Enhancing the performance of aerated concrete through accelerated curing and waste material integration

This article discusses the mechanical and durability properties of aerated blocks. In present study, aerated blocks prepared by using different cementitious materials along with the alkaline solution (AS) in the absence of aluminium powder. The proportions of raw materials are chosen after performing two mix trials P1 and P2, keeping the density of blocks constant i.e., 800 kg/m³. Each mix is further tested under six curing mechanisms, viz, normal water curing, humidity chamber curing at (50°C and 70% relative humidity) for 6 hours and 10 hours, oven drying curing at 180°C for 6 hours and at 80℃ for 24 hours and using accelerated curing (ACT) at 65°C±5°C for 10±2 hours and named as trial “1”. In trial “2” the best curing mechanism is taken and construction and demolition waste are substituted at different proportions in place of flyash in both the mix proportions. Further, trial “3” is investigated on the best mix proportion by substituting glass powder at 50% and 100% with flyash and CDW, respectively. It is observed from experiments that aerated blocks manufactured with 50% CDW and heat curing done in the ACT showed high mechanical and durability properties after 7 days of hardening.