Development of concrete boat by using lightweight concrete

Abstract

The objective of this study aims to develop a concrete boat by using lightweight concrete. The use of granular foam replaced the aggregate in various quantities to reduce the weight of boat. The replacement ratios of aggregate by the granular foam were 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% by volume of aggregate. The test results of compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of rupture and unit weight of concrete were used to find out the appropriate mixture for producing the concrete boat. The results indicated that the appropriate mixture for producing concrete boat was the replacement of aggregate by granular foam at 100% which had the compressive strength at 28 days of 50.59 kg/cm2 and the unit weight was 949.71 kg/m3. The weight of lightweight concrete was lighter than the normal concrete about 57%. The prototype of lightweight concrete boat, which had 1.04 m wide, 2.20 m long and 0.38 m height, had about 50 kg of weight. The maximum weight capacity of the boat was 240 kg. The cost of a lightweight concrete boat was about 650 baht