Evaluating the Properties of Strength Enhancement in Foam Concrete: A Review

Foam concrete demonstrates promising potential in various building and construction applications, showcasing exceptional properties such as high specific strength, effective thermal insulation, and superior acoustic absorption in human-inhabited structures. However, due to its significantly higher porosity and permeable water absorption characteristics, the durability of foam concrete is often not on par with that of conventional concrete. Consequently, careful consideration of foam concrete's durability is imperative throughout its life cycle in building applications. Prioritizing durable materials can significantly mitigate the environmental impact associated with waste from maintenance and replacement, as well as the consumption of natural resources involved in the production of repair and replacement materials. Post-hardening, the durability of foam concrete encompasses resistance to various factors, including freeze-thaw cycles, elevated temperatures, carbonation, efflorescence, sulfate, chloride, alkali-silica reaction, among others. This paper conducts a review of articles focusing on the durability of different types of foam concrete, including ordinary Portland cement (OPC) foam concrete, geopolymer foam concrete (GFC), magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) foam concrete, sulphoaluminate cement (SAC) foam concrete, and limestone calcined clay cement (LC۳) foam concrete. The aim is to compare their durability characteristics, providing valuable insights for life cycle design and service life estimation of foam concrete members.

Keywords:

foam concrete , freeze-thaw cycle , elevated temperature , carbonation , efflorescence , resistance to aggressive environments