Experimental Investigation Of Using Ceramic Waste As A Coarse Aggregate Making A Light Weight Concrete

ABSTRACT Making lightweight concrete has been the dominant use of lightweight aggregates in the past. It has been shown that the extra energy expended to expand shale, clay or slate in a rotary kiln can easily be recovered in the savings associated with the decrease in density of the concrete made from them. The savings arise not only from reduced footings, columns and beam sizes, but also from the enhanced thermal properties of the concrete. The manufacture of lightweight aggregates results in the release of some CO2 but the savings in CO2 emissions associated with the need for less of the other materials more than compensates for this release. More recently lightweight aggregates have found new uses such as for horticultural applications such as a growing medium for creating a lusher skyline with green roofs. Not only do the low density aggregates provide up to a 30% lighter growing medium, but the vesicules within the aggregates become a reservoir for irrigating water and fertilizers thereby reducing the cost of maintaining a green roof. Various other uses for lightweight aggregates are discussed that contribute to an environmentally friendly world.