Development of new lightweight concrete mixtures based on aplite and perlite

Cement extenders are commonly used as an addition to concrete mixtures to increase material properties. A mineral called aplite is a cement extender. This mineral contains many possible favourable properties. An experimental research on aplite has been carried out at the University of Stavanger. This study presents the effect of aplite in light-weighted concrete. Specimens with different amount of aplite in different cement were tested in various environment and time points. Compressive strength and density were measured. Thermal conductivity of perlite, a volcanic rock, was determined by using LabVIEW. Time played an important role on aplite's pozzolan effect. The test results indicated that the long term compressive strength increases immensely with small amounts of aplite. Application of aplite can permit a decrease in use of Portland cement and still obtain a higher compressive strength in the concrete