this technique the thermocole is used for preparation of the light weight concrete and density is reduced to attain the maximum efficiency, whereas the self weight of the structure is minimized.

Research Siginificance

- Light weight concrete - To reduce the self weight of the structure- Constructions on water bodies- Used as an acoustic medium- Low thermal conductivity

Materials Used

- Cement- Thermocole- Water

Properties of Thermocole

Low density, low conductivity, floating, acoustic.

Experimentel Work

To study the floating property of the Light weight concrete

Cement &Thermocole

In this concrete aggregate is replaced by the Thermocole,where the density of the thermocole is too less compare to the aggregate,hence it satisfy the floating property.

Density of Thermocole = 1.64g/cm3

Mixing of cement with Thermocole on suitable water cement ratios.

Experimental Procedure

- We have casted two types of slab and one cube.- The purpose of casting slab is to find whether the slab

float or not and to find out how many Kg of weight it can carry.

- The purpose of casting cube is to find the compressive strength.

- First thermocole was made into small balls.- Next thermocole balls mixed with cement(OPC 43 grade)

and with suitable water cement ratio.- Cast it into slab and cube .- After 24hours demould it, cure it and test the specimen.

Test Specimen

- Cube (150 mm * 150 mm * 150 mm)- Slab

N. Raj, M. Rajesh, R. Manoj Kannan, M. MadhavanFinal Year Civil Engg., Nehru Institute of Technology, Coimbatore

This paper investigates the properties of the light weight concrete by using a Thermocole. In this technique the Thermocole is used for preparation of the light weight concrete and density is reduced to attain the maximum efficiency, whereas the self weight of the structure is minimized thereby reducing the dead load on structure.

Concrete: Student Research

www.masterbuilder.co.in • The Masterbuilder - January 2014 73

- (500 mm * 300 mm * 50 mm)- (1000 mm * 500 mm * 60mm)

Application

- Light weight concrete - To reduce the self weight of the structure- Constructions on water bodies- Used as an acoustic medium - Low thermal conductivity- Weathering course- Flooring- Ceiling - Wall pannel

Result

The compressive strength of the cube is found to be 2.5 to 3 N/mm2 and the Unit weight of the concrete is 450Kg/m3.

Conclusion

The concrete slab(1000mm x 500mm x 60mm) can carry a weight of up to 13Kg load when it floats in the water.Hence it can used in water body construction. Further experiment may be carried out to find the usage of light weight concrete over sea for the structural construction.

Reference

- Concrete technology (Theory and Practice) by M.S.Shetty.- Concrete technology by A.R.Santha Kumar.- Engineering materials (Including construction materials) by

R.K.Rajput.- ‘New concrete products, precast concrete production techniques

and light weight concrete’ Report on roving seminar in modern concrete construction practices, ICI.

- Anon: Structural lightweight aggregate concrete in India. Indian Concrete Journal, Vol.

- 60, No. 9, sep. 1986, pp 219-220, 2 pp.- Dhir, R.K.: Durability potential of lightweight aggregate concrete.

Concrete, April 1987,- 1 pp.- Concrete technology by M L Gambhir.

Concrete: Student Research