Characteristics of ultra-high performance lightweight concrete containing hollow glass microspheres under severe loading conditions

Abstract

The present study proposes the development of ultra-high performance lightweight concrete (UHPLC). Hollow glass microspheres (HGMS) were used as a lightweight material, and their pozzolanic activity was verified through different tests under multiple curing conditions. High volume of HGMS was incorporated into ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) matrix, and UHPLC with a compressive strength of 160 MPa and oven dry density of 1862 kg/m3 was developed. The UHPLC was exposed to temperatures up to 1000 °C and a coupled cycle of chloride penetration and carbonation. The developed UHPLC performed well in high temperature exposure tests, with the oven-cured samples showing around 10 % mass loss after 30 h exposure. Despite such reduction of density, the UHPLC did not show any significant degradation to chloride ions and carbonation. The experimental results show that the developed UHPLC is durable in terms of high temperature exposure and coupled loading of chloride penetration and carbonation.