Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Start Date
15-5-2024 8:00 AM
End Date
15-5-2024 8:30 AM
Description
This paper presents results from uniaxial compression tests on a synthetic lightweight aggregate (SLA) created from high carbon fly ash and mixed waste plastics. Since their invention in the late 1990’s, SLA has represented an innovative and potentially novel construction material created solely from the co-extrusion of these two, high volume, waste streams. This current effort involved testing specimens created as “solidified” SLA cylinders. Three types of cylindrical specimen were created from ‘loose’ SLA that existed at the following grain-size ranges: Coarse (between U.S. sieve No. 4 and No. 8 or between 2.36 to 4.75mm), Medium (between No. 8 and No. 16 or between 1.18 to 2.36mm), and Fine (between No. 16 to No. 30 or between 0.6 to 1.18mm). Though the initial porosity of loose SLA was between 0.4 to 0.5, compression led to final specimen porosities of 0.05 to 0.2; creating cylinders competent enough to be subjected to uniaxial compression tests (i.e., no lateral support needed during testing). Final cylinders were nominally 5.1cm (~2in) high and 3.6cm (~1.4in) in diameter. Uniaxial compressive tests were performed for the various types of test specimens created. Additionally, an on-specimen yoke system was used during testing to capture small strain compressive behaviors (e.g., Young’s moduli) of the various “solidified” SLA specimens. Results from the uniaxial compression tests showed the ultimate strength of the cylinders increased as the “solidified” specimen’s compressed porosity decreased. Also, the initial Young’s modulus of the “solidified” specimens increased as the specimen’s compressed porosity decreased. What is of interest is that there was only a small, if any, difference between the three types of SLA cylinders – Coarse, Medium, and Fine – indicating that the properties measured do represent that of the micro-SLA regardless of its initial, loose size range.
Document Type
Event
Paper_Uniaxial Compressive Behavior of “Solidified” Synthetic Lightweight Aggregates
Grand Rapids, Michigan
This paper presents results from uniaxial compression tests on a synthetic lightweight aggregate (SLA) created from high carbon fly ash and mixed waste plastics. Since their invention in the late 1990’s, SLA has represented an innovative and potentially novel construction material created solely from the co-extrusion of these two, high volume, waste streams. This current effort involved testing specimens created as “solidified” SLA cylinders. Three types of cylindrical specimen were created from ‘loose’ SLA that existed at the following grain-size ranges: Coarse (between U.S. sieve No. 4 and No. 8 or between 2.36 to 4.75mm), Medium (between No. 8 and No. 16 or between 1.18 to 2.36mm), and Fine (between No. 16 to No. 30 or between 0.6 to 1.18mm). Though the initial porosity of loose SLA was between 0.4 to 0.5, compression led to final specimen porosities of 0.05 to 0.2; creating cylinders competent enough to be subjected to uniaxial compression tests (i.e., no lateral support needed during testing). Final cylinders were nominally 5.1cm (~2in) high and 3.6cm (~1.4in) in diameter. Uniaxial compressive tests were performed for the various types of test specimens created. Additionally, an on-specimen yoke system was used during testing to capture small strain compressive behaviors (e.g., Young’s moduli) of the various “solidified” SLA specimens. Results from the uniaxial compression tests showed the ultimate strength of the cylinders increased as the “solidified” specimen’s compressed porosity decreased. Also, the initial Young’s modulus of the “solidified” specimens increased as the specimen’s compressed porosity decreased. What is of interest is that there was only a small, if any, difference between the three types of SLA cylinders – Coarse, Medium, and Fine – indicating that the properties measured do represent that of the micro-SLA regardless of its initial, loose size range.
