Specification for foamed concrete

by K C Brady, G R A Watts and IVi R Jones

PRIISI40101
TF 3/31
TRL Limited

P R O J E C T R E P O R T PR/IS/40/01

S P E C I F I C A T I O N FOR F O A M E D C O N C R E T E

by K C Brady, G R A Watts and M R Jones

Prepared for: Project Record: TF 3/31 The use of foamed concrete as backfill
Client: QS CE Geotechnics and Ground Engineering
Highways Agency (Mr P E Wilson)

Copyright TRL Limited May 2001.

This report prepared for the Highways Agency must not be referred to in any publication without the
permission of the Highways Agency. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily
those of the Highways Agency.

IIIIIIIiiIZ >;
This report has been produced by TRL Limited, under/as part of a Contract placed by the Highways
Agency. Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the Agency.

TRL is committed to optimising energy efficiency, reducing waste and promoting recycling and re-use. In
support of these environmental goals, this report has been printed on recycled paper, comprising 100%
post-consumer waste, manufactured using a TCF (totally chlorine free) process.
CONTENTS

Executive summary

Abstract

1 Introduction

Foamed concrete 2
2.1 Definition, constituents and properties 2
2.2 History and background 3
2.3 Current usage 3

Quality control 4
3. I Foam density and stability 4
3.2 Plastic density 5
3.3 Workability 5
3.4 Segregation 5
3.5 Cube strength 5
3.6 Soundness 6

4 Specification 6
4.1 Documentation 6
4.2 Requirements 7
4.2.1 Essential items 7
4.2.2 Optional items 8

5 Acceptance criteria

6 Non-conformity 9

7 Summary 10

8 References 10

Tables

Figures

Appendix A Glossary of terms

Appendix B Guide for specification and qualky control of foamed concrete

Appendix C Foamed concrete

TRL PR/IS/40/01 SPECIFICATION FOR FOAMED CONCRETE

by K C Brady, G R A Watts and M R Jones

Project Reference: TF 3/31 The use of foamed concrete as backfill

Project Officer: Mr Philip Wilson, Quality Services (CE), Highways Agency
Project Manager: Dr K C Brady (TRL)

SCOPE OF T I ~ , PROJECT

Despite the now relatively common use of foamed concrete as backfill to trench excavations, there
is little published material regarding its properties - in particular its long-term performance and
durability. This paucity of data may be restricting the wider use of foamed concrete for ground
engineering and structural applications.

The aim of this project is to address this lack of information and to provide advice on the potential
use and specification of foamed concrete as backfill to substructures. The following reports have
been produced as part of this project:

Brady K C and Greene M J (1997). Foamed concrete: a review of materials, methods of

production and applications. TRL Unpublished Project Report PR/CE/149/97. TRL Limited,
Crowthorne.

Watts G R A and Brady K C (1999). Assessment of the use of foamed concrete as backfill to
retaining structures. TRL Unpublished Project Report PR/CE/176/99. TRL Limited,
Crowthorne.

Watts G R A (2000). Loading tests on a masonry arch bridge backfilled with foamed
concrete. TRL Unpublished Project Report PR/IS/4 t/00. TRL Limited, Crowthorne.

Brady K C (2000). An investigation into the properties of foamed concrete. TRL

Unpublished Project Report. PR/IS/99/00. TRL Limited, Crowthorne.

SUMMARY

This report describes the nature of foamed concrete, its composition and properties and how it
could be specified for use in civil engineering works. Because the properties of foamed
concrete can vary widely, and it can be used in a wide variety of applications, it is important to
define performance requirements for each case.

Current usage in the UK of foamed concrete is of the order of 250,000 tonnes per year
Despite this fairly significant tonnage there is, as yet, no definitive guidance on how the
material should be tested and specified for use. Furthermore there is a paucity of information
on some of its properties, particularly regarding its long-term performance. This situation
might be restricting the wider use of foamed concrete for ground engineering and structural
applications.

The report provides a brief history of the development of foamed concrete and gives examples
of contemporary uses. The quality control tests that might be applied to foamed concrete are
described; some of these differ from those used for normal weight concrete. An example
specification for foamed concrete is provided, which includes both mandatory and optional
requirements. Distinction is made between clauses for use with all applications and those
required for specific applications. Guidance on acceptance criteria and actions to be taken in
the event of non-conformance is also provided.

IMPLEMENTATION

Historically in the UK, foamed concrete has not been used extensively, and thus there is very little
information on the use of this material in the Specification for Highway Works (SHW) or the
Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMP,B). Although foamed concrete is now used more
widely, it is still not used extensively and therefore it may be premature to introduce documents
covering the use of the product into the SHW or the DMRB. A more useful approach would be to
publish the findings of this project through a TRL Application Guide.
ABSTRACT

Foamed concrete has unique characteristics that can be exploited in civil engineering works.
It requires no compaction, but will flow readily from an outlet to fill restricted and irregular
cavities, and it can be pumped over significant distances and heights. Thus it could be
thought of as a free-flowing, self-setting fill. This report provides a conspectus of foamed
concrete: covering its constituents, production, engineering properties and use.

Foamed concrete is simple to produce but, at present, there is a need to provide close control
during its production and on-site supervision during its placement and curing. The need for
such special requirements will reduce as industry becomes more familiar with the character
and behaviour of the material. However, within the UK, there are no national specifications
for foamed concrete nor standard tests for measuring its workability, strength or other basic
engineering properties. Guidance on the specification and use of foamed concrete is provided
in the report.

Research is still required on some aspects of the properties of foamed concrete - for example
there is little published data on its long-term properties. It seems likely that the increasing use
of foamed concrete will lead to a better understanding of its characteristics, and thus to
improvements in methods of testing, specification and perhaps also in its engineering
properties.

1 INTRODUCTION

This report describes the nature of foamed Concrete, its composition and properties and how
it could be specified for use in civil engineering works. Because the properties of foamed
concrete can vary widely, and it can be used in a wide variety of applications, it is important
to define performance requirements for each case.

Current usage in the UK of foamed concrete is of the order of 250,000 tonnes per year, see
Pickford and Crompton (1996). Despite this fairly significant tonnage there is, as yet, no
definitive guidance on how the material should be tested and specified for use. Furthermore
there is a paucity of information on some of its properties, particularly regarding its long-term
performance. This situation might be restricting the wider use of foamed concrete for ground
engineering and structural applications.

The report provides a brief history of the development of foamed concrete and gives
examples of contemporary uses. The quality control tests that might be applied to foamed
concrete are described; some of these differ from those used for normal weight concrete. An
example specification for foamed concrete is provided, which includes both mandatory and
optional requirements. Distinction is made between clauses for use with all applications and
those required for specific applications. Guidance on acceptance criteria and actions to be
taken in the event of non-conformance is also provided.

The work described herein forms part of a research project undertaken by TRL Limited, on
behalf of the Highways Agency (HA), aimed at addressing the shortfall in information and
thereby promote the wider and proper use of foamed concrete. Assistance in this project has
been provided by the University of Dtmdee, British Cement Association (BCA) and Taywood
Engineering Ltd (TEL) acting under contract to the TRL.
This is the final report of this project; previous reports have addressed,

(i) materials, methods of production and applications of foamed concrete, Brady and
Greene (1997),

(ii) use of foamed concrete as a backfill to retaining structures, Watts and Brady (1999),

(iii) performance of a masonry arch bridge with a foamed concrete backfill, Watts (2000),
and

(iv) properties of foamed concrete, Brady (2000).

A glossary of terms is provided in Appendix A. A check list for the specification of foamed
concrete is provided in Appendix B, and details of its production, engineering properties and
applications are provided in Appendix C.

2 FOAMED CONCRETE

2.1 Definition, constituents and properties

Foamed concrete has been defined in several ways; indeed it has a number of synonyms -
such as cellular concrete and foamcrete and there is confusion in the early literature between
foamed concrete and similar materials such as air entrained concrete. A definition, cited by
Van Deijk (1991), is that foamed concrete is a cementitious material having a minimum of 20
per cent (by volume) of mechanically entrained foam in the plastic mortar. This differentiates
foamed concrete from (a) gas or aerated concrete, where the bubbles are chemically formed
through the reaction of aluminium powder with calcium hydroxide and other alkalis released
by cement hydration, and (b) air entrained concrete, which has a much lower volume of
entrained air.

For most common uses, the air content is typically between 40 and 80 per cent of the total
volume. The bubbles vary in size from around 0.1 to 1.5 mm in diameter but coalescence
might produce voids considerably larger than this, particularly at the top of pours. The typical
appearance of foamed concrete can be seen in Figure 1.

Foamed concrete requires no compaction, and will flow readily from a pump outlet to fill
restricted and irregular cavities: it can be pumped successfully over significant heights and
distances. The 28-day strength and dry density of the material vary according to its
* . . . 2

composition, largely its mr voxds content, but usually they range from 1 to I0 N/mm and
from 400 to 1600 kg/m3 respectively: lower strengths are associated with lower densities. The
most commonly specified strength is 4 N/mmz. (Strengths of up to 40 N/mm2 have been
produced, but so far this has been limited to laboratory-based research work.) The plastic
density of the material is about 150 to 200 kg/m3 higher than its dry density.

Ordinary Portland cement (PC), to BS 12: 1996, is normally used as the binder, but other
types of cement could be used. Commonly, pulverized-fuel ash (PFA) is used as a partial
replacement for PC or as a filler to partially or fully replace sand. A fine sand, such as that
conforming to BS 1200:1976, is normally used as bulk filler but sand to BS 882:1992 can
also be used. Subject to limitations on grading, waste materials such as granite dust and
single-sized tailings can also be used. Small percentages of coarse aggregate, up to 14 mm in
size, can also be added to increase the stiffness of the concrete. Admixtures have been used to
increase the rate of strength gain, particularly for highway trench reinstatement.

Foam is produced using specialised equipment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The type varies
according to the volume of the mix and required properties of the foam: further details are
provided in Appendix C.

2.2 History and background

Foamed concrete is not a particularly new material, its first patent and recorded use dates
back to the early 1920s. According to Sach and Seifert (1999), limited scale production began
in 1923 and, according to Arasteh (1988), in 1924 Linde described its production, properties
and applications. The application of foamed concrete for construction works was not
recognised until the late 1970s, when it began to be used in the Netherlands for filling voids
and for ground engineering applications. Significant improvements in production methods
and the quality of foaming agents over the last 15 years have lead to increased production and
broadening of the range of applications. An extensive research programme carried out in
Holland helped promote foamed concrete as a building material, see Van Deijk (1991 ).

In 1987, in response to the publication of the Home Report in 1985, a full-scale trial of the
use of foamed concrete for trench reinstatement was undertaken in the UK, details of which
have been provided by Taylor (1990). The success of this trial led to the widespread use of
foamed concrete for trench reinstatements in the UK, and other applications followed. The
Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee's (HAUC) 'Specification for the
Reinstatement of Openings in Highways' (1992) recommended the use of foamed concrete
within the New Road and Street Works Act (1991). Foamed concrete was promoted as a
replacement to granular fill for highway reinstatement works because of its following
advantages:

(i) ease of application and re-excavation (if necessary),

(ii) elimination of compaction plant,

(iii) low in-service settlement, and

(iv) load-distribution properties.

2.3 Current usage

Over the past ten years or so, foamed concrete has been used on a large scale in the UK for
bulk filling, trench reinstatements and a variety of other applications: the following is not an
exhaustive list,

(i) bulk filling, using relatively low strength material, for redundant sewerage pipes.
wells, disused cellars and basements, storage tanks, tunnels and subways etc.

(ii) highway trench reinstatement (although it should be noted that controlled low strength
mortar is increasingly being used because it is easier to produce by ready-mixed
concrete producers)

(iii) infill to the spandrel walls of arch bridges

(iv) backfill to retaining walls and bridge abutments

(v) stabilising soils, for example in the construction of embankment slopes

(vi) various industrial applications and for domestic housing, including as insulation to
foundations and roof tiles, blinding layers, cast in-situ piles, fire protection and high
frequency sound insulation

(vii) sandwich fill for precast units

(viii) grouting for tunnel works

3 QUALITY CONTROL

This Section covers the tests that may be specified in the production of foamed concrete: it
includes those that should be undertaken by the supplier and those that might be by the
Contractor or Client's representative. Foamed concrete should be sampled in accordance with
the draft BS EN 12350: Part I: 2000. The most commonly used tests are listed and described
below.

Quality control test Test carried out Tested by

At point of Laboratory Contractor Supplier

delivery

Foam: density " ,/ ,/

Foam: stability X ,/ x ,/
Fresh concrete: plastic density ~/ x ,/ ,/
Fresh concrete: workability of
base mix and/or foamed concrete
(several methods available)
Fresh concrete: segregation X " ,/ x
Hardened concrete: cube strength X ,/ ,/ "
Hardened concrete: soundness " x ,/ x

v/ Recommended for most uses and sites

X Not usually recommended, or impractical

Might be useful for some particular applications or sites

3.1 Foam density and stability

The properties of foamed concrete are critically dependent upon the quality of the foam.
Measurements of foam density should be taken as a matter of routine because density can
vary according to the volume of the surfactant solution in the containment vessel and also
with the time of storage. Furthermore the level of expansion of the surfactant solution to foam
 varies according to the type and details of the equipment, such as the type of the foaming
gun, and with the valve settings controlling the flow and feed pressure of the surfactant and
air.

The density of a foam can be determined, quite simply, through weighing a known volume of
foam - for example using a glass measuring cylinder, as shown in Figure 4.

3.2 Plastic density

The plastic density of the base mix and the foamed concrete mix can be determined simply
from the weight of a sample in a container of known volume, of say 5 litres or so as shown in
Figure 5. The method is described in BS EN 12350: Part 6: 2000.

3.3 Workability

According to McGovern (2000), for most applications the slump of the base mix should be
between about 75 and 100 ram.

The workability of the base mix could be assessed using a test developed for low-strength
materials. As described by Brewer (1996), workability can be quantified by the
'spreadability' of a 76.2 mm (3 inch) diameter, 152.4 mm (6 inch) long cylinder of material
as shown schematically in Figure 6. This could also be used to assess the workability of the
foamed concrete mix.

Workability or 'flowability' can be also assessed from the efflux time of a litre sample
through a modified Marsh cone: the apparatus is shown in Figure 7.

From the tests on spreadability and flowability, an empirical flow classification was derived
by Dhir et al (1999), and this is reproduced in Table 1.

3.4 Segregation

Segregation of foamed concrete in the fresh state can be detected through foam rising to the
surface of the mix (noticeable in a ready-mix truck or in recently poured concrete), or by the
formation of a separate paste/sand mortar at the bottom of the mixer (noticeable when
mixing).

Segregation can be quantified through differences in the density of cores of hardened

concrete taken from various depths, or, as proposed by Dhir et al (1999), by comparison of
the oven-dry densities of 100 mm diameter, 25 mm thick slices obtained from the top and
bottom of a core.

3.5 Cube strength

Compressive strength can be measured at 28 and/or 56 days essentially in accordance with
BS 1881 : Part 116:1983. But, because the strength of foamed concrete is relatively low, 150
mm cubes might be required to ensure reasonably accurate measurements. Disposable
polystyrene moulds are widely used for foamed concrete: these can be supplied with lids so
that a specimen can be left in the mould until immediately prior to testing. Steel moulds can
be used but they should be lined with a non-stick plastic film. Mould release oil should not be
allowed to come into contact with the foamed concrete because it can affect the properties of
the concrete.
The specimens should be covered and, ideally, left undisturbed for least 3 days to prevent
damage by movement and de-moulding. After demoulding the cubes should be immediately
wrapped in an air and watertight film ('cling film') and stored at 20 + 2 C in plastic bags (i.e.
sealed curing).

3.6 Soundness

The 'soundness' or 'hardness' of the surface of foamed concrete can be used to assess
whether it has developed sufficient strength to allow additional lifts to be poured, or further
site works to commence. The screed tester developed by the Building Research
Establishment (BRE), and as shown in Figure 8, can be used to assess the 'soundness' of a
surface. The rig comprises a weight that slides along a bar and which is allowed to fall freely
onto an expansion ring connected to a 6 mm diameter pin. In testing foamed concrete the
penetration of a single drop of the weight should be measured (multiple drops are normally
used with other materials).

4 SPECIFICATION

At present in the UK there are no standard specifications for foamed concrete. Basic
requirements for its use for trench reinstatement exist (as for example in the New Road and
Street Works Act, 1991) but these are not necessarily satisfactory for other applications.

It is recommended that the basic methods, clauses and format of the draft BS 8500:2000 and
BS 5328 (various parts and dates) are followed when specifying foamed concrete; but it is not
possible to adopt all the clauses given in Parts 1 and 2 of the latter. The fundamental problem
is that the requirements for coarse aggregate and a minimum strength of 7.5 N/mm z preclude
the use of foamed concrete: the problem will persist with the replacement of those parts of BS
5328 by BS EN 206: Part 1 and BS 8500 respectively.

4.1 Documentation

Quality assurance
A producer must hold current product conformity certification, based on testing and
surveillance, coupled with approval of their quality system to BS EN ISO 9001:1994 by a
certification body accredited by the Secretary of State (or equivalent). This requires that the
technical regulations of the accredited certification body are available for examination. It also
requires the producer to inform the purchaser of the status of the concrete plant at the time of
tender, and immediately where there is any change of status in the period between the time of
tender and completion of supply.

Sampling point
Samples of foamed concrete, required for continuous monitoring of production, are required
to he taken at the point of discharge.

Acceptance testing
Acceptance testing by the purchaser is not normally necessary, but purchasers retain the right
to carry out such testing. Sampling, specimen making, curing and testing of fresh concrete
shall be certified as conforming to the appropriate part of the specification. Tests for cube
strength shall be certified as conforming to the specification and shall be carried out by a
laboratory accredited for the test by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Delivery note

Before discharging a batch of foamed concrete at the point of delivery, the supplier is
required to provide the purchaser with a delivery ticket for the batch, on which is printed,
stamped or written the information specified in Section 4.10.4 of BS 5328: Part 3:1990.

4.2 Requirements
Foamed concrete should be specified as a designed mix. Carbon steel reinforcement should
not be used in foamed concrete, except where corrosion is precluded, or its effects are of no
consequence. The specification for foamed concrete should conform to Parts 1 and 2 of BS
5328: 1997, except as defined herein or as agreed by all parties.

4.2.1 Essential items

Identification

The producer shall provide the information as defined in BS 5328: Part 3: 1990.

Permitted materials

Permitted cements should conform to the British Standards listed in Table 2: this is based on
Table 1 of BS 5328: Part 1: 1997, but note that cements containing slag should not be used
unless the results of mixing trials are satisfactory.

Permitted fine aggregates should conform to the British Standards listed in Table 3: this is
based on Table 2 of BS 5328: Part 1: 1997. Some of the engineering properties of foamed
concrete may be improved by the inclusion of a coarse lightweight aggregate but, because
little data are available, it cannot be recommended for unrestricted use at this stage. Some
data have, however, been provided by Regan and Arasteh (1984).

Plastic density
The plastic density of each batch (of say 6 to 8 m 3) of foamed concrete should be measured.
at the point of delivery or discharge.

Cube strength
Three cube specimens (preferably 150 mm in size) should be taken for every 50 m3 of
foamed concrete placed.

Pour depth
To prevent undue settlement due to the collapse of the bubble structure, normally the
maximum pour depth should not be greater than 1.5 m within any 16-hour period. Although
greater depths and more frequent pours can be placed, the self-weight of the concrete will
increase its plastic density: thus where this is done it might be necessary to reduce the
specified plastic density by 100 to 200 kg/m3 to offset any such increase. Further lifts or other
site works may recommence after 16 hours or so when a compressive strength of at least
1 N/ram2 has been achieved, or when the soundness indentation of the material is less than 5
mm, in accordance with the method described in Section 3.5.

4.2.2 Optional items

The following might be requested for a particular end-use or site.

Workability

Workability can be determined using either of the methods described in Section 3.2. Each
batch, of say 6 to 8 m 3, could be checked where necessary.

Maximum cube strength

Where required, a maximum acceptable characteristic cube strength should be specified: this
should be agreed with the supplier.

Resistance to segregation

Segregation can be assessed in accordance with the method described in Section 3.3.

Durability
Foamed concrete is not normally considered to require specification clauses for resistance to
frost attack. Where specific resistance to sulfate and/or acid attack is required, the appropriate
type of cement used should be as specified in Table 7 of BS 5328: Part 1: 1997. It might be
prudent to undertake trials to confirm the durability of the material in a particularly severe
environment.

Sustained core temperature

Where considered necessary, for example to minimise the risk of delayed ettringite formation
(DEF) 1, the sustained core temperature of a pour could be restricted to less than 65 C for 12
hours or 100 C for 3 hours, see Lawrence (1993).

Soundness
A minimum value of smmdness or hardness, as determined from the test described in Section
3.5, might be specified to ensure that an adequate set has been achieved prior to the
placement of overlapping pours.

5 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

Density

In most cases the acceptable tolerance for plastic density should be + 50 kg/m3 of the
specified density, but this may be increased to -+ 100 kg/m3 for particularly dense mixes, i.e.
ones having a plastic density in excess of 1600 kg/m3.

1 There is no evidence to show that DEF, if it were to occur, would cause any deterioration of tbamed
concrete: expansion should be accommodated within the bubble structure.
The variability of the dry density of the hardened foamed concrete should not exceed _+ 100
kg/m 3 of the mean density. However such a check would not normally be carried out unless
segregation was suspected.

Cube strength

For a particular pour, the mean 28-day strength of all the cubes should be higher than the
specified characteristic strength. Where strength in excess of 10 N/ram 2 is required,
consideration should be given to specifying the 56-day strength because this widens the
options available to the supplier for the mix design.

Workability

Workability could set as a minimum value below which the batch could be rejected because,
for example, it might affect the ability of the concrete to completely fill the void.

Resistance to segregation

The oven-dried density of two 25 mrn thick slices taken from towards the top and bottom
surfaces of a 100ram diameter, 300mm long cylinder, should be less than 50 kg/m 3.

Soundness

The result of an indent test, undertaken say 24 hours following pouring and using the method
described in Section 3.5, should be less than 5 mm: note however that the timing of the test
and the acceptance level can be varied to suit.

6 NON-CONFORMITY

The purchaser should determine the action(s) to be taken when the result of a test fails to
meet that specified. It might range from qualified acceptance (in less severe cases) to
rejection (and excavation and replacement). In selecting the action to be taken, due regard
should be given to the consequences and degree of non-conformity, and to the economic
consequences of alternative remedial measures. Furthermore, prior to any action, the validity
of test results should be confirmed by checking that the sampling and testing have been
carried out in accordance with the specification.

The most common non-conformities will be mismatches in strength and plastic density,
excessive temperatures during curing, and segregation of the mix.

In estimating the quality of substandard foamed concrete and determining the action to be
taken, the following should be asked,

(i) What performance characteristics of the foamed concrete, such as durability, strength,
and insulation properties, have been affected adversely?

(ii) Are other site works likely to be affected by the non-conformity?

The purchaser (and/or the supplier) may wish to carry out tests on the hardened concrete.
These might include non-destructive methods (to BS 188l: Part 201: 1986) or taking cores

9
(to BS 1881: Part 120: 1983). Provided the test data are valid the results of any further tests
do not annul the original non-conformity.

Advice on the interpretation of the results of non-destructive tests and on the strength of cores
is given in BS 6089: 1981. This Standard also lists the issues to be considered when deciding
the action to be taken with substandard structural concrete, and further information on
relevant Codes of Practice.

7 SUMMARY

Foamed concrete is a versatile low-density free-flowing, self-levelling and self-compacting

material. It can be pumped both horizontally and vertically over long distances and large
quantities can be placed quickly. In most cases the maximum depth that can be poured in a
single lift is about 1.5 m: the hardening rate normally allows the concrete to be to be walked
on within 24 hours, and for additional lifts of concrete to be poured on top. Considerable
quantities of foamed concrete (mainly for fill) have now been placed in the UK, with few
reported problems.

The dry density of foamed concrete is usually between 400 and 1600 kg/m 3 and its
compressive strength, which varies with density, can typically range between 1 N/mm 2 and
25 N/mm2 at 28 days. Foamed concrete has a satisfactory resistance to freeze/thaw and
sulfate attack (at least in the short term). The penetrability of the material to various gases
and liquids is a function of the constituents and density of the concrete, but it can be
dominated by the presence of cracking generated, for example, during curing. Foamed
concrete is, however, reasonably permeable to water vapour and carbon dioxide (CO2), and
so the use of carbon steel reinforcement should only be considered where the risk of
corrosion is precluded or its effects are of no consequence.

Foamed concrete is not covered specifically in BS 5328 (various parts and dates) and so a
specification has to be formulated for its use. This report highlights the key aspects that must
be addressed in drawing up such a specification. It is proposed that the general requirements
for normal weight concrete, as specified in BS 5328, should be adopted for foamed concrete
excepting those for compressive strength and plastic density. Acceptance criteria have been
proposed in the report, but it is recognised that these may be adjusted as more feedback from
practice is gained.

8 REFERENCES

Arasteh A R (1988). Structural application of lightweight aggregate foamed concrete. PhD

theseis, Polytechnic of Central London.

Brady K C and Greene M J (1997). Foamed concrete: a review of materials, methods of

production and applications. TRL Project Report PRICE~149~97. Crowthome.

Brady K C (2000). An investigation into fire properties of foamed concrete. TRL Project
Report PR/IS/99/00. Crowthorne.

Brewer W E (1996). Controlled low strength materials (CLSM). Radical concrete technology.
(Eds Dhir R K and P C Hewlett). E & F N Spon, London. pp 655-667.

10
British Standards Institution, London.

B S 12:1996. Specification for Portland cement.

BS 882:1992. Specification for aggregates from natural sources for concrete.

BS 1200: 1976. Specifications for building sands from natural sources.

BS 1881 : Part 116: 1983. Testing concrete. Method for determination of compressive
strength of concrete cubes.

BS 1881: Part 120: 1983. Testing concrete; Method for determination of the
determination of the compressive strength of concrete cores.

BS 1881: Part 201: 1986. Guide to the use of non-destructive methods of test for
hardened concrete.

BS 3797: 1990. Lightweight aggregates for masonry units and structural concrete.

BS 3892: Part 1: 1997. Pulverized-fuel ash. Specification for pulverized-fuel ash for
use with Portland cement.

BS 4027:1996. Specification for sulfate-resisting Portland cement.

BS 5328: Part 1: 1997. Concrete. Guide to specifying concrete.

BS 5328: Part 2: 1997. Concrete. Methods for specifying concrete mixes.

BS 5328: Part 3: 1990. Concrete. Specification for the procedures to be used in

producing and transporting concrete.

BS 6089: 1981. Assessment of concrete strength in existing structures.

BS 6588:1996. Specification for Portland pulverised-fuel ash cements.

BS 6610:1991. Specification for Pozzolanic pulverised-fuel ash cements.

BS 7583: 1996. Specification for Portland limestone cement.

BS 8500: 2000. Concrete. Complementary British Standard to BS EN 206: Part 1:

2000. [Draft only]

BS EN 206: Part 1: 2000. Concrete. Specification, performance, production and

conformity. [Draft only]

BS EN ISO 9001: 1994. Quality systems model for quality assurance in design,
development, production, installation and servicing.

BS EN 12350 Part 1: 2000. Testing fresh concrete. Sampling.

BS EN 12350 Part 6: 2000. Testing flesh concrete. Density.

1!
Dhir R K, Jones M R and Nicol L A (1999). Development of structural grade foamed
concrete. DETR Research Project. University of Dundee.

Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (1992). Specification for the reinstatement of
openings in highways (A Code of Practice). The Stationery Office, London.

Lawrence C D (1993). Laboratory studies of concrete expansion arising from delayed

ettringite formation. BCA, Crowthome.

McGovem G (2000). Manufacture and supply of ready-mix foamed concrete. One-day

awareness seminar on foamed concrete: properties, applications and potential. University of
Dundee. pp 12-25.

New Roads and Street Works Act (1991). Specification for the reinstatement of openings in
highways.

Pickford C and Crompton S (1996). Foamed concrete in bridge construction. Concrete,

Nov/Dec.

Regan P E and Arasteh A R (1984). Lightweight aggregate foamed concrete. Low-cost and
energy saving materials, Ch. 42, pp 123-138.

Sach J and Seifert H (1999). Foamed concrete technology: possibilities for thermal insulation
at high temperatures. CFI Forum of Technology, DKG 76, No. 9, pp 23-30.

Taylor R W (1990). First interim report on foamed concrete. BCA Report No.
RA1.007.00.1.

Van Deijk S (1991). Foam concrete. Concrete, July/August, pp 49-54.

Watts G R A and Brady K C (1999). Assessment of the use of foamed concrete as a backfill
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concrete. TRL Project Report PR/IS/41/00. Crowthome.

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 Main Flow rate, using Sub- Description of flow
class apparatus shown in class
Figure 7

1 t litre in < 1 minute A* constant flow

2 1 litre in > 1 minute B* interrupted flow

3 0.5 litres < effiux < 1 litre C completion of flow

after gentle tamping
4 Effiux < 0.5 litres

5 No flow

* Used with Classes 1 and 2 only

Table 1 Classification of the workability of foamed concrete, from Dhir et al. (1999)

Type of binder** Standard

Portland cements

Portland (PC) BS 12:1996

Sulfate-resisting (SRPC) BS 4027:1996

Cements containing pulverised-fuel ash

(PFA) or limestone

Portland pulverised-fuel ash BS 6588:1996

Pozzolanic pulverised-fuel ash BS 6610:1991

Portland limestone BS 7583:1996

Combinations made up in a concrete mixer Combination of the proportions and

from Portland cement and PFA properties to conform to Clauses 6 to
9 of:
PC conforming to BS 12:1996 with
PFA conforming to BS 3892: Part 1: BS 6588:1996 (except Clause 6.3)
1997 BS 6610:1996 (except Clause 6.2)

* Precluding cements containing slag.

* The notes to Table 1 in BS 5328: Part 1:1997 also apply in this case.

Table 2 Types of cements suitable for production of foamed concrete, based on Table
1 of BS 5328: Part 1:1997

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Type Designation Standard

Lightweight Lightweight aggregates for concrete BS 3797:1990

Normal weight Sand from natural sources for concrete BS 882:1992

Building sand from natural sources BS 1200:1976

Table 3 Aggregates for general use, based on Table 2 of BS 5328: Part 1:1997

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