Effect of Raw Perlite aggregate on concrete mechanical and transport properties

In this study, the mechanical and transport properties of concrete mixtures containing two raw perlite aggregates, obtained from two different quarries in Turkey, were compared with those of the concrete produced with crushed limestone aggregate. XRD analysis of the perlites showed that the aggregates contain roughly similar crystal components. However, Erzincan perlite was found to contain more amorphous phases. Moreover, water absorption of & Idot;zmir perlite ranged from 7.25 to 12.45% which was far above that of the Erzincan perlite with water absorption ranging from 5.08 to 7.45%. However, the 100 and 500 cycles Los Angeles weight losses revealed that the aggregates had a sufficient and uniform hardness. Within the scope of the study, 9 concrete mixtures with three different water/cement ratios (i.e., 0.69, 0.56 and 0.41) were prepared. It was found that the unit weights of the concretes produced with raw perlite aggregate remained within the limits of lightweight concrete and were 15-21% lighter than those of the control concretes. Moreover, the Erzincan perlite-bearing concretes showed 12-41% lower compressive strength that those of the control mixtures. The lowest performance in terms of either mechanical or transport properties were obtained in the & Idot;zmir perlite aggregatebearing concrete mixtures.