Absorption and strength properties of lightweight foamed concrete with egg shell powder as partial replacement material of cement

Around 85 thousand tonnes of egg shell waste were yield in Malaysia at 2017, and when its utilization rate is low and not treated and disposed properly, it might result in environmental problem. By partially replacing cement with egg shell powder, the waste can be reduced and meanwhile reduce cement production that results in depletion of natural limestone and emission of carbon dioxide. Therefore, this study was carried out by aiming to mitigate the environmental issue by reducing eggshell wastes and pure cement production, and meanwhile, to promote the application of lightweight foamed concrete. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects on spread diameter, stability water absorption, initial surface absorption, sorptivity, and compressive strength of lightweight foamed concrete with fresh and hardened density of 1000 ± 50 kg/m3 and 1400 ± 50 kg/m3 when the cement is partially replaced by egg shell powder at replacement levels of 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% by mass. The results showed that with incorporation of egg shell powder at all levels, the water absorption, initial surface absorption, sorptivity were improved, but spread diameter was reduced. Besides, stability of foam and compressive strength were improved in overall at replacement level of up to 7.5%. Therefore, it is feasible to use up to 7.5% egg shell powder as partial cement replacement material.