Study on engineering properties of foam concrete containing waste seashell

Abstract The recycling utilization of waste products to lower the environmental impacts is continuously focused. In this study, a modified foam concrete containing different waste seashell content was proposed and its main engineering properties were studied. Compared to classic foam concrete that the foam was mixed directly with other raw materials, here the foam was first filled in waste Babylonia areolata widely existed in China. Then this foam-filled shell (FFS) replaced partial or entire coarse aggregate and mixed with other raw materials. The flowability, compressive and splitting strength, drying shrinkage, water absorption and rapid chloride ions permeability were determined. Experimental results showed the workability and durability behavior increased or slightly decreased with FFS increasing. Although the strength reduced with FFS increasing, the strength reduction rate was lower than that of previous foam concrete. Finally, the analysis of cross-sectional images of FFS concrete was used to verify the above conclusions. In the view of environmental perspective and engineering properties, the proposed foam concrete containing waste shell provided a way to continuously recycle waste seashell and the first engineering application has been scheduled to perform on the embankment project in Zhejiang province, China.