Innovative Lightweight Foamed Concrete Applications for Eco-friendly Green Building Construction

Md Azree Othuman Mydin

Authors

Md Azree Othuman Mydin Department of Building Surveying, School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia

Abstract

The construction industry significantly impacts the environment, contributing to energy consumption, material waste, and carbon emissions. As eco-friendly building practices gain importance, sustainable materials like foamed concrete become critical. This lightweight material offers superior thermal and acoustic properties and is an innovative solution for green building construction. Foamed concrete is made by introducing a foam agent into a cement slurry, creating a lightweight material with enhanced thermal insulation, fire resistance, and acoustic attenuation. Its applications in construction include external walls, roofs, partitioning, and insulating concrete formwork (ICF) systems. The lightweight nature of foamed concrete reduces the need for heavy structural materials, enabling resource-efficient designs and minimizing the strain on foundations. Foamed concrete can help achieve green building certifications like LEED and BREEAM. Its high thermal insulation performance reduces heating and cooling energy needs, while its acoustic and fire-resistant properties improve comfort and safety. Despite its advantages, foamed concrete faces challenges such as material consistency, durability, and higher initial costs. Ongoing research aims to address these limitations and develop innovations like recycled aggregates and cost-effective production methods. Case studies and recent advancements highlight foamed concrete's potential to transform building practices towards more sustainable and energy-efficient methods.

References

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[11] M. A. O. Mydin, P. Jagadesh, A. Bahrami, S. S. Majeed, A. Dulaimi, and R. Omar, Study on Fresh and Hardened State Properties of Eco-Friendly Foamed Concrete Incorporating Waste Soda-Lime Glass. Scientific Reports 14 (2024) 18733. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69572-4

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[14] M. Alyami, M. A. O. Mydin, A. M. Zeyad, S. S. Majeed, and B. A. Tayeh, Influence of Wastepaper Sludge Ash as Partial Cement Replacement on the Properites of Lightweight Foamed Concrete. Journal of Building Engineering 79 (2023) 107893. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107893

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[16] M. A. O. Mydin, M. M. A. B. Abdullah, R. A. Razakm, M. N. M. Nawi, P. Risdanareni, P. Puspitasari, A. V. Sandu, M. S. Baltatu, and P. Vizureanu, Study on Polypropylene Twisted Bundle Fiber Reinforced Lightweight Foamed Concrete. Buildings 13 (2023) 541. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13020541

[17] M. A. O. Mydin, M. M. A. B. Abdullah, M.N.M. Nawi, Z. Yahya, L. A. Sofri, M. S. Baltatu, A. V. Sandu, and P. Vizureanu, Influence of Polyformaldehyde Monofilament Fiber on the Engineering Properties of Foamed Concrete. Materials 15 (2022) 8984. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15248984

[18] M. A. O. Mydin, P. Jagadesh, A. Bahrami, A. Dulaimi, Y. O. Ozkilic, M. M. A. B. Abdullah, and R. P. Jaya, Use of Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles in Production of Nano-Engineered Foamed Concrete. Journal of Materials Research and Technology 26 (2023) 4405-4422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.08.106

[20] M. A. O. Mydin, N. H. Sor, F. Althoey, Y. O. Ozkilic, M. M. A. B. Abdullah, H. F. Isleem, A. F. Deifalla, and T. A. Tawfik, Performance of Lightweight Foamed Concrete Partially Replacing Cement with Industrial And Agricultural Wastes: Microstructure Characteristics, Thermal Conductivity and Hardened Properties. Ain Shams Engineering Journal 14(11) (2023f) 102546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2023.102546

[20] M. A. O. Mydin, S. S. Majeed, R. Omar, P. O. Awoyera, H. M. Najm, Sustainable Lightweight Foamed Concrete using Hemp Fibre For Mechanical Properties Improvement. Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Mechanics 101(1) (2023) 19-35. https://doi.org/10.37934/aram.101.1.1935

[21] M. A. O. Mydin, M. M. A. B. Abdullah, N. H. Sor, R. Omar, A. Dulaimi, P. O. Awoyera, F. Althoey, and A. F. Deifalla, Thermal Conductivity, Microstructure and Hardened Characteristics of Foamed Concrete Composite Reinforced with Raffia Fiber. Journal of Materials Research and Technology 26 (2023) 850-864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.07.225

[22] M. H. Nensok, M. A. O. Mydin, and H. Awang, Fresh State and Mechanical Properties of Ultra-Lightweight Foamed Concrete Incorporating Alkali Treated Banana Fibre. Journal Teknologi 84(1) (2022) 117-128. https://doi.org/10.11113/jurnalteknologi.v84.16892

[23] M. A. O. Mydin, M. M. F. Shajahan, S. Ganesan, and Sani, Laboratory Investigation on Compressive Strength and Micro-Structural Features of Foamed Concrete with Addition of Wood Ash and Silica Fume as a Cement Replacement. MATEC Web of Conferences 17 (2014) 01004. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/20141701004