Estudo de dosagem e avaliação de concreto celular com fins estruturais

Abstract

The use of cellular concrete in buildings has been increasing recently due to its advantages (low density, better thermal comfort, among others). Some norms already regulate its application for walls of one floor buildings, and normative projects, still under development, which will regulate its application with structural purposes for walls of multi-level buildings. However, there still is not a specific dosage method that relates the formulation with the compression strength for cellular concrete manufacture, moreover, there are many variables (additive dosage, generation process of air bubbles, diameter, density and volume of bubbles, use of coarse aggregates, etc.), which influence the production process that needs a better understanding. Therefore, this study had as objective to evaluate the obtaining and properties of different types of cellular concrete, with the application intensio for structural purposes in construction walls. Thus, three types of cellular concrete procedures were developed adopting dosage procedures and different materials and compositions. The first with foam generated by generators (CESP), using foaming agent chemical additive (AESP), without coarse aggregate. The second with chemical additives incorporating the air bubbles through the mechanical action of the mixer (CBAM), also without coarse aggregate. And the third with coarse aggregates (CBAMG), and incorporating additives of air bubbles. The properties were evaluated in the fresh state (density, consistency and incorporating air content) and in the hardened state (compression strength). Based on results, the production of CESP was found to be made difficult by the use of foam-generator, damaging their manufacture, despite in agreement with the normative requirements for construction applications. CBAM presented a lower variability in the manufacturing process providing a better performance. Finally, CBAMG presented an improvement in workability compared to the CBAM concrete. The highest compression strength of cellular concrete CESP, CBAM and CBAMG, at 28 days, were 6.5 MPa, 19.5 MPa and 23.5 MPa, respectively, this can be applied in walls with structural purposes.