The use of pumice lightweight concrete for masonry applications

Abstract

In the last two decades, the use of pumice as lightweight aggregate for concrete in structural applications has been the object of different studies. The aim was to find out if pumice can be an alternative to ordinary lightweight aggregate. The present paper is framed in this context. Here, a study is presented showing the use of pumice for making lightweight concrete units for masonry members. Through the paper, the formulation of a mix design for lightweight concrete is proposed. Then the obtained mechanical characteristics of the masonry units are discussed and compared to the code requirements. Reinforced bearing masonry walls, made with the concrete masonry units in question, were made and tested under lateral cyclic loads. For comparison, lightweight concrete units and bearing walls made using expanded clay were constructed and tested in order to show if pumice can also be considered as an alternative to ordinary lightweight aggregate in the case discussed here.