Performance of lightweight concrete with silica fume after high temperature

In this study, the effect of silica fume on compressive and splitting tensile strength of lightweight concrete after high temperature was investigated experimentally and statistically. The mixes incorporating 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% silica fumes were prepared. After being heated to temperatures of 200, 400 and 800 °C, respectively, the compressive and splitting tensile strength of lightweight concrete was tested. This article adopts Taguchi approach with an L₁₆ (4⁵) to reduce the numbers of experiment. Two control factors (percentage of silica fume and heating degree) for this study were used. The level of importance of these parameters on compressive and splitting tensile strength was determined by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) method.