What is Foam Concrete?Foam concrete is a type of concrete material formed by mixing water, cement, and a foaming agent in a specific ratio, then using specialized equipment to foam, mix, and convey it. After solidification, it forms concrete with numerous closed foam pores inside. Its notable characteristics include excellent thermal insulation, light weight, integrity, sound insulation, and durability. Additionally, foam concrete offers quick construction and lower costs.
I. Uses of Foam Concrete
Foam concrete is primarily used in China for in-situ roof insulation layers, foam concrete blocks, lightweight wall panels, and foundation compensation. However, its excellent properties continuously expand its application fields, enhancing project quality and construction efficiency. Here are some specific applications:
1. Retaining Walls:
Foam concrete is commonly used for backfilling harbor retaining walls. Its lightweight nature reduces vertical load and lateral pressure, thus minimizing wall settlement and maintenance costs. Additionally, it improves the stability of embankment slopes.
2. Sports Fields and Tracks:
Permeable foam concrete is used for sports field foundations, covered with gravel or artificial turf, making it suitable for hockey, football, and tennis courts. When covered with porous asphalt and plastic layers, it can also be used for athletic tracks.
3. Sandwich Components:
In prefabricated reinforced concrete components, foam concrete serves as the core material, enhancing the components' light weight and thermal insulation. Typically, foam concrete with a density of 400-600 kg/m? is used.
4. Pipeline Backfill:
Foam concrete is used to backfill abandoned underground oil tanks, pipelines, and sewage pipes, preventing fire and collapse issues. The density depends on pipe diameter and groundwater level, generally ranging from 600-1100 kg/m?.
5. Filling Applications:
Due to its high workability and adaptability, foam concrete is often used for lean concrete fillings. For lower thermal insulation requirements, a density of about 1200 kg/m? is used; for higher insulation requirements, a density of 500 kg/m? is used.
6. Roof Slopes:
Foam concrete is used for roof slopes, offering light weight, quick construction, and low cost. Typically, materials with a density of 800-1200 kg/m? are used, with a slope of 10 mm/m and a thickness of 0.03-0.2 m.
7. Tank Footing Support:
Foam concrete is poured under steel tank footings to form a convex foundation, ensuring optimal stress conditions for welding and facilitating cleaning. Commonly used materials have a density of 800-1000 kg/m?.
8. Other Applications:
Foam concrete can also be used for fireproof wall insulation filling, soundproof floor filling, tunnel lining backfill, and isolation of power and water pipelines.
II. Main Uses in Building Energy Conservation
Currently, foam concrete is most widely used in building energy conservation, including:
1. Roof Thermal Insulation:
Examples include foam concrete roof insulation bricks, insulation boards, magnesia foam sandwich corrugated tiles, and in-situ thermal insulation layers.
2. Wall Thermal Insulation:
This includes foam concrete blocks, insulation blocks, various insulation interior and exterior wall panels, and in-situ foam concrete walls.
3. Wall Surface Insulation:
Examples include external wall insulation systems, foamed cultural stone, and spray-type foam concrete wall insulation layers.
4. Floor Insulation:
This includes floor insulation bricks, insulation boards, and in-situ floor heating insulation layers.
Foam concrete, with its excellent properties, is continuously expanding its applications in construction projects, significantly contributing to improved project quality and construction efficiency.