The Use of Silica Fume, Coated Expanded Polystyrene Beads and Powder Free Latex Glove in Fabricating the Hollow Concrete Blocks

Production of the hollow concrete blocks is always facing the issues on its weight and carbon emission. The use of alternative materials may help to reduce the weight and environment issue in producing the hollow concrete blocks. This paper investigates the use of alternative materials in fabricating the hollow concrete blocks. Three alternative materials used in this study were silica fume (SF), coated expanded polystyrene beads (CEPS) and powder free latex glove (PFLG). CEPS and PFLG were used to replace partial of sand in mixtures. Meanwhile, SF was used to replace the partial of cement in mixture. All these three materials were used in different mixtures of concrete mortar. There were 18 specimens fabricated made of each mixture (control specimen, SF, CEPS and PFLG). The specimens then tested with compressive strength, water absorption, density and initial rate of suction. The results show that the compressive strength and density of the hollow concrete blocks made of SF was higher than the control samples. But the water absorption percentage and initial rate of suction of hollow concrete blocks made of SF were lower than control specimens. Contrary, the compressive strength, water absorption, density and initial rate of suction of the specimen made of CEPS beads and PFLG were lower than control specimens. It was concluded that the SF can increase the compressive strength and make the blocks denser. Meanwhile, CEPS beads and PFLG can reduce the weight but the compressive strength also decrease about 40%-50%.