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Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon Fibers

Article · September 2016

DOI: 10.30684/etj.34.15A.8

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Eng. &Tech.Journal, Vol.34,Part (A), No.15,2016

Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon Fibers

Dr. Eethar Tihanon Dawood

Building and Construction Engineering Department, Technical College of Mosul/ Iraq
Email:[email protected]
Dr. Waleed Abdulrazzaq Abbas
Building and Construction Engineering Department, University of Technology/Baghdad
Yahya Ziad Mohammad
Building and Construction Engineering Department, Technical College of Mosul/ Iraq

Received on: 19/8/2016 & Accepted on:29/9/2016

ABSTRACT
This paper shows the production of foamed concrete reinforced with carbon fibers. Firstly,
different mortar mixes were prepared by varying ratio of sand/cement. Continuously, the
selected mortar mix was used for the foamed concrete produced due to the results of density,
compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength test. Secondly, different
foam agent amounts (0.8, 1, 1.2 and 1.4 kg/m3) with 10% of silica fume were included in the
selected mortar mix to produce the optimum foamed concrete mix depending on the same set of
tests mentioned above. Lastly, various volumetric fractions of carbon fibers (0.5, 1 and 1.5%)
were incorporated with the optimum foamed concrete mix and the same set of tests was done to
examine such foamed concrete reinforced with carbon fibers.
The results give acceptable ranges of strength for mortar mix using 1.9 sand/cement ratios.
Besides, the foamed concrete produced by the inclusions of foaming agent 1 kg/m3 shows
acceptable ranges of density and strength to be suitable for the reinforcing by carbon fibers.
The carbon fiber included in the foamed concrete exhibit significant increases for the strengths.
Such increases are varied from about 35% using 1% carbon fibers to 44% and 116% using 1.5%
carbon fibers for compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strength, respectively
Keywords: Sand/cement ratio; Foam agent; Foamed concrete; Carbon fibers

INTRODUCTION

L ightweight Foamed Concrete (LFC) is one of the recent advancement of concrete

technology in civil engineering that can be used in a wide range of construction projects
[1]. Significant improvements over the past 20 years in production equipment and better
quality surfactants (foaming agents) has enabled the use of foamed concrete on a larger scale
[2].
The foamed concrete is manufactured by blending slurry (cement paste or mortar) with pre-
formed stable foam (prepared separately by aerating a foaming agent solution). The
characteristics of the foamed concrete are linked to its fluidity, low self-weight, and excellent
thermal and sound insulation properties [3].
Few detailed studies have been reported on the use of mineral admixtures as cement
replacement material in the production of foamed concrete [4]. The suitable use of silica fume in
foamed concrete can result in a higher ratio of strength to density and can reduce the peak
temperature due to its lower specific heat capacity. The traditional usage of silica fume for
cement replacement in normal concrete was found to improve the fresh and strength properties
of concrete [5].
Structural lightweight concrete (SLWC) have a compressive strength more than 17 Mpa with
a bulk density less than 1950 kg/m3. Nowadays, SLWC can be 25% lighter than normal weight
concrete but with normal to high compressive strength levels [6]. The cellular concrete is
considered more durable compared to traditional insulating materials, especially when
considering potential chemical / fire exposure such as in process facilities [7].

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Eng. &Tech.Journal, Vol.34,Part (A), No.15,201 Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon
Fibers

As it's known the concrete is classified as a brittle material and have poor fracture toughness
resistance, and low impact strength. The purpose of using fibers in concrete is to improve the
mechanical properties of concrete. The most frequently used reinforcement synthetic fibers in
the last decades included organic fibers (acrylic, polyvinyl alcohol, polyolefin, polyethylene and
polypropylene) and inorganic fibers (alkali resistant glass and carbon). These different types of
fibers have been approved to be effective to improve the properties of concrete. Thus, most
properties such as the tensile and flexural strengths, toughness, impact resistance, fracture
energy and ductility may have been improved [8].
Therefore, this research was conducted to produce foamed concrete using different mortar
mixes and select the suitable mix for inducing variable amounts of foam agent. Furthermore, the
appropriate foamed concrete is reinforced with different percentages of carbon fiber and studies
the properties of these mixes.
Materials used and mixes selection
Materials
The materials used in this study include cement, sand, water, silica fume foam agent or and
carbon fibers.
Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) type (I) commercially known as AL-Mass cement factory
(Sulaimaniyah governorate of Iraq) was used in this study. The physical, mechanical and
chemical characteristics of ordinary Portland cement are shown in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3.
Such characteristics are conformed to IQS: 5/1984[9] and ASTM C150 [10], respectively. Silica
fume (Sika Fume HR) was used as a partial replacement of cement, the material properties are
shown in Table 4, the properties of (Sika Fume HR) were corresponded to ASTM C 1240 [11].
Table (1) Physical Properties of Cements*
Physical properties Results Limits of IQS: 5/1984
Initial setting time (minute) 100 ≥ 45 minute
Final setting time (minute) 320 ≤ 600 minute
Fineness (Blaine m2/ kg) 300 ≥ 230 (m2/ kg)
Soundness by Autoclave Method (%) 0.02 Not more than 0.8
Compressive strength (MPa)
3 days 21 ≥ 15
7 days 27 ≥ 23
* The tests were done in National Center for Construction Laboratories and Research.
Table (2) Chemical Composition of Cement*
Percentage by Limits of IQS:
Composition Abbreviation
weight 5/1984
Lime CaO 61 -
Silica SiO2 19.84 -
Alumina Al2O3 5.08 -
Iron Oxide Fe2O3 4.8 -
Sulphate SO3 2.49 ≤ 2.8
Potash K2O 0.1
Soda Na2O 0.3
Equivalent Na2O Na2O+0.658K2O 0.36 ≤ 0.6%
Magnesia MgO 2.48 ≤ 5.0 %
Loss on ignition L.O.I. 3.8 ≤ 4.0 %
Insoluble residue I.R. 0.40 ≤ 1.5 %
Research.
* The tests were done in National Center for Construction Laboratories and
Table (3) Main Compounds (Bogue′s equations) of Cement.
Composition Abbreviation Percentage by weight
Tri calcium Silicate C3S 49.45
Di calcium Silicate C2S 19.57
Tri calcium Aluminate C3A 5.34
Tetra calcium Aluminate –Ferrite C4AF 14.61

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Eng. &Tech.Journal, Vol.34,Part (A), No.15,201 Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon
Fibers

Table (4) Properties of Silica Fume*.

Form Agglomerated
Particles Color/ Appearance Grey
Specific Gravity 2.20**
Size of particles 0.1 μ**
Dosage 2 - 10 % by weight of cement
Chloride content Nil
*The data are from manufacture production report.
** Checked in laboratories of Building and Construction Eng. Dept., University of Technology.
The natural sand used as fine aggregate was supplied from AL- Ukhaider region. The specific
gravity and fineness modulus of sand are 2.65 and 3, respectively. The grading limits are
according to ASTM C 33-02 [12] given in Table 5.

Table (5) Grading of Fine Aggregate

Sieve No. (mm) Passing (%) Limits of ASTM C 33-02
# No.4 (4.75) 95 95-100
# No.8 (2.36) 80 80-100
# No.16 (1.18) 59 50-85
# No.30 (0.6) 44 25-60
# No.50 (0.3) 18 5-30
# No.100 (0.15) 4 0-10
* The test was done in laboratories of Building and Const. Eng. Dept., University of
Technology.
Sika Lightcrete 02 was used as a foaming agent to obtain lightweight foamed concrete by
entraining a controlled amount of air bubbles to concrete mix. The foaming agent was diluted in
30 parts of water before using it. Whereas, Cutted carbon fibers (80mm) were used in the
lightweight foamed concrete, the properties of the carbon fibers are listed in Table 6 and Plate 1.

Table (6) Properties of Carbon Fibers*

Fiber properties Value
Fiber length** 8 mm
Diameter** 7 ± 2 micron
Aspect ratio 1140
Tensile strength 3.5 GPa
Young's Modulus 230 GPa
density*** 1.7 g/cm3
Chemical Resistance High
Absorption Nil
Melt Point** 3500°C
Shape chopped strand

*The data are from manufacture production report.

** Checked in laboratories of Building and Construction Eng. Dept., University of Technology.
***The density measurement was based on ISO 10119:2002 Carbon fiber–Determination of
density.

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Eng. &Tech.Journal, Vol.34,Part (A), No.15,201 Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon
Fibers

Plate (1): Shape of Carbon Fibers Used in The Study.

Mixes selection
The proportions of the mortar mixtures were varied using different sand to cement ratio.
Thus, five mortar mixes (M1-M5) were prepared using 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1 and 2.2 sand/cement
ratio. However, the w/c ratio was adjusted for each mortar mix, to be suitable for getting
flowable mortar (flow = 110% ± 5%). The selected mortar mix was chosen to be applied for
preparing foamed concrete mixes with 10% of silica fume as partial replacement of cement.
Therefore, the foamed concrete mixes (S1-S5) were prepared using 0, 0.8, 1, 1.2 and 1.4 kg/m3
of foam agent. Continuously, the selected foamed concrete mix was used for the carbon fibers
incorporation. Such foamed concrete mixes reinforced with carbon fibers were presented in
mixes C1-C3. The mix proportions for all mixes shown in Table 7.
The mixing procedure was done by mixing cement and sand according to the mix proportion.
And then, the required water was added to prepare mortar. For foamed concrete mixes, foam
agent was diluted in 30 parts of water according to ASTM C796 [13]. Foam was produced in a
laboratory using locally manufactured machine as shown in Plate 2 [14]. Water cement ratio
(w/c) was determined depending on flow of the mix (flow range 110 ± 5%). The foam was
added to the mortar as shown in Plate 3 and the flow of the batch was measured by using flow
table as shown in Plate 4 according to ASTM C 1437 [15]. The fresh density for foamed
concrete mixes were measured and recorded as shown in Table 7.

Plate(2): Foaming Machine

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Eng. &Tech.Journal, Vol.34,Part (A), No.15,201 Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon
Fibers

Plate (3): Addition of Foam to the Mix.

Plate (4): Flow Table Test.

Table (7) Mix Proportions of Mortar and Foamed Concrete Mixes
Mix proportion Fresh
Flow
Mix Cement Sand w/c Silica Foam Carbon density
%
(kg) (kg) (%) fume (kg) kg/m3 fiber %* kg/m3
M1 1 1. 8 0.42 --- --- --- 110 2300
M2 1 1. 9 0.42 --- --- --- 110 2290
M3 1 2 0.44 --- --- --- 110 2270
M4 1 2.1 0.45 --- --- --- 110 2260
M5 1 2.2 0.47 --- --- --- 110 2260
S1 0.9 1.9 0.42 0.1 --- --- 110 2280
S2 0.9 1.9 0.38 0.1 0.8 --- 110 1930
S3 0.9 1.9 0.38 0.1 1 --- 110 1820
S4 0.9 1.9 0.38 0.1 1.2 --- 110 1800
S5 0.9 1.9 0.38 0.1 1.4 --- 110 1760
C1 0.9 1.9 0.35 0.1 1 0.5 80** 1800
C2 0.9 1.9 0.37 0.1 1 1 75 1810
C3 0.9 1.9 0.41 0.1 1 1.5 60 1820

*The amount of carbon fibers has been calculated as a percentage of total mix volume.
** The carbon fibers reduce the sufficient flow value for the foamed concrete mixes.

Experimental work
The average of three cubes of 50 mm was used for testing the compressive strength of mortar
mixes according to ASTM C 109 [16]. Continuously, the average of three prisms of 40 × 40 ×
160 mm was used to determine the flexural strength of mortar mixes according to ASTM C 348
[17]. On the other hand, for the foamed concrete mixes, the cubes of 100 mm were used to
determine the compressive strength according to BS 1881:1992 [18]. The density for all mixes

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Fibers

also was examined using 100 mm cubes according to ASTM C 642 [19]. The flexural strength
of foamed concrete mixes was done using prismatic molds of 100 × 100 × 400 mm according to
ASTM C78 [20]. Whereas, the cylindrical moulds 100 × 200 mm were used for splitting tensile
strength according to ASTM C567 [21].

Results and discussion

Fresh and oven dry density
The tests result of fresh and oven dry density for different mixes are shown in Tables 7 and 8.
The fresh density of the foamed concrete depends on the amount of the foam agent. Thus the
density of such concrete is decreased by the foam agent increase. Thus, the fresh density of
foamed concrete was decreased from 1930 kg/m3 to 1760 kg/m3 by the increment of the foam
agent from 0.8 kg/m3 to 1.4 kg/m3, respectively. This behavior is clearly related to the ability of
the foam agent to induce the bubbles inside the concrete [22].

Table (8) Properties of Different Mortar and Foamed Concrete Mixes

Compressive Splitting tensile Oven dry
Flexural strength Absorption
strength strength density
(MPa) (%)
Mixes (MPa) (MPa) kg/m3
7 28 7 7
28 Days 28 Days 28 Days 28 Days
Days Days Days Days
M1 16.3 33.1 2.40 2.73 4.03 5.06 5.23 2170
Group 1

M2 19.2 33.5 2.47 3.03 4.37 5.52 6.09 2160

M3 18.3 30.6 2.58 2.71 4.27 4.79 6.99 2110
M4 16.5 28.4 1.82 2.05 3.44 4.12 7.13 2100
M5 15.1 21.1 1.95 2.21 4.13 4.30 8.53 2090
S1 25.4 37.1 2.45 2.68 4.44 4.84 5.92 2120
Group 2

S2 13.2 18.9 1.89 2.25 1.81 2.37 8.7 1800

S3 11.2 17.1 1.72 1.95 1.7 2.08 12.22 1670
S4 7.4 9.6 1.23 1.50 1.63 1.90 12.07 1620
S5 5.2 6.8 0.9 1.16 1.26 1.44 12.89 1520
Group 3

C1 11.5 17.3 1.8 2 2.6 3.8 9.94 1745

C2 13.8 23.1 2.0 2.6 3.1 4.3 7.42 1805
C3 12 21.4 2.1 2.8 3.4 4.5 7.52 1820

On the other hand, the carbon fibers incorporated with the foamed concrete may slightly
increase the fresh density of such concrete due to their specific gravity [23].
The oven dry density for mortar mixes was found to be affected by the increment of
sand/cement ratio. As the sand increases in the mortar mix, the oven dry density of mortar
would be decreased [24].
Figure 1 shows the relationship between the sand/cement ratio and the oven dry density of
mortar mixes.
For the foamed concrete mixes, it was noticed that the use of 0.8 kg/m3 of foam agent would
decrease the oven dry density to 1800 kg/m3. Whereas, the density would be reduced
significantly to be 1520 kg/m3 due to the use of 1.4 kg/m3 of foam agent. Figure 2 illustrates the
relationship between the foam agent amount and the oven dry density of foamed concrete.

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Eng. &Tech.Journal, Vol.34,Part (A), No.15,201 Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon
Fibers

2200
Oven dry density (kg/m3)
2150

2100

2050

2000
1.8 1.9 2 2.1 2.2
y = 285.71x2 - 1362.9x + 3703.1
Sand/cement ratio in the mixes
R² = 0.9313
Figure (1): Relationship between the Sand/Cement Ratio and the Oven Dry Density

2200
Oven dry density (kg/m3)

2100
2000
1900
1800
1700
1600
1500
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
y = -428.42x + 2123
R² = 0.9947 Foam agent amount (kg/m3)

Figure (2): Relationship between the Amount of Foam Agent and the Oven Dry Density.

The reinforcement of foamed concrete by carbon fiber increased the oven dry density of such
foamed concrete. This is also can be attributed to the specific gravity of carbon fiber which
increases the overall density of foamed concrete mixes [25].

Compressive strength
Table 8 shows the results of compressive strength for specimens at ages of 7 and 28 days
after water curing. It can be noticed that the sand/cement ratio has significantly affected on the
compressive strength of the mortar mixes. This effect is related to the cement content and the
w/c ratio that would vary by the variation of sand/cement ratio in the mortar mixes [22].
Therefore, the highest ratio of sand/cement used in this study in the mortar mixes exhibits more
water demand and least compressive strength. However, the use of 1:1.9 (cement: sand) mortar
mix gives highest compressive strength and thus has been chosen as the appropriate mix for the
production of foamed concrete.
Figure 3 shows the relationship between sand/cement ratio and the compressive strength of
mortar mixes at 28 days.
For the foamed concrete mixes, the results reveal that the foam agent may significantly
reduce the compressive strength of the foamed concrete mix. Therefore, the comparison
between S1 and S5 shows that the use of 1.4 kg/m3 of foam agent decrease the compressive
strength of foamed concrete by about 82% compared with the mix of zero foam agents. This is
obviously related to the ability of foam agent by inducing the bubbles inside the mix that may
decrease the strength of the cement paste and lastly reduce the overall strength of the mix [23].

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Eng. &Tech.Journal, Vol.34,Part (A), No.15,201 Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon
Fibers

However, the balance between the reduced density and the criteria of getting structural
compressive strength of the foamed concrete mix enables the researchers to select the mix S3
(foam agent = 1 kg/m3) for the inclusion of carbon fibers with foamed concrete mix.
Figure 4 shows the relationship between the amount of foam agent in the mix and the
compressive strength of foamed concrete at 28 days.
For the foamed concrete reinforced with carbon fibers mix, the results of compressive strength
give higher values by the inclusion of such fibers in the foamed concrete mix compared with
plain foamed concrete. The highest value has obtained due to the use of 1% carbon fiber in the
foamed concrete mix and the percentage of increase is about 35% higher than that of plain
foamed concrete. This is can be attributed to the stiffness of the carbon fibers that may enhance
the compressive strength of the foamed concrete [25].
However, the use of 1.5% carbon fiber decrease that percentage of increase to be about 25%
compared with plain foamed concrete. This is due to the property of fibers which make the
concrete mix needs more water to be suitable for casting [23].
Figure 5 illustrates the percentages increase of compressive strength of foamed concrete by the
inclusion of carbon fibers.

40
Compressive strength

35
(N/mm2)

30
y = -150x3 + 795x2 - 1404x + 859.44
R² = 0.9865
25

20
1.8 1.9 2 2.1 2.2
Sand/cement ratio in the mixes

Figure (3): Relationship between the Sand/Cement Ratio and the Compressive Strength.
40
Compressive strength (N/mm2)

30

20

10

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
y= -2.8168x3 + 14.512x2 -36.408x + 37.102
R² = 0.9999 Foam agent amount (kg/m3)

Figure (4): Relationship between the Amount of Foam Agent and the Compressive
Strength.

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Eng. &Tech.Journal, Vol.34,Part (A), No.15,201 Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon
Fibers

comp. Strength.28 days Flex. Strength 28 days Splitting tensile str.28 days
240 216
Relative strength % 206.7
200 182.6
160 135.1 133.3 143.6
125.1
120 100 100 100 101.2 102.6
80
40
0
0 0.5 1 1.5
Volumetric percentage of carbon fiber % in the mixes

Figure (5): Relationship between the Volumetric Percentage of Carbon Fiber and the Relative
Strength.

Splitting Tensile strength

The results of splitting tensile strength for specimens at ages of 7 and 28 days after water
curing are shown in Table 8. It can be seen that the sand/cement ratio has affected significantly
on splitting strength with similar trend on that effect of compressive strength of the mortar
mixes. This effect is also related to the cement content that may increase the splitting tensile
strength of mortar by the reducing the sand/cement ratio in the mortar mixes [22]. However,
the highest value of splitting tensile strength has been obtained by mixing 1:1.9 (cement: sand)
of mortar mix.
Figure 6 presents the relationship between sand/cement ratio and the splitting tensile strength
of mortar mixes at 28 days. The results of foamed concrete mixes show that the foam agent
may significantly reduce the splitting tensile strength of the foamed concrete mix. Thus, the
comparison between S1 and S5 shows that the use of 1.4 kg/m3 of foam agent decrease the
splitting tensile strength of foamed concrete by about 43% compared with the mix of zero foam
agents due to same purposes listed in compressive strength.
Figure 7 shows the relationship between the amount of foam agent in the mix and the
splitting tensile strength of foamed concrete at 28 days.

4
Splitting tensile strength

3
2.73 3.03
2.71
(N/mm2)

2
2.05 2.21
1

0
1.8 1.9 2 2.1 2.2

Sand/cement ratio in the mixes

Figure (6): Relationship between the Sand/Cement Ratio and the Splitting Tensile Strength.

For the carbon fibers incorporated in foamed concrete, the results show that the inclusion of
such fibers in the foamed concrete mix increase the splitting tensile strength of foamed concrete.
As the volumetric fraction of carbon fiber increases,

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Eng. &Tech.Journal, Vol.34,Part (A), No.15,201 Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon
Fibers

The splitting tensile strength of foamed concrete increases too. Thus, highest value has been
obtained due to the use of 1.5% carbon fiber in the foamed concrete mix and the percentage of
increase is about 44% higher than that of plain foamed concrete. This is related to the high
tensile strength of carbon fibers that may promote the tensile strength of the foamed concrete
and the ability of the fibers to bridge the cracks enhancing the homogeneity of the foamed
concrete [25].
Figure 5 illustrates the percentages increase of splitting tensile strength of foamed concrete by
the inclusion of carbon fibers.
4
Splitting tensile strength

2
(N/mm2)

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4

y = -0.909x2 + 0.1598x + 2.6836

R² = 0.9957 Foam agent amount (kg/m3)

Figure (7): Relationship between the Amount of Foam Agent and the Splitting Tensile
Strength.

Flexural strength
The results of flexural strength for specimens at ages of 7 and 28 days after water curing are
shown in Table 8. It can be observed that the sand/cement ratio has affected significantly on
flexural strength as similar effect as that of compressive and splitting tensile strength of the
mortar mixes. Again, the highest value of flexural strength has been got by mixing 1:1.9
(cement: sand) of mortar mix. Figure 8 presents the relationship between sand/cement ratio
and the flexural strength of mortar mixes at 28 days.
For foamed concrete mixes, the results illustrate that the foam agent may drastically decrease
the flexural strength of the foamed concrete mix. Thus, the comparison between S1 and S5
shows that the use of 1.4 kg/m3 of foam agent reduces the flexural strength of foamed concrete
by about 70% compared with the mix with no foam agent. Figure 9 shows the relationship
between the amount of foam agent in the mix and the flexural strength of foamed concrete at 28
days.
On the other hand, the results of flexural strength of foamed concrete reinforced with carbon
fibers show that the inclusion of fibers increases the flexural strength of foamed concrete. The
highest value has been recorded due to the use of 1.5% carbon fiber in the foamed concrete mix
and the percentage of increase is about 116% higher than that of plain foamed concrete. This is
also mentioned before, as the micro-mechanical feature of crack bridging operates from the
stage of damage evolution to ultimate loading and beyond [26]. Figure 5 illustrates the
percentages increase of flexural strength of foamed concrete by the inclusion of carbon fibers.

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Eng. &Tech.Journal, Vol.34,Part (A), No.15,201 Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon
Fibers

Flexural strength
5
5.52
(N/mm2) 4 5.06
4.79
4.12 4.3
3
2
1
0
1.8 1.9 2 2.1 2.2
Sand/cement ratio in the mixes
Figure (8): Relationship between the Sand/Cement Ratio and the Flexural Strength.

6
Flexural strength

5
(N/mm2)

4
3
2
1
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
y= -2.0562x3 + 5.6869x2 - 6.3455x + 4.8405
R² = 0.9994 Foam agent amount (kg/m3)

Figure (9): Relationship between the Amount of Foam Agent and the Flexural Strength.

Absorption
Table 8 shows the results of absorption for specimens at ages of 28 days after water curing. It
can be seen that the mortar mixes give least values of absorption due to the reduced voids or
pores in mortar mixes. However, the increase in absorption is noticed in mortar mixes with
highest sand/cement ratio. For the foamed concrete mixes, it is obviously observed that the
increase in the absorption is related to the highest foam agent amount in the mix. Thus, the
comparison between S1 and S5 show that the use of 1.4 kg/m3 of foam agent may increase the
absorption from 5.92 % (no foam agent in the mix) to 12.89%.
Lastly, the results of foamed concrete mixes reinforced with carbon fibers reveal that these
fibers reduce the absorption from 12.22% (1kg/m3 foam agent with no fiber) to 7.42% (1 kg/m3
foam agent + 1% carbon fibers) due to the ability of these fibers to make the cement paste of the
foamed concrete more dense and seal some pores in the mix.

CONCLUSIONS
This paper illustrates the production of foamed concrete reinforced with carbon fibers by
mixing varied ratios of sand/cement to obtain an optimum mortar mix that would be suitable for
such production. Some conclusions can be drawn as follows:
1. The use of 1:1.9 (cement: sand) ratio for mortar mixes gives the best performance of
compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths. The increment of such ratio would increase
the water demand for the mortar mix to maintain the same consistency. Thus, this proportion
was chosen for the production of foamed concrete.
2. For the foamed concrete, the use of 1 kg/m3 of foam agent is found to reduce the oven
dry density to 1670 kg/m3. On the other hand, the mechanical properties of such foamed
concrete produced by this amount of foam agent would be suitable for structural application.

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Eng. &Tech.Journal, Vol.34,Part (A), No.15,201 Proportioning of Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Carbon
Fibers

3. The use of carbon fibers for reinforcing the foamed concrete shows significant increase
for compressive strength. Thus, the use of 1% of carbon fiber as volumetric fraction increases
the compressive strength from 17.1MPa to 23.1 MPa.
4. The incorporation of carbon fibers boosts the best performance regarding to splitting
and flexural strengths. Therefore, as the volume fraction of carbon fibers increase in the mix,
such strengths are increased too. The use of 1.5% of carbon fibers increases dramatically the
splitting tensile and flexural strengths by about 44% and 116% respectively, compared with
plain foamed concrete.

Acknowledgements
The work described in this paper is a part of Master research program of the 3rd author. The
authors would express their thanks to the Building and Construction Engineering Department
staff in University of Technology-Baghdad for supporting their research. Special thanks to the
technical staff in concrete and materials lab in the department.

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