Foam concrete with mineral additives: from microstructure to mechanical/physical properties, workability and durability

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

• Alassane Compaore, Department of Physics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
• Jean-Yves N’Zy Kicoun Toure, Department of Physics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
• Desmond Edem Primus Klenam, Next Frontiers in Advanced Materials Laboratory, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Abdallah Sarroney Merenga, Department of Physics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
• Tabiri Kwayie Asumadu, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, State University of New York (SUNY) Polytechnic Institute, Utica, NY, USA
• John David Obayemi, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Program in Materials Science and Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA
• Nima Rahbar, Department of Civil Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, USA
• Charles Migwi, Department of Physics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
• Winston Oluwole Soboyejo, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, State University of New York (SUNY) Polytechnic Institute, Utica, NY, USA

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2025

Journal Name

Open Ceramics

Abstract

This paper explores foam concretes produced from cement, sand, water, foaming agents and secondary cementitious materials (SCMs). We examine the effects of these constituents on the microstructure, mechanical/ physical properties, workability, and the durability of foam concrete. The contributions of SCMs are assessed based on their pozzolanic activity. Various SCMs, through their pozzolanic reactivity, contribute significantly to pore refinement, matrix densification, and the enhancement of mechanical strength, thermal conductivity and durability characteristics, including resistance to water ingress, chloride penetration, and sulfate attack of foam concrete mixes. While the SCMs incorporation leads to improved strength, it may also increase brittleness, which can be balanced with the addition of fibers. Furthermore, the workability is greatly affected by the incorporation of SCMs, which often have a negative effect on reducing it. The paper highlights the opportunities to use metakaolin as an SCM for the optimization of foam concrete mechanical, durability and thermal properties

Keywords

Ffoam concrete, Mmicrostructure Tthermal conductivity, Mmineral admixtures, Ccompressive strength

Rsif Scholar Name

Alassane Compaore

Rsif Scholar Nationality

Kenya

Cohort

Cohort 3

Thematic Area

Minerals, Mining and Materials Engineering

Africa Host University (AHU)

Kenyatta University (KU), Kenya

Funding Statement

The authors are grateful to the PASET program for financial support of AC. Appreciation is also extended to Kenyatta University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) for their support of this work.

Recommended Citation

Compaore, A., Kicoun Toure, J. N., Klenam, D. P., Merenga, A. S., Asumadu, T., Obayemi, J. D., Rahbar, N., Migwi, C., & Soboyejo, W. O. (2025). Foam concrete with mineral additives: from microstructure to mechanical/physical properties, workability and durability. Open Ceramics https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1016/j.oceram.2025.100812