INVESTIGATION OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND FIRE BEHAVIOUR OF PUMICE AGGREGATE LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE BLOCKS

In today's concrete technology, the use of lightweight aggregates in the production of lightweight concrete is increasing. In this study, pumice belonging to Kayseri - Talas region was used as lightweight aggregate and concrete blocks containing normal aggregated concrete and pumice in different proportions were examined comparatively. Six series of concrete blocks were produced in total, and lightweight concrete blocks were produced by replacing the pumice with sand in specific rates of five series except normal concrete block. In order to compare the fire resistance of light concrete and normal concrete blocks, a closed area with a volume of 1 m3 was formed and fire started. Surface temperature values were measured in concrete block bricks and the maximum surface temperature reached in light concrete block bricks was %50 lower. Normal concrete blocks and lightweight concrete blocks exposed to fire were broken under pressure effect and it was observed that the loss of compressive strength was %18 in normal concrete blocks when the light concrete blocks decreased by %6. As a result, it is seen that lightweight concrete blocks produced by pumice have better effect on fire than normal block concrete